Can you travel out of the country on a soon to expire passport?

The question of whether or not an American can travel abroad on a soon to expire passport is asked more often than most other questions. It is not uncommon for the bearer of a valid passport to arrive at the airport only to discover that the passport is not "valid" for the flight's destination. This is due to the fact that many countries require a passport have six months of validity remaining before a visitor will be allowed to enter.

The initial question submitted by one of our visitors discusses this question in a general way. You can read the comments to find information about specific destinations.

Question: My passport expires in April. The person in the Post Office just told me that I cannot travel within 6 months of the expiration date. Is this correct?

Answer: The answer to your question depends on your destination. Many countries in the world require your passport have at least six months validity remaining beyond your visit before they will allow you to enter. Others only require 3 months of validity while still others only require your passport be valid at time of entry.

If the country you plan to visit requires six months of validity then you will need to renew your passport before your departure date. Check the foreign entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit.

Routine processing can take up to 6 weeks, 8 weeks or more depending on the demand at the time you apply. It takes 2-3 weeks for expedited service. Faster service requires you apply at a regional agency.

If you need to apply for a passport renewal, you can learn what requirement you need to do that here

Comments for Can you travel out of the country on a soon to expire passport?

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Will I be able to travel to Mexico even if my American passport is expired?
by: Anonymous

Question: I might not be able to but I just want to know even if there’s a small possibility that I can. I’m just going to Mexico for vacation with my mom and sister but my American passport already expired so I might not be able to go.

Answer: You need a valid passport to travel overseas. However, if you are traveling to Mexico by land or sea, you may be able to use an enhanced driver's license or any other WHTI-compliant document in place of a passport to cross the borders.

If traveling by air, you may employ the services of a registered passport expediter
to get your passport in as fast as the same day.

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Travel to China in Aug 2024 if my passport in Jan 2025
by: Victor

Question: Can IC travel to china in Aug 2024 if my passport expires in Jan 2025?

Answer: Hello, Victor. China's government requires at least 6 months of validity on your passport to allow entry. Yours is one month short of this requirement so you need to renew your passport soon.

Currently, standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. If you submit soon, your new passport MAY arrive by mid-July or later. Since you will also need a China visa, I strongly recommend expedited service.

You can request this service in two ways:

1. Via passport services' expedited service. Just add $60 to the application fee and mail your renewal application to the expedited service address. This will take 2 to 3 weeks to process excluding the time it takes for the application to arrive at the processing center and for the new passport to get to you. This can take up to 2 weeks each way.

2. Through a private passport expediter like Travel Visa Pro. They can get your passport in as fast as 2 days, depending on which speed of service you require. They will also ensure that all your documents are complete to eliminate the possibility of delays caused by missing requirements.

Please note that passport services' processing times may change without prior notice and shipping times vary between states.

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If you have more questions, please let us know.

Renewing my Finnish passport, travel to Finland
by: Saan

Question: Hi! I have a Green Card and my Finnish passport is expiring on 26th of April 2024. If I fly to Finland in March, will I be able to leave the U.S., board the plane and enter Finland with a soon to be expiring passport? I have my new passport waiting in Finland which is the reason for the trip.

Answer: You should be able to leave the United States and enter your home country without issues. Having said that, I recommend that you contact the Embassy of Finland to verify their policy on returning nationals. Have a safe trip!

Bahamas
by: Corky

Question: My passport expires June 10, 2024. Will I be able to travel to the Bahamas with that passport on January 20 through January 27., 2024?

Answer: Yes, definitely. The Bahamas only requires that your passport be valid for the duration of your stay in their beautiful country.

Traveling to Dominican Rep.
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. I'm traveling on 8/3 for 1 1/2 week to Dominican Republic but my passport expires on 8/15. I am returning on 8/14 Can I still travel with this passport or should get it renewed?

Answer: The Dominican Republic only requires a passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay. Since you are returning before your passport expires, you meet this requirement.

Please contact the airline you are flying with to find out if they have different requirements. If they follow the destination's requirements, you should be okay to travel with your current passport. Have a safe trip!

Passport soon to expire
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I travel to India on a soon-to-expire passport? Four months remaining to expire.

Answer: If you have a valid visa to India, you may travel with your current passport.

Passport expired April 01, 2023
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi there! I am planning to travel to the Philippines tomorrow (11/16/22) due to an emergency and will be back in the USA by 11/26 but my passport will be expired on April 01 next year. Is my US passport still valid to travel? Please advise. Thank you!

Answer: Your passport needs to have at least 6 months of validity left upon entry to the Philippines. Your U.S. passport falls short of this requirement posted on the Department of State's website.

If you have a Philippine passport as well, you will need to use this to enter the Philippines. You can then use your U.S. passport to depart and re-enter the United States.

Please contact the Philippine Embassy or consulate for their country's most recent entry requirements.

US to El Salvador
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expires in April and my trip is in a few days and I'm traveling to El Salvador. Will I be denied entry to El Salvador?

Answer: Your passport only needs to be valid upon entry to El Salvador. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

5yr passport expiring end of year
by: Mother of 5yo

Question: Hello, I'm traveling in September to Europe (France & Italy) and my 5yr old's passport expires at the end of December. When we depart in September her passport will still be valid for 3 months on our return back to the US her passport will on be valid for 2 months and three weeks. Can she travel or does her baby passport have to be renewed? Called United and Lufthansa and both have given different answers (traveling on both airlines. Help, please :)

Answer: Your child's passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure from either France or Italy. You need to apply for your child's new passport before traveling.

