Question:
Is a U.S. passport required for U.S. citizens to travel to Jamaica? I
am going to Hedonism for a photo shoot, and my passport is expired. Is
a visa required?
Answer:
You don't need a visa if you're staying less than 90 days, but you do need
proof of US citizenship. If there is time, renew your passport (for a fee
they will expedite the application). If you're leaving tomorrow, then
you'll need a copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal (NOT a
photocopy) and a government-issued photo ID like a valid driver's license.
A passport is much better proof and less hassle IMO.
Without proof of citizenship you won't even be allowed to board the plane to
go to Jamaica. They're pretty strict about this.
is an expired passport considered proof of citizenship, along w/ a
gov't issued photo id???
And a marriage license if appropriate.
It used to be OK, but don't rely on it. Post 9/11, customs folks really
started frowning on it. Just renew.
An expired Pass Port is adequate for and in lue of a birth certificate,
it is also adequate for picture ID which is required. THe Pass Ports for
your area, if you are going to Jamaca, are processed in New Orleand and
they are very efficient and timely.
Since 9/11 this has not consistently been true. I know people who were
denied entry into the US who have carried expired passports as ID. The
world has changed.
A marriage certificate is proof of marriage but not proof of
citizenship. Try to use a marriage certificate to enter the country; all
that will happen is they will detain both you and your spouse
I said AND a marriage license. Try to get in or out of the country with a
Birth cert that doesn't match the name on the photo ID and see what happens.
Last trip out of the country a person wasn't let on the plane for that very
reason.
You know US citizens who were denied entry into the US?
traveling on expired passports. Note that the US doesn't guarantee
entry back into the US on an expired passport. When you apply for or renew
a passport, you certify that you haven't taken up allegiance Somewhere
I really don't believe you. What, did they just give up and move to Paraguay
instead since they couldn't get back in?
Not explicitly, because they can't keep you out even if all you have is a
Blockbuster Video membership card. You just have to substantiate your
citizenship which can take a few hours at the port of entry.
No, eventually they got back into the US, but it took several days for one
person and about a day for the others.
I've also heard TAs tell me the same stories about their clients (I do
talk to travel agents all day). In those cases, I don't know the details.
Again, I *wouldn't*, in the current environment, travel on an expired
passport. I'm sure many people do it and have no trouble. However, others
have had less pleasant experiences.
they are now even getting picky about passports that are close to
expiration date...some don't want to accept them within 6mos of exp. and
yes they can keep you from leaving and delay returning to the u.s.
without what that person deems as proper docs...saw it happen coming
back from jamaica into philly on way home last august.....guy was a
prick on plane too..think it was payback time
If you are traveling to Jamaica on a professional photo shoot, the usual
tourist visa may not apply. Don't leave this to the vagueries of an
internet newsgroup. Go to http://travel.state.gov and get the real
skinny from the US Dept. of State and Consular Affairs.
This has more-or-less always been true -- although it may be enfourced
more closely now. The theory is that your passport must be good for
as long as you plan to stay in the foreign country. Since they do not
know how long, six months is a common requirement.
Here is my pasport information write-up:
DISCLAIMER: The following information is believed to be correct
when last updated on 11 March 2003. However, it is not guaranteed
and is subject to change. For the most up to date information,
please contact the US Government State Department (see the URL
below) and/or an official government representative of the
countrie(s) to which you will be traveling.
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, and you travel
outside the USA, I recommend that you GET A PASSPORT. It is easy.
It is cheap (relative to the cost of international travel). It
will avoid hassles. IT WILL ALWAYS WORK. It may avoid problems.
Note added 11 March 2003 -- The reality of increased
airport security seems to be that documents are being
checked more closely. In some cases this may mean that if
you do not have a passpport you will experience additional
delay checking in at the airline counter and/or passing
through immigration.
For US Passport Information see
http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
This site explains how to apply for a passport even if you do NOT
have one of the proofs of citizenship listed below.
Information is also available at many US Post Office locations,
and at many state and federal courts.
Most Caribbean countries will allow U.S. citizens to visit for up
to two or three months if you show proof of U.S. citizenship, and
a return or onward ticket; some will require a passport.
A U.S. passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling to most
South and Central American countries. In some cases you may need
to obtain a visa before departing the USA.
There are exceptions to the above, and changes can occur at any
time. This only applies to vacation travel within the Americas.
Travel outside the Americas or business travel often requires a
passport and may require that a visa be obtained in advance.
For more up-to-date Foreign Entry Requirements see:
http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
Or contact an official representative of the country you will be
visiting.
Note that the requirements for re-entry into the U.S. may
exceed the requirements for entry into the foreign
country.
[Added 2003-AUG-25]
Note also: The USA is currently imposing increased
requirements on foreign nationals who need to obtain visa
for entry into the USA. This is said to be related to
Homeland Security. It is reasonable to expect that some
other countries may reciprocate, making it harder for USA
citizens to obtain visas to visit those countries.
If you don't have a passport, you will need the following:
1) Proof of citizenship or permanent residency. For citizens born
in the USA, a government issued birth certificate with a
raised seal (impressed) is usually accepted. Hospital issued
birth certificates are not accepted; photocopies and
certificates without a raised seal may not be accepted. (The
passport web site states: "NO voter registration cards. NO
army discharge papers.")
If you were not born in the USA, you may need a Certificate of
Naturalization or other documentation in place of or in
addition to a birth certificate.
2) Proof of identity. A government issued, picture ID, such as a
drivers license is usually accepted. (The passport web site
states: "SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AS
IDENTIFICATION.") Recently expired passports may or may not be
accepted as a proof of identity.
Note the use of the word "usually" above. It is not uncommon for
airline or government personnel (US or foreign) to question
documents that seem to meet these requirements. Most times this is
only a minor hassle, but it can be a major problem.
