is it true that you must have at least 6 months left on your passport before it expires if you are going abroad

[pamelaray]

I have ink stains on a white handbag, how can I remove them?

[jno]

red ink stains on a white handbag must be removed or you will not be allowed back into the country. Green ink is not seen as a security issue.

[craft1948]

anyone with a white handbag should be deported.....

[redcrx]

is the red ink from a biro or from one of those secure cash briefcases that throws the dye at anyone opening it without permission? Did it get on the passport?

[craft1948]

Space.....I'm still recovering from the crossword question about lettuces..........posted in the Politics section?

[sn�gs]

I'm thinking 'ray' started this thread question, and 'pamela' finished it off...

[sara3]

awhh snags, that's kinda romantic :o)

[craft1948]

....from Essex (white handbag is a giveaway)....

[sn�gs]

Hello sara... shame neither of them knew what the other was writing about... it could've been the start of a lovely thread...

[Buenchico]

Well, Pamelaray, you've certainly managed to confuse a lot of people with your strange combination of a heading and a question ;-)

I know nothing about cleaning handbags but I'll assume that you still want to know about passport rules.

Assuming that you hold a British (or other EU) passport, you can travel to any EU country through the full validity of the passport. EU law states that you must be admitted into any member country, even if there's only a minute left on your passport.

A few non-EU countries do have a '6 month' or '3 month' passport validity rule but they're very much in the minority. (Even the USA, which has some of the strictest immigration requirements anywhere in the world, waives its normal 6 month rule for British passport holders. Your passport just needs to valid throughout the duration of your stay).

Regrettably, some travel agents can't be bothered to train their staff properly. This has resulted in them telling all travellers that they always require 6 months on their passport. It's a complete myth.

You can check on the entry requirements for any country in the world (for UK passport holders) on the website of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. (It will tell you whether you require a visa and whether or not you need a certain period of validity on your passport):
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living -overseas/travel-advice-by-country/
(Go to the page for the relevant country and then click on 'Entry requirements').

You don't have to wait until your passport runs out before renewing it. You can renew it in advance. Any unexpired time on your old passport (up to a maximum of 9 months) is automatically added to the validity of the new one.

Chris

[sara3]

I can't believe Chris doesn't know how to clean a handbag. I thought he knew everything!

I'm so disappointed :o/

[sn�gs]

^ Ahhh... the voice of reason...

(he's lying about the handbag thing though) ;-)

[ChuckFickens]

and as you haven't said what sort of handbag it is then it hard to advise on how to get ink off it.

If it's a leather one try hairspray though.

[craft1948]

If you go on any P&O cruise you have to have 6 months at least on your passport..........but they won't let you on board with a white handbag clean or otherwise......

[sn�gs]

What do you dance around then after dinner with the Capt'...

[craft1948]

nothing......your butler holds your handbag....

[sn�gs]

Your Butler?!

Is it, in fact, your own boat... 'Queenie'...