A sad goodbye to M*****0 (passport expiry)

[Welsh-Kiwi]

I visited NYC in January with an epassport and an ESTA I'd previously used. Had to queue up and be manually processed with photo and fingerprints. I thought an ESTA would save time??

 

[Denali]

Recently had to say good bye to my old passport. Was a little upsetting watching them cut up my old one. All those good memories and fun times which it brought.
My nice new shiny one needs to get some stamps into it pronto.

My husband was very sad to have to start all over again. All those visas and stamps, good times.

 

[harvyk]

I visited NYC in January with an epassport and an ESTA I'd previously used. Had to queue up and be manually processed with photo and fingerprints. I thought an ESTA would save time??

An ESTA simply gets you onto the plane. It's not considered a visa because entry into the US at the other end is not guaranteed (like it is with a visa provided they feel you'll follow the T&C's of the visa)

 

[blackcat20]

Not only do you need a new ESTA, but you also need to be manually processed.

You can only use the automated machines if you have an ePassport on an ESTA that you have entered the country with previously.

Don't have to have entered on an esta before to use the machines now. I entered in December on a brand new esta via the kiosk.

 

[anat0l]

Don't have to have entered on an esta before to use the machines now. I entered in December on a brand new esta via the kiosk.

Must have changed. I entered LAX last June and needed manual processing as I had an ESTA that I have never entered the USA before on (the passport, on the other hand, I had used to enter the USA previously).

 

[serfty]

It simply the new passport that forces one to bypass the machines; e.g. I used a machine my new ESTA in January with my to be defunct next year PP.

 

[Major]

My 1st passport started with G
No 2 was a P
3rd one was N
4th was J
5th was a L
6th was M
The current one is PA (issued Jan)

 

[snabbu]

Another sad ex-M passport holder. New PA arrived late 2016.

Only page 34 of 34 was free at retirement, a very sad day indeed.

 

[blackcat20]

Haven't had my M passport since 2013!

 

[andmiz]

I've got a PA and 2 years in it's over half full. I wish they kept producing the larger 64 page passports like they used to!

 

[Altair]

I need to replace my old M*****0 passport and I have a question.
Based in NZ, working very close to the High Commission but regarding the Guarantor, which is easy to get as I work in the public service for the last 10 years, but on the form there is no section 12, or even any section, where the guarantor must sign.
Does anyone know if there is a different form for overseas applicants or has this changed but not reflected on the website?

 

[Hvr]

I need to replace my old M*****0 passport and I have a question.
Based in NZ, working very close to the High Commission but regarding the Guarantor, which is easy to get as I work in the public service for the last 10 years, but on the form there is no section 12, or even any section, where the guarantor must sign.
Does anyone know if there is a different form for overseas applicants or has this changed but not reflected on the website?

As long as you have your current or recently expired (>2 years) passport then a guarantor is not required.

 

[Reds2011]

No, you need a new ESTA - I had to get a new one a few months ago and it is not valid past my May 2018 Expiry.

Err.. Yes, that's what I said. He will need a new ESTA.

I've always filled passports before they got anywhere near within 2 years of expiring however I am not surprised they terminate the ESTA on the expiry date if there is less than 2 years validity left. My comment was more directed to the fact they have a short validity anyway so getting another is not a big issue.

 

[serfty]

... My comment was more directed to the fact they have a short validity anyway so getting another is not a big issue.

So true ...

 

[Altair]

As long as you have your current or recently expired (>2 years) passport then a guarantor is not required.

Thanks I had called up last night and they said the same. Website is very confusing about that.

 

[malmacdowall]

Am feeling a little sad today as my passport got the chop and I put in the renewal form. 145 different stamps/visas (Multiple entries into many countries) and only 1 page left. I am going to miss knowing all the details off by heart, and now will actually need to look at it before filling out arrival/departure cards.

Wonder how how long before I memorize the new one...

Totally agree.... I had a fantastic "M" passport number.... It contained 787 and 747 ... And now its some PA**** cough

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Also sad to have replaced my M-series passport... the worst part was that the woman at Australia Post who was cutting off part of the front cover couldn't be bothered to even try cutting straight, and half of the front cover is now gone! Still angry now just thinking about it.

Tip: Warn them in advance to cut it dead straight, and only cut off the control details area as they are required to... or else hand over the scissors to you while they scrutinise!

 

[OzEire]

My old M-series passport, somehow, was issued and expired on my birthdate. This made recalling all of the relevant details very easy.

 

[Boca68]

Got rid of the old M******0 passport June last year, was due to expire in September.

Got a brand spanking new PA******* , was a pain the first few times, but after 3 or 4 journeys, remember it like the old one now.

 

[Vic]

Had planned to keep using my M series passport up to a few weeks before expiry with a trip to a country that doesn't have the 6 month thing. Then last minute trip came up to a country that wants 6 months. Now onto the PA series. Probably a good thing given the paranoid officiousness of border types for the original country. Could just imagine being denied entry because someone didn't know Australian's don't need 6 months to enter.

I'm not sure the issue over the "destroying" of the old passport - they just cut off the "barcode" this time. Didn't even cut off the corners. All the stamps are intact.