Passport Emergency (PANIC OVER)!!!

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Hi every one...

We thought long and hard last night on whether we should risk it or not and bottled out so at 8am this morning...

DH was outside the passport office for opening...it was really busy.

They say on the website not to come down to the passport office unless you have an appointment, well we have one in 7 days with WDW...lol.

But he managed to talk his way into reception, as you have to go through security like at the airport and they ask for your appointment time...

Anyway a little white lie later (just returned home from sea with the Royal Navy...risking his life for the country!) he was at reception.

He explained the problem (only 4 months left on his passport) and the confusion with the US and the advice from TCD (6 months minimum) and the lady at the counter said they advise all passport holders to have at least 6 months on their passport, but she couldn't give an answer on the US regulations.

She said they were fully booked up for today, but to come back at 9.30 and he could wait on the off chance, but she couldn't say for certain that he'd be seen today...so at 9.25 he went back saw the same lady gave her some more of his sailor charm and she said that to get him out of her hair and as he lived so close she would book him in for tomorrow at 11am and it will be ready in 4 hours!

So we are sorted...

As most of you said it's just not worth the risk, who wants to be turned away on some technicality...and the DoD/HS (department of Defence/Homeland Security) aren’t known for giving the benefit of the doubt.

Jue

 

[Danauk]

I personally would get it renewed. My next door neighbour was recently not allowed to travel (not to the US though) as his passport only had 4 months left on it. He didn't realise either until they got to the airport and they would not let him fly. He managed to get his sorted in a few days though and went on holiday a week later.

 

[Claire L]

Your son will be fine as the passport has 4 months on it -
full details.
Claire

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Thanks Danauk,

After checking out the passport office website I found we are luck enough to live near a regional passport office in Peterborough where you can get one done in 4 hours.

DH will try in the morning, so fingers crossed we can get it sorted tomorrow (DH has day off work) we still have 9 days so its not to much of a worry at the moment.

Jue

 

[jen_uk]

He will be fine, it just has to be valid for the time you are there.

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Your son will be fine as the passport has 4 months on it -
full details.
Claire

Thank you Claire,
we checked-out the US embassy site and never came accorss that page, now we are confused do we risk it or does my DH get a new one tomorrow...

I think he will probably pop down to the passport office and ask...

Thanks for the link, we have printed it off and put it in our documents folder incase we decide to travel as we are.

Jue

 

[dalymum]

Jue
kept trying to reply earlier but my connections are playing silly wotsits tonight. I was going to suggest you go to the local psasport office as you cant be that far away. Its best if your dh goes and gets it sorted rather than worrying. good that your tickets have come - mine havent yet.
keep us posted tomorrow
deb

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Thanks Dalymum,
I'll post the resut tomorrow...

We may see each other out there...watch out for a set of 30 something identical twins (me and my sis) and a stressed DH...trying to keep us both under control ...lol

Jue

 

[diddldonna]

I would phone the passport office for advice.

I know it depends on which country you go to on the issue of how many months you have left on your passport as my farther-in-law found this in europe working as a long distance driver and had to renew his passport.

Just check, its always best to take etra caution than none at all.

Hope things will be okay for you, keep us posted.

I did find the following information which may give you some info, could not find anymore:

Why do I need a specified validity period remaining on my passport to travel to certain countries?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

Some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after entry to that country. The holding of a British passport does not exempt the holder from complying with these requirements. If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the country of destination before you make your final travel plans. Any questions should be addressed to their consulate or embassy. Your travel agent willl also be able to give you advice on this matter.

You do not have to wait until your passport expires before you renew it. If you renew your passport before it expires, any unexpired period of validity rounded up to the nearest whole month (minimum of one month, maximum of nine months) will be added to your new passport. This period is calculated from the point at which your new passport is authorised for issue, not from date of application. You therefore need to apply at least six weeks before your passport expires to get this benefit.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[dalymum]

Jue
where are you staying on I drive - its wierd that we're going the same day and live quite near each other ( we are going from gatwick at 12, i think, tcd on the 28th) and we are staying at the homewood suites universal on i drive
deb

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

I would phone the passport office for advice.

I know it depends on which country you go to on the issue of how many months you have left on your passport as my farther-in-law found this in europe working as a long distance driver and had to renew his passport.

Just check, its always best to take etra caution than none at all.

Hope things will be okay for you, keep us posted.

I did find the following information which may give you some info, could not find anymore:

Why do I need a specified validity period remaining on my passport to travel to certain countries?
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

Some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after entry to that country. The holding of a British passport does not exempt the holder from complying with these requirements. If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the country of destination before you make your final travel plans. Any questions should be addressed to their consulate or embassy. Your travel agent willl also be able to give you advice on this matter.

