Travel/Passport expiration

Not sure where to find the answer to this, so was hoping someone might be able to help...

I'm a US citizen with UK residency through a Tier 1 work visa. I'm thinking about going to Chicago a few days before my US passport expires (the end of May). Do I need to have x amount of time left on it to be allowed back in to the UK? Will I be ok to travel then post it off for renewal as soon as I get back to the UK if its still before the expiry date?

I'm worried if I sent it now normally that it wouldn't get back in time... I have looked at getting an emergency passport but from what I've read it must be done in person and there are no appointments available until June.

Is there any way I can make this happen?

As long as you have a valid visa you should be able to re-enter as long as your passport has not yet expired. You might want to print off the passport renewal forms, fill them out and take them with you so you can show the IO upon returning to the UK that you're going to be sending your passport off for renewal.

Just be very careful that if your travel back to the UK is delayed and your passport expires in the meantime then you're stuck until you can get a new passport.

Yikes good point. Fingers crossed no volcanoes erupt next month then...

Thanks for the advice. Am just very weary as I can't find any confirmation of this anywhere and getting in touch with the embassy is next to impossible!

Yes you can re-enter in anywhere if you have that country visa untill your passport is not expired.Its really important now volcano has been clear now.