Passport

[princess jackson]

Im travelling oct this year and just checked DD passport, it runs out may 2012. Is that enough time left on it, or is it best to renew it now.

Can't remember if the passport has to have a certain validity left

 

[wilma-bride]

Technically, it only has to be valid until the date of your return. However, some airlines insist on 6 months from the date of return. Either way, it sounds like you are fine.

 

[princess jackson]

Thanks

 

[crabbie1]

hope not as DB runs out next april and we dont go till this november.only 5 and a half months on his.Im sure wayne said VA did not speculate 6 months on the passport but better check I suppose with VA

 

[chou4555]

Hi There.

I used to work for the UK Passport Agency (before it became an Agency!) and my advise is renew now. Airlines and immigration officials get very twitchy when a passport is coming to an end... and that can be anything in the last 12 months. I had real hassle in Goa on that score and had 7 months left to run on my passport and had a valid visa!!

 

[loobzuk]

personally I would renew it - they'll add the remainder of the current passport on to the new one. I think the passport agency add up to 9 months so I always think that if there's less than that it's probably best to renew. You've got plenty of time so it's one less thing to worry about. If you haven't completed ESTA yet remember to wait until you get the new passport otherwise you'll have to re-do that too.

 

[wayneg]

Hi There.

I used to work for the UK Passport Agency (before it became an Agency!) and my advise is renew now. Airlines and immigration officials get very twitchy when a passport is coming to an end... and that can be anything in the last 12 months. I had real hassle in Goa on that score and had 7 months left to run on my passport and had a valid visa!!

I have no experience with Goa, I believe 6 months validity & visa is required. For the US there is no 6 month rule we have an agreement between the 2 counties to allow travellers to visit with a passport which is only valid for the dates of travel & an ESTA. I have been helping people get to Florida on various forums for 8 years no-one has had problems with less than 6 months. It clearly states on VA website & US C&BP site no 6 month rule.

 

[wayneg]

personally I would renew it - they'll add the remainder of the current passport on to the new one. I think the passport agency add up to 9 months so I always think that if there's less than that it's probably best to renew. You've got plenty of time so it's one less thing to worry about. If you haven't completed ESTA yet remember to wait until you get the new passport otherwise you'll have to re-do that too.

The OP will have 7 months left on the passport, absolutely no reason to worry, I can understand with the mis-information spread around some would renew with less than 6 months but as you say they will add 9 months onto a new passport so its upto the OP what they want to do.

 

[suzybear6]

Just to reassure anyone still doubting that you need to renew your passport if it's got less than 6 months on it when going to the US...

Last October we went and my passport ran out 2 months later and my children's passports ran out 5 months later...no one at all batted an eyelid.

The US immigration's website clearly states you only need a passort valid for the length of your stay in the US. Virgin (who we flew with) stick to this rule but there may be charter airlines they try to insist you have 6 months left on your passport (for some unknown reason ).

hth

Luv Suzy

 

[disneyholic family]

Just to reassure anyone still doubting that you need to renew your passport if it's got less than 6 months on it when going to the US...

Last October we went and my passport ran out 2 months later and my children's passports ran out 5 months later...no one at all batted an eyelid.

The US immigration's website clearly states you only need a passort valid for the length of your stay in the US. Virgin (who we flew with) stick to this rule but there may be charter airlines they try to insist you have 6 months left on your passport (for some unknown reason ).

hth

Luv Suzy

not just charter airlines - it depends on the airline...
i had a fight once with a major airline - i don't remember which one...possibly northwest (no longer exists - purchased by delta)..

my passport was good for about a month after my trip and they didn't want to board me....given that i'm an american and was flying to america on a US passport, they were really being idiots.....i only need a passport that's good for the moment i'm entering the US...but they were going all crazy over the airline 6 month rule...they simply couldn't understand what i was saying - that all i need is for my passport to be valid for me to enter the US....after that i can stay there as long as a like with or without a valid passport....

whatever....they finally let me on board...what idiots...

in any case, those airlines that do have a rule, it's 6 months....anything more than 6 months they won't care...
the US itself couldn't care less.....i've spoken with the embassy about this....as far as the govt of the united states cares, all you need is a passport for length of stay...but even the embassy pointed out that some airlines have the 6 month rule...

 

[thehails]

I can also confirm that we have travelled on 2 occasions with our 2 sons when their passports had less than 6 months left on them without hassle.

as previous poster have said the US only require that you have length of stay left on your passport, the only complication comes with some airlines, we travelled with VA and Thomson with less than 6 months, but if you are worried about it just read through your airlines terms & conditions to satisfy yourself that you can travel.

have a fantastic time