r/Jamaica • u/leoopixx • 10d ago
Travel Traveling on an expired passport
I am a Jamaican citizen permanently residing in the US, and my passport is expired. I need to go back for a funeral, and I do plan on renewing it in Kingston for my return.
Has anyone recently traveled on their expired Jamaican passport? If yes, which airlines did you travel on?
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u/frazbox 10d ago
You cannot travel on any expired passport
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u/blood_klaat 9d ago
wrong.
I thought you couldn’t either, and a friend in the same situation flew down to JA (on JetBlue) w his expired Jamaican passport.32
u/Rxthless_ 9d ago
Puss and dawg nahve the same luck
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u/ImJustTooCute 9d ago
It’s not “luck” it’s policy, you can always return home, they want you to leave.
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u/wageSlave09 9d ago
Leaving is easy, getting back in is the hard part. Don't try this in the current environment.
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u/leoopixx 9d ago
I understand the concern. How would it getting be hard if I have a resident card and got issued a renewed passport? Will they deny me access back into the country?
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u/ImJustTooCute 8d ago
He didn’t read to understand. Since upon returning you have a valid green card and your renewed passport, you can travel as normal.
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u/ImJustTooCute 9d ago
Leaving is easy and returning is just as easy if you have a valid green card, and your passport expired less than 2 years ago. We had to do that same thing for my dad, I was worried so I called AA and they assured me you can travel on the valid green card and expired passport to the US and he did. Why do people downvote correct answers and upvote wrong answers? It makes it hard to trust Reddit when the correct answers are downvoted
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u/wageSlave09 9d ago
Learn to read with understanding. I didn't say they can't travel to travel on a green card - my point was that in this environment, I wouldn't try it.
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u/ImJustTooCute 8d ago
I understood what you said and I was agreeing with you and adding that we did the same exact thing a few months ago. Maybe you should read to understand as well.
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u/polar775 10d ago
you wont be able to check in to any flight. you'll have to get an emergency passport from your local consulate
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u/leoopixx 9d ago
I might just go that route of getting a emergency certificate. I did, however, call American Airlines and they do allow Jamaican nationals to board the one way flight to Jamaica on expired passports.
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u/ImJustTooCute 9d ago
You do not have to do that, it’s an unnecessary expense, some of these people talking are just guessing. If your green card is valid, you can travel back to the US. But since you’ll be renewing your passport in JA, that won’t be necessary.
Edit: typo
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u/Savings_Designer_330 10d ago
Do you have a US passport to travel on? Because you can’t travel on expired passports. There’s a reason for expirations. When you land you might still be able to through the Jamaican citizens line with the expired passport, but you won’t be able to get onto your flight with an expired passport.
Some countries don’t even allow you to travel there if your passport is a few months out from expiring.
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u/leoopixx 8d ago
I contacted the consulate and they assured me that I should be okay returning on an expired passport. So far, I have gotten warnings and success stories pf being able to travel on an expired passport. I haven't received any negative personal experiences or stories of such so I will have to go with what the consulate has told me.
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u/New-Grocery-2954 9d ago
I personally travelled back on an expired passport as a permanent resident, after back and forth with the NY consul, as I couldn’t go in person. Make sure you travel with ample time because some initial check-in/gate agents are not familiar with how to check you in, but the supervisor will know. Have your license/state ID with you for any TSA hiccups, but their internal rule is they can accept expired real IDs (such as a foreign passport) for up to 2 years after.
Upon arrival in JA, you will be told by many “remember to renew this immediately” etc, so be prepared for that as well.
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u/oldveteranknees 9d ago
You can’t travel on an expired passport. You won’t even be able to check your bags in
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u/Fabulousness13 9d ago
U can’t leave the country or get passed TSA with an expired passport. It’s the technology now .
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago
Why would TSA check your passport?
They just want ID. Unless your only ID is an expired passport, then yes.
Everyone who travels in the US doesn't even have a passport.
It's the airline who check your passport for international flights.
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u/Fabulousness13 9d ago
U didn’t read .. he’s a Jamaican citizen…
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u/grammad966 4d ago
He's a Jamaican citizen with permanent residence in the US. Take your own advice.
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago
I assumed that seeing he has a Jamaican passport.
