May have to Cancel Trip PASSPORT EXPIRES IN 5 MONTHS.

**iluvurodstee** · 07-12-2016, 11:35 AM

Packing our bags, and i pulled out the passport. Hmmmm, it expires Jan 1, 2017.

keep on packing, and then my daughter asks about it, and then says, you know there is a six month rule for Jamaica.

I'm like WHAT!!!!!!!!

I did online research and read of many horror stories. Some said it didn't matter, but many did.

so now i've sunk 600 bucks into hoping to have a renewal sent to me in two days, one day before flight.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR PASSPORT. JAMAICA REQUIRES MORE THAN SIX MONTHS REMAINING ON YOUR PASSPORT.

YOU MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO FLY THERE.

i wish my travel agent had done their job and told me about this. I hire them to be my "EXPERT" in travel, and they never mention some of the things I might need, such as that.

argh!

**stevebusa** · 07-12-2016, 12:09 PM

got mine in two weeks on renewal

**Spidercat** · 07-12-2016, 12:31 PM

I think it also can be done with a rush on it...might pay more...but you will have peace of mind.

Hedo Hugs
Linda & Rich

**us2hedo** · 07-12-2016, 12:42 PM

You may be ok
On the Jamaican Embassy Web Page it is posted

U.S. Citizens
Have a passport or travel document, which must be valid up to the date of departure from Jamaica.

**Lexi123** · 07-12-2016, 02:59 PM

We were in a panic last time due to the false info saying Jamaica has a six month rule. Called airlines, travel agent, and state dept. all assured us it was ok. We went and all was fine. When I get time I'll post state dept link stating time limits to different countries.

**buniff** · 07-12-2016, 05:08 PM

yea, but the poor bastard already sent his good passport in for renewal in hopes that our government will move fast and get it back too him in time. Good luck, A few years back I paid for the expedited (within 2 weeks) and got it back in less than 10 days. So there is hope.

**hedolovers2019** · 07-12-2016, 06:14 PM

We went and took and my sister-in-law tagged along she got her passport rushed 4 weeks before we left. no issues in Jamaica...

**takemetonegril** · 07-12-2016, 06:32 PM

My sister is a TA and I almost freaked when I noticed I was down to 6 months before my April trip, she told me not to worry and it was fine. Jamaica isn't as strict as other places on that one issue.

Cheers

**iluvurodstee** · 07-12-2016, 08:55 PM

Wish i had your confidence. $625 two day rush. Overnighted today. Houston tomorrow. Return by friday. If not shit out of luck.

I googled this fact pattern and read so many horror stories, that I chose to risk it. Most were people sharing their experiences, and they were not good. Still my travel agent should have told me when I booked. They have yet to respond to my emails. Very disappointed.

Fingers still crossed. Hope Karma is good.

**iluvurodstee** · 07-13-2016, 10:33 AM

The clock is ticking.

Just got confirmation, my papers, and old passport arrived in Houston, to some company that will now go and stand in line and get my new passport issued.
It arrived at 8:48 this morning. So less than 24 hours to get it to them. Now one day to get it done, and one day for overnight express mail, and then I'm good to go.

If any of you have any extra postive Karma you'd like to send our way, we'd be very much appreciative.

Richard and Martha

**MidwestMartini** · 07-13-2016, 11:06 AM

I just found this link, http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/visi...n_visitors.htm It seems that the 6 month rule does not apply. From what I have seen when I searched it there are links to websites that are not government operated that offer to expedite your passport renewals for a large fee. Sounds like a scam to me.

**iluvurodstee** · 07-13-2016, 11:36 AM

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/231319.htm

Many international travelers may not realize that having an unexpired passport is sometimes not enough to enter certain foreign countries. U.S. citizens traveling on passports that expire in fewer than six months have increasingly been denied airline boarding or been detained upon arrival in certain foreign destinations, including popular European travel destinations in the Schengen area. This is not a new requirement, but it is only recently that the requirement has been more strictly enforced.

One of the countries listed Jamaica as a country requiring 6 months remaining for Passports. I may have screwed up, by trying to get it renewed, but its a lesson I will never forget.

Gees, this is not a nice way to prepare for Hedo.

**phillygirl22** · 07-13-2016, 06:06 PM

Very common, usually noted in your airline confirmation.

Sorry you were unaware - I definitely wish you look luck!

**boatlover1995** · 07-13-2016, 06:16 PM

Years ago (almost 30!!!) we went to the Immigration office in NYC with boarding passes and they did the passports pretty much on the spot, but than again that was when the world was a little bit safer than what it is now!!! I'm not sure if that is still an option??? But I wish you luck!!!! Hope you get yours back in time to get on that plane!!! Fingers crossed!!!!

**fotzy68** · 07-13-2016, 06:26 PM

Advice to my fellow Canadians- always leave at least a year on your passport. That said. I physically walked into my local passport office with completed renewal application in hand on a Tuesday afternoon and was back in my car within 15 minutes. (can't guarantee will always be that fast). My new passport arrived in my mailbox the following Thursday. I happen to live really close to a passport office and didn't ask to put a rush on it. The processing is so much faster now...but give yourself a month just to be safe.