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London layover
by: Anonymous

Question: Traveling from the US to Germany with 3 months left on passport. We have a short layover in London. It’s fine for Germany but the London requirements are for 6 months.

Does this requirement matter if you’re just passing through the same airport with a short layover to Germany? Or do you need to get a new passport?

Answer: The United Kingdom only requires a valid passport for entry. They only recommend 6 months if traveling to other countries in Europe.

Please note that Germany requires at least 3 months of validity BEYOND your planned date of exit from their country. Please make sure your passport meets this requirement to avoid issues.

Childs passport soon to expire
by: Amy

Question: Hi. My son and I are both American citizens and his passport is expiring on 01/31 (next year). We have booked a flight for Turkey for 08/10 and we are staying for 2 weeks. Is he able to enter Turkey since it will be less than 6 months before his passport expires? Also, will he be able to come back to the USA without any problems? Thanks in advance.

Answer: Your son cannot enter Turkey with his current U.S. passport. Turkey requires at least 6 months of validity remaining on U.S. passports upon your entry. Your son's passport does not meet this requirement.

He will be able to enter the United States but the real issue is entering your destination, not returning. Since it's still a few months from now, we recommend applying for the child's passport ASAP to have ample time to receive the passport before your trip.

Note that standard service currently takes 8 to 11 weeks and expedited service takes 5 to 7 weeks. These are just processing times and do not include shipping times which vary across the country.

Czech resident card with almost expired passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling tomorrow, June 1st to the Czech Republic but my passport expires on August 28. I have a Czech residence card that expires in 2026. Could I still travel back to the Czech Republic? My airline is not allowing me to check-in online, but I already have a passport renewal appointment booked.

Answer: You should be able to enter the Czech Republic with your current passport and residence card.

Moving to Northern Ireland
by: Josh

Question: Hello, my wife, daughter, and I are moving to Northern Ireland (they are both citizens) and I am an American citizen.

I have a UK residence card (work permitted, leave to remain). We are planning to travel on June 22nd but my passport expires on June 26. Can we still travel and renew the passport at the US consulate once we arrive?

Answer: Yes, you may travel with your current passport. The U.S. Embassy in London or any of the U.S. Consulates in the United Kingdom can assist with your renewal.

Passport close to expiration
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I'm a dual citizen. I travel to North Macedonia on 07/02 and my U.S passport expires 9/24. However, I do have a valid Macedonian passport that I just renewed.

Answer: Hi. You may use your U.S. passport when you depart and re-enter the United States. And then you can use your valid Macedonian passport to enter North Macedonia.

Traveling to Turks and Caicos
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling to Turks and Caicos from April 28 to May 3, 2022. My passport expires on July 22, 2022. Will I be ok to travel and not need to renew my passport?

Answer: The Turks and Caicos Islands requires at least 3 months on your U.S. passport in order to gain entry. You need to renew your passport before your trip.

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Passport's Expiry date
by: Anonymous

Question: We are traveling to Mexico in April and my kids' passports expire in November. Do we have to renew their passports now?

Answer: Your passports only need to be valid upon entry to Mexico and re-entry to the United States. There is no need to apply for new passports for your children before your trip.

US Passport expiring soon
by: Anonymous

Question: In Guatemala right now (Jan 2022) and need to change airline return ticket to March 20, 2022. My passport expires on Mar 7, 2022, can I return to the US with an expired passport?

Answer: Certain conditions must be met in order to return to the United States with an expired passport.

Please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to find out if you qualify for returning to the country without a valid passport.

Travel to Jamaica
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling to Jamaica on February 12, coming back on the 17th. My kid's passport expires in March. Is it still ok for her to travel?

Answer: Your daughter may travel with her current passport. It only needs to be valid upon entry to and exit from Jamaica. Have a safe and fun trip!

Passport expires
by: Brenda

Question: I am leaving for Spain on Feb 9 and returning to the U.S. May 5. My passport expires on July 18th. Can we still go? It is too late to renew passport.

Answer: As party to the Schengen agreement, Spain requires that your U.S. passport have at least 3 months validity beyond your planned date of departure from their country. You need to renew before your trip to avoid issues.

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You may also contact the Embassy of Spain to see if there are any recent changes in their entry requirements.

Senegal and Gambia
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello.
My passport expires on March 13th.
I will be traveling internationally on December 24th.
My final destination is The Gambia but because I will be flying Delta, I have to arrive at Senegal first.
Can I still travel because I am aware that Senegal requires passports to be valid for at least 3 months but The Gambia doesn’t? And I have proof of onward travel to Gambia.

Answer: If you are just transiting through Senegal and not leaving the airport, you should not have any passport-related issues. The 6-month validity requirement is for those who are actually staying in Senegal.

Please contact Delta Airlines to confirm travel requirements. Some airlines have their own set of requirements for travel.

Hello
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm a green card holder traveling to Costa Rica on December 2 and come back on December 7. I hold a Guatemalan passport that expires on April 27 next year. Is it ok to travel and get back to the USA?

Answer: You need to contact the Consulate of Costa Rica for entry requirements specific to Guatemalan passport holders.

As for returning to the United States, you should not have any problems as long as you arrive with a valid passport and green card.

