Do I need a new passport

[william_wallace 8]

I was hearing through the grape vine that if your UK passport was issued before September 2005 that you need to get a new one. This is the first I have heard about this if It's true. I got mine in May 2005. Surely I don't need to get a new one before I move over to the States do I?

Does anyone know if my passport will be ok? I have noticed UK passports have a new chip installed.

Thanks.

Edited July 16, 2008 by william_wallace

[payxibka 10,047]

Typically passports without chips remain valid for the entirety of their respective periods of validity and will be replaced when needed. Could you imagine how difficult it would be to replace all the issued passports in a prescribed short period of time.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

My passport that was issued in 2003 was fine.

[Lansbury 19]

I was hearing through the grape vine that if your UK passport was issued before September 2005 that you need to get a new one. This is the first I have heard about this if It's true. I got mine in May 2005. Surely I don't need to get a new one before I move over to the States do I?

Does anyone know if my passport will be ok? I have noticed UK passports have a new chip installed.

Thanks.

I think the rumors you are hearing are to do with passports for countries where people travel under the VWP. While that includes the UK it doesn't include you because when you first arrive you will have a visa and then shortly after that a green card. You will not travel on the VWP again so it doesn't matter.

Basically from a certain date to travel on the VWP you will need a biometric passport.

[MargotDarko 0]

My husband had a CR1 and moved to the US this past January on his UK passport that was issued in late 1998.

[Mags 112]

Mine was issued in 2001. I had no problems, unless something has changed in the last year or so.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

yup, as Lansbury said, it's a restriction placed on the VWP so they can check you out out their database when your entering. If you're planning to enter on the VWP before your K-1 is issued, i'd look in to whether you have biometric info on your passport. If you'll be entering only on your K-1 - well they'll have all the info they need about you they want, and your current passport is fine.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

i dont understand this cos i went on the us london ebmbassy to find out. thats for frightening the pants off my willam wallace!

my passport was issued in 2000 and will not expire till2010 or 11 i can't remebr but i have at least two years on it left. well on the webiste there is a thing bit like an online test that tells you which is ok for visa waiver at i think mine is ok cos it has the barcode andcan be scanned by computer. but it doesnt have a chip. so is the information on the website out of date or am i miss reading something?

[Jason&Sarah 0]

Hannah, I'd think you'd be fine. Sarah's expires in 2011, and she was in the States back in September of last year.

I'm not savvy on the workings on the UK's passport system, but perhaps you could call the department that issues them? Maybe they would have some more information if you want to be 100% certain.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

Hannah, I'd think you'd be fine. Sarah's expires in 2011, and she was in the States back in September of last year.

I'm not savvy on the workings on the UK's passport system, but perhaps you could call the department that issues them? Maybe they would have some more information if you want to be 100% certain.

i'm pretty sure it is fine cos it stated you needed either apassport with the new chip or one with >>>,<<<<<<and nubers on bottom that is scanable by comp. mine has scanable by comp and <<<>>>> on it i know you can scan the thing cos i used self check in at heathrow twice but it was def issued way before the 2005 that willaim quoted.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Your passport will be fine. My passport was issued in 2003. Embassy had no probs with it. Worry about booking a flight instead once your approved.

Edited July 22, 2008 by NickyMcMillan

[Laura+Tom 2]

Hannah, I'd think you'd be fine. Sarah's expires in 2011, and she was in the States back in September of last year.

I'm not savvy on the workings on the UK's passport system, but perhaps you could call the department that issues them? Maybe they would have some more information if you want to be 100% certain.

i'm pretty sure it is fine cos it stated you needed either apassport with the new chip or one with >>>,<<<<<<and nubers on bottom that is scanable by comp. mine has scanable by comp and <<<>>>> on it i know you can scan the thing cos i used self check in at heathrow twice but it was def issued way before the 2005 that willaim quoted.

You're right. If it has two lines of <<<<<>>>>> then it is machine readable. I had to check as my passport was issued in 2000.