uk passports

[Andrew*A]

How much validity is required on your UK passport to allow entry into the US? My daughters 5 year passport runs out in March 2009 and we travel in Nov 2008.

 

[paulh]

the usa imigratition only require a valid pasport for your stay,but its the airlines that require the valid form 6 months of return. So you should renew pasport for her as the airline wont accept her

 

[Andrew*A]

Thanks for your answer.

 

[meryll83]

Is this the case with Virgin do you know?

I hadn't intended on renewing mine as I wanted to wait until after our wedding to get my name changed also, but it'll only have 4-5 months remaining when we go.....

 

[bazzanoid]

Is this the case with Virgin do you know?

I hadn't intended on renewing mine as I wanted to wait until after our wedding to get my name changed also, but it'll only have 4-5 months remaining when we go.....

From Virgin's T&C's:

VALIDITY:
1. Passports of nationals of the U.S.A. must be valid on the date of arrival in the U.S.A.
2. Passports of all visitors must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure from the U.S.A.

 

[Claire L]

From Virgin's T&C's:

But also add -

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, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,
Australia, Austria ("Reisepass" only), Bahamas,
Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, 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, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji,
Finland, France, FYROM (Former Yugoslav Rep. of
Macedonia), Georgia, Germany ("Reisepass" and/or
"Kinderausweis" only), Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea
(Rep.), Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland (Rep.
of), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait,
Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Madagascar Dem. Rep., Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico,
Monaco, Montenegro (Rep. of), Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nicaragua (see note 11 below), Nigeria, Norway, Oman,
Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Fed., San Marino,
Senegal, Serbia (Rep. of), Singapore, Slovak Rep.,
Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St.
Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand,
Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United
Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan,
Vatican City, Venezuela and Zimbabwe;


Claire

 

[Jakey Rowling]

As claire says, Virgin Atlantic only require the passport to be valid at time of travel. I have done this.

The other scheduled airlines, BA,BMI etc also have the same policy.

It's the chartered airlines that can't seem to recognise the US immigration position.

Saying that you can get up to 9 months added if you want renew before you go.

 

[meryll83]

As claire says, Virgin Atlantic only require the passport to be valid at time of travel. I have done this.....

....Saying that you can get up to 9 months added if you want renew before you go.

So I'm good then as long as it doesn't expire while over there then basically.

That's good news.

It's about £75 now isn't it to renew?

What's that bit about adding 9 months though? How much does that cost?

 

[Belle68]

We just booked with virgin for next year and was told to make sure our passports are valid for at least 6 months on our return.
The length of time your pasport needs to be valid is 6 months after your return and this is a requirement of US imigration not virgin atlantic or other airlines

Better to make sure your passport is upto date than have any problems going through US imigration

 

[meryll83]

There's a lot of conflicting info here

From the US Embassy Website:

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.

 

[TraceyL]

There is a 6 month "rule" but the UK is exempt

Some airlines ask for 3 months or 6 months (probably to cover themselves in case the passenger is not a UK passport holder) but US Immigration will not deny you entry & will admit you until your passport expires.

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 traveling 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.

US EMbassy website Source

 

[Babyboo]

The length of time your pasport needs to be valid is 6 months after your return and this is a requirement of US imigration not virgin atlantic or other airlines

Sorry but this is incorrect, for British passport holders US immigration only requires that your passport is valid until the date of your return ticket.

Many European countries require this but not the US.

Virgin will also allow you to travel as long as this is the case. I did it myself last year.

Having said that DD will only have 5 days left on her passport when we return next and for me this is too close for comfort incase we get stuck out there for any reason.

If you want to check for yourself it is quite clearly explained on the US embassy's website.

 

[paulh]

ok then dont renew her pasport,but see here face when she gets turned back or refused to board plane.Is it worth not renewing as you will have to do it soonor or later,plus any time left is added on to it
Paulh

 

[TraceyL]

All the official information & appropriate links have been posted.
If the OP is travelling under the VWP with VA/BA & is returning before the passport expires then there is no problem. There is no resaon for boarding or entry to be refused unless the rules are changed before travel

If the OP is travelling with a charter airline that is not aware of the exemption then maybe they should renew.

 

[wayneg]

So I'm good then as long as it doesn't expire while over there then basically.

That's good news.

It's about £75 now isn't it to renew?

What's that bit about adding 9 months though? How much does that cost?

As stated UK passport holders are exempt from the 6 month validity rule, as long as your passport is valid you will have no problems but if you are going to renew anyway when you return the 9 month extension is free so personally I would renew and get it done with. If you buy a 10 year passport 9 months early it will come back valid for 10 years 9 months.

FAQ from passport office site.
When to renew
You can renew your passport whenever you want and do not have to wait till your passport is expired to renew it.
However, we can add no more than nine months unexpired time from the old passport to the new one.

 

[Belle68]

ok then dont renew her pasport,but see here face when she gets turned back or refused to board plane.Is it worth not renewing as you will have to do it soonor or later,plus any time left is added on to it
Paulh

With all the controversy over which rules are correct and which are not these are my thoughts exactly.

 

[TraceyL]

With all the controversy over which rules are correct and which are not these are my thoughts exactly.

What controversy ?

 

[paulh]

What controversy ?

think when people give conficting views
Paulh

 

[disneyholic family]

i've encountered the 6 month rule on other airlines including Northwest..
when i flew in June with a less than 6 month passport, i had a problem on Northwest...

 

[Belle68]

think when people give conficting views
Paulh

Yep, Better to be safe than sorry, At the end of the day the airlines and imigration are the ones who have the final say and it would be a shame to ruin your holiday.