Travel to Bahamas - passport validity

directdebiter

Not sure if anyone can help. We are off to Bahamas - my son has 5 months left on his passport. Some websites say 3 months is fine some say 6 months passport validity is needed . We are taking direct flights. I rang BA twice and they gave me different details each time! The FCO travel advice I thought would be the authority, that says three months - but all the different advice makes me nervous. By any random chance does anyone know about the Bahamas??

London50

As long as there is 3 months left on the passport on the day you arrive and you are not staying for more than 21 days you will be covered :0)

directdebiter

London50 wrote: »

As long as there is 3 months left on the passport on the day you arrive and you are not staying for more than 21 days you will be covered :0)

Thanks London50 - can I asked what is this based on ? As I said I read different rules

London50

directdebiter wrote: »

Thanks London50 - can I asked what is this based on ? As I said I read different rules

Based on me doing it last year {a great holiday I must admit} Enjoy :0)

London50

If you are still not happy get a new passport as any left on the old one should be added to any new one :0)

Heliflyguy

Here is the TIMATIC info or check http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/


TIMATIC-3 / 06AUG15 / 1108 UTC
NATIONAL UNITED KINGDOM (GB) /DESTINATION BAHAMAS (BS)
VISA DESTINATION BAHAMAS (BS)
...... NORMAL PASSPORTS ONLY ......
PASSPORT REQUIRED.
- PASSPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED FOR ENTRY MUST BE
VALID FOR THE PERIOD OF INTENDED STAY.
- BRITISH PASSPORTS ENDORSED ¤BRITISH CITIZEN¤ THAT HAVE BEEN
EXTENDED 12 MONTHS BY AN EXTENSION STAMP CONTAINED WITHIN
THE PASSPORT ARE ACCEPTED.
- WARNING: IF DEPARTING FROM THE USA (REGARDLESS OF ANY
DESTINATION PASSPORT EXEMPTIONS), A VALID PASSPORT AND/OR
ACCEPTED DEPARTURE DOCUMENT >TIRULES/R9 IS REQUIRED BY THE
US IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.
VISA REQUIRED, EXCEPT FOR HOLDERS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS:
- ENDORSED ¤BRITISH CITIZEN¤ FOR A MAX. STAY OF 8 MONTHS?
- ENDORSED ¤BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN¤, ¤BRITISH
NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)¤, ¤BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN¤, ¤BRITISH
PROTECTED PERSON¤ OR ¤BRITISH SUBJECT¤ FOR A MAX. STAY OF 3
MONTHS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- EXTENSION OF STAY IS POSSIBLE.
WARNING:
- VISITORS MUST HOLD RETURN/ONWARD TICKETS >TIRULES/R38.

directdebiter

Heliflyguy wrote: »

Here is the TIMATIC info or check http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/


TIMATIC-3 / 06AUG15 / 1108 UTC
NATIONAL UNITED KINGDOM (GB) /DESTINATION BAHAMAS (BS)
VISA DESTINATION BAHAMAS (BS)
...... NORMAL PASSPORTS ONLY ......
PASSPORT REQUIRED.
- PASSPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED FOR ENTRY MUST BE
VALID FOR THE PERIOD OF INTENDED STAY.
- BRITISH PASSPORTS ENDORSED ¤BRITISH CITIZEN¤ THAT HAVE BEEN
EXTENDED 12 MONTHS BY AN EXTENSION STAMP CONTAINED WITHIN
THE PASSPORT ARE ACCEPTED.
- WARNING: IF DEPARTING FROM THE USA (REGARDLESS OF ANY
DESTINATION PASSPORT EXEMPTIONS), A VALID PASSPORT AND/OR
ACCEPTED DEPARTURE DOCUMENT >TIRULES/R9 IS REQUIRED BY THE
US IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.
VISA REQUIRED, EXCEPT FOR HOLDERS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS:
- ENDORSED ¤BRITISH CITIZEN¤ FOR A MAX. STAY OF 8 MONTHS?
- ENDORSED ¤BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN¤, ¤BRITISH
NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)¤, ¤BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN¤, ¤BRITISH
PROTECTED PERSON¤ OR ¤BRITISH SUBJECT¤ FOR A MAX. STAY OF 3
MONTHS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- EXTENSION OF STAY IS POSSIBLE.
WARNING:
- VISITORS MUST HOLD RETURN/ONWARD TICKETS >TIRULES/R38.

Thanks I couldnt find this page on the site. So with the bahamas
PASSPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ACCEPTED FOR ENTRY MUST BE
VALID FOR THE PERIOD OF INTENDED STAY.

which is great. Now I need to check with BA.......

directdebiter

Not sure if BA have any passport restrictions. Just been speaking to the "non uk" call centre which is a watse of time.

Voyager2002

directdebiter wrote: »

Not sure if BA have any passport restrictions. Just been speaking to the "non uk" call centre which is a watse of time.

Airlines do not make rules about passports, but enforce those set by governments. The embassy is the place to ask...

Archergirl

When are you going? If you have time to renew his passport I would do it.
Nothing to lose, they add the time on.

Heliflyguy

You will not find it on any airline website although the IATA site will give you the same info.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timatic

The FCO site errs on the side of caution sometimes, its not always correct.

I would say you will be fine as long as your not staying for the whole 8 months allowed but a call to the Bahams high comission to alleviate any fears wouldnt be unreasonable.

http://www.bahamashclondon.net/

Just had a look on that site and it states :
Section 6 - Visa Information

1. I have a United Kingdom passport. Do I need to apply for a visa?

United Kingdom passport holders do not require visas to enter the Bahamas for a maximum duration stay of up to eight (8) months.

So it confirms that bit but does not mention valid for intended stay.

http://www.bahamashclondon.net/page.php?page=8#six