US entry with 6 months on Aussie Passport

[NM]

Just want to check with the brains trust here that my reading of the rules/policies is correct. A person traveling to the USA on an Aussie passport that has more than 6 months validity remaining upon entry and planned departure should be right to travel. It is my understanding of the rules for US entry for Aussie passports under the VWP/ESTA that so long as the passport is valid upon entry the and the holder has a valid ESTA that entry should be granted for the standard 90 days or until the passport expires (the ESTA is only valid until passport expiry).

I just want to be certain that the 6 month validity that applies to some countries does not apply for Aussie passport to USA. In this case the passport expires about 6.5 months after the planned departure from the USA (will be a 10 day or so visit). In this case they should be granted 90 days, but the end of the 90 days will be only 3.5 months before passport expiry.

I know some people will say its best to get the new passport before going, but in this case the passenger already has a valid ESTA on the current passport and does not want to shell out earlier than necessary for a new passport, which will also mean the eventual new passport will be valid longer.

Does anyone see any issues with traveling to the USA on an Aussie passport with 6.5 months validity.

 

[opusman]

The Smart Traveller website says:

Make sure your passport has at least six months validity from your planned date of return to Australia

 

[Mal]

Timatic says:

"Passports issued to nationals of Australia must be valid for the period of intended stay. " - no notification of 6 month validity etc, just period of stay.

As that is what the airlines use to determine eligibility for travel, I think it's a safe bet (but like anything on the internet - don't trust my word!)

 

[Pushka]

Its the USA. I would renew.

 

[trooper]

The cbp website states that "passports must be valid for 6 months beyond etc"... but then refers to an ENORMOUS list of countries for whose passports that requirement is waived.... Australia IS on that list.

Anyone with personal experience? Mine expires Sept and I am going over in May and June....

And when I say ENORMOUS... just looking at the A's both Andorra and Angola ARE on the list..... the challenge might be to find countries that are NOT....

OK..Iran and Iraq are not... but that a bit obvious!

 

[travelislife]

TIMATIC is all that matters really so you should be going off that.

 

[NM]

Timatic says:

"Passports issued to nationals of Australia must be valid for the period of intended stay. " - no notification of 6 month validity etc, just period of stay.

As that is what the airlines use to determine eligibility for travel, I think it's a safe bet (but like anything on the internet - don't trust my word!)

TIMATIC is all that matters really so you should be going off that.

That matches everything I can find as well. Australia is on the list of countries as exceptions to the 6y months. The passport WILL have 6 months validity (6.5 months actually) at the INTENDED departure date (when the return air ticket is dated and intended to depart). But the passport will not have 6 months beyond the 90 days generally automatically granted under VWP/ESTA.

So if TIMATIC says no 6 month requirement, then there should not be any issue. I found a way to look it up via United Airlines and using the actual travel dates and passport expiry, here is what TIMATIC returned:

Summary

Conditional, The traveler will need to hold travel documents as detailed below.

Type: Notice
USA - Destination Passport

The following regulations apply to children/minors:

Children, up to/incl. 15 years of age, being nationals of Australia, are not allowed to enter the USA on their parents passports.

Minors traveling unaccompanied, or accompanied by one parent or a person other than parent/legal guardian, can prevent possible delays if holding a notarized letter of authorization signed by absent parent(s). For more details refer to https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/268/kw/minors.

Important:

Passengers who have visited Guinea within the last 21 days must enter the US at Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) and are subject to screening and medical checks upon arrival.


Type: Notice
USA - Destination Visa

Visa required.

The following are exempt from holding a visa:

A max. stay of 90 days for nationals of Australia traveling as a tourist, on business or in transit .

Passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 must be biometric (i.e. e-passports with an integrated chip).

Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 but prior to 26 October 2006 must:
- be machine-readable and contain a digital photo; or
- be biometric (i.e. e-passports with an integrated chip).

Passports issued prior to 26 October 2005 must be machine-readable.

Additional information:

Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for their next destination.

The following applies to those traveling under the US Visa Waiver Program:

Each passenger must hold own passport (incl. biometric Emergency/Temporary passport) and be traveling as a tourist, on business or in transit.

A return/onward ticket (or electronic ticket record) must be to a final destination country other than Canada, Mexico or contiguous (adjacent) countries or territories situated in or bordering the Caribbean Sea . If a passenger holds proof of residence in Canada, Mexico or a contiguous (adjacent) country or territory and is transiting the USA to that country or territory, then an onward/return ticket to that country or territory is accepted.

Passenger can make side trips to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean countries/islands, provided first entering the USA on a carrier participating in the VWP. No additional time is given (extension) based on the departure to contiguous (adjacent) territory .

Important:

Passengers must obtain an ESTA authorization via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Following recent changes to the Visa Waiver Program, passengers are advised to check their ESTA status prior to travel on the CBP?s website. Detailed information on the new ESTA restrictions can be found via Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act Frequently Asked Questions | U.S. Customs and Border Protection



Type: Ok
USA - Destination Health

This information is for guide purposes only. Other health organisations may recommend alternative precautions.

Vaccinations not required.

So that settles my mind and there is no need to renew before departure.

 

[NM]

Just completing the story with an update that no issues experienced, as expected. Check-in agent asked what our return date was and pointed out that passport expires soon, but only as a matter of courtesy so we would not be caught out for future trip planning. Passport renewal application has now been submitted.