Travel to Israel
by: Anonymous

Question: Can I travel to Israel with a passport (USA) that will expire in the next 6 months? I will be returning within the time that the passport is still valid.

Thanks.

Answer: Some airlines require at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport in order to allow boarding a flight to Israel. However, Israel only needs your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay.

We recommend that you contact the airline you are flying with to check their requirements.

Soon to expire passport, traveling to Iceland
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling to Iceland (states it requires 3 months validity) but my passport is expiring in 1.5 months. I cannot get a renewal in time. Will they deny me entry?

Answer: You are correct. The requirement is 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from Iceland. The good news is that some countries have existing agreements with the United States to extend passport validities to accommodate travel. We recommend contacting the Embassy of Iceland to find out if Iceland has this agreement with the U.S.

Soon to Expire US passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling from the USA to Egypt through France on November 20th and returning on January 1st. My US passport will expire on February 25. Given that I have dual citizenship ( American/Egyptian), would I have any issues entering/exiting Egypt? I don't have an Egyptian passport however I have an Egyptian ID.

Answer: You need to contact Egypt's immigration office to find out if they will allow entry with just your Egyptian ID. You need to to this because your passport does not meet Egypt's 6-month-validity requirement.

As for re-entering the United States, there should not be an issue.

Traveling from USA to Paraguay
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling from the USA to the country of Paraguay. I am a US Citizen, but I hold a Paraguay permanent resident cedula. My US Passport expires on December 15. However, I plan on departing the USA to travel to PY on December 3 and I will return on December 27 (after my US passport expires).

Is that okay? The US government says that I can return to the US on an expired passport before December 31, 2021. Will the airline or the country of Paraguay have any issues? Remember, I hold a valid cedula for the country of Paraguay. Thank you.

Answer: You may be able to enter Paraguay with your passport and cedula but you will likely have trouble re-entering the United States.

Return to the U.S. on expired passports are reserved to citizens who cannot travel back to the United States because their passports expired after January 2020 and could not renew abroad because of the pandemic. Since you are leaving the United States knowing that your passport will expire before getting back, you might run into trouble. It is best that you renew your passport before traveling.

Expedited renewals by mail can take up to 12 weeks. You can employ the services of a private passport courier like Rush My Passport to get your passport in more or less 4.5 weeks.

Traveling to PR
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi I am traveling to Puerto Rico in Sept for a week. My passport expires in November, will I have any issues leaving or entering back into the US?

Answer: No, you will not have issues getting into Puerto Rico and back into mainland USA. Have a safe trip!

Traveling to South America
by: Saibeth

Question: I am traveling to South America from 8/12 to 8/16. My passport expires 11/22. Will it be okay to travel to South America and return to the United States?

Answer: Hi, Saibeth. Whether or not you are okay to travel depends on which South American country/s you are visiting. Some require valid passports, some require 3 or 6 months. Please check the entry requirements of your destination/s.

As for re-entry into the United States, you will not have any problems as long as you arrive with a valid passport.

Minor traveling, passport expires after return
by: Anonymous

Question: We are traveling on 7/30 to 8/13 to Greece. And my 6-year-old daughter's passport will expire on 10/19.

I read on the US customs and border protection page that there is an agreement with the US and specific countries that are allowing people to travel as long as passport is not expired during travel time. I need to confirm this before we show up to the airport.

Is this correct? And how can I make sure I don’t have issues at the airport with this if it is true? Thank you!

Answer: While it is true that U.S. citizens may enter some countries as long as their passport remain valid during their stay, Greece is not one of them.

As party to the Schengen Agreement, Greece requires U.S. citizens to have at least 3 months validity remaining on their passports counting from the bearer's planned date of exit from Greece or any other Schengen country. Your son's passport does not meet this requirement unfortunately.

In order to get his passport in time for your trip, you need to schedule an appointment and apply at a regional passport agency. Appointments are extremely limited at this time so you need to be a little more patient in trying to secure one.

Child Passport Requirements

US to Europe Summer
by: Anonymous

Question: I am flying from the U.S. to Greece on July 21 and returning from France on August 29. My US passport expires on December 15, 2021. Do I need to get an emergency renewal or the 3+ month validity after departure should be ok?

Answer: Your passport meets the 3-month post-departure requirement of the Schengen countries. There is no need to renew your passport before your trip. Enjoy your summer in Europe!

Connection requirements?
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, I am trying to travel for a wedding. Our end destination only requires 90-day passport validity, but our connecting country requires 6 months passport validity. Do both apply here since we are technically not entering the connecting country?

Answer: As a general rule, individuals transiting through a country need not comply with entry requirements as long as they do not leave the airport premises. Please contact the airline you are traveling with to find out if the country you are transiting through has different requirements. You may also contact the embassy of that country for their entry requirements.

Bangladeshi American travel to Bangladesh
by: Anonymous

Question: I am Bangladeshi American, my US passport will expire in 5 months 20 days. Can I travel to Bangladesh for an emergency?

Answer: You may leave the United States and return with your current U.S. passport. However, you need to contact the Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate to find out if you may enter without a Bangladeshi passport. Your U.S. passport does not meet Bangladesh's 6-month post-departure validity requirement.

Irish citizen
by: Anonymous

Question: My son is Irish and his passport expired last September. We are currently in the USA but want to travel back so we can renew it. Can I travel there with his expired passport?

