6 months rule about passport Question

[Sammyjo]

My passport expires on November 29, 2009 and would like to go to Disney World Florida from 4 to 11 November 2009. My passport is it valid to enter to United States?

On the internet site of U.S Department of state it's write :

"As a general rule, passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the U.S., however, the U.S. has signed agreements with a number of countries to waive this requirement. When such an agreement is in place, the passport must be valid for the entire period of the visitor's intended stay, but the additional six month validity period is not required."

But the link "countries to waive this requirement" indicate the message FILE NOT FOUND.

I wrote and called in several places (consulat, passport office, goverment) but nobody can give me an answer.

I need your help please!

[yxe dad]

You'll be fine.

[bbangel]

I have a similar question about going to Florida and then on a Disney cruise. My passport expires in Jan and my trip is in October. I'm hoping they let me on the boat since I'm not sure I could get the passport renewed in time. I'm finding it difficult to get a definitave answer.

[Sammyjo]

I got this answer from the American Embassy in Ottawa : You can travel to the E.U. even if you don't have a valid passport more than 6 months. I hope that was true.

Thanks yxe dad for your quick answer.

[pxlbarrel]

I have a similar question about going to Florida and then on a Disney cruise. My passport expires in Jan and my trip is in October. I'm hoping they let me on the boat since I'm not sure I could get the passport renewed in time. I'm finding it difficult to get a definitave answer.

Aren't cruise ships different because, theoretically, you're going to areas that are out of the US? (I guess it depends on the cruise.) You might want to check with Disney cruise line on this one.

[Beechnut]

doesn't that make you mad. If you have a passport that expires on a date, why do they only accept it 6 months before....Why not make the date 6 months more than 5 years, so we get a 5year passport.

We pay enough for the silly things, and they are not even good for the times they say they are
GRRUUGG

Ok thanks, I feel better :)

[bbangel]

Aren't cruise ships different because, theoretically, you're going to areas that are out of the US? (I guess it depends on the cruise.) You might want to check with Disney cruise line on this one.

I know it is different, but like I said I get different answers depending on who I'm talking to. DCL just sends me back to the government websites. Very frustrating.

[TimNDansMom]

My passport expired in January as well and we have a trip planned in October.

I decided to get a new one now, while it didn't interfere with anything, and in case we decided to go across the border again before January. I also didn't want any problems at the border, in case we got an "over zealous" border guard. I was being overly cautious, I know, but that's me! ;)

I took the simplified application into Kitchener a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday and got my new passport back the following Thursday.

[pxlbarrel]

I know it is different, but like I said I get different answers depending on who I'm talking to. DCL just sends me back to the government websites. Very frustrating.

I'm not up on the Disney Cruises (someday, my ship will come....). Where does it go? Maybe you need to go to those government websites?

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

We were told that they could deny us into the US when flying if our passport is to expire within 6 months. We went with 5 1/2 months left and we were never asked anything. But there is always the chance. I agree it is very frustrating!!!
As for the OP, I would definitely get a new passport with it only being a couple weeks difference of when you go on vacation and when it expires.:)

[laura001]

I am not sure about the US, but I do know that to travel to Europe it has to be renewed before that 6 month cut off....I just assumed it would be the same with the US. We are cruising in May and mine expires in July, but I am going to get a new one at the beginning of the New Year.

It doesn't take long to get the new one, my DD did it and went to the Passport office and she had it within 8 days!

[yxe dad]

I know it is different, but like I said I get different answers depending on who I'm talking to. DCL just sends me back to the government websites. Very frustrating.

How about calling a TA in your area?

[damo]

From the United States Embassy website:

"Unlike some other nationalities, as a Canadian, your passport need not be valid beyond the duration of your planned trip to the U.S. and it need not be machine-readable."


http://www.amcits.com/canadians.asp

Sounds like you are okay.

[tley]

From the United States Embassy website:

"Unlike some other nationalities, as a Canadian, your passport need not be valid beyond the duration of your planned trip to the U.S. and it need not be machine-readable."


http://www.amcits.com/canadians.asp

Sounds like you are okay.

Agreed - here's the link to the FAQ from Passport Canada. To be safe, I'd get a new one....but doesn't sound like its necessary, as long as its valid for the duration of your travels

http://www.passport.gc.ca/support/faq.aspx?lang=eng&id=1102

[misslissa]

Hi all,

You must all understand that there is a pretty good chance that you may travel and no one will ask about your passport expiring at all. However, each country (and individual official) reserves the right to refuse entry to a country if you don't have a passport valid beyond 6 months of travel.

If being refused entry won't be a big upset to you, don't renew it. If being refused entry could hurt your plans, GET YOUR PASSPORT RENEWED!!!!!

