Passport expiry

[tinkerbell 766]

I am sure this has been asked before, and to be honest I am not entirely sure this is the correct place to ask (if not, I am sorry), but is it true that we do NOT need an additional six months validity in our passports to travel to the USA for a holiday. We travel out for two weeks at the beginning of June, and for one week will be taking a cruise to the Caribbean (ports of call, St Marteen, St Thomas and St John). My son's passport expires in November this year and mine in August this year. My son (who is 13) will be travelling on an ESTA, but I am in possession of a B1/B2 visa. Will we need to renew our passports before our trip in June, even though they are valid past our date of return to the UK?
Thank you for your help.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

I'm pretty sure you dont need the 6 months now x

 

[edinburghlass]

I checked on this as my passport is due up in July and we travel in May and would have required a new ESTA as well as last year's ESTA runs out with my passport. I booked direct through Disney and they told me I needed the six months but I was reading elsewhere I didn't.

Not sure if this is the website I found it on but it says it only needs to be valid for duration of your stay.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and...try/north-central-america/united-states#entry

 

[mackay_j]

legaly you do not need it.

However, that wont help you much if you do not get to board the plane due to someone this end not knowing the rules. This happened to my SIL, virgin staff did not let her board (going to mexico via US). It was sorted out but only after the plane had gone. However, they allowed them to go to barbados next day - Think they won out in the end- But would not have been the same ugrade outcome with they had been heading to disney with kids.

 

[wayneg]

Travel agents and airlines will probably tell you you need 6 months, its a standard reply to cover all travellers but If you are a British citizen we are exempt for the 6 month rule.

From the US Embassy FAQ's:

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.

http://london.usembassy.gov/faq-passports.html#niv079

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I checked on this as my passport is due up in July and we travel in May and would have required a new ESTA as well as last year's ESTA runs out with my passport. I booked direct through Disney and they told me I needed the six months but I was reading elsewhere I didn't.

Not sure if this is the website I found it on but it says it only needs to be valid for duration of your stay.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and...try/north-central-america/united-states#entry

Travel agents and airlines will probably tell you you need 6 months, its a standard reply to cover all travellers but If you are a British citizen we are exempt for the 6 month rule.

From the US Embassy FAQ's:

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.

http://london.usembassy.gov/faq-passports.html#niv079

Thank you
I think I may print out this page and carry it with me so as I can show it to any body who queries it on check in. I am travelling with US Airways so hope they will know the rules.

 

[A Small World]

I travelled to California in December with less than 6mths on my passport and had no problems at all

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you!!!!

 

[MrRomance]

When we went to Vegas for my sister's wedding, one of my BIL's friends was turned away because he didn't have 6 months on his passport. I wouldn't take any chances.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Really, what possible reason could they have for turning somebody away? Did they give a reason? How long ago was this?

I quote the following straight from the horses mouth

From the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

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.


From the US embassy

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.

Reading the information from both these official websites, I would have thought that they had no leg to stand on when turning your friend away

 

[stevebrass]

legaly you do not need it.

However, that wont help you much if you do not get to board the plane due to someone this end not knowing the rules. This happened to my SIL, virgin staff did not let her board (going to mexico via US). It was sorted out but only after the plane had gone. However, they allowed them to go to barbados next day - Think they won out in the end- But would not have been the same ugrade outcome with they had been heading to disney with kids.

I think Mexico DOES have a 6 month requirement and Barbados does not (from the FCO travel advice section)

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I think you are right, but what do you make of the Vegas story????

 

[Elise79]

I think you are right, but what do you make of the Vegas story????

Put it this way DD will be travelling in December with a passport due to expire in February as I am not paying for another ESTA.

Before I would have renewed to be safe but not now. I will happily show the check in staff the appropriate advice if needed!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Put it this way DD will be travelling in December with a passport due to expire in February as I am not paying for another ESTA.

Before I would have renewed to be safe but not now. I will happily show the check in staff the appropriate advice if needed!

Yeah, I will be printing out a copy to carry with me. I will also have the sites bookmarked on the Ipad. Belt and braces and all that!!!!

 

[Rach78]

We traveled to Orlando in October and my husband only had 8 weeks left on his passport. I was slightly concerned but I took a print out of the info on the embassy website. We had no problems whatsoever. It was not even mentioned.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

We traveled to Orlando in October and my husband only had 8 weeks left on his passport. I was slightly concerned but I took a print out of the info on the embassy website. We had no problems whatsoever. It was not even mentioned.

Excellent!!! Good to know!!!!

 

[WiganTony]

It's also worth noting that you can renew your passport up to 9 months before the expiry date, and you will be given an additional 9 months on your new passport, so you don't lose out.

 

[Elise79]

It's also worth noting that you can renew your passport up to 9 months before the expiry date, and you will be given an additional 9 months on your new passport, so you don't lose out.

Yes but as the ESTA expires with the passport you still need a new ESTA. Kids passports are more expensive anyway and the fact the ESTA only lasts 2 years means they need an extra ESTA too so I would rather get as much value as possible out my current ones

 

[WiganTony]

Yes but as the ESTA expires with the passport you still need a new ESTA. Kids passports are more expensive anyway and the fact the ESTA only lasts 2 years means they need an extra ESTA too so I would rather get as much value as possible out my current ones

Sorry - didn't realise you already had your ESTA on the current passport. Will read posts more closely in the future