Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Important Notes

01/24/2025

FYSA: Italy Mission Visa Process

Italy Visa processing is to continue without modification to the process.  (24 Jan 2024)

Please continue to follow the information posted on Passport Matters and if there are any questions contact the Customer Service Team at Passport Services Division.   

Processing of all special issuance passports in support of a mission visa for entry to Italy is unchanged and currently operating under normal conditions.  

11/01/2024

DD-Form 1610, Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DoD Personnel

Effective November 4, 2024 , users will no longer be able to print the following Government forms from DTS: DD Form 1610, DD Form 1351-2, and Optional Form (OF) 1164

This change brings DTS into compliance with the Joint Travel Regulations, Section 010206, and the Defense Travel System Regulations, published under the authority of the DoDI 5154.31, Volume 3.

The travel authorization provided by the traveler must contain an “Authorization number” at the top and block 10 must be populated indicating completed orders as well as the authorizing officials approval.

Based on the available information, after 04 November 2024, Passport Service Division (PSD) requires all DoD acceptance agents to request the following two items to support bona fide travel requirements in lieu of the DD-1610.

Forms to be Requested:

  • The Travel Authorization:
    • This will show authorization number, document number, departure point, the oversea destination, accounting classification and authorizing official  along with additional misc. trip data. 
  • The Routing list:
    • This will show authorization number and final approval status. 

DTS form DD-1610 approved and printed prior to 04 Nov 2024 will still be acceptable for use in providing Bona fide need

  • DD-1610 forms printed after 04 Nov 2024 will not be acceptable proof of travel

This change does not impact PCS travel or travel under Civilian Transportation agreement forms or orders.

If there are any questions please contact Fort Belvoir Customer Service Team for assistance

  • usarmy.pentagon.hqda-oaa-det.mbx.det-ppv-customer-service@army.mil
10/16/2024
 
15 Oct 2024 Update: Processing Entry Visas for Italy.
  • Update 15 Oct 2024Continual Guidance, Effective immediately, All civilian DoD sponsors and their dependents must process their request for Italy entry visas through the Fort Belvoir, DoD Passport Services Division (PSD).
  • Update 15 Oct 2024: Effective 15 Oct 2024 until further notice: All dependents of U.S. Active Military sponsors must process their request for Italy entry visa through the Fort Belvoir. DoD Passport Services Division (PSD).  Please contact you local DoD acceptance agent for assistance. 

  • All dependents of U.S. Active Military sponsors who have reported to their new assignment in Italy except those under Philadelphia and Houston, may utilize the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of current residence. Applications must be on the appropriate letter head from the Consulate utilized. Use of confirmed delivery and traceable mail service must be utilized as well as providing a return shipping envelope for Consular use. 

ATTENTION - DoD Civilians and Eligible Family Members (EFM) of both US Military and DoD Civilian personnel on PCS travel (over 90 days) require a "missione" visa in their Official (maroon) or No-Fee Regular (blue) passports prior to arrival. 

Travelers LACKING the "missione" visa will NOT able to apply for a sojourner's permit and must return to country of origin (at their own expense)

10/09/2024

Subject: Access to the Foreign Clearance Guide

APACS and FCG NIPR net Outage - Wednesday, 09 October 2024, 0900-1300 ET. 

DISA will be performing a scheduled maintenance outage on the APACS and FCG

NIPR net websites.  The websites will not be accessible during this time.

DoD Agents with questions regarding requirements should contact Customer Service, PSD Fort Belvoir for assistance

10/02/2024

Good Day DoD Passport Program Team;

X Gender Marker Special Issuance Passport Rollout delay

As many may be aware the Department of State is continuing to prepare for the rollout of special issuance passports with X gender markers (X-SIPs). This change affects many of the Department’s partners across the federal government. To adequately address the concerns of the interagency and ensure the smooth implementation of the process, the Department of State has delayed the October rollout date announced June 28, 2024. The rollout is still anticipated to occur in CY-2024, and a new date will be shared as soon as it is set.

DoD Acceptance Agents are advised they are not to accept applications listing “X” as the gender marker selection when intake is for Special Issuance Passports (SIP) until the appropriate guidance from OMB, OPM and DoD on implementation has been provided.  DoD Passport Services Division Fort Belvoir Va. will provide additional information to DoD Acceptance Agents as it is available.

Current DS11 form version, OMB Control No. 1405-0004 Expiration Date: 04-30-2025

Current DS82 form version, OMB Control No. 1405-0020 Expiration Date: 04-30-2025.

DoD Acceptance Agents CONUS AND OCONUS are reminded and advised that the presentation of a tourist passport application in support of DoD official travel (Taiwan etc. ) must meet the same qualifications for intake as other Special Issuance Passports.  Until further notice tourist passport applications presented under official movement associated to bona fide orders may not be accepted by DoD Agents when presented with the “X” Gender marker selected. 

DoD Acceptance Agents OCONUS are advised that the presentation of tourist passport applications for intake may not be turned away.  DoD Agents are to accept the tourist passport application and forward IAW current guidance to DOS with either one of the 3 markers bearing in mind that the X-gender identifier does not have to match the applicants Id presented, previous passport or  evidence of citizenship provided.  Refer to the DS-11 and DS-82 instructions for guidance or contact PSD, Fort Belvoir Va. for appropriate guidance.

