Even If Your Passport Is Currently Valid, You May Not Be Able to Enter These Countries
Many countries around the world require U.S. passports to be valid for three or six months after your planned departure date.
Mehroz Kapadia/Travel + Leisure
An illustration of an open passport with a variety of stampsWhen planning an international trip, having a valid passport right when you plan to travel may not suffice at the airport. In fact, many countries require passports to be valid months after your intended departure date.
While specifics can vary by country, the small detail can, of course, become a very big problem. Many destinations require travelers to have at least three or six months left on their passport before entering the country, and an airline may not allow travelers to board if they have less than the required amount, according to the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, other destinations — like Canada, Mexico, and Ireland — require passports to be valid at the time of entry or for the duration of a stay.
So when it comes time to planning that dream trip outside the U.S., the State Department advises travelers ensure they have at least six months validity on their passports to avoid snafus, and said those with soon-expiring passports should renew “early to allow for delays.” Currently, passport renewal times are four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service, and travelers utilizing routine service can now renew online.
These are some of the most popular destinations, grouped by the required passport validity period, according to the U.S. Department of State, to help plan 2025 travel:
