Husband's US Passport will expire in around 4 and 1/2 months. Travelling to COL. Will that be an issue?

silviat says on Dec 10, 2007, 23:33:

Yeah I know it's the best advice dogman... but we are leaving on wednesday... I just don't think there'll be time.

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scotty says on Dec 10, 2007, 23:39:

yes this can be an issue, you should get it renewed asap.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 10, 2007, 23:40:

If your husband is not staying in Colombia for an extended period of time, it will "probably" be OK. But, generally the authorities like there to be a minimum of 6 months left of validity on a passport. I know this is true in a few different instances. But I think he will be OK, especially if he has return tickets on hand showing that he is planning on leaving before the expiration date of the passport. This is just my take, and certainly shouldn't be considered fact.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Bren68 says on Dec 11, 2007, 01:34:

Hello Silviat, if you ask beforehand it should not be a problem, but the best advice is to get it renewed.In emergencies, most embassies and/or passport offices can renew passports in 24 to 48 hours. You may have to pay a quick processing fee, but it can be done.
By asking beforehand, you may get approval, but your relying on others to inform the immigration at the airport of this. And the usual standard is to have minimum 6 months remaining on a passport before allowing entry. This applies to just every country in the world. So, even if you ask, and get verbal approval, or even written approval, there is always that risk you may be turned back at the border (the airport)

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tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 01:34:

The Colombian consulate, at least the one in Chicago, will either not answer the phone or give you an answer that cannot be relied upon.

In Colombia anything can become an issue. You can take a chance or delay/cancel your trip. Your choice.

I was able to call the Chicago passport office and get an appointment for 4 or 5 business days in the future. I showed up in the morning, and had my passport that same afternoon. I had to bring copies of airline tickets(or E-tickets) showing that I was going to travel within 30 days. Of course there was an additional fee.

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el flaco says on Dec 11, 2007, 01:57:

I went to Cuba with one and a half months instead of the six they wanted. No problem with the airline and no problem with immigration. I imagine Colombia is the same. They can hardly send you back.

It's all a nonsense as you can renew a passport abroad anyway.

I would say go and take the risk. Colombian officialdom is easy going unlike Cuban.

Que tengas un buen viaje.

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lpdiver says on Dec 11, 2007, 04:20:

WTF el flaco? They can't send you back? WRONG!

t

"cook some rice!"

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tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 04:30:

The airline could also refuse to allow you to board in the US.

Colombia officialdom is easy going? Have you ever been to Colombia? Ever heard of DAS? Easy going? Jajajajaja!!!

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el flaco says on Dec 11, 2007, 04:43:

I have been to Cuba and Colombia and I am comparing the two based on my experience of having a passport with only six weeks left to run.

I can't imagine them refusing entry, what airline would take you at short notice without a ticket? Of course I ooze respectability and I'm British.

The passport is legal and "valid" after all.

Does anyone have experience of being refused entry?

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lpdiver says on Dec 11, 2007, 06:04:

The ability to turn you back is the precise reason many airlines charge round trip fares for one way tickets. They are on the hook for getting you back if the officials won't admit you to whatever country you are attempting to gain entry.

t

"cook some rice!"

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getting better says on Dec 11, 2007, 06:22:

I am not sure of the answer to this question, but I give you an extract from a recent booking confirmation by Continental for US citizen, who say 3 months beyond the stay (not arrival) is
required. Of course they may be wrong.

NO VISA IS REQUIRED FOR COLOMBIA.
*******************************
YOUR ELECTRONIC RECORD LOCATOR IS XXXXX
*******************************
PASSPORT THAT IS VALID THREE MONTHS
BEYOND YOUR DATE OF STAY IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITINERARY.
PENALTY FEES FOR CHANGES BEGIN AT $100.00.
FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL TICKETS ARE ISSUED
THIS TICKET IS NONREFUNDABLE- CHANGES MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR A FEE.
RECONFIRM ALL FLIGHTS WITH THE AIRLINE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.
THIS TICKET HAS BEEN ISSUED ELECTRONICALLY SO NO FLIGHT COUPONS

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lpdiver says on Dec 11, 2007, 07:25:

From the New York Colombian consulate page...

"Passport with an expiration date of minimum 3 months..."

However, my personal experiences in Colombia are that whoever is checking you out might have their own ideas.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Gator says on Dec 11, 2007, 07:42:

DO NOT TRY THIS. Your problem will not be with Colombia it will be boarding the airplane. My daughter renewed her US passport in November by mail, no special processing, and received her passport in three weeks.

I personally think you could enter Colombia but CALL YOUR CARRIER NOW!!!!!!!!!!

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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silviat says on Dec 11, 2007, 08:36:

Wow so much useful advice. Thank you guys... Ihadn't been to PBH for a long time and I had seriously forgotten what a nice community this is.

We'll call the carrier. Since we are flying tomorrow night (5 hours after I give my last final) renewing the passport doesn't seem like an option. But having read from you about the 3 months (at least somewhere it says it... I think I will print it), makes me feel better. We are staying for 3 weeks and he has 4.5 months left... so that is at least something.

Thanks thanks thanks for the comments and the time you've taken to reply

It's very much appreciated.

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Mononoke28 says on Dec 11, 2007, 08:45:

You're not very clear or maybe I missed it but is it a Colombia passport or US passport. If it's Colombian, he won't have any issues. I travelled last December with an already expired Colombian passport and old cédula contraseña and all I got from the DAS guy was a lecture on how I really need to have a current passport and cédula before I left Colombia. So that's what I did the first week I was there.

If it's a US passport you'r talking about, maybe you can get a new one by going to the US embassy in Bogotá to have it ready for when you come back.

Diana

Diana

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 11, 2007, 08:57:

I agree with Gator that if there's a problem it will be with the airline, not the DAS. Let us know how it shakes out.

Buen viaje.

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vicshere says on Dec 11, 2007, 09:04:

hey I have a Canadian passport and this year I entered Colombia with 2 days left on my old passport..later I renewed it at the Canadian embassy in Bogotá if your staying for less the time on passport I don't see the problem

listo

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silviat says on Dec 11, 2007, 09:18:

Oh that's awesome vicshere... I wanted to read something like that... something like... I've done it and it was Ok.

Thank you thank you

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vicshere says on Dec 11, 2007, 09:24:

but if I was you I would at least call your carrier and confirm if is an issue for them

listo

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getting better says on Dec 11, 2007, 11:05:

What is the carrier, I would be happy to call them since I am quite interested in this issue.

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tomtom33 says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:07:

The problem is that no 2 Colombian officials read/understand their own laws the same way. Which one will you get?

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silviat says on Dec 11, 2007, 13:28:

Our carrier is delta

I have to call them but now I am at school so as soon as i get home I will and let you know.

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silviat says on Dec 11, 2007, 14:07:

Ok so last news on this issue. Talked to Delta and they say it's OK as long as his passport is valid for the length of the trip... hopefully they'll think the same down there :)

Silvia

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slguy says on Dec 11, 2007, 14:28:

Last time my passport got close to expiration ( - 2 years ago) - as was said earlier- it was the airlines that were the stoppers. Many countries only require, in practice, validity for duration of the trip. Even countries that state they need more in the consular advisories, rarely enforce the regs too tightly, unless there's VERY short time left on the passport....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Gator says on Dec 12, 2007, 06:57:

Again, you should have no problem n Colombia. However I suggest you call Delta back and reconfirms the information and be sure and write down the date the time and name of the person you spoke to. An e-mail might help.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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