What is the minimum length required on a passport to visit the USA?

Question

travelling to the USA in January 2007, on a passport that expires in April 2007, would this be acceptable

Answer 1

Yes, it's 6 months. I found this out the hard way. But this is a funny little story looking back at it, but it was a nightmare at the time.

I was going to the States about 4 years ago. Everything was all booked and I was due to catch a coach early in the morning to Gatwick. But the previous morning my mother called me to check I'd got everything ready. This was the first time I had gone abroad since I was a kid, so it was the first time I had to make all the arrangements myself. Anyway, she asked me if I'd renewed my passport and said no because I still had 3 months left on it. That's when she told me about the 6 month minimum.

So, there I was, less than 24 hours before I was due to fly out and I had to get a new passport. So I did the first thing anyone would do in that situation. I panicked.

I called the Passport Office and explained the situation and they told me not to worry, a renewal can be done the same day, all I needed to do was bring my passport, a few other documents and new photos for my new passport. I relaxed a little now, sure it was going to be a pain having to go to London and sort this out, but at least I knew I could still make it. Then she asked me if I've changed much since the photo in my old passport. As I said, I hadn't travelled much, so the photo in my passport was taken when I was about 14 and I had changed, I looked older, my hair was completely different, and I now had a beard. She said it wasn't a problem, I'd just need to get the photo signed a professional (e.g. doctor, teacher, policeman etc) to confirm that it is me.

So off I went to get my photo signed. I could not find anyone to sign it, most of the types of professional I just didn't know anyone, so that limited my options. My doctor wouldn't sign it as that sort of thing is too much work for them, I tried the last college I attended to find one of the two teachers who would remember me. One had left and the other was on holiday! It was getting late in the afternoon and I had no one to sign my photo, I had to get to London or I wouldn't get my passport in time, so I called the Passport Office again and explained the situation, they said I'd best come down anyway and they'd see whether I'd need the signature.

I was lucky, they said the photo was recognisable, so I got my new passport. Unfortunately, I didn't get home until late that night and I still hadn't packed, so I had to stay up all night and sleep on the plane.

It's a stupid rule really, what's the point in having an expiry date on there if the real expiry is 6 months earlier.

Answer 2

When I was in the States last Christmas, you needed a minimum of 6 months left on your passport at the time you entered the US. Check with the US embassy in London to see whether this is still the case. If required, visit your nearest passport office to get a renewal passport in one day, although the same day service will cost you over £100 (you can apply for a renewal up to 9 months before your current one expires and the unexpired time added to your new passport).

Answer 3

It's six months - if you are quick and you don't travel till the end of January you might get the passport renewed in time - otherwise you will have to queue at the Passport Office and get it fast tracked which will cost a lot of money.

Answer 4

And for what reason do you pick a passport to go between the U. S. and Canada ?? Its in simple terms yet another diss by utilising the U. S. to Canadians it truly is going to decelerate commerce between the two countries tension issues for trucking and in simple terms be a non required impeadence.. It grow to be by no skill ever required in the past and it isnt now. in simple terms yet another metheod of controll by utilising the Bush Goverment to give up the hundreds of terrorists that go into the U. S. from Canada i assume,, That and the mad cows..

Answer 5

I thought it was 6 months that had to be remaining on the passport. Try checking out the passport office website xxx

Answer 6

If I am not mistaken its not less than 6 months. Ask your local Americn Embassy, or hit the internet visa section of the nearest American Embassy. All the best.

Answer 7

you need at least 3 months left on your passport from the date you return to the UK.

Answer 8

it is def 6 months, best get it sorted.