Passport Question

bigtel_2

My current passport is due to run out in February 2008. Over the next few months till December I could be travelling to the Ukraine, Spain or Italy. Will I be ok travelling to any of these countries up till December as my passport ends in Five Months time.

I would renew it now but need it for a trip to Ireland In November and don't want to take the risk of not having my Passport for the time I travel, but would I be ok travelling to Ireland using a Driving Licence instead?

Thanks

dzug

For Italy and Spain your passport just needs to be valid.

For the Ukraine it needs to be valid for one month after your expected departure date from the Ukraine.

You don't need a passport for Ireland, immigration-wise. If you are travelling by air, the airline will require an ID for security reasons. All accept a passport or photo driving licence - some are much more flexible.

If you are going to Ireland in November you've plenty of time anyway - passports rarely take longer than a couple of weeks to renew.

Added to which if you apply before the end of this month, you will avoid a fees hike. Your new passport will be valid until February 2018 so you won't have lost any validity.

bigtel_2

Thanks a lot for that advice. Much appreciated.

nico26

You can make an appointment to go to the passport office and get it the same day if you have one near you. My hubby always has to do that as he travels a lot at a moments notice.It costs a bit more though.But it might help if you get stuck. The post office do a quick turnaround for a small fee. They check all your details before it is sent and you get it back really quick.

daveyjp

We have just had out passports renewed (they ran until Jan 08) and from sending them off to getting them back took just 10 days.

If the photo is right it shouldn't take much longer than this. Up to 9 months will be carried forward to the new one.

TONKAJOYCE

Just renewed DD passport, sent off last Wednesday and received new and old one today. Normal service.

monkeyspanner

Passport fees increasing to £72 on 4 October. You can add the unexpired portion of your old passport to the new up to a maximum of 9 months.

luci

Even though a passport only needs to be valid for the duration of travel to the likes of Spain, you also need to check with the airline or tour company you are travelling with as some of them have their own rules which stipulate that the passport needs to be valid for 6 months after date of travel.

Janeyjaz

If you renew now it will be back with you well before November, but with the postal strike I would try the post office service, cause they will probably courier the application form to the passport office.