There is a rush option, it is $75, and in your case it may be an extra "insurance" to ensure that your trip goes without a hitch.

As for the DCL, each port will have different entry requirements and it isn't up to DCL or your TA to make sure that you have them... it is up to you. They can only tell you the applicable information, if you don't have it and you are denied, it is your own fault, there is no compensation, responsibility or insurance to help you with that...

[Sammyjo]

I found this :

Documentary Requirements for Canadian and Mexican Residents

In general, a nonimmigrant visitor must have a valid nonimmigrant visa and a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6-months beyond the initial period of stay in the United States. Even though certain individuals may be exempt the visa and passport requirement, the burden of proof is on the applicant to establish eligibility to enter the United States.

here : http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/citizens/req_canada_mexico.xml

This rule should be clarified. I will renew my passport. Thank you for your advice.

[bbangel]

It is clear as mud. I just found this statement for the Bahamas.

A valid Canadian passport should be carried for all visits outside Canada. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada. However, Canadians travelling on a direct flight are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) for trips to the Bahamas of up to 21 days. An onward or return ticket, accommodation information and proof of sufficient funds are also required.


So for transiting to the US you just need a valid passport (the 6 month rule doesn't apply) for travel to the Bahamas you technically don't need a passport at all.
I may be crazy but I'm going to risk it and just take back up identification.

[OntFamily]

Hi all,

You must all understand that there is a pretty good chance that you may travel and no one will ask about your passport expiring at all. However, each country (and individual official) reserves the right to refuse entry to a country if you don't have a passport valid beyond 6 months of travel.


This is not wholly correct. Each country has their own regulations as the validity of passports, on travellers to thier country. Some countries (ie USA) only require Canadians to have a valid passport for the expected length of stay (and in fact, if crossing by land, no passport is required at all). Others may be 3, 4 or 6 months. Usually, there is a correlation between the maximum length of stay allowed in that country, and the expiry of the passport (for example, if the maximum stay allowed for a visitor is 4 months, the country may require a passport that is valid for 4 months from the date of entry).

It's important to keep in mind these regulations are not set by the Canadian government. Each country imposes their own regulations.

[Sammyjo]

Someone might ask directly to U.S. Customs to Orlando at your next trip please?

[tley]

This is not wholly correct. Each country has their own regulations as the validity of passports, on travellers to thier country. Some countries (ie USA) only require Canadians to have a valid passport for the expected length of stay (and in fact, if crossing by land, no passport is required at all). Others may be 3, 4 or 6 months. Usually, there is a correlation between the maximum length of stay allowed in that country, and the expiry of the passport (for example, if the maximum stay allowed for a visitor is 4 months, the country may require a passport that is valid for 4 months from the date of entry).

It's important to keep in mind these regulations are not set by the Canadian government. Each country imposes their own regulations.

That is a great point!

[minnie56]

I am heading to Italy in Sept...Passport expires in Dec..I just renewed. You CAN be denied travel, so why take the chance?? I know of someone just refused travel to Greece because there was only 90 days remaining before expiration. I took my passports to Mississauga last Mon-paid extra for courier to send back and rec'd by Thursday. Peace of mind..worth it.

Now I totally agree that it's a cash grab basically..I also have a British Passport and if I renew early-they add the remaining time to the term of the new one. Fair as far as I am concerned.:thumbsup2

[fivebyfive]

The 6 month rule does NOT apply for the United States.

[Sammyjo]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Carrier Liaison Program - 2008 CLP Bulletin
August 6, 2008 CLP@dhs.gov
IMPORTANT UPDATE IN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
SIX-MONTH CLUB UPDATES


Below you will find the current list of Six-Month Club members. This update supersedes the list currently found in the Carrier Information Guide on Page 18 as well as the CLP Bulletin date April 16, 2008. You may also find the updated list on CBP.gov. Three countries have been added to the list and are noted below in red.
Visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States. Citizens of the countries listed below are exempt the six-month rule and need only have a passport valid for their intended period of stay.

Algeria
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Bahamas, The
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Bermuda
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cote d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guyana
HONG KONG (Certificates of Identity and Passports)
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Korea
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua (for all passports)
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Tuvalu
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vatican (Holy See)
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

Source : http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/clp_bullentin_04162008.ctt/clp_bullentin_04162008.pdf

[calgarygary]

Personally, as the OP's travel plans are next fall, and given that you are dealing with another country's legislation, spend the money early and renew your passport in the spring/early summer. We are entering into a time when valid passports will be required for all travel, so why resist - renew early so that no matter what the interpretation, you will have a valid passport.