Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are white Americans with no ties abroad. We happen to have valid passports right now but that isn’t always true. I don’t really understand the thinking of “you always need a valid passport” - it’s not like any other country would let us stay beyond a vacation would they?

I think the idea is that you would go somewhere in case of governmental collapse in the US, and figure out the next step later? But in that situation I sincerely doubt planes would still be flying, and those countries would be closing their borders.

Pp you quoted. Are there countries that will just let you stay if you can prove you are financially independent and don’t need any assistance?

Of course my USD will be worthless in this situation so I guess nevermind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are white Americans with no ties abroad. We happen to have valid passports right now but that isn’t always true. I don’t really understand the thinking of “you always need a valid passport” - it’s not like any other country would let us stay beyond a vacation would they?

I think the idea is that you would go somewhere in case of governmental collapse in the US, and figure out the next step later? But in that situation I sincerely doubt planes would still be flying, and those countries would be closing their borders.

Pp you quoted. Are there countries that will just let you stay if you can prove you are financially independent and don’t need any assistance?

Anonymous wrote:We are white Americans with no ties abroad. We happen to have valid passports right now but that isn’t always true. I don’t really understand the thinking of “you always need a valid passport” - it’s not like any other country would let us stay beyond a vacation would they?

I think the idea is that you would go somewhere in case of governmental collapse in the US, and figure out the next step later? But in that situation I sincerely doubt planes would still be flying, and those countries would be closing their borders.

We are white Americans with no ties abroad. We happen to have valid passports right now but that isn’t always true. I don’t really understand the thinking of “you always need a valid passport” - it’s not like any other country would let us stay beyond a vacation would they?

The online form at state.gov is down but you can find the pdf to download and fill in.

All child passports have to be fully redone each time. It’s not like adults where you “renew.” It’s a new passport each time until 16.

Yes- renew ASAP.

Our passports were current, but shortly after the election we applied for Global Entry for our family. We travel internationally at least once a year for vacations and wanted to do everything we could to eliminate issues that may arise due to airport/customs staffing or who knows what else upon reentry (we are POC, but we don’t have any potential citizenship/visa concerns).

FWIW, our Global Entry process under the last admin was very easy: we had the cards in our mailbox within 2 wks off applying.

If you think you might travel internationally over the next couple of years, do it now. With all the cuts, all govt services are going to be really, really slow.

Anonymous wrote:We always have current passports for everyone in the family. Then when the need arises, you’re ready to go.

100%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I’d renew it. It is a pain, but I keep all 3 of my kids’ up to date. You just never know when it could be needed in some sort of crisis (so incredibly unlikely, but I am a worrier)- or far more likely, an opportunity for a trip will come up and then you will have to scramble around (and when you really need it, of course there will be some sort of delay or issue….right? lol). just easier to renew when not under a time crunch, and keep it up to date.

Would love to hear more about a crisis in which it's severe enough that you decide to leave the country, but at the same time whether you have a passport in your hand matters....

NP. If you have a relative living or traveling abroad, you might all need to leave immediately if they are dying or to go to the funeral.

Fair, although I think the relatively small percentage of people in this situation (especially a close relative living abroad- that would be what max 10% of Americans?) would generally always have valid passports. OP didn't seem to be in this situation.

Saying that as someone who had a close family member living abroad for a while because of marriage- and the spouse died during covid travel restrictions. It was awful.

I've done it three times.