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Passport expiry - USA

I'm going to the US in December 2005, and my passport has an expiry date of May 2006, which is 5 months.

I've done a search on this site and also looked at the US Embassy site: http://www.usembassy.org.UK/cons_web/FAQs/niv/faq_passports.htm

This suggests that 90 days validity is fine for travel to USA.

This is all ok in theory, but I just wanted to check if anyone has travelled recently to USA with less than 6 months validity on their passport, and has encountered any problems at check-in or on entry to the USA?

I would just renew my existing one, but as I'm travelling in about 6 weeks, I was worried about it getting it back in time, and also I've heard about the new API regulations where you need to give them your passport number in advance, and I wouldn't have one to give them (until they send me the new one).

So, I'd rather just use my existing passport if that's possible, and renew when I get back, but will this be ok?

Comments

  • alison74
    alison74 Posts: 1,603 Forumite
    I haven't travelled with less that 5 months on my passport to the USA, but I do know that they are very strict, so it would be best to find out.


    If you got a new passport now, you could use the post office check and send service that gurantees it back in 3 weeks, but when my sister did it, it was less that 2 weeks.

    Whoever you booked the flights with should be able to give you the correct info on whether 5 months is enough.
    ****************************
  • tigermatt
    tigermatt Posts: 1,925 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm not sure, but I think as alison74 said, the US are very strict and I think you have to have at least 3 - 6 months left on your passport. Your travel agent or airline would probably be able to help you.

    You also need to have a machine readable passport otherwise you need a USA Entry Visa. See http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/info/travelinfo/passports.html#E. Hope this helps. :D
  • Steve_xx
    Steve_xx Posts: 6,992 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    This site tells you all abot the USA Visa Waiver Program:

    http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
  • Ant1
    Ant1 Posts: 12 Forumite
    Thanks for the info. I might go with the post office check and send service to be on the safe side.
  • gkf
    gkf Posts: 404 Forumite
    I wouldn't take any chances with the USA, they can be so picky, I would definitely get a new one.
  • pompeyrich
    pompeyrich Posts: 3,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    There is NO requirement for your passport to be valid beyond the date you wish to leave the USA. Entry will normally be granted for 90 days or until the expiry date of your passport if less than 90 days. This is assuming you have a full British Citizen passport, British Subject passports may be different.
    Click the link the the passports UK for the wording.
    Probably best to renew but not essential.
    https://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/atozindex/atozindex.html#P
  • As a side issue the passport service will add unexpired time on your passport to the new expiry date on renewals(up to 9 months I think).
    The passport office has tightened up its rules on acceptable photos and up to 10% of photos passed by the PO checking service are being rejected by the passport office. In addition many "approved" Photo booths have not been adjusted to produce photos which will be acceptable. Including incidentally the one in my local Post Office, photos from which where rejected in the same Post Office.
  • indiegirl_2
    indiegirl_2 Posts: 1,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    A slight aside, if you do decide to go for a new passport.

    I renewed mine - which expired in Feb - last week. I filled the online form in the Wednesday before (from this site), it arrived on the Saturday. Monday 31st Oct, I sent my pics and the pre-printed form off by Recorded Delivery, choosing to pay by credit card.

    The passport arrived on my doorstep on Saturday morning.

    I know it's not peak time, but I was impressed at the 4-day turnaround :)

    (and like Monkeyspanner says - they'll add unexpired time onto your new passport :))
  • Ant1
    Ant1 Posts: 12 Forumite
    As a side issue the passport service will add unexpired time on your passport to the new expiry date on renewals(up to 9 months I think).
    The passport office has tightened up its rules on acceptable photos and up to 10% of photos passed by the PO checking service are being rejected by the passport office. In addition many "approved" Photo booths have not been adjusted to produce photos which will be acceptable. Including incidentally the one in my local Post Office, photos from which where rejected in the same Post Office.

    After all the helpful comments, I decided to go for a renewal at the post office with their Check and Send service. Unfortunately I didn't read the above quote first, as I fell into the trap described:

    I got the new photos done at the post office photo machine and then took away the form to fill in. The next day, I took the filled in forms, along with my old passport back to the post office.

    However, although the forms passed the check fine, the photo got rejected due to the stricter rules - I think around 65% to 75% of the photo must be your face. This meant I had to spend another £3.50 on photos, just to be safe, as my original ones did not quite meet this. I actually had to deliberately lean forward in the booth, in order to get the necessary coverage.

    Hopefully, it will all be ok now. Thanks again for the help.
  • Update: According to the Sunday Times the Post Office have agreed to pay for fast tracking (cost £71) on any Passport application that is delayed due to its error.
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