TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Passport Expiration

Is it fact or fiction that the BVI's require your passport to be valid for 6 months after your trip? For years I've told people about the 6 month rule, but I just did a google search and see that the anecdotal recommendations range from 90 days to 6 months to no requirement at all. I think I've been passing on folklore rather than fact. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge regarding passport expiration dates?

I have on simple question:"Why chance it?" I have had immigration officers come up with some of the more bizarre rules that have nothing to do with fact..especially one"lady" in St Thomas who seems to make things up as she goes..PM me and I'll give you her name so you can avoid her!

"Just renew it" was my thought too. But the guy asking the question is an engineer and wanted to know the source of my information. That got me wondering about what the requirements actually are and I couldn't find anything on the official government sites. We've been going to the BVI's since 1993 but this time we're taking 6 newbies with us. They're asking all sorts of questions I haven't thought about in a long time. It's kind of fun looking at things through fresh eyes.

There was a long thread on this a while back and my takeaway was: FICTION

I posted info from the state department website, and others posted conclusive data as well.

that won't stop the chorus of "Better safe than sorry", etc.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/british-virgin-islands.html

"Must be valid at time of entry"

Again, why risk it? There is no uniformity at BVI customs. What passes one day may not the next. Ruin an expensive vacation when you need to renew anyway? Doesn't make sense to me.

I think most people asking the question are in the position of deciding if they should get an expedited passport renewal at additional hassle and expense.

I don't think anyone has yet reported being turned away, so the level of risk has not been demonstrated.

Ok, you be the test case and let us all know how it goes. Then we can all learn together.

You are talking about the U.S State Dept. The BVI gov't does not go by U.S. rules. As Mal says they can change the rules as they seem fit.

My parents came with us over Christmas with less than 2 weeks remaining on both of their passports, despite my utter horror that they hadn't renewed. My mom insisted "why do they give you an expiration date if it's actually expired 6 months before the date???"
I figured we'd just go to St. Croix or the Spanish Virgins if they wouldn't let us in but they didn't even bat an eye. I don't think they even look at the date. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Tonguea.gif" alt="" />

I came in with a cooler of beer last month plus cigars. But did get hassled. No tax. Two years ago same thing. I paid tax. The BVI customs is a joke especially at WE where the so-called officers are barely high school grads, wiseguys and have their jobs solely through family connections.

Sigh. The state department compiles information about the requirements of other countries on that website, of course it doesn't dictate them. Do you have some reason to believe that the information is in error?

Beyond that, by your argument, they can also deny you entry because your passport doesn't have a year remaining. Or two years. Or because they don't like your shirt.

Think of it this way, if the normal tourist visa entering the country is 30 days, and your passport expires in 2 weeks, if you stay the 30 days you cannot go back to the USA without visiting a consulate in Barbados and getting your passport renewed.

Having a passport so close to expiration that it expires during your trip is a different matter.
If that happens you MAY be denied entry back into the U.S.

I travel international for work. 10-15 countries every year. I guess with your periodic trip to the BVIs you are an expert. So I will stand down.

I already have. No problem.

Was I talking to you? Do you know me or my travel experience? I didn't think so. So your apology will be accepted. If anything I was reinforcing your point of "why risk it." Glad you outed yourself as an [censored] and hope to never meet you IRL.

ok

Gets a little testy in here on a full moon, huh?

Okey Dokey. OP here. Thanks for your input everybody.

I have no idea why someone who doesn't know me or my travel experience would need to dump all over me even though I never mentioned them in a comment etc. But if that's the norm for today's society we are all headed to hell in a hand basket.

Nah, we are all friends. We are eating raw meat only though waiting for the Panthers v Arizona tomorrow.

Mercy me, no idea why this went so sideways, but regardless it is done..