Passport expires 28th, returning 24th
 

My husband is traveling on business to Denmark. He is returning the 24th and his passport expires on the 28th. Will he be allowed to leave the US with passport shortly expiring? Only other problem I could see is if for some reason he should get stuck over there - like another 9/11 incident or possibly horrible weather. What do you think? Should I encourage him to go to SF with his ticket and renew before going?

he'll likely be able to LEAVE the USA, but likely won't be able to ENTER Denmark.

Most countries require a passport to be good for at least 3 month, and sometimes 6 months, for entry.

What Janis said.

He'll probably need to check into what he needs to do to get an expedited passport. It's expensive, but it'll work. Sure beats getting turned around at the Copenhagen airport.

Do a search on this site about "expedited passport" and you'll find plenty of information. Just check the dates for the most current info. Also, call your passport office first thing tomorrow.

Jules

He needs to phone the airline and see if he will be allowed to board the plane. Most countries require three to six months remaining on passport for entry. The airlines are now required not to board anyone who will not be allowed entry where they land - and they likely are conservative about this.

Then, he needs to contact the appropriate Danish authority to determine whether he will be allowed to enter.

He needs to get the facts from those in authority, not opinions you collect on a travel forum.

Hi Ronda, from everything I have always understood it is the responsibility of the airline you are flying on from the US to make sure your passport is in proper order. If it is not they will not allow you to board the plane.

I don't know about Denmark but I know that Italy requires that your passport
be good for six months pass your trip.

What month is he travelling. Do you mean November??? Tomorrow is the 14th. He needs to go to the nearest Post Office that has the passport forms. Fill them out, mail them in with his expiring passport along for the check for the fees. He will want to have this renewal on the "fast track"..forget the proper name, I am tired, if his trip is this November. That is somewhere around $65.00 over and above the renwal fee. He will need to show the date of his flight for this "rushed passport".

The passport office in SF is different then it use to be, you need an appointment and I am not sure they will give you one for a renwal passport anymore, but you could call them..but my experience is you just get a voice message and have to wait for them to call back, if they ever do.

Go to the website for the passport office which is http://www.travel.state.gov. for accurate information including the nearest postoffice that has the passport forms (not all post office do).

Good luck in getting this all worked out. Let us know!

The website for Denmark is:www.denmark.org...that should answer your question regarding Denmark's requirements Ronda.

Per the Danish gov't immigration website

"What documents will be required?

Passport valid for 3 months after the last day of stay required by all except the following:

(a)1. nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in possession of identification papers (eg driver’s licence or identity card) provided travelling entirely within Scandinavia;

(b) 1. nationals of other EU countries holding a valid national ID card and holders of a Gibraltar Identity Card issued to British Citizens or British Dependent Citizens for tourist visits of up to 3 months."

"he'll likely be able to LEAVE the USA, but likely won't be able to ENTER Denmark."

This is probably untrue. Let's get real. The reason for the passport requirement is so that third worlders can't enter, stay permenantly and be undeportable because they have no passport. If you are a middle class westerner, especialy with a return ticket, odds are that they won't give you any problems. I've travelled on a passport that expired in less than the required time and never got more than a mumble about it expiring soon.

There is no doubt, however, that there is some risk since the decision is up to the individual immigration officer/airline check in person. So you can't be sure.

Of course he won't be turned back at Denmark, because he'll never be allowed on the plane in the US. But if by chance he gets by the desk agent and security, he will not be allowed to enter Denmark.

Imhornet, what an incredibly offensive answer. Janis is right, you are wrong.

Imhornet, you are misinformed, or your opinion is not based on experience. My husband was traveling to El Salvador on a mission trip and his passport would have expired a few weeks after he returned. A call to the State Department confirmed, however, that most countries require a passport to be valid at least for three months before and after the visit. He renewed his before he left with an expedited service in SF. There's also one near Washington, D.C.

Ronda, I suggest your husband renew his passport immediately. He <i>can</i> get a temporary passport issued at the consulate of whatever country he is in, but that is (since 911) a monumental task. It was difficult even in 1990 when my husband had to travel unexpectedly to Germany to check on a family member who fell ill whilst on vacation. It would be a hundred times harder now.

Hi Ronda,

Here is the information you need on how to renew a passport on an &quot;expedited&quot; basis.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...first_831.html

((I))

the airline suffers financially if the passenger is allowed to travel without a passport that meets all requirements of the destination country. therefore, they will be strict and will not take a chance...regardless of the economic status of the traveler.