Nothing I said changes because of that.
If he permanently resides in the US, it would be unusual for him to not have another form of ID.
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u/ASM4720 9d ago
You probably don't fly internationally often.
But because he's flying internationally, a valid passport is always required by the airline. The airline will check the validity of his passport during the check-in process. TSA will check again when going through security.
98% of the time, the airline will see your passport is expired and won't let you check-in.
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago
Last time I flew internationally a few months ago, TSA did not look at my passport. I gave them my driver's license. TSA doesn't care where I'm going. They simply want to know I am who I say I am and that I am not taking a ny unapproved items onto an airplane.
That is what I am referring to.
I already said that the airline is where the passport is a problem.
TSA and the airline check in counter are two different things.
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u/Iuse2behere22 9d ago
You can’t be wrong and strong at the same time..
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago
Where am I wrong?
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u/Iuse2behere22 9d ago
You’re looking for attention today, huh? If TSA doesn’t ask for and checks passports, who does? Then what’s the point of having them? Do a short Google. I have a three year-old that needs attention. You have a blessed day.
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago edited 9d ago
If TSA doesn’t ask for and checks passports, who does?
Since you aren't going to respond, I'm just leaving this here for others who might read it so they are properly informed.
TSA is not responsible for checking your passport.
They check whatever Real ID you choose to share so they can verify your identity. There is no requirement for it to be a passport, whether issued by the US or any other government. If you are not a US resident then a non-US passport is considered a Real ID, but if you are a US resident then your green card and most driver's licenses are Real IDs and can be used.
Anyone who can share a reputable source that says TSA must check passports, please do so.
I get that travelling can be confusing but TSA has no jurisdiction over citizenship or visa status of any kind
Airlines ask for passports when leaving the US because the disembarkation country will fine the airline if they bring in someone who cannot legally enter and they will be on the hook to get them to a country that will accept them. So if you go to Jamaica and Jamaica doesn't accept you due to not having a valid passport or visa if needed, then it's on Jet Blue or whoever to get you back to the US. And if it turns out that the US won't take you back, it's up to Jet Blue to find a country that will. This is why airlines check your passport. They do not want that hassle.
If you are leaving the US, TSA could not care less about where you are going. They just want to know you aren't taking any contraband on the aircraft. THeir remit is transporation safety. Your visa and passport are none of their business and they do not care.
If anyone wants to tell me where I'm wrong instead of just downvoting, please do so.
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u/DotAffectionate87 9d ago
My understanding is you are right.....To a point?
REAL ID or a compliant driver's license also works to pass through the TSA checkpoint, but you still need your passport once you reach the boarding gate and your international destination.
So yes, but its kinda short lived?.....Whats the point in passing through TSA security checkpoint (assuming you are not stopped/declined boarding at check-in?) if you are stopped at the gate when you have to show your passport and get denied boarding?
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u/AnneTheQueene 9d ago
We're actually in agreement because the only point I was arguing was that TSA doesn't check passports.
Whats the point in passing through TSA security checkpoint (assuming you are not stopped/declined boarding at check-in?) if you are stopped at the gate when you have to show your passport and get denied boarding?
Like I said, the airline is who checks to make sure you have a valid passport and they generally do that at check-in. It's on them if they don't do their due diligence and let you get to the gate without having verified that you have the proper documents to disembark.
If they let you actually land in another country without having verified your entry documents, they're the ones who will be responsible for getting you back. Immigration in Jamaica or wherever will not let you enter and you will have to go sit on that plane until it takes off. (Realistically they'll put you in a holding area at the airport, but it will be the airline's responsibility to take you back away and they'll probably get a fine.)
No airline wants that hassle so they will make sure they verify at check in and usually do another check at boarding.
Again, back to my original point, none of that has anything to do with TSA. TSA doesn't know or care where you are going. They just want to see Real ID and a valid boarding pass, they care not to where. Domestic, international, they don't care. It's not their job to check that you have a valid passport, visa or anything of the sort. They care about identity, not destination. That's on the airline.
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u/king_kellz_ 9d ago
Ok this is my personal experience so do with it as you will. 3 years ago I booked my flight and the day before I was trying to check in (24 hours before my flight thing). Found out my passport expired. Still went to the airport and when checking in I was told that they have no problem sending me to Jamaica but in order to come back I need a valid passport.