You do not have to wait until your passport expires before you renew it. If you renew your passport before it expires, any unexpired period of validity rounded up to the nearest whole month (minimum of one month, maximum of nine months) will be added to your new passport. This period is calculated from the point at which your new passport is authorised for issue, not from date of application. You therefore need to apply at least six weeks before your passport expires to get this benefit.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

It all seems a little confusing,
The US embassy's website say's

Passport Validity
If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, the passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date on which the holder enters the United States. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport. Note: Passport holders from Andorra, Brunei, and San Marino must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the United States, even if traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

So I'm not sure why TCD are putting out leaflets saying 6 months...

My DH will check it out tomorrow, I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks

Jue

 

[diddldonna]

This is info from the virgin site, from what i read it means it doesn't matter how long you have left on your passport as long as your from the uk and have enough left on your passport to return home.

U.S.A. (US)

VALIDITY:
1. Passports of nationals of the U.S.A. must be valid on the

date of arrival in the U.S.A. For exemptions see 1.

"Passport" 1.e.;.
2. Passports of all visitors must be valid for at least 6
months beyond the date of intended departure from the
U.S.A.
HOWEVER, exempt are:
- holders of visas type A1-2 or G1-4 (i.e. foreign
government officials or representatives to international

organizations), whose passports need only be valid at the

time of entry; and

- nationals of the countries listed below require a

passport valid at the time of entry and may be authorized

to stay until the expiry date of the passport:

a. Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,

Austria ("Reisepass" only), Bahamas, Bangladesh,
Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (People's Rep.) ONLY if
holding Hong Kong (SAR China) or Macao (SAR China)
passports, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia,

Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Denmark, Dominica, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland,
France, Germany ("Reisepass" and/or "Kinderausweis"
only), Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea (Rep.), Guyana,
Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland (Rep. of), Israel,
Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait,
Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Madagascar Dem. Rep., Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico,

Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua (see note 11
below), Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Romania, Russian Fed., Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Rep.,
Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St.
Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand,
Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela and
Zimbabwe;
b. Chinese Taipei travel documents;
c. (provided being seamen):
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan (not accepted are 1994 versions of passports,
which interior pages are red and with a single image of
the bearer on the bio-data page), Moldova (Rep. of),
Russian Fed., Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan;
d. holders of travel documents issued by the Governments of
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

**** NOTES REFERENCED ABOVE ****
*11However, Nicaraguan passports of any type, issued prior
to October 30, 1981 will NOT be accepted, even if holder
has a valid U.S. visa.

 

[julie d' tooth fairy]

Jue
where are you staying on I drive - its wierd that we're going the same day and live quite near each other ( we are going from gatwick at 12, i think, tcd on the 28th) and we are staying at the homewood suites universal on i drive
deb

Hi Deb,

We're just down the road at the BW Plaza.

It’s not quite the luxury I'm use to but as it's only a base and somewhere to leave the luggage and as long as it's clean we won't care plus as a thank you to my sister, who took lots of time off work (unpaid leave) and came down from Newcastle to stay with me while I was ill and on my own last year while my DH was deployed with the Royal Navy we are paying for her to come with us.

We also have a cunning plan...as she's single we are going to try and get her married off to a senior CM…so we get some family perks...lol

I speak to her most nights and I think she is going to pass out with excitement; she’s only ever been to Spain, we (DH & I) can’t wait to see her face when we start taking her to all the parks.

Jue

 

[Shooby doo]

As i understand it they add the remaining months to your new passport......another way to look at it is renew by Oct this year & you won't need a biometric one for you next visit!! AND would you really want to get to the front of the queue at immigration & Dh be told he can't get in!!
SD aw:

 

[kristieuk]

As i understand it they add the remaining months to your new passport......another way to look at it is renew by Oct this year & you won't need a biometric one for you next visit!! AND would you really want to get to the front of the queue at immigration & Dh be told he can't get in!!
SD aw:

That's my understanding too. I think you can carry 9 months over to a new passport, plus unless the US extend the period again, all passports issued after October have to be biometric (not just machine readable). If you live so close to a passport office, you can pay extra to make an appointment and get it done much more quickly. Because the extra months can be carried over, you're not going to be any worse off.

The 6 month 'rule' you read about is more advice I think, and arises, I believe, because when you enter under the Visa Waiver, your entry is authorised for 6 months (they do sometimes write the actual expiry date on the stamp). If the passport is only valid for 4 months, entry would only be allowed for that period of time.

It's definitely worth a trip to the Passport Office though....

 

[natalielongstaff]

my dh had 5mths to go on his...we renewed it at the PO on saturday and it was returned on tuesday !! brilliant service
i hope you get it sorted out

 

[wildwood]

I have the same situation with my dh passport we fly out in october and his passport runs out in january i have just phoned the american embassy and the lady informed me that as long as your passport says that you are a british citizen and you have a machine read and a return ticket there our no promblems with it not having 6mths on . when i phoned the british passport office they did not know what the requirements where and told me to phone the american embanssy

 

[dalymum]

any news Jue

 

[dalymum]

Jue
That's great news that you got it sorted - everyones happy now (my tickets came today!)
Deb

 

[wicket2005]

Glad you got it all sorted out, what a relief. Have a fantastic time.