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!
UPDATE:
High demand and mailing delays are impacting how long it takes to get a passport.
- Standard service is currently taking between 7 and 10 weeks.
- Expedited service is currently taking between 3 to 5 weeks.
NOTE: Processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.
Need to get a passport faster?
Requesting express service at post offices and other facilities that accept application forms from U.S. citizens.
Where processing centers are located. How to schedule an appointment. What documents to take with you.
How to pick a legitimate courier service company to assist in getting your passport quickly.
Guide to help you decide if standard or fast track processing is the best option for your situation.
Learn to expedite passport renewals as quickly as the same day. Where and how to renew passport in a hurry.