Passport Renewal

[maureen4200040]

Hi All

Advice needed.


I've just had a look at my passport, we travel on 28/8/10 for 14 nigths and my passport expires on the 11/2/2011.

Do I need to renew my passport before I go, or can i get away with doing it when I return?


Thanks
Maureen4200040

 

[wayneg]

Who you flying with?

US border control only require you to have a valid passport if travelling under the visa waiver programme.
Same requirement if travelling Virgin or BA. If travelling with a Charter airline they may require 6 months, check with the airline.

 

[kristieuk]

You should be fine, there is no reason why under US or UK travel requirements that you need six months on your passport as some people think. You passport just needs to be valid by your return day. Generally most airlines will be fine, but I would just check with your flight or holiday company to be sure they don't have any issue!

You can carry 9 months unexpired time over onto a new passport, if you wanted to get one anyway

 

[maureen4200040]

thanks for the replies.

Wayneg I will be flying with thomson

 

[wayneg]

thanks for the replies.

Wayneg I will be flying with thomson

Thomsons info on the subject (complete with typo):

Where can I find passport information?
Ordinarily holiday companies and the UK Passport Office suggest that passports should be valid fro at least 6 months after you return. Each country, however, sets its own rules covering this. More information can be found from the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.

Source http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/faqs/important-information/passports.html

So they say its down to the country you are visiting, not their decision. If they stick to this info you only need a valid passport for your travel dates, see link below to C&BP. We are one of the countries they waive the 6 month rule for.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/905

As kristieuk says though you can renew before your trip and get a new passport for upto 10 years & 9 months, most people are happier doing this and you might save a few £ if any increases are brought in before you renew next year.

 

[jtlover]

Hi Wayne

So are you saying that Virgin you dont need to have 6 months after your trip?

Mine runs out in November and we travel in September. Will save me £225 as all 3 passports need renewing

 

[wayneg]

Hi Wayne

So are you saying that Virgin you dont need to have 6 months after your trip?

Mine runs out in November and we travel in September. Will save me £225 as all 3 passports need renewing

Thats correct, Virgin (and US C&BP) only require passports to be valid for your dates of travel if travelling under the Visa Waiver Program.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/healthandvisainformation/index.jsp

Drop boxes to Nationality: United Kingdom, Departing from: United Kingdom, Going to: USA

This will give you Passport & Visa requirments.
Passport required.
- Nationals of United Kingdom (Great Britain) may enter with
passports valid for period of intended stay

 

[Disneymad]

If people are looking for some extra peace of mind, just fill out your ESTA - it won't get approved if your passport isn't valid

 

[jtlover]

Thats correct, Virgin (and US C&BP) only require passports to be valid for your dates of travel if travelling under the Visa Waiver Program.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/healthandvisainformation/index.jsp

Drop boxes to Nationality: United Kingdom, Departing from: United Kingdom, Going to: USA

This will give you Passport & Visa requirments.
Passport required.
- Nationals of United Kingdom (Great Britain) may enter with
passports valid for period of intended stay

Thanks Wayne - helpful as always

 

[JohnBenjamin]

That good waiver program. So are you saying that Virgin you don't need to have 6 months after your trip for save money?

 

[JulieSharp]

If people are looking for some extra peace of mind, just fill out your ESTA - it won't get approved if your passport isn't valid

We did that as our passports are due for renewal in Feb 2011 and we got approved on ESTA for our holiday in August.

 

[iluvtot]

Hi Wayne

So are you saying that Virgin you dont need to have 6 months after your trip?

Mine runs out in November and we travel in September. Will save me £225 as all 3 passports need renewing

My 3 kids passports all ran out in Oct last year, and I didn't renew them when we travelled in Aug. DD's were 16 a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to wait to get them adult passports

Jules x

 

[jtlover]

My 3 kids passports all ran out in Oct last year, and I didn't renew them when we travelled in Aug. DD's were 16 a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to wait to get them adult passports

Jules x

Who did you fly with last year?

 

[Floridadreamlel]

Hi, we fly in August and our passports ran out in November and Thomson told us to renew them as the USA are very strict on this and may not let you enter the country. Anyway we renewed them, just to be on the safe side, and they have added the 2 months we had left on our old passports onto the new ones.

 

[jtlover]

Hi, we fly in August and our passports ran out in November and Thomson told us to renew them as the USA are very strict on this and may not let you enter the country. Anyway we renewed them, just to be on the safe side, and they have added the 2 months we had left on our old passports onto the new ones.

It is dependant on who you fly with apparently

I rang Virgin on Friday and they say "they recommend 6 months for your own emergency" but I found detail that USA and UK have an agreement for emergencies anyway.

 

[wayneg]

Hi, we fly in August and our passports ran out in November and Thomson told us to renew them as the USA are very strict on this and may not let you enter the country. Anyway we renewed them, just to be on the safe side, and they have added the 2 months we had left on our old passports onto the new ones.

I had a discussion on another forum a few months a go with a travel agent. She was posting its a blanket 6 month rule for all airlines until I gave her the correct info, she checked and agreed I was correct but their company policy was tell everyone 6 months because its easier than explaining the correct info.
Its all down to the rep you get when you ring as with all TA or Tour ops. I was given wrong info by Disney cruiseline in 2008, took me a few phone calls and speaking to a supervisor before I got someone to accept I was correct, the agents sing from the hymn sheet and don't know any better sometimes.

 

[iluvtot]

Who did you fly with last year?

We flew with USAirways, but I printed off a copy of the blurb from the US Embassy for backup! (Didn't need it though)

Jules x