ExploPassport validity
Passport validity checker
Enter where you are going, when your passport expires and your trip dates. We work out the date it must be valid until and tell you whether yours passes.
The three common rules
| Rule | What it means | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| Valid for the stay | The passport only has to be valid until the day you leave. | The United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico |
| 3 months after departure | Valid for three months beyond the day you plan to leave, and issued in the last ten years. | The Schengen Area; New Zealand asks for three months too |
| 6 months | Valid for six months after the day you arrive (in a few countries, after the day you leave). | Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the UAE, Egypt, India and others |
The checker has a rule on file for 52 countries (the 29 Schengen members count as one rule). For any other destination it tests your passport against the four common rules side by side. More in the six-month rule explained and the pre-trip checklist.
Other things border officers look at
- The issue date: the Schengen Area wants a passport issued within the last ten years.
- Blank pages for stamps or visas, in some countries.
- The condition of the passport: a damaged cover or loose page can be refused.
- That the name on your tickets and travel authorisations matches the passport exactly.
Not sure you can enter at all? Use the visa checker, then see the country guides for weather, plugs and holidays.
Questions
How long must my passport be valid for travel?
There is no worldwide standard. Some countries only need the passport to be valid for your stay, the Schengen Area asks for three months beyond the day you leave (and a passport under ten years old), and many countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa ask for six months. Check the rule for your destination.
Is the six-month passport rule universal?
No. It is common, but each country sets its own rule, and some do not have one at all. When you are unsure, plan for six months after your return date, which is the strictest reading and satisfies the others.
How are the months counted?
It depends on the wording. "Six months from arrival" and "six months from departure" give different dates, so the checker uses the one the country states. If a rule is unclear, count from your departure date.
What happens if my passport is a few days short?
Airlines are fined for carrying passengers who are refused on arrival, so they often refuse boarding at check-in. A border officer can also refuse entry and send you back. Renew the passport before you book, because processing can take weeks.
Do I need blank pages in my passport?
Some countries ask for one or two blank pages for stamps or visas. South Africa is a common example. The checker lists the pages where it has the rule.
How reliable are the rules in this checker?
They are a hand-written summary of commonly published requirements, covering some destinations only. They change, and we do not check them against every government. Treat the answer as a first check and confirm it with the destination’s official immigration site before you book.
Keep exploring
Practical · 3 min readLost your passport abroad? What to do, step by stepA lost or stolen passport is stressful but fixable. The first hours, who to contact, what documents help and how to be ready before you leave home.
Practical · 3 min readYour first international trip: what to know before you goA calm, practical guide for first-time international travellers: passport, entry rules, money, phone, packing and the small things that go wrong.
Entry rules · 3 min readDual citizenship: which passport should you travel with?With two passports you can choose the easier entry, but the rules are not always simple. How to pick, when to show which and the mistakes to avoid.- PassportsPassport rankingAll 197 passports, ranked by how many countries they open.
- Email alertsVisa rule change alertsOne short email when an entry rule changes for your passport.
- PassportsCompare two passportsSee side by side where each one can go without a visa.
Keep every trip on one map
Explo is a free app for the countries you have visited and the ones you want to see, with visa rules, weather and holidays for each.
Get ExploThe validity rules here are a hand-written summary of commonly published requirements and cover some destinations only. They change, and they are not checked against every government. Confirm the rule on the official immigration site of the country you are travelling to before you book.