Entering the US with a Passport which expires within 6 month
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for some reassurance. Heading to the US in mid-March, and my UK passport expires in the middle of May.
Some of the travel agents are saying that I have to have an additional 6 months left before my passport expires, however on the FCO website, it says the following :
[b]]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 travelling 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.[/b]
Anyone confirm this for me? I was considering applying for a fast track passport, but wondering if this will mean that I need to fill out a new ESTA application?
Looking for some reassurance. Heading to the US in mid-March, and my UK passport expires in the middle of May.
Some of the travel agents are saying that I have to have an additional 6 months left before my passport expires, however on the FCO website, it says the following :
[b]]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 travelling 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.[/b]
Anyone confirm this for me? I was considering applying for a fast track passport, but wondering if this will mean that I need to fill out a new ESTA application?
Relying on US Customs and Border Patrol agents to actually know and act on US Immigration law may be somewhat optimistic. Visa Waiver Program means you have no right of appeal - if the officer at the Point of Entry decides you are inadmissable (rightly or wrongly), you are buggered.
I would be inclined to remove any trace of doubt and renew the passport - even though the one you have is good, according to what you have stated. We're not dealing with particularly bright or motivated people here....
I would be inclined to remove any trace of doubt and renew the passport - even though the one you have is good, according to what you have stated. We're not dealing with particularly bright or motivated people here....
Matt 
When we came through Sanford last year we happened to end up going to the desk of the same immigration guy that we saw in 2008, wearing the same p*ssed off "I hate everyone" look. The guys at LAX were much more friendly 
OP just renew the passport, use the 1 day service if you have to (there is a 1 week service too I think). You need to renew it at some point anyway and it'd give you piece of mind.
When we came through Sanford last year we happened to end up going to the desk of the same immigration guy that we saw in 2008, wearing the same p*ssed off "I hate everyone" look. The guys at LAX were much more friendly OP just renew the passport, use the 1 day service if you have to (there is a 1 week service too I think). You need to renew it at some point anyway and it'd give you piece of mind.
Edited by Crafty_ on Saturday 18th February 18:10
A subject of much debate on this forum - and it is unfair to tar them all with the same brush. Some use their authority with responsibility, others don't. It can't be a very rewarding job, after all.
I live in the US and travel in and out very frequently, due to my work. I don't think it's true that some PoE's are better than others - I've had good and bad experiences everywhere. Last time I came back in through Atlanta I got a load of grief because my green card has a tiny abrasion on one edge (inference being that it had been tampered with) - 2 weeks prior the same official, smiled and welcomed me home - card being in exactly the same condition.
Obvious tourist entry points are troublesome because they are busy and CBP are dealing with large numbers of infrequent travelers who are not familiar with procedures and paperwork. I suspect that this contributes to the (still inexcusable) attitude of some Immigration Officers.
Never forget that these people have the power to make life very difficult for you. In a confrontation, you can never win, so ignore their sour-faced glares, don't sass 'em back and make sure all your paperwork is correct - and not open to interpretation or value judgement.
I live in the US and travel in and out very frequently, due to my work. I don't think it's true that some PoE's are better than others - I've had good and bad experiences everywhere. Last time I came back in through Atlanta I got a load of grief because my green card has a tiny abrasion on one edge (inference being that it had been tampered with) - 2 weeks prior the same official, smiled and welcomed me home - card being in exactly the same condition.
Obvious tourist entry points are troublesome because they are busy and CBP are dealing with large numbers of infrequent travelers who are not familiar with procedures and paperwork. I suspect that this contributes to the (still inexcusable) attitude of some Immigration Officers.
Never forget that these people have the power to make life very difficult for you. In a confrontation, you can never win, so ignore their sour-faced glares, don't sass 'em back and make sure all your paperwork is correct - and not open to interpretation or value judgement.
Matt Harper said:
Never forget that these people have the power to make life very difficult for you. In a confrontation, you can never win, so ignore their sour-faced glares, don't sass 'em back and make sure all your paperwork is correct - and not open to interpretation or value judgement.
+1 I always greet them politely, do what they say and thank them, simple manners really. No smart ass answers and be patient when the computer they are using starts playing up.Matt Harper said:
Relying on US Customs and Border Patrol agents to actually know and act on US Immigration law may be somewhat optimistic. Visa Waiver Program means you have no right of appeal - if the officer at the Point of Entry decides you are inadmissable (rightly or wrongly), you are buggered.
Somewhat draconian, I'd have thought, but an effective deterrent nonetheless.Unlight said:
Really?? Even for a renewal?? I would have thought I could update my application online with the new expiry date etc. Surely its the same passport number etc??
It's a new passport number, so it doesn't match your ESTA application. The check in system won't match the two so you won't get so far as a boarding card.
Out of interest, why do you want to wait the extra few months to renew?
Why not just get it done and dusted - it's not overly expensive IIRC, and neither is the ESTA application.
Just get it done and all bases are covered and you won't need to worry about all that hassle.
All IMHO of course!
Why not just get it done and dusted - it's not overly expensive IIRC, and neither is the ESTA application.
Just get it done and all bases are covered and you won't need to worry about all that hassle.
All IMHO of course!
Crafty_ said:
You will need a valid ESTA, but I think you's still get a boarding card, I don't believe the airlines have any way to get ESTA details.
I think you'd get there and possibly refuse you entry if they felt like it..
The airline will know if you have a valid ESTA and will not let you past check-in without one, seen people hastily trying to get one filled out via laptops and phones in the terminal before they are allowed to check in. I think you'd get there and possibly refuse you entry if they felt like it..
An ESTA is valid for up to 2 years or until your passport expires.
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