FAQs- Swift Passport and Visa Services Frequently Asked Questions

⏱️ How long will my passport/visa take?

Processing times vary depending on the specific passport or visa service selected and are subject to the timelines set by the government or consulate.

For more detailed information on estimated processing times based on your selected service, please see Processing Times Overview — Passports & Visas

💰 How much does it cost?

Fees vary depending on the specific passport or visa service. Most services include:

A Swift service fee
A consulate or government fee
A return shipping fee via FedEx (FedEx fees do not apply to e-Visas)

For the most up-to-date pricing, please visit our website for the service you're interested in.

📦 Where do I ship my documents?

If your service requires shipping documents to our office, send them to:

Swift Passport & Visa Services
1 E Erie St, Suite 525
Chicago, IL 60611

🔄 Do I need a renewal or new passport?

You may renew your passport if:

Your most recent U.S. passport is still valid or expired within the last 5 years
Your most recent passport was an adult passport
Your name and gender have not changed

You must apply for a new passport if:

Your most recent U.S. passport has been expired for more than 5 years
You have never had a U.S. passport
You previously only held a child passport
Your name or gender has changed

See How Do I Know If I Need a Renewal or a New Passport? for more details.

📝 Which passport form do I use?

The form you need depends on your situation:

Situation	Form(s) Required
Renewal	DS-82
New Passport	DS-11
Lost Passport	DS-11 & DS-64

See Which Passport Form Do I Use? (DS-11, DS-82 & DS-64 Explained) for details.

Important: Use the passport form link provided in your Swift order to ensure you're completing the correct form.

📅 What's the 6-month passport rule?

Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Each country's rules vary, so check travel.state.gov for the most current requirements for your destination.

See Passport Validity & the 6-Month Rule for more information.

🇪🇺 Do US citizens need a visa for Europe?

US citizens do not need a visa to enter European Union countries for trips under 90 days. However, the EU plans to enforce the ETIAS system for US citizens in late 2026.

Check travel.state.gov frequently for the most current requirements.

🔍 How do I track my order?

You'll receive your tracking number via email by the end of your completion date. You can then track your shipment directly with FedEx using this number.

See When You’ll Receive a Tracking Number for details.

❌ Can I cancel my order?

An order may be eligible for a refund depending on its current stage. If eligible, our cancellation fee will be deducted as agreed to in our terms and conditions.

See Cancellations and Refunds for our full policy.

📸 What are passport photo requirements?

A U.S. passport photo must meet these requirements:

2x2 inches
Taken within the last 6 months
White background
No glasses
No white shirt

🇨🇳 How do I get a China visa?

Place your order on our website
Complete the visa questionnaire provided in your confirmation email
Ship your passport to our office
We submit your passport to the consulate on your behalf
We ship your passport back to you upon completion

Read more at How the China Visa Process Works.

🇮🇳 What documents do I need for an India e-Visa?

The India e-Visa requires:

A copy of your passport photo page
A copy of a headshot photo

For business visas, you'll also need:

A copy of your invitation letter
Your company business card

See India E-Visa Process, Timeline, and Requirements for complete details.

🏢 Can I visit Swift in person?

Yes! Our Chicago office is open for walk-ins:

Address: 1 E Erie St, Suite 525, Chicago, IL 60611
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

You may drop off documents during business hours if your service requires physical submission.

Note: Visa application forms cannot be completed on our office computers due to security requirements. Forms are completed online, and documents can also be shipped via FedEx or UPS if you prefer.

🔄 My application is already in process — can Swift help?

This depends on the service:

Service Type	Can Swift Help?
Passports	No — once submitted, we cannot intervene
e-Visas	No — once submitted, we cannot intervene
China visas	Yes — we can still submit and collect your passport, but cannot start a new application
Other paper visas	Contact support@swiftpassport.com for assistance

⏰ When does expedited processing actually start?

Passports: Processing begins on the day your application is submitted to the Passport Agency. We typically submit applications the following business day after receipt, provided all documents are in order.

China visas: Processing begins once we receive your passport, provided your questionnaire has been completed.

e-Visas: Processing begins on the day we receive your completed questionnaire.