investigative reporting | January 08, 2026

Will student loans stop you from getting a passport?

Generally, no. An application for a U.S. passport isn't usually denied due to medical bills or student loan debt. The U.S. government does not consider these reasons for passport denial.

What disqualifies you from getting a passport?

If the State Department decides that you are a real threat to national security or U.S. policy, you may be denied a passport. You will also be disqualified if you have been ruled legally incompetent, are subject to felony arrest or have been forbidden — by court order, parole or probation — from leaving the country.

Can you move to another country if you have student loans?

You can move abroad if you have student loans debt. There's no law against it. In fact, leaving the country could be the best financial decision for your future. You may find a better job, healthcare, cost of living, or even love.

How much in back taxes can I owe to still get a passport?

According to the IRS, you will not be able to renew or apply for a passport if you are considered to owe “seriously delinquent” back taxes in the amount of $53,000 or more. Based on these conditions, the State Department can also revoke your current passport.

Will my passport be denied if I owe taxes?

If you have seriously delinquent tax debt, the law authorizes the IRS to certify that debt to the State Department for action. The State Department generally will not issue a passport to you after receiving certification from the IRS.

Changes to the UK Student Loan Regime

Can you get a passport if you have debt?

If you have been certified to the Department of State by the Secretary of the Treasury as having a seriously delinquent tax debt, you cannot be issued a U.S. passport and your current U.S. passport may be revoked.

Can the IRS seize your passport?

Technically, the IRS can't take your passport. But the IRS can start the process that leads to the State Department restricting your passport. But – that's only if you owe a large amount of taxes and you're not in an agreement to pay the IRS.

Why would a US passport be denied?

The principal law enforcement reasons for passport denial are a valid unsealed federal warrant of arrest, a federal or state criminal court order, a condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court), or a request for extradition.

Can the IRS forgive debt?

Call (800) 264-1869 or Contact Us Online Today! Are you wondering if IRS debt forgiveness is possible? The short answer is Yes, but it's best to enlist professional assistance to obtain that forgiveness. Take a look at what every taxpayer needs to know about the IRS debt forgiveness program.

How will I know if my passport is denied?

Additionally, you can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you're hearing-impaired). The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, and normally Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, but Saturdays are currently not listed.

Do student loans go away after 7 years?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? Student loans don't go away after seven years. There is no program for loan forgiveness or cancellation after seven years. But if you recently checked your credit report and are wondering, "why did my student loans disappear?" The answer is that you have defaulted student loans.

How can I legally get rid of student loans?

7 Ways to Get Out of Paying Your Student Loans (Legally)

  1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness. ...
  2. Teacher Loan Forgiveness. ...
  3. Perkins Loan cancellation. ...
  4. Income-driven repayment plans. ...
  5. Disability discharge. ...
  6. Bankruptcy discharge. ...
  7. Get an employer who will pay off your loans.

Do student loans ever get written off?

Forgiveness is the best kind of student loan debt relief, but it's hard to come by. Income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness can erase people's remaining debt after many years of payments. Only federal student loans can be forgiven.

What is checked when applying for a passport?

What Background Is Checked for a Passport?

  1. Citizenship and Identity. When you apply for a passport, you must prove your citizenship and identity. ...
  2. Drug Trafficking. If you have been convicted of certain drug offenses, you might be ineligible for a passport. ...
  3. Current Criminal Matters. ...
  4. Issues Involving Minors.

What are requirements for passport application?

Documents required for a fresh passport

  • Photo passbook of running bank account in any public sector bank, private sector bank and regional rural banks.
  • A voter ID card.
  • Aadhaar card.
  • Electricity bill.
  • Rent agreement.
  • Driving license.
  • PAN card.
  • Landline or postpaid mobile bill.

How hard is it to get a passport?

Obtaining a U.S. passport isn't a difficult process, but the rules set forth by the Department of State are particular and inflexible. And filling out the required paperwork and gathering the necessary documentation can be a little bit of a hassle.

Does IRS debt go away after 10 years?

Generally, under IRC § 6502, the IRS will have 10 years to collect a liability from the date of assessment. After this 10-year period or statute of limitations has expired, the IRS can no longer try and collect on an IRS balance due.

What do I do if I owe the IRS over 10000?

What to do if you owe the IRS

  1. Set up an installment agreement with the IRS. Taxpayers can set up IRS payment plans, called installment agreements. ...
  2. Request a short-term extension to pay the full balance. ...
  3. Apply for a hardship extension to pay taxes. ...
  4. Get a personal loan. ...
  5. Borrow from your 401(k). ...
  6. Use a debit/credit card.

How many years can IRS go back to collect taxes?

As a general rule, there is a ten year statute of limitations on IRS collections. This means that the IRS can attempt to collect your unpaid taxes for up to ten years from the date they were assessed.

Why would a passport be flagged?

If a passport is "flagged" the port of entry agent is to always conduct a secondary inspection. It means that there does not have to be probable case or a randum seach set up - both done because of civil liberties suits.

Can passport application be rejected?

If you fail to pay the fee in the given time, your application for a passport could be reject. Failure to complete police verification: While you can get the passport even before the police verification is over, the process of the application is not complete till this verification is done.

Can someone with a felony get a passport?

Most convicted felons and ex-felons can get a passport. However, even if you are issued a passport, it does not mean that you will be able to travel anywhere you wish. Many countries refuse to let convicted felons enter their borders, both for public safety and for political reasons.

Can you travel with an error on your passport?

Any error on your passport MUST be corrected otherwise your passport may not be considered valid to use for travel. If the error is a minor error (minor spelling error for example), then you may be able to still use that passport for travel and update it once you return.

Can debt collectors stop you from leaving the country?

A judgment can allow a creditor to file a lien against your property or garnish your accounts, for example. While they can't keep you from leaving the state or country, the creditors can keep you from taking some of your assets with you.

Can you go on a cruise if you owe back taxes?

tax liens cover all your property, even acquired after the lien is filed. You would still be able to travel if you have an I.R.S. acceptable payment plan and you are making your payments, or if the State Department issues a passport in an emergency, or for humanitarian reasons.