HELP PLEASE RE: PASSPORTS

[Bryan D]

Hi guys, I am going to Tobago again to get married on the 9th of April.

I just read on the visitt&t website that you passport must be valid for 6 months longer than you intend to stay. My passport expires in June.

My tickets are booked, our rooms are booked & our wedding is booked....

Does anybody have any experience with this, I am afraid I may not have time to get a new passport.

Regards,

Bryan

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Bryan

Welcome aboard!

Ouch! I know they check the date of expiry of your passport becuase last year the Immigration Officer at Crown Point reminded me that I would need to get my passport renewed before this year's trip.

On arrival, they normally stamp a three-month visa in your passport. Obviously your passport runs out in less than that so that could be a problem. They might just issue you a shorter visa, but frankly I wouldn't want to risk it.

My advice would be to contact your Passport Office and see if some fast-track procedure is available to get your passport renewed. It might also be worth contacting the T&T High Commission in Canada to see if they can advise/help in any way (see Miscellaneous/Useful Links & Contact Information for contact info on the embassy)

Good luck!

[Bryan D]

Hi Steve, I talked to the T & T Consulate in Ontario here in Canada, and they said it will not be a problem, as long as my tickets say I am leaving the country before my passport expires.

Bit of a scare....


P.S. Thanks for this website, it is the best site on the net regarding info for traveling to Tobago!

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Bryan

GREAT!!! I was thinking about your problem earlier and wondering what could be done. I like to think that the Immigration Officers would be sensible enough to just mark the visa long enough for your stay, but you just never know in these situations and it would have been irresponsible of me to suggest that it could be that simple.

Alls well that end well.

[Linda P]

Just a note to everyone re passports, it is wise to ensure that you always have longer than 6 months on your passport before you are due to travel, Tobago isn't the only country to impose these restrictions.
We return from Tobago on June 3rd, 3 weeks before my partners passport was due to expire so we have renewed it to be on the safe side, we used the `check and send service` at the post office, it does cost an extra £5, but you have the security of knowing you haven't forgotten to tick a box on the form, we handed forms in on a Monday and received his new passport on the Saturday of the same week! also his new passport expires 10yrs from the date his old one would have expired, in effect giving him an extra few months, so you do not lose out by renewing early.
Well worth it for the peice of mind, as we will be getting married there this year it would be a bit awkward if immigration refused to let him in!!

Linda (7 weeks to go! )

[Andrew Prince]

This thread has reminded me to renew my passport which expires in three months time . I went to the passport agency website at http://www.ukpa.gov.uk. You can apply on line and there is also an express same day service ,but you have to attend your nearest passport office having first booked an appointment and pay an £89 fee. In this case it may be the sensible solution.

[Bryan D]

Just a note, on this website http://www.visittobago.gov.tt/ it states as well that passports only need to be valid for remainder of stay.

1 week to go.....

[Pamela Sutcliffe]

I was informed that the 6 months rule applied world wide I had 5.5 months left on mine as was advised to re new it
It took 7 days from posting for the new one to arrive
The 6 month rule applies in case for any reason you are unable to travel home ie due to illness etc.