Passport Issues For Spain - Help Needed

Hi Gary

I would be grateful for your advice: a friend booked to travel to Lanzarote with flight only on Sunday and has just discovered that his passport will expire the day BEFORE his return flight. He has spoken to various offices in the UK and had some reassurance but has no way of knowing what might happen with Spanish immigration should he manage to get out of England! Would it be an issue?

Any advice gratefully received!

Best wishes

TeeJay

MY REPLY

Hi Teejay

I am really in the dark on this issue, immigration can be so fickle!!!

My immediate reaction is that the Spanish wont be that worried about him leaving with an expired passport and the issue is entry into the UK.

Below is a link to the UK Consulate in Spain and it lists lots of questions and answers and all contact numbers, addresses of the Embassies etc, you could try them

http://www.ukinspain.com/english/

You could also try adding your question to a few of the busier forums where many travellers share their thoughts, I would try....

http://britishexpats.com/forum/

http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat/

http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-forums

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/



I hope this helps and it would be great if you could share the outcome of the trip with me so that if the question comes up again I can help someone else!

Apologies for the delay but I am on holiday until 25th April and only checking emails once per day!

Regards



Gary Ingram


From Teejay 26th April 2006

Ola Gary, reply as promised!

My relative made his return trip to Lanzarote (with passport expiring day before return leg)almost unscathed!

1) he rang immingration at Manchester who advised that he check with his carrier (JMC) saying if they thought it was OK it wouldn't be a problem

2) he went to the JMC desk the day before he left and they said it wasn't a problem

3) at check in he was asked if he knew his passport was about to expire but let him through

4) no problem at passport control at Manchester, nodded through at the other end!

5) not mentioned on check-in return

6)at Manchester all passports were being checked and he was stopped and asked if he knew it had expired; he replied 'only just' and with a smile was told 'we'll let you in'

So there we are! Many thanks for your advice

Best wishes

Teejay