Hi All

I wonder if anyone can help with this....
We have our visas (thank god) which were granted in November 07. They expire 14th may 08 (this is due the the backlog that it took so long to be granted which is why we didn't get that long).
My problem is, we were going to go to Australia to validate our visa at the end of March / beginning April for a holiday which is fine but my husbands passport runs out on the 1st may 08. I thought this would be ok as it would still have a good few weeks left on it but someone has told me tonight that you need at least 6 months left on your passport before travelling. Is this true and if so what now. I assume if we get a new passport the visa can be swopped over but how long does this take??

We started this process nearly 2 years ago so it seemed fine at the time otherwise i would have renewed it then.

Any help would be much appreciated.

regards

emma

You could apply for a new passport and carry both so that you have evidence of the visa. It doesn't matter which passport it is in. But I would have thought you would have time to send off for a new passport and get new sticker before March anyway.

Not sure if this help though!

thanks
i will give it a go anyway

If you pay the extra £5 I think taht was the amount for the checking service at the post office it speeds up getting your passport back becuase the hard work has all been done.

We got ours back within 10 days

Because its a quiet time of the year for the passport office, if you use check & send (and you can always check the option for another few quid for them to send it special delivery) you should get it in about a week. The usual speed is 2 weeks so thats worst case, but we got 3 new/replacement passports at the end of the year and 2 of them took 1 week. You shouldn't have any problem getting them in time, and you do have to have at least 6 months remaining - theres a good chance they won't even let you on the plane with less than that.

Yes the 6 months limit is correct, we had to get two childrens passports renewed, as well as a brand new one for baby no.3 at a cost of over £100. No reductions for children either which we were a bit peeved at :curse:

The 6 month limit is required by certain countries otherwise they will not let you out of the transit lounge - so if you are going to Australia direct or with a short stopover that can be spent in the transit lounge, there may be no problem. safest way is to get new passport and get the visa "swapped" when you get to Australia.

Regards


tony Coates
MARN 0635896

hi emma
i had same problem with the 3 kids so i sent them last thursday 3rd jan i did special delivery they recieved them friday and have had them back today 9th jan brilliant!i also put a note onthe form in additional info asking that they dont damage the visa in them and i also paid £3 to have the old passport sent back by special delivery as the visas were in them didn't want them to go walk about then you take both we you go.when do you plan to actually leave for good? we hope to go march if all goes well.wishing you a good rekkie hopefully speak soon.

anne marie xx

p.s where was you looking at going in oz?