# Passport Emergency - Facts Needed NOW \[16-Feb-2024\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654 "2024-02-16T12:04:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/81 "2024-02-21T15:47:54Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > The system sent us through immediately. We were still pulling out our passports when an attendant told us that we were approved and to move on RAD!! 💯 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/82 "2024-02-21T17:20:03Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > My God, is it something about Passports that makes this things happen? No, but they make better stories. I was working on my car, and upon putting the tools away, I was missing my 1/4 drive 7/16 socket. I looked everywhere. After a couple weeks, I broke down and bought a replacement. Next time I was working on the car, I got ready to remove the passenger side door handle using my new 7/16 socket. Guess where I found the old one? Still on the bolt from the last time! ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/83 "2024-02-22T00:21:10Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Next time I was working on the car, I got ready to remove the passenger side door handle using my new 7/16 socket. Guess where I found the old one? Still on the bolt from the last time! Okay, so I have to ask…why are you removing the passenger-side door handle on your car even once, let alone frequently enough that the socket was still attached? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2024, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/84 "2024-02-22T02:09:52Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Okay, so I have to ask…why are you removing the passenger-side door handle on your car even once, let alone frequently enough that the socket was still attached? The window mechanism was worn out and I needed new parts. In the mean time, I wanted the interior not to look like a car being worked on. 🙂 70 Cuda-you have to pull the handle to get the door panel off. If I remember, the rest are snap fasteners. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/85 "2024-02-23T04:16:54Z")
When you do have your passport, do check with plenty of time before your trip that 1. There is more than 6 months before expiry (many/most countries will not let you enter if there is less than 6 months to go, and the airlines won’t let you board the plane as they get big fines if you do), and 2. Confirm that you have a valid visa or you don’t need one. Don’t ask me how I know but I was gob smacked to learn that Americans need an Australian visa. That said, these days many countries like Viet Nam will issue a visa for a fee over the internet in a matter of minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/86 "2024-02-23T07:28:49Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Don’t ask me how I know but I was gob smacked to learn that Americans need an Australian visa. Well you don’t need a visa per-se. There is an app and it costs $20 to get an [Electronic Travel Authority](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601#Overview) that is good for 3 months. But you do need to do it before getting on the plane. In general this is going to be more not less of a thing. Countries like to know who is travelling to them ahead of time. The US caused a ruckus a few years ago when its insistence that airlines lodge a passenger manifest with them before landing to run afoul of EU data privacy laws. As all travel documents become virtual, and everything becomes interconnected expect every country to expect forward notifications. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/87 "2024-02-23T08:32:12Z")
Yes, Canada [requires](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html) an eTA from travellers who are flying in but don’t need a visa. These travellers do not need an eTA if crossing the border by land or water. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/88 "2024-02-23T12:03:18Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > There is more than 6 months before expiry (many/most countries will not let you enter if there is less than 6 months to go, and the airlines won’t let you board the plane as they get big fines if you do) You say WHAT?! I had no idea! Mine expires in 2027. So, my question is, how long before your expiration date will they allow you to renew. Hopefully, a full year since they have that 6 month thing. > [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > Well you don’t need a visa per-se. There is an app and it costs $20 to get an [Electronic Travel Authority](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601#Overview) that is good for 3 months. But you do need to do it before getting on the plane. Whoa, never heard of this! This whole episode has freaked me out, it truly has. Maybe I’ll just continue to stay in the 'ole U.S. of A. 😳 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/89 "2024-02-23T12:13:25Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > So, my question is, how long before your expiration date will they allow you to renew. Hopefully, a full year since they have that 6 month thing. We’re going to renew my younger daughter’s passport ten months early because she is traveling to the US this summer and will be right around the six-month mark on the return date. We don’t anticipate any problems. Of course, kids’ passports tend to get refreshed a little more frequently because their picture becomes outdated so fast as they grow up. Still, I wouldn’t expect the passport people to question you. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/90 "2024-02-23T12:14:29Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/91 "2024-02-23T12:55:25Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Hopefully, a full year since they have that 6 month thing. My husband had to renew his during the initial Covid shutdown, which meant going to the consulate, so I renewed mine at the same time. I still had 14-16 months left on it. No problem, and now our passport expiration dates are the same, which is more convenient for people who typically travel together. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/92 "2024-02-23T13:00:39Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > how long before your expiration date will they allow you to renew. Hopefully, a full year I renewed my (Canadian) passport about 10 months before expiry last year. The rule I was told was: - Updating less than a year before expiry? No questions asked. - Updating more than a year before expiry? You will probably be asked to submit a note saying why you’re updating so early, but pretty much any reasonable reason is accepted. I assume US rules are similar. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/93 "2024-02-23T13:12:45Z")
Thanks for this! Mine expires in May of 2027, so I think I will initiate the renewal process during my summer break in July of 2026. That’s ten months beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/94 "2024-02-23T16:08:10Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Confirm that you have a valid visa or you don’t need one. Don’t ask me how I know but I was gob smacked to learn that Americans need an Australian visa. That said, these days many countries like Viet Nam will issue a visa for a fee over the internet in a matter of minutes. A friend of mine got deported on arrival in Brazil, for just this reason. She didn’t realize she needed a visa. The airline didn’t check on this. So they had to fly her back to the US, at their cost. IIRC, she got sent back to Miami (not where she’s from), where she was able to get her visa within 24 hours. I didn’t ask if she had to pay for her ticket back to Brazil, or if the airline ate that cost as well. > [@Cervaise](#): > > Of course, kids’ passports tend to get refreshed a little more frequently because their picture becomes outdated so fast as they grow up Plus, kid passports are only issued for 5 years, versus 10 for adults, at least in the US. > [@leahcim](#): > > Updating more than a year before expiry? You will probably be asked to submit a note saying why you’re updating so early, but pretty much any reasonable reason is accepted. A friend of mine had to replace her fairly new passport at one point. She had to include an explanation of why. I’m sure the people processing the application were amused at the “it got WASHED” explanation 😆, I expect that the condition of the old one (since you have to send that back with the application) supported her statement. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/95 "2024-02-23T16:51:16Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > > [@Telemark](#): > > > > We set up an appointment for the US Consolate the next day > > Is the US Cons **o** late a special place that makes US travelers abroad feel better after they have problems? ;-D “No, no, the Italians weren’t trying to kill you; that’s just how they drive.” ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/96 "2024-02-23T18:28:33Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > “No, no, the Italians weren’t trying to kill you; that’s just how they drive.” The irony of the username posting this comment ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/97 "2024-02-23T18:40:14Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Mine expires in May of 2027, so I think I will initiate the renewal process during my summer break in July of 2026. That’s ten months beforehand. A big question is exactly what are your travel plans–since you won’t be able to travel during the time that they are processing it–which is quite a few weeks in the U.S. And many people like to travel during summer break. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/98 "2024-02-23T18:45:09Z")
They’ve gotten better about turning around passport renewals. My mother sent hers in for renewal a couple of months ago and the turnaround time was only two or three weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/99 "2024-02-23T20:01:50Z")
My US passport expires in May 2026. If I renew in the fall of 2025 and have to suddenly travel to the US on a family emergency, does anyone know if they will accept a Canadian passport that shows I was born in the US? And in fact what happens if you need to travel in an emergency while your passport is being renewed and don’t have a second passoort? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654/100 "2024-02-23T20:10:28Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > My US passport expires in May 2026. If I renew in the fall of 2025 and have to suddenly travel to the US on a family emergency, does anyone know if they will accept a Canadian passport that shows I was born in the US? The one rule I know is that if you have a US passport, you are supposed to present that passport to enter the US, even if you have another one that would allow you enter. However, I have also heard that presenting your alternate passport generally results in mild annoyance on the part of the officer and no further sanction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passport-emergency-facts-needed-now-16-feb-2024/997654.md?page=6)