Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling abroad who require issuance of a US passport will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport incorporating a photo-digitized image and other enhanced security features. US Embassies and Consulates will achieve this goal by transferring the passport issuance function to a domestic US passport facility. This will increase processing times at some US Embassies and Consulates, but the Department is committed to ensuring that American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner. American citizens are encouraged to apply early for renewal of expiring passports.

US Embassies and Consulates will continue to issue passports in emergency cases. Such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required, however, to exchange their limited validity passports for a full-validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of their emergency travel, both through passport facilities in the US and US Embassies and Consulates abroad.

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