Answer: Please contact the Embassy of Ireland about returning to your country on an expired passport. They may be able to provide your son a travel document to use for your return.

Traveling to Uruguay
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, we may travel to Uruguay from August 1-20th. My son's passport expires on October 11th. Do we need to renew his passport? Thanks.

Answer: U.S. citizens only need to present valid passports upon entry to Uruguay. No minimum validity required.

Guatemalan passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a green card holder. We want to go to Guatemala from the US from July 31 to August 14. My Guatemalan passport expires in September. Will it be a problem?

Answer: It should not be a problem. Legal permanent residents may re-enter the United States without issue as long as they arrive with valid passports and green cards.

Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My mom is traveling to Canada as a permanent visa holder from the Philippines but her passport will expire in 1 month. Is there any issue?

Answer: Please contact the Canada Border Service Agency regarding entry into Canada.

Having a small issue
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm a permanent resident in the US and I have a flight to Albania on the 15th of May. My Albanian passport expires on the 17th of that month. Can I still do the flight and renew my passport there? If not what should I do?

Answer: As a general rule, you should be able to enter your home country as long as you arrive with a valid passport. Having said that, governments have different regulations for returning citizens.

Please contact the Albanian Embassy regarding entry into the country. We also recommend asking them regarding passport renewal turnaround times so you can plan your travels accordingly. You need a valid passport and green card to re-enter the United States.

Traveling to Pakistan
by: Khan

Question: Hi, I am traveling to Pakistan on March 15th and returning to the US on April 15th. My passport expires May 8th. Will I run into any problems? My return is almost a month before the expiration date of my passport. I have a valid 7-year VISA for Pakistan.

Answer: Hello, Khan. Your passport needs to have at least 6 months validity upon arrival in Pakistan. You need to renew your passport before your trip.

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Trip from USA to Spain
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. My daughter’s passport expires on March 30th, 2021 and we would be traveling from Houston to Spain with a layover in Germany from March 12-22, 2021. Would there be an issue with my daughter traveling?

Also, we are flying from Spain to Italy during that week.

Answer: Yes, there will be a problem with your daughter traveling. Spain, Germany and Italy are party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, entry to any of these countries require that you present a U.S. passport that has at least 3 months validity remaining counting from your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. The Department of State recommends 6 months.

Your daughter needs to renew her passport. If she is age 15 and under, you need to apply for a new passport for her. Since routine service currently takes 10 to 12 weeks, you need to request and pay $60 for expedited service. This should shorten the processing time to 4 to 6 weeks.

We recommend submitting the application ASAP to have ample time to receive the passport before your planned trip.

Ukraine and Germany
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi,

I plan to visit Ukraine with a stopover in Germany on Nov 29 and my US passport expires in April next year, which is in less than 5 months. Will I have a problem entering Ukraine or at my stopover in Germany?

Answer: The Ukraine only requires that your passport be valid upon entry into and departure from their country. Meanwhile, Germany requires at least 3 months from your planned date of departure from their country. You should be able to travel using your current passport without running into validity issues.

Traveling to St Lucia
by: Anonymous

Question: Family of 5 travelling to St Lucia. We return Feb 8 but 2 of our children (ages 10 and 7) have passports that expire August 5 (3 days less than 6 months). Will this be a problem?

Answer: It should not be an issue. Your U.S. passports only need to be valid for six months upon entry to Saint Lucia.

Travel to the Philippines
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I am a U.S. citizen. We are traveling to the Philippines with 3 hours lay-over to Seoul Korea on Aug 25 to Nov 15. My son's US passport will expire on April next year which is less than the 6 months validity rule. Will there be any problem entering and leaving the Philippines? Will there be any problem too on our connecting flight in Seoul?

Answer: There shouldn't be any issues entering the Philippines and South Korea. Your U.S. passports only need to be valid upon your entry to these countries.

Turks and Caicos
by: Anonymous

Question: We are leaving on Sunday (the 14 of July) to fly to Turks and Caicos for 7 days. My husband and myself have passports that expire on December 23 which is less than 6 months. Will we be able to travel there okay?

Answer: Yes, you will be okay. Your passports only need to be valid for the duration of your stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands and upon re-entry to the United States.

Expiration 3 days after travels
by: Anonymous

Question: I will be traveling to Jordan & Turkey September and my passport expires March next years -- just 3 days after the six-month mark. Should I renew my passport?

Answer: You should be okay. Both Jordan and Turkey require 6 months upon entry so your passport still covers it. Having said that, I recommend that you contact the airlines you are flying with to confirm travel requirements.

US to Taiwan and Australia
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a U.S. passport holder. I am traveling to Australia in December and then to Taiwan in January next year. My passport expires on September 2020. Therefore, that would be around 8 to 9 months from my passport expiration date. Will this be a problem? Should I go and renew my passport now? Thanks!

Answer: You may use your current passport to travel. It only needs to be valid at the time of entry to Australia and for the duration of your stay in Taiwan.

Traveling to Peru
by: Anonymous

Question: My daughter’s passport will expire in three months. Can she still leave the country and come back? We are only staying for two weeks.

Answer: A passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival is required to enter Peru. You need to apply for a new passport for your child if she is still age 15 or below or she needs to renew her passport if she is already an adult.

Denmark, Sweden, and Norway
by: Anonymous

Question: My wife and I are leaving to Scandinavia this week, leaving Friday landing in Denmark and returning from Sweden. Her passport expires at the end of May. Will we be able to leave and return without any issues?

