Passport renewal and COVID

[Aiwendil]

I'm a U.S. citizen currently working in Canada. I have to travel back to the U.S. roughly every eight weeks for medical reasons, which means that I can't renew my passport by mail, since that involves sending my current passport in, and with the processing time, I likely wouldn't have it back before I need to make a cross-border trip. However, my passport will expire soon. I saw on the U.S. consulate's website that consulate appointments are severely limited at the moment due to COVID, and when I looked at the "book an appointment" page, it appears that all dates are greyed out as unavailable. I'm wondering what I should do. If my passport expires while I'm in Canada, will I have to leave the country immediately? Will I be allowed back into the U.S. with an expired passport? Is there a different way I should be trying to make a consulate appointment, besides the online booking system? Thanks.

 

[UBC 2017]

What document you have allowing you to work in Canada? What is its validity date.
You do not have to leave Canada if your passport expires, you can send your passport for renewal , but you have to remain in Canada until you get the new one.
For traveling to the US: what kind of transportation you are using, you can not board any plane with an expired passport.
You can check documents accepted to enter the US here:
https://www.dhs.gov/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative

 

[Aiwendil]

Thanks for your reply.

I have a work permit that is valid until February 2022.

I have to return to the U.S. for a medical appointment within about six weeks, unfortunately. I have these appointments every eight weeks, which is why I haven't been able to renew my passport by mail. I don't have any of the other forms of ID listed for entry to the U.S. by land (passport card, enhanced driver's license, etc.), so I guess I will not be able to return home until I get the passport renewed.

I guess the thing to do is probably to contact the consulate and see if I can get an appointment? I presume it's OK if that appointment is after my current passport has expired?

 

[UBC 2017]

Yes , the best thing you can do is to remain in Canada until your passport is renewed. You will be unable to re-enter Canada without one of the following documents:
A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.
It is perfectly fine to book a consulate appointment to get new passport even if the passport is expired, or you can mail it and wait to get it by mail since you decided to remain in Canada, but check the covid situation and processing times.
Good luck.

 

[Aiwendil]

Yeah, I mean, "just stay in Canada until you get a new passport by mail" is not a great option since I have necessary medical appointments I need to travel to the U.S. for. I guess I just have to hope I can get a consulate appointment, or else I have to skip essential medical care.