Proof of Travel Departure

The US State Department requires that you prove to them that you are leaving the country in the next month.  If you can prove that you are leaving the country soon, they are happy to process your passport very quickly.  Acceptable proof of travel is a flight itinerary from an airline or travel agent, a company letter typed up on company letterhead if traveling for business, or a  hotel confirmation in Mexico or Canada if driving across the border. 

The three types of Proof of Travel:  (You only need to provide ONE of the following)

1)  A flight itinerary from an airline or a travel agent showing your name as the passenger and showing the actual detailed flight information.  Just make a photocopy of this itinerary and the government will be satisfied.

2)  Company Letter of Expedite - this company letter is used by business travelers that don’t have any tickets booked yet, but know they will be traveling on a specific date.  It’s simply a short letter typed on company letterhead explaining when, where, and why you are traveling.  Please see this sample “Company Letter of Expedite“.

3)  Hotel Confirmation – this type of proof of travel is ONLY for people who are driving across the border to Mexico or Canada.  If driving accross the border obviously you don’t have a flight itinerary, so the State Department will accept a hotel confirmation for this type of border crossing.