Answer: I'm afraid there is an issue. Denmark and Norway are both party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, both require at least 3 months on U.S. passports counting from the bearer's intended date of departure from any of the countries in the Schengen area. Sweden, on the other hand, requires 6 months.

Your wife's passport does not meet the validity requirement so she needs to apply for expedited renewal. She can either do this at a regional passport agency which issues passports in 1 to 8 business days OR through a private passport expediter. The latter can get the application processed and completed in as fast as the same day.

Australia
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, I will be traveling to Australia and my passport expires3 months and 4 days when I depart. Will I be fine entering Australia?

Answer: Yes, you will be fine. Your U.S. passport only needs to be valid at the time of entry to Australia.

Travel to HK and Japan on an Emergency Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, We are living in Dubai and I noticed that my wife's U.S. passport ran out of blank pages a week before we are supposed to travel to HK and Japan. The Consulate proposed an Emergency passport, but they were not sure whether it will be possible to enter HK and / or Japan with a U.S. emergency passport. I have asked the Japanese Consulate, the airline and immigration but no one was able to give a definite answer.

How can we find out for sure?

Answer: The best people who can provide you with answers should be the Embassy of Japan and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

Green card entry to Ecuador
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a 17-year-old student planning to visit Ecuador from March 30th to April 7th. My passport expires on April 21st but I have a Green Card that expires in 5 years. Will this work?

Answer: Please contact the Embassy of Ecuador for entry requirements specific to passport holders of your home country.

As for re-entry to the United States, there should not be any issues as long as you arrive with a valid passport and green card.

Travel to the Philippines
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I’m a green card holder in the U.S. with a Philippine passport. I’m planning to travel to the Philippines on May 1 with layover in Taiwan and back to the U.S. after 2 weeks. My passport will expire in September. Will I have any problem with the airport in U.S. and in Taiwan for both departure and return trip?

Answer: You should not have issues departing and re-entering the United States as long as your passport and green card are valid.

You need to contact the Embassy of Taiwan for entry requirements specific to Philippine passport holders.

Traveling from New York to Hong kong
by: Anonymous

Question: I’m traveling from New York to Hong Kong on March 25 2019 and coming back to New York on April 1 2019. My passport expires June 2019. Do I need to renew my passport for this trip?

Answer: There is no need to renew your passport before you travel. Your passport only needs to have at least a month's validity remaining beyond your stay in Hong Kong.

Traveling to Switzerland and Austria
by: Anonymous

Question: Our family is traveling to Switzerland and Austria from June 4 to June 13. My sons passport will expire on January 10, 2020. Do they need to renew their US passport?

Answer: There will be no need. Your U.S. passports only need to be valid for at least 3 months beyond June 13.

Traveling to Viet Nam for an emergency
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a U.S. citizen. I have to go to Viet Nam for an emergency on January 11, 2019 but my passport is set to expire June 2, 2019. Will this be a major issue? It is no longer possible for me to renew my passport at this point.

Answer: Vietnam requires that you have at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay. On top of that, you need a visa or visa pre-approval in order to gain entry.

Please contact the airline you are traveling with to confirm travel document requirements.

6 month rule
by: Anonymous

Question: I am traveling to St. Maarten in February. My passport expires in August. Am I safe to travel?

Answer: Yes, you are. Your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in Sint Maarten.

Travel to Belize
by: Anonymous

Question: We will be traveling to Belize Jan 9- Jan 18. Our passports expire April 5. Will we be able to use our current passports or should we renew and have them expedited? With the holiday, it is only 5 business days away. Our passport cards are still valid, that's where the confusion came in, I looked at the expiration date of that thinking they were the same.

Answer: You should be okay. Your passports only need to stay valid for the duration of your stay in Belize.

Passport expired
by: joe

Question: I am Ghanaian and in the States now but my passport expired Nov 23. Will I be allowed to go back to Ghana?

Answer: A valid passport is required to board a flight. Please contact the Embassy of Ghana to find out if you can obtain a passport or a temporary travel document.

Green card holder going on a cruise
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, my wife is going on a cruise from Miami to the Caribbean for a week. She's a green card holder and her passport will expire in four months. Is it still okay for her to go on a cruise or does she need to renew her passport? Cruise date is in November and passport will expire first week of April.

Answer: Please contact the cruise line for requirements specific to passport holders from your wife's home country.

Child passport expiring while on vacation
by: Freaking out

Question: We are traveling to the Bahamas from the United States 7/11-7/18. My 7-year-old daughter’s passport expires 7/17/18 (surprise!).

Will we be able to fly out in the first place?

Will she be able to return with us (her parents) a day after her passport expires via air?

Will an expedited service online really get a passport here in a day?

Please help!

Answer: You need to apply for a passport for your child before your trip. She cannot board a flight back to the United States with an expired passport.

If you apply for expedited service through a private passport expediter, you can get your child's passport processed in as fast as the same day.

Child passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, my sister was born here in the U.S. and my dad took her and left her in Salvador when she was 2 years old. She is 15 now and her passport is expired. What do I need to do so she can come back? Parents are separated.

Answer: As her sister, there is nothing much you can do but help to locate both parents. At least one of them needs to appear with your sister and the non-applying parent must provide with a notarized statement of consent for the passport issuance.

