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If you haven’t obtained your Real ID yet, similar to my situation, you might be relieved to hear this news. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced an alternate option; however, don’t jump for joy just yet. This new solution is exclusively designed for iPhone owners at the moment and applies solely to specific kinds of trips.
Who Is Eligible for This Possible Substitute for Real ID and When Can They Use It?
As of May 7th, with the implementation of the Real ID, numerous individuals have been rushing to book appointments at the DMV.
DMV
However, I’m confident that many of you might have realized how challenging this could be. DMV appointments nationwide are fully booked for several months because everyone is rushing to renew their driver’s licenses before summer starts. Summer being the busiest season for travelers certainly exacerbates this issue. Without a valid passport, these new regulations going into effect could really disrupt your summertime plans.
Luckily, the TSA has provided a possible solution to tackle this problem. You still require your passport; however, you may not need to keep it with you at all times. As per their recommendation,
NY Post,
“Apple has recently introduced an exciting new capability that allows iPhone owners to store their passports within the Apple Wallet come autumn.” Even though this seems appealing, I suggest keeping your physical passport safe for now; one can’t predict how well these fresh updates will function.
Nevertheless, TSA has indicated that this new digital passport will be recognized at
TSA checkpoints.
This might reduce the hassle at security checks and checkpoints for numerous individuals, particularly those awaiting their Real ID.
This Digital Passport Does Not Match Your Physical Passport
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Although this new Apple feature is thrilling, the company cautions users that it doesn’t cover all categories.
travel
For instance, when traveling abroad, you’ll still require the physical version of your passport. Yet, for trips within your country, this innovative digital ID can substitute for a Real ID. Following the somewhat challenging rollout of the Real ID requirements, Apple developed this alternative solution.
As the transition is still quite recent, numerous travelers found themselves uncertain about whether their driver’s licenses met the requirements or not. Moreover, many individuals neglected to carry their passports for internal flights since these weren’t necessary previously. Consequently, TSA screening areas and airport security lines experienced delays. This digital identification system aims to ease some of this uncertainty, inconvenience, and queuing time.
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TSA Proposes an Alternate Solution to Real ID, but It’s Limited to iPhone Owners
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