Some other posts
Fred
Passport
Anyone know how long must there be left to run on a passport to visit the US?
I've heard of some people being refused admission to some countries cos their passport only had 3 months left on it.
rainyday
Registered User
Re: Passport
I've heard of the groom on a stag party being refused permission to fly to Prague for having less than 6 months to run on his Passport.
ajapale
Frequent poster
Re: Passport
Joe Duffy covered this topic very comprehensively at the end of April.
Im not sure of the situation in the US but the yanks are very very jumpy at present and I would take no chances.
The situation in Prague has changed since they joined the EU on May 1st. If they refuse you entry on production of a valid EU passport then they are breaking EU rules.
ajapale
Unregistered User
Re: Passport
> If they refuse you entry on production of a valid EU passport then they are breaking EU rules.
Are you sure about that? Ireland is not a signatory to the Schengen Agreement which means that Irish citizens need a passport to enter most other EU (and EEA and other European?) countries. I'm not sure of the status of the new EU accession states in relation to the Schengen Agreement though.
ajapale
Frequent poster
Re: Passport
Yes Im certain. Joe Duffy had an Italian lady on from the commission (Angela Something) I think. She stated that this was the case. EU law states that all you need is a valid EU passport. I'll see if I can find the interview. He also had a man on from the Greek embassy who confirmed her story in the case of Greece. Joe showed his ignorance by asking him about Cyprus. Im almost sure he had a guy on from the Italian embassy who described teh debate as a storm in a teacup and some over zelaous border guards.
There was however one issue unresolved - this was in the case where the carrier refused to carry someone with a passport which expired within 6 month of the return date. I dont think Joe Duffy got a response from Aer Lingus or any other carrier. I think some carriers may have a unilateraly imposted ban included in their T&C's resctricting travel to those with passports valid for a period after their return. They have done this to protect themselves from fines.
from comhairle:
As a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, you have the right to enter any other EU country without having to comply with special formalities. All you need is a valid passport or identity card. We dont have identity cards so this doesnt apply to us or the British.
from the EU Commission
TRAVEL WITHIN AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION
23 April 2004 All Union citizens have the right to enter and reside in the territory of any other Member State of the Union for a period of up to three months simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card: no other formality is required. Member States cannot therefore set additional conditions concerning the minimum validity of duration of the identity card or passport.
If a person intends to reside for a period exceeding three months, a residence permit must be obtained. The conditions for granting a residence permit depend on the status of the citizen (employed or self-employed person, student, retired or inactive person).
After the 1st of May 2004, citizens of the 10 acceding Member States will enjoy the same rights of free movement within the EU as citizens of current Member States. This obviously also applies to nationals of current Member States wishing to travel to and reside in the territory of the new Member States.
You can also consult the website of DG Justice and Home Affairs:
[broken link removed]
ajapale
mickeyg
Passport
I am going on holiday to Cyprus in June and my passport expires in October so to be on the safe side I guess I had better renew my passport. Can I do so online or where might I get info?
m
Unregistered User
Passport
> Yes Im certain. Joe Duffy had an Italian lady on from the commission (Angela Something) I think. She stated that this was the case. EU law states that all you need is a valid EU passport.
Sorry - I thought that you were saying that NO passport was strictly required. I see that you specifically said a VALID passport (regardless of validity period remaining) is all that's required. My mistake!
stobear
Frequent poster
Re: Passport
Not sure you can apply online, but this site should answer your questions.
[broken link removed]
Fred
passport
Just posting the info.
Eventually got through to a 1580 US embassy line and was told my passport only needs to be valid for the length of my stay...not for 3 or 6 months longer.
Asked was he 100 per cent on this and was told yes so will let you all know if I get turned back at the door...
ajapale
Frequent poster
US visit
Hi Fred,
Good luck in the ol US of A. Its a really great country and there are plenty of likeable Americans among the 200million inhabitants.
A word of advice on Immigration.
Play straight and tell the absolute truth with these guys. I think they have been taken over by the office of homeland security. Many practices followed in the past no longer hold true. I heard a story of a freelance journalist who visits the US regularily and always went on a visitors visa being stopped and when they discovered he was a journalists spend a night or two in a detention centre and was deported.
When your on the plane you have to fill out a green waiver form. Make sure you bring a felt pen (not a biro, these leak) and fill it in carefully and make it legiable. Some of this form is not intuitative and you end up filling a section "for official use only" if your not carefull. Remember you will be tiered and jet lagged after the journey so give yourself plenty of time. Make sure you have the full name and address of your contacts in the US and that you have a reason for your journey.
I havent been in the US in a number of years so thing might have changed since then.
Good Luck
ajapale
Unregistered User
US visit
> Some of this form is not intuitative and you end up filling a section "for official use only" if your not careful.
Good point! I did just this myself last visit and the immigration officer was a bit pissed off but thankfully didn't arrest me for it.
Natchessmen
Registered User
Re: US visit
Yes things are certianly changing in the US. A friend of mine was clearing immigration at Dublin last week and was reminded that she over stayed her visa 10 YEARS AGO, and was refused entry. So everyone, be careful the rules are not so much changed as being enforced.
In 1992 I was refused entry to US (long story, nothing cynical) so I went to Canada. Best holiday ever!!