Passport validity and entry into the UK, France and USA

[Pollywaffle]

I am travelling to the UK, France and US during the period Dec 2013/Jan 2014.

It only occurred to me today I may need a new passport - mine expires late May 2014.

I checked a few websites and apart from a valid passport and ESTA for the US, it appears I don't need to have 6 months validity left on my passport as I have previously read.

Is this correct or should I consider getting a new passport before I leave?

Thanks, pw.

 

[Boeta]

Whether you are correct or not, the inconvenience of the check-in agents or border agencies potentially taking you to task or delaying you to investigate further, would be enough to make me want to renew. After all you are going to renew anyway right?

As you have done your homework and its suggests the passport would probably be safe, is it worth the risk? It would potentially limit you if there were other countries you wanted to visit or transit whilst over there too.

Sorry I didn't really answer your Q, just my 2c worth.

 

[markis10]

You should be fine in France where passport requirements are:

is valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day of stay in the Schengen area or the end of validity of your visa ;
has a minimum of 2 blanks pages ;
has been issued less than 10 years ago (first issuance) ;
allows proper identification of bearer without any doubt ;
bears the holder’s signature ;
is not damaged, has no stamp or mark of any kind.

 

[Jack_OC]

You should be fine in the EU where passport requirements are:

is valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day of stay in the Schengen area or the end of validity of your visa ;
has a minimum of 2 blanks pages ;
has been issued less than 10 years ago (first issuance) ;
allows proper identification of bearer without any doubt ;
bears the holder’s signature ;
is not damaged, has no stamp or mark of any kind.

Those look the requirements for the Schengen area rather than the whole EU. Five EU countries are not part of the Schengen area, one of which is the UK (the others are Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania). The non Schengen EU countries define their own entry requirements.

The Australian govt Smart Traveller page says the following about entering the UK and US:

"Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry two copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas".

I think that might be a standard line on the info for every country, so I'm not sure if that is actually a requirement or not, but why risk it? I certainly wouldn't want to give the US border people any reason to single me out.

FWIW, I know someone who was refused boarding at MEL bound for SIN because their passport only had 5 months validity, but they were only going to SIN, so that might have been specific to that country. Not sure though.

 

[markis10]

Those look the requirements for the Schengen area rather than the whole EU. Five EU countries are not part of the Schengen area, one of which is the UK (the others are Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania). The non Schengen EU countries define their own entry requirements.

Thats the EU in the context of the OPs intended travel.

 

[Jack_OC]

Thats the EU in the context of the OPs intended travel.

The OP said he/she is going to the UK! Which is not part of the Schengen area!

 

[markis10]

The OP said he/she is going to the UK! Which is not part of the Schengen area!

Good point, I should not have been lazy in my post in the first place, now edited!

Good info BTW!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks everyone.

I'll make sure I get a new passport.

I am kind of attached to my current one. We've been on a lot of great trips together...and then there's the drama of a good passport photo. Not sure if this is a female only worry though.

 

[Junes]

Looks like all is sorted and I hope u were happy with your passport photo PW: after all we live with these for 10 yrs, it's ok to want a good one

I'm also renewing early for entry to the UK later this year: my passport expires 5 months after arrival and I'm not interested in being refused entry by some border official having a bad day. So I'm interested to know whether cancelled passports are still returned these days? It wd be very sad to lose the original with its 10 year record of travel, stamps, visas.

Thanks everyone.

I'll make sure I get a new passport.

I am kind of attached to my current one. We've been on a lot of great trips together...and then there's the drama of a good passport photo. Not sure if this is a female only worry though.