USARenew a U.S. Passport Online From Abroad: State Department Proposes Opening Online Renewal Overseas
A proposed rule would let Americans abroad renew a U.S. passport online and upload the photo, without consulate visits. Comments close October 27, 2026.
Key points
5 points- Today, online renewal is only for people in the United States whose passport has one year or less of validity left (22 CFR 51.21).
- The proposed rule of August 28, 2026 would open it in foreign countries listed on travel.state.gov/renewonline, in phases.
- The one-year validity limit would be replaced by a period set on the State Department website and relaxed gradually.
- Applicants abroad would pay and upload photos online, with no in-person visits to an embassy or consulate.
- The photo standard does not change: 2 x 2 inches, white or off-white background, taken within 6 months, no glasses.
Americans living abroad may soon be able to renew a U.S. passport online instead of visiting an embassy or consulate. On August 28, 2026 the State Department published a proposed rule, «Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas», in the Federal Register. It is open for public comment until October 27, 2026.
What the rule says today
Under the current text of 22 CFR 51.21, online renewal is available only to «a person in the United States» who had a 10-year passport and whose most recent passport:
- was issued when they were 16 or older;
- has one year or less of validity remaining;
- was issued not more than 15 years before the new application.
Americans abroad can renew only by mail where the embassy accepts mail applications, or in person.
What would change
| Question | Now | Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| Who can renew online | Only people in the United States | Also people in foreign countries listed on travel.state.gov/renewonline |
| Remaining validity | One year or less | A period set on the State Department website, relaxed gradually |
| Issued at age | 16 or older | 16 or older (unchanged) |
| Issued within | 15 years | 15 years (unchanged) |
| Photo and fees | Photos «as prescribed by the Department» and the same fee as a mail renewal |
USAUS Passport · requirements
The State Department says online renewal will be deployed overseas in phases. Applicants abroad would submit the application, pay the fees and upload photos entirely online, which removes the usual two in-person visits to a consular post. The Department expects up to 220,000 overseas applicants to use it in fiscal year 2027.
What is not included
The proposal does not cover lost or stolen passports, or passports issued more than 15 years ago. The Department says it does not yet have the technology for the second group and plans a separate rule later.
The photo you will upload
The photo rules stay the same as for any U.S. passport:
- one colour photo taken within the last 6 months;
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head;
- white or off-white background without shadows, texture or lines;
- no glasses, except documented medical cases.
The State Department’s own survey shows how people get the photo today: only 34% of online renewal applicants said they paid a post office or photo studio for it. The Department estimates the cost of such a photo at $15.
When it starts
No start date has been announced. After the comment period the State Department will publish a final rule, and the list of countries will appear on travel.state.gov/renewonline. Until then, Americans abroad renew by mail or in person, with printed photos.
Make a 2 x 2 photo for the upload or for a paper application on our U.S. passport photo page.
06Questions
5 answers01Can I renew my U.S. passport online from abroad?
Not yet. Today online renewal is only for people in the United States. A proposed rule of August 28, 2026 would open it in countries listed on travel.state.gov/renewonline.
02When does online renewal overseas start?
No date has been announced. Comments close on October 27, 2026; then the State Department publishes a final rule and rolls the service out in phases.
03Will I still need a passport photo?
Yes. The rule keeps the requirement to provide photographs as prescribed by the Department; online applicants upload them.
04Does my passport have to expire within a year?
Under the current rule, yes. The proposal replaces that limit with a period set on the State Department website, relaxed gradually.
05Is online renewal cheaper?
No. The State Department charges the same renewal fee online and by mail.
07Official sources
- Federal Register — Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas (proposed rule, August 28, 2026, RIN 1400-AF97)
federalregister.gov - eCFR — 22 CFR 51.21, Execution of passport application (current text)
ecfr.gov - U.S. Department of State — Passport photo requirements
travel.state.gov
Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .
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