Passport and esta help.

[Verity Chambers]

Ok, on a moment of madness we have booked a trip to Fl 3 weeks on saturday, the main problem being that DDs passport expires in May so I need to renew. Would the post office check and send service get it to us in time or would you book an appointment at the passport agency?
Also for the ESTA do I need to wait for her new number before i fill it in?

 

[wayneg]

Who are you flying with?
BA, Virgin and all US carriers only require you to have a valid passport, if you are going in Feb and it is valid until May there is no reason to renew now.
If its a Charter carrier they might have different rules.

 

[Pegasus928]

If you do decide to order a new passport then you would need to wait for the new passport number before filling in your ESTA application.
Each authorisation is tied to the passport number of the individual so if she arrived with a new passport it would flag up at immigration.

 

[mandylou6]

I thought that you had to have at least 6 months left on your passport these days especially as US rules are even tighter. if i were you id check with travel agent /embassey maybe you will need an emergency passport application also you need the new number before applying for Esta. id di find this information that would mean you dont need 6 months left on passport


Does my British passport have to be valid for six months beyond my date of departure from the United States?

No, if your passport is not valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure from the United States, it will not affect your eligibility to travel. The United States has an agreement with the United Kingdom automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. Therefore, your passport need remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.

If you are travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program and your passport is not valid for 90 days, you will be admitted into the United States until the date on which the passport expires.

 

[wayneg]

I thought that you had to have at least 6 months left on your passport these days especially as US rules are even tighter. if i were you id check with travel agent /embassey maybe you will need an emergency passport application also you need the new number before applying for Esta.

No, under the visa waiver program UK travellers are exempt from the 6 month rule.
"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"

Taken from US Customs & Border protection website.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/905

As I have said Virgin, BA & US carriers stick to this rule but Charter carriers need to be checked.

 

[Verity Chambers]

We have booked with Virgin atlantic, just checked and her passport expies in March.

 

[wayneg]

We have booked with Virgin atlantic, just checked and her passport expies in March.

Is the expiry date after you return?
If it is then you have no problems travelling with it. Link above gives US CBP rules, link here gives Virgins rules.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/healthandvisainformation/index.jsp
Enter you details and it will give you this result
"Passport required.
- Nationals of United Kingdom (Great Britain) may enter with
passports valid for period of intended stay."

http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/t...EM=GB&DE=US&selVisi=&user=VSB2C&subuser=VSB2C

 

[Verity Chambers]

Thanks Wayne, we return 22nd Feb and it expires March, which I assume means the end of March?

 

[wayneg]

Thanks Wayne, we return 22nd Feb and it expires March, which I assume means the end of March?

It will have an exact date it expires but if its in March and you return in Feb you will have no problems.
Just apply for the ESTA ASAP, if there is any problem with passport dates the system will not issue you the ESTA.

We overlap a few days so look out for me, we arrive on the 19th Feb.

 

[Verity Chambers]

Ooo, will look out for you and your family Wayne!
Am just worrying, I like to have something to worry about, but if we don't have to renew it, it'll save us a few pennies! It doesn't give an exact date just says-March 11.

 

[wayneg]

Ooo, will look out for you and your family Wayne!
Am just worrying, I like to have something to worry about, but if we don't have to renew it, it'll save us a few pennies! It doesn't give an exact date just says-March 11.

Once you have that ESTA accepted you have nothing to worry about, it won't process if the passport is not valid for your travel dates.

Its a common problem people thinking they need 6 months, I once had a discussion on another forum about it with a travel agent, she was arguing it was 6 month, eventually she went into work to check, came back and appologised, her and her colleagues had instructions to tell everyone 6 months for ease but whaen she looked into it she agreed I was correct and she had been told to give wrong info.

 

[Verity Chambers]

Ignore me- it does say-7th March!!!! So I guess we'd have to be delayed for 2 weeks for it to be a problem! I guess anything is possible!

 

[wayneg]

Forget what I just put, getting too complicated

 

[Verity Chambers]

Oh no!!! Don't know what to do now!!! Volcanic ash springs to mind....

 

[wayneg]

Oh no!!! Don't know what to do now!!! Volcanic ash springs to mind....

You really do worry too much, I know people that have flown with just 1 day left, 2 weeks is more than enough. They won't keep you in Florida.

 

[T16GEM]

I just wanted to say that if you do renew it then I'm sure that the Post Office Check and Send will be back in time, I did Shelby's in September and it was back in 7 days.
I think it cost £8.00 but was worth it for the peace of mind

 

[Verity Chambers]

Hahaha, you win Wayne!!! If you see a sadd 5 year old chained to Cinderella's castle, you'll know who it is!