US passport processing times reduced [Video]

Late planners in the United States hoping to travel abroad have a little more breathing room than they once did.The State Department announced Thursday that the typical processing time for U.S. passports is now down to four to six weeks. The previous processing time was six to eight weeks.Related video above: Beware of scam websites when applying for or renewing passportThe speedier timeframe is another bit of relief following a massive backlog during the pandemic that resulted in wait times of up to 18 weeks during the summer of 2021.That updated four-to-six-week processing time applies to applications submitted by paper or online, the State Department said in its notice.And what if you’ve really pushed the time limit on getting a passport to the figurative last-minute? For people in need of expedited service, the processing remains two to three weeks.And none of this accounts for the time that the precious gateway …