Anyone that has gone to an Interior Ministry passport office during the summer months is well-aware of the long lines and extended waiting time. Seeking to offer passport holders a solution, Minister of the Interior Gideon Saar announces a new service that does not compel one to wait on line.

The nationwide pilot program is underway, permitting one to renew one’s passport without waiting. Anyone over 18-years-old wishing to renew a passport may make the payment on the internet; bring the completed form, photos and old passport to the ministry office. The items are then placed in the quick service box and one will receive the new passport in the mail within ten days. One may also file a change of address using the quick service instead of waiting on line.

Ministry officials report 81,708 Israelis renewed their passports last month, joining the 345,944 Israelis that renewed their passports since January 1, 2014. Ministry officials predict 850,000 renewals by year’s end.

Most people will renew their passports from May through August with the busiest month being July. In 2012, 92,887 Israelis renewed their passports in July. In 2012, 102,187 passports were renewed in July. Most renewals are in Yerushalayim, followed by Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rishon L’Tzion, Petach Tikvah and Beersheva.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)