Sorry folks, I'm with <b>Imhornet</b> on this one. Whether the OP wants to chance it, it's another story, but from experience, the OP would not have any difficulty entering Denmark with a still VALID passport.
UK will allow entry for US passport holders that are expired, as long as it's no more than 6 months expired.
Most western European countries do not &quot;worry&quot; too much about US passport holders. What Imhornet said, is pretty much true. As a guideline they use the 3-6 month validily for all, but basically it only applies to anybody that needs a visa to enter the country.

Personally, I would stick to the published laws and regulations involved and ignore the obvious or implied xenophobia which will do absolutely nothing to remedy your husband's situation.

Britain will allow Americans - or any non-visa national - in with a passport expiring today if you're on a flight out today. We don't have a rule about minimum passport validity for non-visa nationals

But what's that got to do with Denmark?

Janisj has quoted the Danish rules. To jabber on about Britain's policies is asinine.

To assume Denmark applies its rules in a racist manner is both asinine and offensive.

To me, it boils down to one question: Why take a chance?

I have a personal experience with Denmark. My passport was 4 days away from expiration when I entered Denmark for a 2 week stay. Other than a quick comment from the immigration officer that I should look into renewing it upon my return to the States, I was welcomed with open arms.

The validity question does come into play when the passport holder is required to obtain a visa. This has NOTHING to do with racism. It's the fact of life. Since US passport holders do not need a visa to enter Denmark, it's never a problem as long as the passport is still valid upon entry.

I mentioned the UK part only as an example, and it is very true. They don't like it and they may take their time to confirm your info before allowing entry, but it is very real.

I respect AAFF's personal experience. But on the chance that something has changed since AAFF's trip, I would still renew. You have to renew anyway, so why take an unnecessary risk?

I agree with you <b>P_M</b> and if it makes the OP or her husband feel better, by all means, renew it before the trip.

All I was disputing was the fact that some here said that the OP's husband won't be allowed to enter Denmark. It's simply not true.

That's true. Respect AAFF's experience, but have a question: AAFF, when did this trip take place? Since 911, many countries have tightened their visa/passport regulations---not necessarily out of fear of terrorism, but in some cases as an indignant response to the US's stricter regulations. Not saying this is the case with Denmark specifically, but other countries have simply used the example of 911 to jump on the bandwagon and clarify regs that were either quite lax or not enforced. Denmark's policies---or their enforcement---may have changed significantly since you were there.

i believe that the liability of airlines has changed recently in regard to their allowance of passengers to travel with non-compliant documents. also, since almost all airlines are experiencing some degree of financial hardship, they are much less willing to take a chance. contact your airline.

i'm sorry but the idea that passport controls (of all countries) treat all nationalities the same is laughable. i don't know how anyone who has traveled even a little could claim that all are treated equally by officials. call it what you want (racism or whatever) but all nationalities are not treated equally by western immigration authorities.

<b>kswl</b>,

I have 2 US passports. A regular(personal) and a no-fee passport issued for my official US government business travel. I work for a major security consulting firm that does a great deal of business with the US Dept. of State.
The no-fee passport was the one that was almost expired. Before somebody jumps in and says that maybe that was the reason I was allowed in, I actually asked the official if the same rule would apply for a regular tourist passport and without even thinking about it, he said, yes..... This was in 2003.
I've traveled to many countries and the only time I'm remminded to have a 3-6 month validity left on my passport is every time I need a visa to enter. It seems to be a very valid and enforced requirement if a visa is required.

I don't know the particulars of Denmark's requirements so I can't say if Ronda's hubby will be OK or not, but overall I'd say that:

If a country's rules say your passport has to be valid for xx days after your arrival date, I would take that seriously even if some individuals were allowed into the country at one time or another with a passport that didn't meet the requirements.

Policemen will sometimes let speeders off with a warning, but I wouldn't recommend routinely speeding in the expectation that they will always give warnings.

A particular immigration officer may let some individuals through with noncomplying passports for one reason or another, but I wouldn't count on it in every instance.

