passport q

old boy

again thanks in advance, i am traveling to the u.s. later on in the year, i have the old type passport, it is in date, will it suffice or do i need to update it, i have not used it for 4 years.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

old boy wrote: »

again thanks in advance, i am traveling to the u.s. later on in the year, i have the old type passport, it is in date, will it suffice or do i need to update it, i have not used it for 4 years.

It needs to be valid for a good six months after the end of your visit. Doesn't amtter how little/much you've used it in the past.

ironictoaster

It needs to be machine readable also.

Zaph

Actually you can go to the States without a machine readable passport, but you'll have to get a visa first. I just picked up a passport renewal form today and it states:

If you hold a handwritten passport you are encouraged to obtain a new machine readable passport.

BuffyBot

Once your passport looks like this



you should be fine.

old boy

its not out of date until 2010

Gran Hermano

Some serious mis-information on this thread.

If your passport is machine readable (not handwritten), is valid for
the duration of your trip to the USA and you can enter the US under
the normal visa waiver program you will not need a new passport.

I traveled to the USA earlier this year with an Irish passport issued
in 1998 that expired three months after the date on my return ticket.

Details here
Visa Services

Validity of Irish/EU Passports for Travel to the United States


In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter. However, the United States has an agreement with some countries (including Ireland) that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. An Irish/EU passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States. However, if you are traveling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will generally be admitted only until the date the passport expires. Click here for List of Countries with Agreements with the United States to Extend Passport Validity.

mathias

Some serious mis-information on this thread.

If your passport is machine readable (not handwritten), is valid for
the duration of your trip to the USA and you can enter the US under
the normal visa waiver program you will not need a new passport.

I traveled to the USA earlier this year with an Irish passport issued
in 1998 that expired three months after the date on my return ticket.

Details here
Visa Services

Validity of Irish/EU Passports for Travel to the United States


In most cases, to enter the United States, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date you enter. However, the United States has an agreement with some countries (including Ireland) that allows you to enter on a current passport up to the actual date of expiration. An Irish/EU passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's stay in the United States. However, if you are traveling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will generally be admitted only until the date the passport expires. Click here for List of Countries with Agreements with the United States to Extend Passport Validity.

Thats all very well , but this situation is very much like the law on photo ID for England and Ryanair insisting on a passport anyway, its going to depend on who you actually deal with on the day.

I travel to the states at least twice a year , and last year I was hit with that six month thing , regardless of the law , if the US customs officer in Dublin latches on to it and he happens to believe hes right , then you can recite legal docs to him as much as you like hes not letting you go and your trip will end there , much like a Dublin city bouncer !

So the bottom line is , if you dont want any hassle , make sure your passport has more than six months to go , if it doesnt your going to need a new one anyway so why not just get it , its not worth taking the chance really !