Renew
by: Anonymous

Question: I have a U.S. passport that has been expired for 7 years. I didn’t renew. Can I still renew it now? Thanks.

Answer: You now need to apply for a new passport in person. Please prepare the following requirements:

1. Form DS-11
2. evidence of U.S. citizenship
3. Proof of identity plus photocopy
4. One new passport photo
5. Payment for fees

If your old passport is undamaged and was issued when you were 16 or older, you may use it as citizenship evidence.

You may apply at an acceptance facility. Find the closest facility and schedule an appointment here.

Visa requirement
by: Carlos

Question: I am Hong Kong citizen. Do I need to apply for a visa for enter the United States?

I've been searching information but I'm really confused.

Answer: Please contact the U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau for the latest visa information.

Have visa and ticket, passport will expire soon
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi. I'll have a visa and ticket to enter Saudi Arabia on July 04, 2018. My passport will expire on July 08, 2018. Can I travel at the due date of my visa and ticket?

Answer: You will only need a valid passport and visa to enter Saudi Arabia. However, we recommend that you renew your passport before leaving the United States. You may encounter issues while in Saudi Arabia without a valid passport and you need a valid passport in order to fly back to and re-enter the United States.

Dual citizen
by: Anonymous

Question: I have dual citizenship -- American and Jordanian. My father passed away and I need to go back to Jordan from the 15th of April to the 23rd. My American passport expires April 30. Please advise.

Answer: As a U.S. citizen, you are bound by law to depart and re-enter the United States using your U.S. passport. U.S passports need to have at least 6 months to enter Jordan. You need to renew your passport before your trip.

Alternatively, you may leave the U.S. using your American passport, enter Jordan with your Jordanian passport (if you have one) and re-enter the U.S. using your American passport.

Exactly 6 months left on arrival
by: Dad

Question: My passport has exactly 6 months left on the day of arrival to Roatan. My flight is on 3/23 it’s too late to renew, what are the odds I’m not allowed in?

Answer: You should be allowed entry to Roatan using your current passport. The government of Honduras only requires that your passport be valid for 6 months upon entry.

We recommend calling the airline you are flying with yo confirm travel document requirements.

Passports
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm an American living in Haiti and I want to travel back to the USA for a week in April. My passport expires three days after my return date. Will they let me travel back to Haiti even if my passport is expiring later that week? I have an appointment lined up to renew my passport after I return.

Answer: You will be able to enter the United States using your passport. However, you need to renew your passport before you travel back to Haiti. By law, your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months in order to enter (or re-enter) Haiti.

Traveling
by: Ben

Question: I'm traveling to Morocco on 06/15/2018. I will be back to the USA on 08/15/2018. I am an American, my passport will expire in 09/18/2018. Will there be any problems?

Answer: There should not be any issues. Your U.S. passport only needs to be valid upon entry to Morocco. You can re-enter the United States as long as your passport is valid.

Traveling to Central America
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi there I'm traveling with my U.S passport on 3/25/18 through 4/7/18. Will I be able to enter the country of Honduras and/or U.S. with my passport expiring 2 weeks after on 4/24/18.

Answer: Honduras requires at least 6 months on your U.S. passport in order to allow entry. You need to renew your passport before your trip.

You will be able to re-enter the United States as long as your passport is valid.

Cruise
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, I am traveling out of Port Canaveral, Florida through Royal Caribbean April 22-29, 2018. We are going to Puerto Rico, Haiti and St. Martin. My passport expires August 2018. Can I still travel? I’m worried I will not get the renewal in time.

Answer: Your U.S. passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in Sint Maarten. Puerto Rico, being a U.S. territory, does not require you to present a passport to allow you entry. Haiti, however, needs at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.

Since you will be on a cruise, requirements may be different. We recommend that you contact the Royal Caribbean to verify travel document requirements.

Also, if you apply for your passport renewal ASAP, you will get your passport in time. Routine service turnaround time has been reduced to 4 to 6 weeks while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: Hey. I’m suppose to travel to Grenada on June 22 2018. I have a layover in Miami for an hour and my Grenada passport expires on the 18th of July 2018 which I plan to renew while I’m there. I am a green card holder will I have anyone problems going to Grenada?

Answer: There shouldn't be an issue getting back in your home country. Please contact the Embassy of Grenada to confirm.

Philippine passport holder
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I'm a Philippine passport holder. I'm here in Malaysia now for 6 months; I don't have visa so I just go and stay 1 week in Indonesia every month. My passport will be expired on September 2018 but I plan to go back to the Philippines on July 2018. Is that OK? Or I should go back to the Philippines 6 months before my passport expires?

Answer: You should be able to enter your home country as long as your passport is valid. Please contact the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur or in Jakarta for further assistance.

2 months before my passport expire
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, my passport will be expired by October 17, 2017. Then we're planning to go to Bahrain from Riyadh. Can I travel? Or what?

Answer: U.S. passports need to be valid for at least 6 months in order for its bearer to enter Bahrain. If you are using a U.S. passport, you need to renew it before your trip.

If your passport was issued by a different country, please contact The Kingdom of Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Riyadh.

Can I travel
by: Jui

Question: Hi. I want to know whether or not an American can go Bangladesh for two months. My passport will expire after two months --can I go to my country Bangladesh? I am living in the USA.

