While it might appear obvious that an expired passport is unusable for travel, what many don’t realize is that merely being unexpired isn’t sufficient in numerous countries. Many destinations mandate that your passport holds validity for at least three to six months beyond your date of entry.
To prevent a headache, stress and money loss of not being able to get on your plane for your dream vacation, make sure you check the passport rule of where you’re going ahead of time. Here’s all you need to know about expiration dates and traveling abroad.
Is it okay to travel if my passport has less than 6 months left?
Whether you can travel with less than 6 months on your passport depends on where you’re going. Different countries have different rules. Some just need your passport to be valid until after your trip, while others want at least 6 months left after your trip starts.
To find out what more about this passport rule are for the country you’re visiting, the easiest thing to do is go to the Travel.State.Gov page for that destination and type in the countries you’re going to. It’ll show you what each country needs.
To play it safe, if your passport has less than six months left, it’s best to renew it. Check the expiration date on your passport before you book flights or set dates for your trip. The U.S. Department of State even suggests renewing it if it’s expiring within the next year.
Countries that require 6 months on a passport
Here’s a list of European countries where your passport needs to be good for at least six months from when your trip starts, not just from when you book:
– Austria
– Belgium
– Bulgaria (from March 2024)
– Croatia
– Czech Republic
– Denmark
– Estonia
– Finland
– France
– Germany
– Greece
– Hungary
– Iceland
– Italy
– Latvia
– Liechtenstein
– Lithuania
– Luxembourg
– Malta
– Netherlands
– Norway
– Poland
– Portugal
– Romania (from March 2024)
– Slovakia
– Slovenia
– Spain
– Sweden
– Switzerland
We’re talking about European countries here because they’re popular for summer vacations, but you can find a passport rule for every country on Travel.State.Gov. Also, remember that starting next year, if you’re a U.S. Passport holder visiting Europe, you’ll need special permission to travel.
In Asia and the Middle East, countries that need your passport to be good for six months include: Mainland China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Turkey.
Can I go on a trip if my passport ends in 3 months?
In the U.K., your passport only needs to be good for your stay there. But if you’re passing through a U.K. airport or going to other countries, you need to meet their passport rule.
Are there other places where I can go last-minute with similar rules?
– Ireland
– Mexico
– Canada
– The Bahamas
– Bermuda
What if I have a trip planned and my passport is almost expired?
If you’re going to a country that needs 6 months left on your passport, you can’t go. So, hurry and renew your passport. You can do it faster through the State Department’s “Get My Passport Fast” page.
Renewing your passport typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. If you need it faster, you can opt for expedited service, which takes 2 to 3 weeks for an additional $60 fee. To qualify for expedited renewal, you must have international travel plans within 14 days and schedule an in-person appointment at a passport office.
Can I renew my expired U.S. passport?
Yes, you can still renew an expired passport as long as it was issued within the last 15 years. If it’s older than that, you’ll need to apply for a new one. Renewal can be done by mail, online, or in-person.