If you’re vacation-bound in the near future, we strongly suggest a check-up on your U.S. passport before heading to the airport.
Now that the warm weather is here and you’re working magic with maximizing PTO days, you wouldn’t want a passport snafu to prevent you from the summer getaway of your dreams, would you?
Although it goes without saying that you’re not permitted to travel internationally with an expired passport, sometimes you need a little extra breathing room with your paperwork, depending on your destination. Some locations require at least three to six months left on your passport from your date of entry.
We know you just went through the headache of securing a REAL ID, but now is the time to ensure your passport is ready to rock ‘n roll. Trust us, you won’t regret the extra homework.
Can I travel with less than 6 months on my passport?
Yes and no — it depends where you’re venturing. Countries have different requirements, so before booking your flight and hotel accommodations, be sure to peruse the Travel.State.Gov destination page to learn the requirements for your location of choice.
If you’re ever iffy on whether or not your passport should be renewed before your getaway, the short answer is (probably) yes. The U.S. Department of State recommends doing so even if your passport is expiring within the next year.
(Should you need some assistance, we break down how to get your passport fast. You’re welcome!)
Which countries require 6 months of passport validity?
Countries within Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas require the six-month rule. According to VisaGuide.World, here is a list of some countries that require the sixth-month passport rule:
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- South Korea
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Visit VisaGuide.World for a complete list of countries.
Additionally, locations that are part of Europe’s Schengen Area require your passport be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. Per the Council of the European Union, locations are as follows:
- 25 of the 27 EU member states
- All members of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
Additionally, you’ll notice that some of these locales — such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Portugal — simply require three months. However, The Points Guy notes:
Many European countries are signers of the Schengen Agreement. As a result, they follow the 3+3 Rule, meaning your passport must be valid for three months beyond your three-month entry visa or for a total of six months, regardless of the duration of your initial stay.
Lastly, when traveling to Europe, don’t forget about the new special authorization you’ll need. Yes, the ETIAS deadline has been delayed, yet again, but you will need it by the last quarter of 2026.
Do airlines have a 6 month passport rule?
According to the U.S. Department of State, “Some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.”
This is a time when you’ll need to peruse Travel.State.Gov destination page.
Can I renew my U.S. passport after it expires?
Yes, you can renew your passport.
However, keep in mind that the U.S. government will require you to restart the process from scratch if one or more of the following statements are true:
- Issued before your 16th birthday
- Issued more than 15 years ago
- Damaged, lost, or stolen
- Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change