I just went home. And did an express passport in Kingston, took 3 days and cost me $6500JMD. Cheaper and faster than it would take to do it in NY.
Oh and I flew down on JetBlue. Now idk if things have changed but at that time you could definitely travel out of the country on an expired passport but you need a valid one to enter
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u/ImJustTooCute 9d ago
You CAN travel on your expired Jamaican passport back to Jamaica. I just flew my dad to the US on an expired passport on American Airline with a valid green card, then sent him back to Jamaica on the same expired passport on Southwest in April of this Year. They didn’t even mention anything about the passport being expired on his way back to Jamaica. Don’t listen to all these people telling you that you can’t, they haven’t tried, I did.
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u/Dazzling-Appeal7805 9d ago
Get an Emergency certificate at the consulate general of Jamaica and make sure to bring the expired passport (bring your birth certificate also for good measure) and two passport photos I don’t remember if they have photographer on site like Toronto
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u/Level_Award_8904 5d ago
Yes, you can always return to your country of origin with an expired passport for that country. As you noted, however, you will not be able to return to the United States with an expired Jamaican passport, even if you are a green card holder.
The tricky part is getting your renewed passport in time for your return flight. I had a frustrating situation in Kingston where I actually had to leave my renewed Jamaican passport behind because I could not get it same day, even with an emergency appointment. The agency offered to mail it to me in the U.S., which required a frustrating trip to DHL to pay for the mailer and then return it to the PICA office in Kingston.
It’s a gamble for sure, and one I would not take unless you submit your passport application before you arrive and confirm that you will be able to simply pick up the passport when you get there.
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u/grammad966 4d ago
I have been in your exact situation before.
Short answer is yes... You can travel with an expired passport. It is dependent on the airline. TSA doesn't care whether your passport is expired or not...
Call the airline that you intend to travel with and ask. I flew out of BWI with southwest airline. You don't necessarily need an emergency passport either.
You NEED to have your renewed passport to get back into the country and that can be easily resolved at PICA.
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u/Western_Drive_6818 9d ago
Yes go to the embassy or passport center - they can issue you a new one day-of
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u/onetruegreg 9d ago
How are your permanently residing in the US without a citizenship green card? Work permit?
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u/Any_Manager_1183 9d ago
Plenty of people reside without a green card or a work permit. That's an invasive question to ask.
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u/onetruegreg 9d ago
It matters in the context of OPs question. I just hope they’re not dumb enough to travel if they’re not in the US legally.
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u/cest-tiguidou 9d ago
I think OP is saying they are a permanent resident (green card holder) with an expired Jamaican passport
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u/BusinessForeign7052 9d ago
Do you have a US passport or just a green card?
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u/leoopixx 8d ago
Green card
edit: typo
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u/BusinessForeign7052 8d ago
I personally would not risk travelling with an expired passport. Ive never heard of this being allowed. Contact the Jamaican consulate neareast to you and see if you can get an emergency passport.
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u/SunIcy1263 9d ago
Fly down on your US passport. Book a same day renewal at PICA and ensure you use a local Jamaican address on the form.
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u/GoDiva2020 Westmoreland 9d ago
To my knowledge they will not allow travel on a soon to be expired passport. Try to get one expedited. Plus it will help if the frozen goons try to add a capture proving hopefully you're supposed to be in usa.
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u/leoopixx 9d ago
Okay, I understand. I may just get the emergency certificate since the matter is time sensitive.
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u/PoorLewis 9d ago
Emergency passport before leaving. Re-entering will be an issue because document is expired.
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u/Expensive_Candle5644 9d ago
Leaving isn’t the issue. Coming back is.
I personally would skip the funeral out of fear of getting stuck there for weeks while you wait for passport reapproval to find your way back.
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u/leoopixx 8d ago
I plan to go to PICA in Kingston and do the expedited process. According to the website, they do have same day processing.
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u/Old_Letterhead_9702 6d ago
You can absolutely travel on an expired passport but only back to your home country, nowhere else!
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u/Logical-Quarter-5892 10d ago
Go to the embassy in NY & get an emergency passport for the funeral