I think, especially in this day and age, to rely on anything other than published regulations is taking a chance, and I personally don't want my travel disrupted because a bureaucrat rightfully points to a written regulation and says &quot;Right here, it SAYS you need a passport valid for at least three more months.&quot;

For every personal anecdote about having no problem with an almost-expiring passport, I'm sure there are some people who have been stopped. Or could have been stopped. It's the same as the rules about the allowable weight of carry-on bags, or customs regulations about bringing in food or a case of wine. Some people have gotten by with breaking or bending the rules, some definitely have not. It all depends on what chances you feel comfortable with and how you will feel if things don't go your way.

I just sent in my kids passports for renewal- non expidited. It took ten days total from the day I applied until they were delivered. And I renewed them at the Us Embassy in the UK.
Spend the money for an expidited passport.

&quot;Imhornet, you are misinformed, or your opinion is not based on experience. My husband was traveling to El Salvador on a mission trip and his passport would have expired a few weeks after he returned.&quot;

Let me get this straight. You are saying that I didn't travel on passport that expired within the proscribed limit. I'd love you how you know more about my travel experiences than I.

You can call all the consulates in the world and get all the rules in the wotld. The botom line is rules are one thing and reality is another.

Immigration laws are there for one purpose. The regulate people that they are afraid might stay. If you are a middle class American, they couldn't care less about you. That's reality.

OH MY GOSH. Yes, he is supposed to leave on November 18 and return November 24. Thanks so much for the info. I will read this thread fully and see what we can do. He is flying Brit Air so guess I better give them a call.

Here's a link to the information on British Airways' web page. I could not get it to take you straight to Denmark, but follow the links.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...?prim=plantrip

I will also copy and paste the text on that page:

Note: Denmark is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area, see the introductory section, How to Use this Guide.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for three months after the last day of stay required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in possession of identification papers (eg driver’s licence or identity card), provided travelling entirely within Scandinavia;
(b) 2. nationals of other EU countries holding a valid national ID card and holders of a Gibraltar Identity Card issued to British Citizens or British Dependent Citizens for tourist visits of up to three months.
Note: . For nationals of EU countries and the USA, passports need to be valid for duration of stay.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months:

Hi Ronda,

If the passport office tells you that DH can't get his passport renewed before he has to leave
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

He/she will get it done.

Please be sure to return the favor next November.

((I))

A friend of mine was flying to several countries in Europe (on BA). She was stopped at the gate in Newark &amp; was refused boarding, because of her passport expiration date. She somehow convinced them to let her on the plane, but they had already taken her luggage off. She had to spend 10 days without her luggae, until it finally caught up with her overseas. No apologies from BA, either. SO - DON'T TAKE A CHANCE!!!!!

Brit Air said that in general your passport should be valid for 3 months after your return date. In a panic, I did call and make my husband an appointment in SF to renew but couldn't get in until the 18th (he leaves the 19th).

Called another number and actually got a person in SF passport office (1-877-487-2778). Was told the passport should be ok but to call the Danish Consulate in SF (415-391-0100).

Consulate said it should be ok but is going to call NY tomorrow and check further for me.
...
If I am reading P_M's post correctly it doesn't seem like a problem:

&quot;Note: . For nationals of EU countries and the USA, passports need to be valid for duration of stay.&quot;
...
Thanks, loveitaly &amp; ira, for the website; it was very helpful.
...
How did this happen you ask? My husband is a very, very busy guy and didn't check his passport until he purchased the tickets. It is a business trip so I'm not too excited. What is the worst thing that could happen? He could be turned back at the airport and have to spend Thanksgiving week at home :) . Now if it was vacation...

Danish Consulate in NY says his passport should not expire for 3 months from the return date. Guess he is going to SF on Friday. They also gave me the Danish Airport Police number to call in Denmark.

My post came from BA's web page, so I think you are wise to take the advice of the Danish Consulate over BA. As you mentioned in your OP, something could happen where he is stuck there beyond the expiration date. Much better safe than sorry.

Just to let you know, DH did get his passport today in SF. He had a 10:30 a.m. appointment. Took his passport, new pictures, application DS11, credit card, and confirmation number. The application was the wrong one and he had to fill out another. He then had to wait around until 3:30 to pick up his new passport. Cost $120 + parking + lunch at Hunan Home + belt at Macy's.

And, oh yes, he took his plane ticket.

Thank you so much for reporting back.

So few do...

Thank you all for the information. I was so shocked when I returned to my computer after my original post to find so many responses. Had no idea there might be a problem and was prompted to take action.

Glad it worked out well, R.

((I))

&quot;+ lunch at Hunan Home + belt at Macy's&quot;

:-)