DS forms Note 3:

Gender: The gender markers used are “M” (male), “F” (female) and “X” (unspecified or another gender identity). The gender marker that you check on this form will appear in your passport regardless of the gender marker(s) on your previous passport and/or your supporting evidence of citizenship and identity. If changing your gender marker from what was printed on your previous passport, select “Yes” in this field on Application Page 1. If no gender marker is selected, we may print the gender as listed on your supporting evidence or contact you for more information. Please Note: We cannot guarantee that other countries you visit or travel through will recognize the gender marker on your passport. Visit travel.state.gov/gender for more information.

The receipt of a tourist passport with a gender marker not identical to that presented on the members Special Issuance passport will have no impact on the types of passports.

If the DoD community has questions on the presented information please contact Customer Service, DoD Passport Service Division Fort Belvoir Va.,

09/23/2024

9/23/2024 Update: The Israeli Embassy will be closed on the dates below due to Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Be advised that this may impact the ability to deliver or retrieve visas on or around these dates. Additionally, on October 2nd, 11th, 16th, and 23rd, there will be reduced embassy operational hours. 

  • September 27th, 2024
  • October 3rd, 2024
  • October 4th, 2024
  • October 17th, 2024
  • October 18th, 2024
  • October 24th, 2024
  • October 25th, 2024

08/15/2024

Refer to the Italian Consulate/Embassy that has jurisdiction over your region and follow instructions. See link provided for Consulate information

08/13/2024
13 Aug 2024 Update:  Processing Entry Visas for Italy. 
  • Update 13 Aug 2024: Effective immediately,  All civilian DoD sponsors and their dependents must process their request for Italy entry visas through the Fort Belvoir, DoD Passport Services Division (PSD).
  • Update 13 Aug 2024:  Effective 15 Aug 2024 through O1 Oct 2024, All dependents of U.S. Active Military sponsors except those under Philadelphia and Houston, may utilizing the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over their area of current residence.  Applications must be on the appropriate letter head from the Consulate utilized.  Use of confirmed delivery and traceable mail service must be utilized.
08/05/2024

7/30/24 Update:  Ecuadorian Visas are no longer required for Civilians and Military Service members UNLESS under Diplomatic Assignment. Please see FCG for more details. 

07/23/2024
7/22/24 Update: The Italian Embassy has reduced the number of visas they are accepting on a weekly basis. Due to the high volume of PCS requests and the reduction to the number of visas accepted by the Italian Embassy, we are currently expecting delays to travel in the range of 3-6 weeks. 

Applicants are advised to not book flights, sell homes, transport goods, ship cars, etc. until they have the visas in hand. DoD Travel Authorities are not to provide accommodations to members without the proper travel documents (Official/No-Fee/Diplomatic Passport with Visa). 

Passport Services Division is actively working with the Embassy to identify alternatives for processing visas to reduce/mitigate travel delays. Applicants should contact their Passport Agent for updates to the status of their visas. 
07/01/2024
PASSPORT AGENTS -DO NOT LET CHILDREN SIGN THEIR PASSPORTS.  IF THEY ARE UNDER 16, HAVE THE PARENTS SIGN. THERE IS A CORRECT WAY FOR THEM TO SIGN, IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE CORRECT WAY THEN PLEASE REACH OUT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
03/20/2024

Customer Notice: Authorized Service Interruption:  DNS Cutover - Migration of Passport Matters Public to cARMY

Maintenance will occur:  03/21/2024 6PM until 03/21/2024 9PM

Purpose of ASI: Is to release the DNS Cutover for migration of PM PUB to cARMY. Go Live has been approved!

Customers Impacted:     All users of the system.

Action Required of Customer:  Log off NLT 6PM EST

Impact: Medium impact -- system will be unusable during the ASI window but will be fully operational with no loss of data after the maintenance period.

Customer should contact Customer Service, DoD Passport and Visa Division if there are any questions.  
 

11/30/2023

One Transmittal equals 20 or less applicants per page:

If a DoD agent has less than 20 applications and they are generating a transmittal, the form will generate correctly (1-20)

However, if the DoD agent is creating a transmittal for more than 20 applications the system is unable to compile the second page, (21 - 40) and will corrupt the entire set.  Agents will then need to use a manual DS-7691 transmittal for shipping which can be located on Passport matters under

-          Note: If the agent selected the correct delivery (DOS or PSD) each application will be in the correct status.

The current fix is that the agent must work in steps within VPAS by selecting 20 or less applications in VPAS creating the necessary transmittal from VPAS, then they must return to the create option and select the additional applications and create generate for a new transmittal including all applicants exceeding 20 applicants.

-          1-20 applications

-          21-40 applications (this will still list on the transmittal as 1-20)

-          41-60 applications (this will still list on the transmittal as 1-20)

Base Line, the agent is only able to create 1 transmittal of 20 or less applicants and must create multiple transmittals to list and account for any additional applicants. 

If there are any questions, please contact the Customer Service Team. 

09/29/2023

In the event of a Government shutdown, the Passport Services Division will operate in a “reduced” capacity.  For emergencies, please contact Customer Service at 703-545-0003/0004.  The Special Issuance Agency will be fully operational.

09/28/2023
Please be sure to check your junk mail while waiting on visa approval emails.  Some individuals are not receiving the approval emails in their in-box because the emails are coming from an Auto Reply.  If the emails ARE going to your junk mail then please speak to your IT Department concerning this issue.
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