Answer: You need to renew your U.S. passport. In order to enter Bangladesh, your U.S. passport needs to have at least six months validity remaining. Aside from the passport, you will also need a Bangladesh visa. The visa will determine how long you can stay in Bangladesh.

However, if you are a dual American-Bangladeshi citizen, you may secure a "No Visa Required for Travel to Bangladesh" seal on your U.S. passport. This can be obtained from the Bangladeshi Embassy or Consulate.

Expired venezuelan passsport
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently bought a ticket to fly to Venezuela and the airline did not let me check in because my passport was expired. They said it was a law from the FDA but Venezuela admits one to enter with an expired passport. What can I do?

Answer: While Venezuela may permit you entry with an expired Venezuelan passport, airlines have their own set of requirements to allow boarding. We recommend that you renew your passport at the Venezuelan Embassy to avoid issues.

South Africa
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello,

My passport expires in August 2017 and I am traveling to South Africa in July. Will I have a problem?

Thank you!

Answer: In order to enter South Africa, your U.S. passport needs to be valid for at least 30 days and have at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages. We recommend applying for a passport renewal before your trip so you will not encounter issues while you travel.

Croatia Travel
by: Anonymous

Question: As a U.S. citizen, to travel tor Croatia your passport needs to be good for 3 months from your travel dates. We come home 6/23. My passport expires 9/23. EXACTLY 3 months. Is there a concern here? Do I need to renew?

Answer: Your passport meets the validity requirement to enter Croatia. Please contact the airline you are traveling with to verify travel document requirements.

Family visa
by: Anonymous

Question: I applied for a family visa in July 2015 and my passport was submitted to the embassy in Dakar. Now there is only one month left before the expiration of my passport. So I am asking -- do I need to renew my passport? Or will they give me the visa on the same passport as it is a family visa?

Answer: U.S. passports that are about to expire or already expired need to be renewed so you can travel overseas. If your passport meets certain conditions, you may apply for a Passport Renewal by Mail.

Please contact the Embassy of Senegal for concerns regarding visas.

International Travel
by: Maria

Question: I'm a U.S. citizen, and I'm planning on traveling to Nicaragua in a few days. However, I just noticed that my passport will expire 3 months after my return. Will I have any problems in returning?

Answer: Your U.S. passport only needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Nicaragua. You should not have any issued traveling to Nicaragua and returning to the United States.

Can I travel to Pakistan with my son for 3 weeks?
by: Anonymous

Question: I am a UAE resident. My passport and visa were renewed recently. But my son's passport will expire in 5 months. Can I travel to Pakistan with my son for 3 weeks?

Answer: In order to enter Pakistan, U.S. citizens need to have at least 6 months validity remaining on their U.S. passports. Since your son's is expiring in 5 months, you need to apply for a new passport before you can travel to Pakistan.

If your son is using a UAE passport, please contact the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai for travel document requirements.

Passport expiration to Cuba
by: Traveler

Question: Hello,

I'd like to travel to Cuba during 5/14/17-5/19/17. However, my passport expires 11/13/17. That is just few days shy of the 6 months rule-can I still travel to Cuba?

Answer: Your U.S. passport only needs to be valid at time of entry to visit Cuba. Please contact the airlines to confirm travel document requirements.

Cruise to Cayman Islands & Mexico
by: Anonymous

Question: We are going on a cruise to Grand Cayman & Mexico on July 2-9, 2017. Our passports expire in September 2017. Do we need to renew before the cruise?

Answer: Both the Cayman Islands and Mexico only require that your U.S. passport be valid at the time of entry and exit. Your passports meet these requirements.

If you are going on a closed-loop cruise, you may not need a passport. A U.S. birth certificate or a government-issued ID should suffice. Still, a passport may still be required to disembark and visit your destinations. A closed loop cruise is one that starts and ends in the same U.S. city.

Traveling with a child to St.Lucia. Passport is expiring on the date of return to the U.S.
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. My wife, my daughter and I traveling to St. Lucia leaving the U.S. on April 16th and returning April 23rd. We all have U.S. passports. I just noticed that my daughter's passport expires the on 23rd of April which is our return date. She is 6 years old. Are we going to experience any difficulties when arriving in St. Lucia or coming back home to the U.S? I will take our daughter's birth certificate just in case. I spoke with our airline carrier and they told me that there will be no issues and she is a minor accompanied by her parents. Thank you.

Answer: Saint Lucia requires that U.S. passports have at least 6 months remaining validity counting from your intended date of departure. Because of this requirement, you need to apply for a new passport for your daughter before your trip.

Since you are leaving in less than a week, you need to expedite your daughter's passport application. You can do this by setting an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency to submit the application plus proof of immediate international travel. Please note that both parents must appear with the child when submitting the application. You will get the passport in 1-8 business days.

Another way to expedite the passport is by applying via a private passport courier. These companies can get your child's passport application processed in as fast as the same day with little effort on your part.

Traveling to Aruba
by: Rebecca

Question: Hello. My husband and i are traveling to Aruba March 23-28, 2017 and we just realized his passport expires in April 2017. I assume he is ok to travel as I didn't see that Aruba requires a 6/3 month validity date but could you confirm? Thank you so much!

Answer: A US passport only needs to be valid at time of entry and for duration of stay in Aruba.

Passport expiration
by: Bryt

Question: I am travelling with my son to Cote d'Ivoire from 12/5/2016 to 01/08/2016 and his passport expires on 3/17/2016. Does he need to renew his passport?

