When traveling internationally, there are some rules and regulations that you’ll need to follow. One major rule that people often don’t know about (or don’t fully understand) is the 6 month validity rule. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date to enter. This means that if your passport is set to expire before then, you may not be able to board your flight or could be denied entry into the country.
We understand that this can be confusing and want to make sure that you don’t run into a situation where you have to cancel your international trip. To help you out, we’ve created this guide with everything that you need to know about the 6 month validity rule for passports, so that you are prepared for your upcoming travels. Read on for everything that we think you should know.
What is the 6 Month Validity Rule For Passports?
When you travel internationally, most countries will require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. This is to make sure that you will be able to return to your home country before your passport expires. If your passport expires while you’re visiting an international destination, there’s a chance that you could be stranded in that country, making it very difficult for you to return to the United States.
Why Does My Passport Need to Have 6 Months’ Validity?
There are a few reasons why your passport needs to have 6 months’ validity in order for you to travel internationally. The first reason being that you could be denied entry into certain countries if your passport has less than 6 months’ validity. Another reason that your passport needs to have at least 6 months’ validity is because having anything less could mean that your passport could expire before the end of your trip. It can be very difficult to get another passport while overseas, potentially leaving you stranded in another country for the foreseeable future.Â
What Will Happen if My Passport Has Less Than 6 Months’ Validity?
Though we highly recommend that you renew your passport before your trip, some people may still try to travel with a passport that has less than 6 months’ validity. In this case, there are a few things that could happen.
The first thing that may happen is that you could be denied boarding your flight. If you’re somehow still able to board your flight, you are more than likely going to be denied entry into your destination country, and will have to immediately take a flight back home. Many countries will not allow you to enter if your passport is set to expire within 6 months of your travel dates.Â
If you are able to board your flight and enter your destination country, you will need to ensure that you have a flight home before your passport expires. If your passport expires before you are set to go back home, you may be stranded and could have a very difficult time getting a new passport to go home. You don’t want to end up in this situation, so please renew your passport ahead of time.
How Can I Check My Passport’s Expiration Date?
Checking your passport’s expiration date is actually very simple, and doesn’t require you to do a lot of work. Grab your passport and flip to the information page. Here, you’ll be able to see all of the details of your passport, including its expiration date. We suggest checking the expiration date frequently so that you know when it’s set to expire, especially if you travel internationally from time to time.Â
When Should I Renew My Passport?
When you should renew your passport depends on a few different things, including when you’ll be going on your international trip, and when your passport is set to expire. If you plan on going on a trip overseas within the next year, check your passport’s expiration date as soon as possible. You need to make sure that your passport will still be valid 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. If that’s not the case, then you should renew your passport right away. This way, you can apply for your passport renewal without having to worry about it arriving in time for your travels.
Can I Expedite My Passport Renewal?
There are times when people check their passport’s expiration date and find that it’s set to expire before their upcoming international trip. In this situation, you may need to expedite your passport renewal to ensure that you get it in time. Fortunately, expediting your passport renewal with Swift is a quick and easy process. Our team will work with you to expedite your passport renewal, and do everything that we can to make sure you have it in time for your travels.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew My Passport?
One question that we often get is how much it costs to get a passport renewal. The total cost to get your passport renewed varies, depending on factors such as how quickly you need your passport renewed. You will be able to see the total cost of your passport renewal during the checkout process. All of the costs and fees will be listed so that you know exactly what to expect.
Where Can I Renew My Passport?
Renewing your passport is a simple process, especially when you choose to work with a reliable company like Swift. To begin the application process, head over to the Passport Renewal section of our website. Here, you can fill out your passport renewal application, get a list of all the required documentation, and complete the checkout process. Then, once you send in all of your documents to our Chicago office, our team of travel professionals will process your passport renewal and send your passport to you once it’s ready. No matter where you’re going, we’ll get you there!
