Passport Question

[H20Babie]

Not sure where to ask this question, so I put it here since it has to do with travel, and I know there are a good few travel experts and airline employees on the site.

Our Canadian passports were issued April 7, 2005; so with a 5-year expiry, they would be good until April 7(?), 2010. DS and I are returning April 6, 2010. I know other countries other than the US (mostly European) require that passports be valid a certain number of weeks or months past your return date. When I called to enquire about the US, I was told there were no restrictions and that if the passports were valid, they would be accepted.

So -- Do we need to renew our passports or will border officials accept them until they expire? (Money crunch).

Thanks for any clarification! :wave:

 

[Monty]

[Edited to make everything clear]

You're good to go [barely]. If your passports will expire after your return date, you will be admitted until the expiry date.

EDIT: found the rule: [from http://www.worldtravelguide.net/cou...a/North-America/United-States-of-America.html]

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see Visas), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

 

[mkt]

6 months is the general rule of thumb

 

[Monty]

6 months is the general rule of thumb

That was where I started... Then I dug some more and found out otherwise. :animwink:

 

[H20Babie]

Thanks for the clarifications, Monty!

So if our passports were issed April 7, would they expire April 6 or April 7? That is where I get confused. Our flight doesn't get back into the Peg until 8:30 pm, so if there are any delays, I want our proverbial behinds covered!

 

[DisneyJoe]

Are you asking about being accepted when you enter the US? or when you return to Canada?

 

[H20Babie]

Both.

Will be coming into the US March 28; returning to Canada April 6.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Both.

Will be coming into the US March 28; returning to Canada April 6.

Then per MontyMon's post you should be fine.

 

[Monty]

Passport will indicate its expiry date, not sure how they determine it and mine's at home right now... :shrug:

A friend's passport expiry shows same day of month for issue/expire.

 

[H20Babie]

Just got off the phone with CBA ... they will not deny us entry on the 6th and if there are flight delays/cancellations that postpone our return, as it is not by our own doing, they will still accept us as we are returning to our home country and "have rights". They did tell me to call WestJet, though, to make sure I wouldn't be denied boarding.

Monty - Just checked our passports; they expire April 7! brickuh!)

 

[mkt]

That's a biggie. The risk the airline runs boarding you is that you'll be denied entry into the US, they A- they get fined (usually a USD$5 figure amount per person) and B - they have to return you to Canada. On top of this, you'd have a lovely entry in your file that you were denied entry into the US and deported, which will haunt you for life.

As far as Canada goes, they could care less. You're a Canadian citizen, you cannot be denied re-entry into your own country. However, the US is a bit more asinine.

Even if your economic situation is bad, go with an updated passport.

 

[Monty]

That's a biggie. The risk the airline runs boarding you is that you'll be denied entry into the US, they A- they get fined (usually a USD$5 figure amount per person) and B - they have to return you to Canada. On top of this, you'd have a lovely entry in your file that you were denied entry into the US and deported, which will haunt you for life.

As far as Canada goes, they could care less. You're a Canadian citizen, you cannot be denied re-entry into your own country. However, the US is a bit more asinine.

Even if your economic situation is bad, go with an updated passport.

Overstating the situation Rob.

The information from U.S. Government sites is quite clear that Canadians with currently valid but expiring soon passports will be admitted to the U.S. with the understanding they must leave before the passport actually expires. There is absolutely no possibility of denied entry and deportation in this scenario. [If other factors result in denied entry, that's a different story, but since she's been before it's unlikely]

On returning to Canada with an expired Canadian passport, a Canadian citizen can be arrested at the port of entry and held until citizenship can be confirmed through other means. CBSA has assured her that if her scheduled return is delayed beyond her passport expiry they would not take that action, but I have had dealings with Immigration Canada that were quite unpleasant when returning without acceptable proof of citizenship [my Ex 'forgot' her and Morgan's birth certificates in the days before passports were required for all trans-border flights].

Westjet flies across the border enough to know the rules and would not be fined for allowing her to board. Winnipeg is a pre-clearance location for U.S. Customs, so Westjet would face no ramifications at all if she were denied entry because she'd still be in Canada.

 

[H20Babie]

Winnipeg is a pre-clearance location for U.S. Customs, so Westjet would face no ramifications at all if she were denied entry because she'd still be in Canada.

Actually, we have to clear US customs in Toronto (we were unable to get a direct flight out); however, we did get a direct flight back and will clear Canadian customs in Winnipeg.

I will see how the cash flow and time (can't get to the passport office during work hours since I teach an hour away from Winnipeg); I would rather go in person since I have court documents that need to be submitted for DS's passport.

 

[tampabrad]

Save yourself any worries and renew your passport.