Answer: The Government of Côte d’Ivoire requires U.S. citizens to have a valid visa for entry into Côte d'Ivoire, as well as a passport with more than six months of remaining validity. Your son need to apply for a renewal before the trip.

Dubai
by: Anonymous

Question: I have a friend visiting Dubai and his passport expired while he is there? How does he get back to the USA?

Answer: Your friend needs to visit the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai in order to get a new passport.

Travel to Haiti
by: Anonymous

Question: I booked my ticket already to go to Haiti. My passport will expire on October 13, 2016. I'm going to Haiti for 15 days on June 4. Do I need to renew my passport to return to the USA? Thank you.

Answer: All U.S. citizens traveling by air from outside of the United States are required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Haitian law requires U.S. citizens to have a passport with six months validity to enter and exit Haiti.

Since your passport does not meet this requirement and you only have a couple of weeks before your departure, you need to apply for a renewal at a regional agency or through a registered passport courier.

traveling very soon
by: mariesa

Question: I'm traveling to Thailand Feb 10-21, 2016. My passport expires in June. I recently went to Mexico and they didn't say anything about it not being valid. I'm wondering if I can get a passport the same day (or in less than 10 days) if I go to the passport agency (I live in Seattle).

Answer: Mexico only requires a U.S. passport be valid at time of entry. Thailand, however, requires your passport have six months of validity remaining from date of entry.

Passport applications submitted at a regional agency are processed within 8 business days. For more information, visit the Seattle Passport Agency page.

Travel usa to pakistan
by: Anonymous

Question: My child's USA passport expires March 28, 2016. We plan to go to Pakistan in the next few days and will be back before my child's passport expires. We have Pakistani visa December 4, 2016. Can my child travel to Pakistan same passport that is valid for only 2 more months? Can we travel without any problems? Please reply. Thank you very much.

Answer: Pakistan requires a U.S. passport be valid for six months beyond the date of arrival. You need to get your child a new passport before you travel. Since you leave in a few days, you must apply at a regional passport agency or through a registered passport expediter.

My passport expires April 2016. I need to go to Bangkok Jan 25 2016
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expires April 2016 but I want to go to Thailand from Jan 25-30, 2016. Is this possible?

Answer: Thailand requires a U.S. passport be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry. You need to renew your passport before your trip. In order to do that within a few days, you must apply at a regional agency. If you are unable to visit a regional agency, you can employ the services of a registered passport courier.

Passport expires very soon
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expires April 19, 2016. I have a trip to Brazil on December 27, 2015. Will I need a renewal? If so, how can I have the process done before the 27th?

Answer: The latest information we have is that a U.S. passport only needs to be valid at time of entry to visit Brazil. Six months of validity is only required when applying for a Brazilian visa. We recommend you confirm entry requirements with the airline.

University student travel to Schengen area
by: Anonymous

Question: I am an American citizen and a university student going on Christmas holiday break 2015. I leave on December 18th and return on January 8th. My passport expires on February 15th and I am travelly to Belgium, would I be able to travel with my passport?

Answer: A U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area in order to enter Belgium. You need to renew your passport before your trip. The only way to do that in one day is to apply at a regional agency.

expiry date
by: Anonymous

Question: My ticket to Nigeria is on 28 dec 2015. My passport will expire on 15 dec 2015. Do I have to renew my passport?

Answer: If your passport expires before your departure date to Nigeria, you need to renew your passport before your trip.

Passport almost expire
by: PAUL

Question: My sister is a US Citizen and holds US passport. She lives in Thailand on an immigrant visa for 1 year. She has to return to the United State on April 23, 2016 but her passport will expire on May 11, 2016. Can she still return to the United State without renew passport? Thank you.

Answer: Her U.S. passport only needs to be valid at the time of entry to the United States. She does not need to renew it before her trip but she can if she wants to. She can apply at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai.

Expired US passport
by: Anonymous

Question: My US passport expires soon. I'm in Colombia and I have dual citizenship. Do I need my US passport renewed to go back to the US? I'll leave Colombia with my Colombian passport.

Answer: By law, American citizens are required to present a U.S. passport when entering the United States. You can apply for a passport renewal at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota. Depending on how long you will be in Colombia, you may be issued an emergency, limited-validity passport which you can replace with a full-validity passport after you return to the United States.

usa passport
by: Deborah

Question: I am traveling to El Salvador. My passaport is valid leaving but will be expired coming back. Can I return to USA with that passport or can I go to USA Embassy to get a passaport?

Answer: If your passport will expire before you return to the U.S., you should apply for a new passport at the U.S. Embasssy in San Salvador. Depending on how long you will be in El Salvador, you may be issued an emergency, limited-validity passport which you can replace with a full-validity passport after you return to the United States.

Expiring passports
by: Anonymous

Question: Our children are 12 and 13. Their passports expire while we are in the Bahamas next week. Will we have a problem entering back to U.S? They have birth certificates.

Answer: All U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport in order to enter The Bahamas, as well as to enter or re-enter the United States when traveling by air. We recommend you contact the airline to see if they will allow your children to board. If they will not be allowed to board, you will need to visit the nearest passport agency in order to expedite the passport applications.

Since the Bahamas only requires a passport be valid at the time of entry, the airline may allow them to board. In that case, we recommend you visit the U.S. Embassy in Nassau in order to get emergency passports for their return to the United States.

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