Processing Time for New Passports

With over 20 years of experience in information technology, Vikas Mishra has worked as an Amazon Web Services cloud engineer for companies including Robert Half in San Ramon, California. Outside of his professional life, Vikas Mishra of San Ramon has traveled to multiple countries on five continents. 

The process of obtaining your first passport can take up to six weeks, so plan ahead to ensure it arrives before you leave for your trip. If you need your passport faster, you have two alternative options: 

1. For an additional fee, you can opt for expedited service, knocking your wait time down to two to three weeks. You can make the process even faster by paying for one- to two-day delivery service. 

2. You can also make an appointment to apply in person at a passport agency. When applying in person, you will need to provide proof of international travel, like your upcoming flight reservation. How long it takes to get your passport in person depends on your need, though it often takes up to eight days.

Three Tips when Visiting Australia for the First Time

Vikas Mishra formerly served as an AWS DevOps architect and cloud engineer for Robert Half International in San Ramon, California. An avid traveler, Vikas Mishra of San Ramon has visited multiple continents, including Australia. 

Australia’s massive size leads to a diversity of experiences, from the vibrant cities to the lush rainforests and sandy beaches. The following three considerations will help first-time visitors make the most of their trip: 

1. Seasons. Because it is in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s seasons happen at the opposite time of year from what many travelers from the western hemisphere are used to. That said, the northern portion of the country typically experiences massive storms and lots of rain between November and April. 

2. Size. While Australia is indeed a country, it is also its own continent. With that in mind, planning to explore one specific area will give you more time to enjoy your vacation. If you try to cram the entire country into two weeks, a large portion of that time will be spent traveling, giving you less time to see the sights.

3. Tipping. Tipping is not customary in Australia. Most restaurants, hotels, taxis, and bars do not expect patrons to tip. However, you can leave a small tip to acknowledge great service at upscale dining establishments.