Passport requirements USA

NiallJKelly

hey can anyone tell me what the rules are on passports travelling to America. I have a 10 year passport that expires May2008 abut I am travelling to New York at Christmas. Do i need to get a new passport since there will be less than 6months remaining to expiry from my date of return in january. I know this is a rule for some countries just not sure if it applies to Ireland. Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

carveone

NiallJKelly wrote: »

hey can anyone tell me what the rules are on passports travelling to America. I have a 10 year passport that expires May2008 abut I am travelling to New York at Christmas. Do i need to get a new passport since there will be less than 6months remaining to expiry from my date of return in january. I know this is a rule for some countries just not sure if it applies to Ireland. Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

The Visa Waiver Program has various rules about passports in order to avail of travel without a visa. One is a Machine readable passport which all Irish passports are (except consular issued hand written passports - don't even bother going to the airport if you have one of those!). The other is validity for 6 months past your expected stay in the US.

You might get away with it. Then again, why risk it...

Conor.

carveone

Oh, and a bit of advice. Renew your passport ASAP, tomorrow if possible. Don't wait until December when half the country suddenly wants a new passport!

Gran Hermano

Amazing what one can find if they choose to search Boards
(It can even help one avoid misinformation and speculation)

I just searched this board for 'Passport' and found the following
Read the link and you'll find you will not be rushing to Molesworth St
in December.

BuffyBot

The USA doesn't require a six month validity if you can enter through the visa waiver program

Galadriel

Yep I was in same situation and didn't really have the time to renew my passport, you don't need it valid for six months as buffybot said because we are on the visa waiver program so I didn't renew mine but the guy made a smart comment going through US customs though about it expiring soon.

ancapailldorcha

So, you don't need a chip and pin passport then? I got a ten year passport in 2004 and it isn't handwritten. I also have never been abroad and am slightly nervous about this.

BuffyBot

Now you don't need a biometric (Chip and Pin is for credit cards ) passport.

If it looks like this:



you will be fine.

ancapailldorcha

Hey, thanks man!

Jinny Joe

Hey back to the question. A few people tell me I need my passport in vogue for 6 months after returning from holidays. The US embassy site says Ireland has a waiver on this condition. Will my passport be acceptable - its expiry date is in April, intend travelling & returning by January. I would use US embassy site to enquire but no facility for this is apparent. Thanks !
Not that I doubt the word of any Boards.ie member but could someone direct me to an "OFFICIAL" source for this answer.

naughtysmurf

This is a zombie thread

You don't need 6 months on your passport, just needs to be valid, think your ESTA will run out as well once your passport expires so if going to be going to the US more than once in the next couple of years, may as well renew your passport, then apply for your ESTA

Ponster

Question answered. Zombie thread shot through the head.