Travelling to the US with 5 months remaining on my passport

[Accelebrate]

I'm off to the US in January and I've just realised that I'll only have 5 months left before my passport expires. I'd got it into my head that the US require at least 6 months so I requested the forms for a renewal, however it turns out that isn't the case for British passports?

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/visaservices/?p=485

Can someone confirm that that's the case and they've travelled over there with a nearly expired passport without a hitch? I'm now in two minds what to do, I've probably got enough time to receive a new passport, but I don't really want to send my old passport off if there's a risk of it being delayed over the Christmas period.

[GCH]

That doesn't apply to Uk passports.
Back in the days when i was still an esta user (pre-visa) i once entered with 1 month left. No issues.
The only difference will be the passport will be stamped until the expiration date of the passport if less than 90 days remaining, rather than the standard 90 day stamp for most visa waiver visitors.

Edited by GCH on Friday 7th February 19:32

[The Leaper]

Why note renew now? You'll get the unexpired portion of your current passport added to the time on the new one. I doubt if it'll take long to renew now.

R.

[Countdown]

I asked at check-in last month. They said no problems.

[Accelebrate]

The Leaper said:

Why note renew now? You'll get the unexpired portion of your current passport added to the time on the new one. I doubt if it'll take long to renew now.

R.

I could, I've requested the forms, and in theory I've got time. But with Christmas between now and then I'd feel a bit silly if I send my old passport off and have no passport by the day of my flight.

If I can happily travel on my old passport and sort out the renewal when I return that seems like the safer option.

[Countdown]

Bear in mind if you get a new passport you'll have to get a new ESTA.

[ViperDave]

OH did it a few years back and I will be soon, Technically I think you still need the 6 months after expiry but for UK passports the expiry is extended by 6 months so that you can enter until the actual expiry date, As said though you will only be allowed in until the actual expiry date in your passport.

If your a regular US traveller you will have more grief entering with a new passport than with an expiring one. If you go in and out regularly but not excessively its pretty easy and quick, but when OH got her new passport we went through all sorts of questioning for a few trips until she had a new history built up.

[Accelebrate]

Thanks all, very useful.

[smifffymoto]

If I remember correctly you get a 6 month extension(for immigration purposes)after your passport expires from the US,basically because they trust the UK.
This extension in no way entitles overstays etc.it's a means of getting home.