when does the new system come in?

[domster]

I have not really looked into this and wanted to know what is involved with the new system.

Is it similar to the old one by filing out a visa form on the plane? people have told me that you need to go to London to get one before you travel?

If so this is going to be a real pain.

DOm

[blott]

Which 'new system' do you mean?

If you mean biometic passports, which is supposed to be introduced on 26 October 2005 (deferred from the same date in 2004), then as long as your passport is renewed or doesn't expire for some time after that date, it's the same system as usual, ie visa waiver, if you're qualified to use it.

[Jules]

I was wondering about this as my son and his fiancee are planning on getting married in Florida in May 2006 but their passports run out in April 2006. Would it be worth them renewing their passports early?

[blott]

Yes it would Julie otherwise they would have to apply for visas if the UK doesn't produce biometic passports (looks highly unlikely that these will be available in the near future) before they travel.

You can get up to 9 months 'credit' on your old passport so your new one would be valid for the usual 10 years plus however much is left in your old one, up to nine months.

[steph_goodrum]

As Blott says Julie if they renew their passports before Oct 26th 2005 then they won't have a problem and won't need a visa.

[Jules]

Thanks Blott and Steph. I thought this was the case but saw something on the Virgin website that said you needed visa's if your passport was issued after October 2004. They have obviously not up dated their site after the deadline was moved.

[domster]

Thanks,

will get mine changed early then

DOM

[Jules]

Just had another thought. When my son and his fiancee get married and my DIL sends her passport off to have her name changed will they issue her with a new passport that she will have to get a visa for or will they just alter the exisiting one to her new surname. I know when I got the children their own passports and had them removed from mine they just put a line through their names in my passport and sent it back to me [msnscared]

[lynsey]

I was wondering the same thing. My passport has approx 5 years left on it, but we're getting married next april, in Florida. If i apply for a new passport in my married name, will i then need a visa?
Or can i continue using my maiden name until we are able to get biometric passports?

Are there any travel agents use this forum, who can let me know if i can travel in my maiden name - as long as the tickets are in the same name?

sorry to ramble!

lynsey.

[Andy & Arlene]

Lynsey, as long as the tickets and passport are in the same name, I'm pretty sure you can travel. I didn't change my name in my passport until it needed renewing (but just remember to NOT use your married name when booking your flights). [msnsmile2]