Sorry in advance if there is a better place to post this question, but I could not find one.

Has anyone had problems in traveling with a US passport that was expiring a few months in the future? I am planning to travel to Italy, Switzerland, and UK in June and July, with a passport expiring at the beginning of October. I was told by UA that this would not be a problem for flying to ZHR , as long as the flight was scheduled to return while my passport was still valid. However, it's possible I may fly into the UK first, with various travel among the countries. Anyone have experience with this? I would rather not renew the passport earlier than necessary, unless there is a good reason.

You should be okay with your passport valid for the intended period of stay, but keep in mind many countries (not the ones you are visiting) require passports to be valid for 3 months upto 6 months beyond your intended stay.

We, the US, reserve the right to deny entry to people on the basis that their passport is not valid for more than 6 months when applying for a visa. Ironically, (IIRC) about 15-20% of denials on this basis overseas were for passports that were expiring more than 9 months from date of denial. I guess some of our FSOs can pass the FS exam but cannot count.

[This message has been edited by GUWonder (edited Feb 04, 2004).]

However for some countries (such as the UK) it only has to be valid for the duration of your visit in the US. If, for instance, you had two months remaining on your UK passport, you would be admitted for only two months instead of three. (OK, OT, but what the heck!)

(Slightly off topic as this is for UK passport holders)

Indeed - the London US Embassy website states that under the Visa Waiver Program the requirement for 6 months validity has been waived. (!)

It's a bit comfusing as the US Immigration site (as opposed to the Embassy) clearly states you need 6 months validity from the day you intend leaving the US. (Potentially 9 months).

Given the number of changes to policy that have frequently made due to hightened levels of alert (etc etc) I would suggest anyone who is marginal (i.e. 10months or less on their passport) gets a new one sooner rather than later as these requirements could quite easly change without any great fanfare leaving you high and dry. UK Passport Office (UKPO) will give you 6 months 'credit' on your new passport anyway.

Also (and this will probaby change) if you don't renew before October and have an older passport there are suggestion you may need a visa in the future. (There's been a fair bit of news about this and to be honest I dont know the full story - just thought I'd add it as a thing to keep an eye on)

Getting a new passport in the UK these days is easier however be aware you can no longer just turn up. Check out UKPO site for full details. I did the fast track service recently in Glasgow and found it very efficient - I was in the office for all of 5 mins whilst they checked my forms, passport arrived a few days later.

Contact these guyes:

www.g3visas.com

I would think a trip 3 months before expiration as a good reason. Your saving 3 months on a 10 year passport? I would get it done soon.



[This message has been edited by UNITEDBILL (edited Feb 04, 2004).]

This has been talked about before. The US does have agreements with a number of countries that states passports have an "expiration" date of 6 months beyond the "stamped" expiration date.

Is there a link where those countries are listed in print?

Just curious, why not renew it sooner? It is good for many years.

As this ios only perepherally related to UAL ( and what UAL says is not going to be the final answer in the matter) I am moving this topic to travelbuzz

thanks
squeakr
MOD UAL

Maybe he doesn't plan on traveling internationally for the next few years. Renewing my passport was a hassle (it was apparently filed improperly by my county clerk's office) and I'd rather save the money for as long as possible if I weren't planning on leaving the US soon.

What happens if you had to leave for an emergency?

If you're landing at ZRH and you look like a nonthreatening (probably to be read as "white") American, the agent will quite likely not even open the cover of your passport. That's been my experience more than 50% of the time there, as recently as last August. I've taken the train across the border to Italy, and my passport was not scrutinized very carefully in that case, either. I would be most concerned about the UK, which enforces immigration rules nearly as strictly as the US.

In Switzerland, open your mouth and speak English with an American accent when you say hi, how are you, and they will likely not look at more than the cover. I have yet, in numerous entries into Switzerland by air, to get a Swiss stamp.