Important: Processing times recently changed for both routine and expedited passport applications.

Does passport need to be renewed before my trip?

by Joe
(Voorhees, NJ USA)

Question: My U.S. passport expires April of next year. I depart to Rome from Philadelphia at the end of October this year, stay for three days in Rome and then board a cruise ship for a 7-day cruise.

Our ports are in Turkey, Greece and Sicily. We return to Rome on November 6 and return to the U.S. the same day. Visas for Turkey are required and the cruise line takes care of those. Do I need to get a new passport before I depart?

I know that some countries require 6 months of validity on their passports. I have about 5 months (November this year to April next year).

Answer: Both Italy and Greece are party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter these countries for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. As an autonomous region of Italy, Sicily has the same requirements.

Citizens of the United States are required to have a visa to enter Turkey. Those visiting for tourism purposes may obtain a Turkey Visa through the e-Visa application system (if eligible), or at a Turkish Consulate. In order to get the visa, your passport must be valid at least 60 days longer than the expiry date of the requested visa. If you are arriving by cruise ship for a day trip to Turkey, you do not require a visa as long as you are not staying on shore overnight.

All the destinations you plan to visit require at least 3 months validity in your passport. Therefore, you do not need to renew it before the trip. Bon voyage!

Comments for Does passport need to be renewed before my trip?

Click here to add your own comments

Renewing a passport for Kenya
by: Anonymous

Question: I am doing a medical mission trip in January 2018 in Kenya and my passport expires in June 2018. Do I need a new passport before I leave?

Answer: You need to renew your passport before your trip. In addition to a Kenya visa, you need a passport that has at least 6 months validity in order to enter Kenya.

Minors traveling to UK
by: Anonymous

Question: My daughters are traveling to London with their mother in October 2017. Their passports expire in December 2017. Do they need to have their passports renewed before the trip?

Answer: The State Department recommends having at least six months validity remaining on U.S. passports but United Kingdom only requires that passports be valid for the duration of their stay in the country. You do not need new passports for your daughters before their trip.

Travel to Japan before the passport expire date.
by: Anonymous

Question: I am going to Japan 4/8/17 and return to US 4/15/2017. The passport will expire 4/30/2017. Do I need to renew the passport before the trip?

Answer: A US passport only needs to be valid for the duration of stay in Japan. You can renew it after you return to the United States.

Austria travel
by: Anonymous

Question: Traveling to Austria.... Passport expires exactly 6 months from my return home date... 11/23 & passport expires 5/23/17... Do I need to renew or is this sufficient?

Answer: You do not need to renew your passport before your trip.

Going to Portugal
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm going to Portugal May 2016. My passport expires January 2017. Am I okay?

Answer: Portugal only requires your U.S. passport be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area and have at least two blank visa pages.

Is renewal necessary
by: Anonymous

Question: I am travelling to the Republic of Panama on Jan 27, 2016. My passport expires on July, 5 2016. Do I have to renew my passport?

Answer: Panama requires your passport be valid for three months beyond the date of entry. You do not need to apply for a renewal before your trip.

Passport concern
by: Anonymous

Question: My husband and I are leaving for a one-week vacation to Europe on August 24, 2015. We stay three days in London and we leave for a 3 days tour heading to Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris then back to London. We leave the next day back to the U.S. My concern is my husband's passport is going to expire on March 14, 2016. Do we have to renew his passport before we leave just to make sure we're safe to travel without any delays.

Answer: The UK only requires passports be valid at the time of entry. The passport must valid for a minimum of six months at entry, and valid for an additional three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area for entry to France. Both Belgium and the Netherlands require three months of validity beyond your date of departure.

Since your husband's passport meets all of these requirements, he does not need to renew it until after your trip to Europe.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Passport Expiration FAQ.


Click for fast expedited courier service

More Passport & Travel Information

Getting a Passport Expedited at a Post Office
Requesting express service at post offices and other facilities that accept application forms from U.S. citizens.

Applying at a Regional Passport Agency
Where processing centers are located. How to schedule an appointment. What documents to take with you.

Using a Registered Courier Service
How to pick a legitimate courier service company to assist in getting your passport quickly.

Routine vs. Expedited Passport Service: How to Choose
Guide to help you decide if standard or fast track processing is the best option for your situation.

How to Renew a U.S. Passport Fast
Learn to expedite passport renewals as quickly as the same day. Where and how to renew passport in a hurry.