usvi-on-line
Passport reminder
Passport reminder
Well, I checked my passport the other day and noticed that it expires in Feb 2011. My trip is December 2-17.
Why is this a problem you ask?
Well, these days many countries/destinations require that your passport have an expiration date that is at least 3 to 6 months past your travel dates.
Here's an older article on MSNBC about the issue: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/
It's a pain in the ass but since we are planning to spend our first week on Jost BVI, I didn't want to run the risk of getting a hard time from them on arrival.
Likely it wouldn't have been a major problem but I graduated from the school of "better safe than sorry."
To that end, I did all my paperwork, got a crappy passport photo (worst.EVER), wrote a big fat check to the feds and sent the whole shebang off via priority mail.
I went ahead and paid the extra fee to expedite. I admit that I feel like a chump since many folks are getting theirs back in 3 weeks but since I'm exactly 6 weeks out - and the web site says that processing is taking 4-6 weeks - I felt that I should err on the side of caution.
STJ and Jost soon come!
Why is this a problem you ask?
Well, these days many countries/destinations require that your passport have an expiration date that is at least 3 to 6 months past your travel dates.
Here's an older article on MSNBC about the issue: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/
It's a pain in the ass but since we are planning to spend our first week on Jost BVI, I didn't want to run the risk of getting a hard time from them on arrival.
Likely it wouldn't have been a major problem but I graduated from the school of "better safe than sorry."
To that end, I did all my paperwork, got a crappy passport photo (worst.EVER), wrote a big fat check to the feds and sent the whole shebang off via priority mail.
I went ahead and paid the extra fee to expedite. I admit that I feel like a chump since many folks are getting theirs back in 3 weeks but since I'm exactly 6 weeks out - and the web site says that processing is taking 4-6 weeks - I felt that I should err on the side of caution.
STJ and Jost soon come!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
That was the smart thing to do.
When prepping for our VG trip, my husband's passport expired just prior to the stated cut-off on the BVI government site.
When I asked the rental agent if how particular they (BVI government) were she told me absolutely not to risk it. I think, at that time, one needed to have 6 months left on your passport. My husband's had something like 5 months and 28 days.
When prepping for our VG trip, my husband's passport expired just prior to the stated cut-off on the BVI government site.
When I asked the rental agent if how particular they (BVI government) were she told me absolutely not to risk it. I think, at that time, one needed to have 6 months left on your passport. My husband's had something like 5 months and 28 days.
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
I think the rule derives from the fact that many countries allow you to visit for up to 3-6 months (depending on the country) without a visa. Any stay that is longer than that would require additional documentation/permissions.
Also, they don't want anyone present in the country without a valid passport or documentation.
So when you combine those two concepts then you can get a better understanding of why the policy is in place. BY imposing this rule they are ensuring that you will have a valid passport for the maximum length of time that you are allowed in their country.
Also, it's my understanding that you don't lose the time left on your passport. In other words, if my expiration date is Feb 2011 and I renew my passport in October 2010, then the renewal will expire in Feb. 2021 (HOLY CRAP that date sounds almost like science fiction!) and NOT October 2021.
So you aren't being double penalized by renewing early and don't lose those extra months.Although since the same 6 month rule will likely still exist it's a continuing cycle.
Hope this helps!
Also, they don't want anyone present in the country without a valid passport or documentation.
So when you combine those two concepts then you can get a better understanding of why the policy is in place. BY imposing this rule they are ensuring that you will have a valid passport for the maximum length of time that you are allowed in their country.
Also, it's my understanding that you don't lose the time left on your passport. In other words, if my expiration date is Feb 2011 and I renew my passport in October 2010, then the renewal will expire in Feb. 2021 (HOLY CRAP that date sounds almost like science fiction!) and NOT October 2021.
So you aren't being double penalized by renewing early and don't lose those extra months.Although since the same 6 month rule will likely still exist it's a continuing cycle.
Hope this helps!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
If anyone needs to expidite, I can definitely recommend A. Briggs. I had to do a fast turnaround on a passport and they got it back to me in a week. It cost $45 plus the usual government fees.
Another interesting tidbit: even if your passport expires, any active multi-entry visas you have in the old one do not. You just have to carry the old passport along with your new one.
Another interesting tidbit: even if your passport expires, any active multi-entry visas you have in the old one do not. You just have to carry the old passport along with your new one.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Renewed the hubbys recently. Mailed regular (not expedited) and it took about 4 - 5 weeks to get. I renewed mine earlier in the year about 2 months prior to the old one expiring and they sent the old one back with the new one and it had punch holes in it. Hubbys new one came and the old one arrived a few days later with holes punched in it too. His had just expired by the time we received it back in the mail. Does anyone know if you need to keep the old ones?
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
The punch holes are to identify the passport as being expired or replaced.
It used to be that they did not give you back your old passport (at least in Canada). When we applied for a new one they confiscated the about-to-expire one. However, now we get them back with a hole punched in them. You can keep it if you want to look back at all the stamps of the countries you've been to otherwise no need to keep it but ensure you shred it if you are disposing of it.
It used to be that they did not give you back your old passport (at least in Canada). When we applied for a new one they confiscated the about-to-expire one. However, now we get them back with a hole punched in them. You can keep it if you want to look back at all the stamps of the countries you've been to otherwise no need to keep it but ensure you shred it if you are disposing of it.
~Brenda~