Passport validity

Is your passport
valid enough?

Most travelers don't realize a passport can be "expired" for travel months before its printed date. Here's how many months' validity each country actually requires to let you in.

The three rules

Count from your return date
6 mo
Six-month rule
Most of Asia, the Middle East, Africa & parts of Latin America want your passport valid 6 months beyond your entry (or departure) date.
3 mo
Schengen rule
The Schengen Area (most of Europe) requires 3 months' validity beyond your planned departure — and issued within the last 10 years.
Stay
Duration of stay
The UK, Ireland and much of the Americas & Oceania just need it valid for the length of your visit.

Validity required by destination

36 destinations · always double-check
DestinationPassport valid forNote
Thailand6 monthsBeyond entry.
Indonesia (Bali)6 monthsBeyond entry.
Malaysia6 monthsBeyond entry.
Singapore6 monthsBeyond entry.
Vietnam6 monthsBeyond entry.
Philippines6 monthsBeyond entry.
China6 monthsPlus a blank visa page.
India6 monthsPlus 2 blank pages.
UAE (Dubai)6 monthsBeyond entry.
Egypt6 monthsBeyond entry.
Turkey6 months150 days recommended.
Israel6 monthsBeyond entry.
Saudi Arabia6 monthsBeyond entry.
Kenya6 monthsPlus 1 blank page.
Brazil6 monthsRecommended.
Russia6 monthsBeyond departure.
Nepal · Sri Lanka6 monthsBeyond entry.
Qatar · Jordan · Oman6 monthsBeyond entry.
Schengen Area (EU)3 monthsBeyond departure; issued <10 yrs ago.
France · Germany · Spain · Italy3 monthsSchengen rule.
Greece · Portugal · Netherlands3 monthsSchengen rule.
Switzerland · Austria3 monthsSchengen rule.
New Zealand3 monthsBeyond departure.
United KingdomDuration of stayValid for your visit.
IrelandDuration of stayValid for your visit.
United StatesDuration of stay*6-mo rule waived for many countries.
CanadaDuration of stayValid for your visit.
MexicoDuration of stayValid for your visit.
AustraliaDuration of stayValid for your visit.
JapanDuration of stayValid for your visit.
South KoreaDuration of stayValid for your visit.
Hong Kong1 monthBeyond stay (often 6 recommended).
South Africa30 daysBeyond stay + 2 blank pages.
Argentina · ChileDuration of stayValid for your visit.
Morocco6 monthsRecommended.
Costa Rica1–6 monthsVaries; 6 months safest.

*The US waives the six-month rule for many nationalities (incl. most Visa Waiver countries), needing only validity for the stay — but confirm for your passport. Rules change and airlines enforce strictly; when unsure, renew early.

Common questions

What is the six-month passport rule?

Many countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival (or sometimes departure) date. It's a buffer in case your trip is extended. Count six months from when you'll leave, not when you book.

Can I travel with less than 6 months on my passport?

To six-month-rule countries, usually no — airlines can deny boarding at check-in. To the UK, Ireland and much of the Americas you only need validity for your stay. When in doubt, renew: processing can take weeks, and expedited renewal costs extra.

Does the Schengen area really only need 3 months?

Yes — Schengen requires your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure, and issued within the previous ten years. That 10-year clause catches people with older renewed passports, so check the issue date too.

Sorting the rest of the trip? Check what you can carry through security, which plug you'll need, and every other pre-trip answer.