virgin and passport validity

**mizzy** · 28-06-2006, 15:24

i contacted virgin when i booked my flights last month about passport validity and after quite a few e.mails and one telephone call they insisted i would need 6 months left on my passport and that this is their policy

after reading a previous post i decided to push my luck and ask again, i'm a bit of a worrier so i do like to hear things from the horses mouth and i really wanted a difinitive answer from virgin

here is a copy of my e.mail and their reply

Subject: passport validity

please can you be of assistance to me

i recently contacted yourselves by both e.mail and telephone regarding how long my passport must be valid for on entering the usa

i was told by yourselves that i woould need 6 months remaining on my passport from date of entry into the us

however after consulting the us embassy website i have come across the following information

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new..._validity.html

which states that 90 days (or even less) is sufficient to travel under the visa waiver program

please can you advise me if virgin atlantic now follow the us embassy guidelines
or is it still your policy to require the passport holder to have at least 6 months remaining on their passport

thanking you for your assistance

Dear M

Thank you for your latest e.mail

I would like to inform you that you can follow the guidelines provided to you by the u.s embassy with regards to your query about passport.

For further assistance please call our Contact Centre.

UK Contact Centre
Inside the UK 0870 380 2007
Outside the UK +44 870 380 2007
Lines are available daily 7am - 10pm local

hope other worriers like me find this helpful in the future

Mizzy

wrpac00 · 28-06-2006, 16:11

That should allay anyones fears.

I got involved in a similar topic on another forum recently, some people would rather believe the airlines rather than the US embassy.

**jackie greaves** · 28-06-2006, 16:45

Thanks Mizzy, thats worth knowing for future reference.

**steph_goodrum** · 28-06-2006, 18:49

"I got involved in a similar topic on another forum recently, some people would rather believe the airlines rather than the US embassy."

Paul
It isn't a case of "believing the airlines or Embassy" but each are entitled to make their own ruling and you have to abide by that. The US Embassy have set their policy for the criteria they follow to allow entry but the airlines are also allowed to set independant criteria to allow you to board their aircraft, they don't necessarily have to be the same but should be to avoid confusion. The airlines err on the side of caution as they can get hit with heavy penalties if passengers are denied entry and they should have been aware before arrival.

It's the same with photo ID, some airlines will allow you to travel on internal flights with a photo driving license, some insist on passport even though you may not be leaving the country. It's up to the individual to ensure they check and comply with whatever the carrier dictates.

wrpac00 · 28-06-2006, 21:52

As the topic matured it transpired that the airlines can't enforce rules that conflict with the laws of the land. The Home Office and the US decide how much time must be valid on your passport not the airlines, they can try but they wouldn't be able to enforce it.

**mizzy** · 28-06-2006, 22:05

well i'm just relieved i dont have to shell out for 2 new passports before the holiday

(and yes i know that i will have to renew eventually)

Mizzy

wrpac00 · 29-06-2006, 00:00

They are not cheap anymore either Mizzy. You will get a biometeric one when you do change them.

**steph_goodrum** · 29-06-2006, 01:53

We're hoping they will have the biometric ones as standard by Sept when we plan to renew our daughters. At the moment the UKPA say it is random whether you get the biometric or not, my nephews have new ones (about a month ago) and neither of theirs are biometric.

**Robert5988** · 29-06-2006, 02:26

From a BBC news item.

The first UK biometric e-passports are to be issued to applicants this week, the Home Office has announced.
The hi-tech documents have added security features such as a chip holding the carrier's facial details, in a bid to combat fraud and forgery.

They will be introduced gradually throughout 2006 and will be issued to all applicants by the end of August.

The Home Office said the move was to improve the "integrity and security" of British passports.

"They will also help in the detection of forged or manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual," said Home Office minister Andy Burnham.

"Biometric technology makes use of the unique features we all have and there is no doubt that the use of biometric information to link a person to a passport will enhance security.

"In step with our European partners we will also be considering the inclusion of fingerprints as well as facial data in due course."

Facial features

The electronic chip will contain the digitally coded measurements of holders' features, such as the distances between eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

The information will be taken from the applicant's passport photo and can be used to identify them.

The new passport will also feature pages with intricate designs and new complex watermarks.

The UK is one of 40 countries adopting the new technology and in the process of introducing e-passports.

Countries like the UK, which are part of the US visa waiver scheme, must comply with new International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and begin issuing biometric passports, incorporating a facial image, by October to remain in the scheme.