Tips for Traveling when Passport will Expire Soon
You can still take trips across the United States when your passport is about to expire. Some countries too such as Mexico will allow foreigners entry when their passports are about to expire, provided they are valid at the time of entry. However, that is not the same case in other countries. Here’s all you should know about traveling when your passport will soon expire.
The Six Months Rule
The Six Months Rule for passports is a common rule enforced by many countries around the world today. It requires that your passport should be valid for at least six months past the travel date. That is because immigration authorities do not only consider the passport expiration date when allowing foreigners to enter their borders but, also the duration of their stay.
Most countries will allow foreigners to stay for up to 3 months without a visa. As a result, they often require at least 3 months’ validity on your passport past the date of departure. The Six Months Rule for passports is becoming prominent and many countries are adopting it. However, you should also check the specific guidelines for passport expiry dates for the host country before booking a trip.
Passport Renewal
If you are traveling internationally, having a passport that will soon expire is a time bomb just waiting to blow up. In case your passport will expire in less than six months from the departure date, passport renewal is the only option if you do not wish to jeopardize the trip. Besides, it is always advisable to start the process of passport renewal about eight months before the expiry date.
If you are already on the road, the Department of State provides an expedited service through which you can renew your passport in the shortest time of 72 hours. However, you will have to pay more than the normal passport renewal fees due to the expedition charges.
Although you can still travel with a passport that will expire soon, it is a risk not worth taking. If you cannot renew the passport before departure, initiate the process as soon as you get on the road to avoid disappointments.