Passport validity: the 3- and 6-month rules and visas in an old passport
Your passport hasn't expired, your tickets are booked, and yet the check-in agent won't let you board. This happens more often than you'd think. For many countries it isn't enough for your passport to be valid on the day you fly: what matters is how long it stays valid after you leave.
The "3 or 6 months" rule
Many countries require your passport to remain valid for a certain time beyond your planned departure. The two most common versions are:
- 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave;
- 6 months beyond the date you plan to leave or, in some countries, beyond your date of arrival.
The wording varies, and "beyond arrival" versus "beyond departure" can make all the difference. Check the exact requirement for each country on its official website.
Schengen requirements
For third-country nationals, the Schengen Borders Code sets two conditions for your passport:
- it must be valid for at least 3 months after your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area;
- it must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
People often miss the second one. If your passport was issued more than 10 years ago, for example because its validity was extended, it may not be accepted even though it hasn't expired yet.
Border officers can make exceptions in justified cases, but it's not something to count on.
Why an airline can refuse to board you
Airlines are expected to carry only passengers who are able to enter their destination. If a passenger is refused entry, the carrier usually has to fly them back at its own cost, and in some countries it may also be fined. So at check-in, staff compare your documents with databases of entry requirements and, when in doubt, deny boarding.
The key point: an airline can be stricter than a border officer. Even if the border might have shown some flexibility, you won't get there to find out.
Other things that may be checked:
- blank pages: some countries require one or more empty pages for stamps and visas;
- condition: a damaged passport may be rejected;
- an onward or return ticket, if the destination requires one.
If your passport runs out while you live abroad
If you spend long stretches abroad, keep an eye on the expiry date well in advance. You can usually renew through your country's embassy or consulate. Processing can take a while, so start several months ahead.
If your passport is lost, or you urgently need a document to get home, many countries' consulates issue an emergency travel document. It's usually valid only for returning to your country of citizenship, not for onward travel.
One more detail: if you live somewhere on a residence permit, you may need to report your new passport details to the migration office or update your card after renewal. Ask the local authorities.
What about a visa in your old passport?
Say you have a valid multiple-entry visa in your old passport, and that passport has expired or been replaced. Is the visa gone?
Not necessarily. Many countries let you travel with the old passport containing the valid visa together with your new passport. The United States, for example, explicitly allows this as long as your name and nationality are the same and the visa is undamaged. Other countries may ask you to transfer the visa or apply for a new one.
General advice:
- don't throw away an old passport that contains a valid visa;
- carry both passports when you travel;
- check the rules with the country that issued the visa, on its official website or with its consulate.
Electronic travel authorisations are a separate story. They're usually tied to a specific passport number. The US ESTA, for example, has to be applied for again when you get a new passport. Other electronic entry authorisations work in a similar way, so check all of them after a renewal.
A quick pre-trip checklist
- Check your passport's expiry date against the destination's rule: 3 or 6 months, beyond arrival or beyond departure.
- For Schengen, also check the issue date: no more than 10 years ago.
- Make sure you have blank pages.
- If your visa is in an old passport, carry both and confirm the rules beforehand.
- If you hold an electronic authorisation, make sure it shows your current passport number.
How APUS helps
In APUS you can enter the validity dates of your passports, visas and permits. The app warns you if a document expires sooner than a planned trip requires.
A final note
Passport and visa requirements change. Before you travel, check them with official sources such as the embassy, consulate or migration service of your destination. APUS can keep track of your days and your document dates in one place.