Passport Validity 10year rule

Linally54

Does anyone have any experience of travelling to USA on a UK passport that was issued more than 10 years ago? Passport was issued in June 2012, but doesn’t expire until December 2022. I am travelling to USA mid June and back early July. Travel agent tried to tell me it wouldn’t be valid because of Brexit changing the rules, and that my passport would expire exactly 10years from date of issue. But I don’t understand why, as USA has nothing to do with Brexit or Europe. I completely understand if I was going to Europe about losing the extra months and I’m fine with that as no plans to travel to Europe this year.  I know the USA only require my passport to be valid for the duration of my trip (stated on FCO website) so in my mind, I believe that it is and it will be fine. Any thoughts?

400ixl

I take it you are on a direct flight and not one going or returning via an EU airport?

Linally54

I take it you are on a direct flight and not one going or returning via an EU airport?

Not a direct flight no, but transit via LHR so no EU airport.

zagfles

Wonder why this travel agent thinks they know better than the FCO site? Maybe check what the airline say on their website (if anything), it could be some airlines have stricter rules.

eDicky

Linally54 said:

Travel agent tried to tell me it wouldn’t be valid because of Brexit changing the rules, and that my passport would expire exactly 10years from date of issue.

This travel agent should obviously not be trusted for any kind of advice. It's only EU countries that don't always accept the expiry date shown in a UK passport.

Linally54

zagfles said:

Wonder why this travel agent thinks they know better than the FCO site? Maybe check what the airline say on their website (if anything), it could be some airlines have stricter rules.

Yeah I know.  I called the passport office, who were not allowed to give me travel advice and advised I check FCO and my airline.  I called Virgin, who said they were not allowed to give me travel advice, and I should call the passport office 🤷🏼‍♀️

Linally54

Yes, we had an interesting discussion around the topic and the fact that USA has nothing to do with Brexit 🤔😂