Did you know some countries require your Passport not to expire 1-6 months after you leave?

 No, I didn't write that wrong! What good is an expiration date then? I’m happy to be writing this tip and sharing it with you, because I have planned some travel to these countries and my passport expires in December. I need to renew it soon if I want to enter those countries! So thank you Lauren for writing this article in Travel + Leisure on this very topic. The timing is perfect! But, if you travel to a country not listed below, if your passport expires while traveling, you can still enter your home country. You have the right to enter your home country by proving your nationality.

Note: This is for travelers holding a US passport. Validity may vary depending on your home country, double check the immigration website of the country you're visiting.

Pro TIP: If possible, renew your passport six months in advance - think knix at six!

**Sufficient to have a valid passport for the duration of the stay in the countries of: Anguilla. Aruba, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory), Colombia (though the U.S. Department of State recommends six months' validity), Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint, Vincent and the Grenadines, United Kingdom and the United States* unless you can prove American nationality.

**Hong Kong has a one-month validity after you depart.

Are you traveling to Europe soon? You don’t want to be denied entry because your passport expires in two months! Your passport must be valid for at least THREE months AFTER your departure date such as the countries listed below:

Schengen Area Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Elsewhere in the world: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, West Bank/Gaza Strip, Honduras, Macau, Panama, New Zealand, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Countries That Require at Least 6 Months of Passport Validity

The countries listed below require your passport NOT to expire for6, yes SIX monthsAFTER your arrival date!

These countries DO NOT accept laziness, so make sure to check your passport right away and if you need to renew, check out my tips on passports! If you travel frequently, set a reminder on your phone 6 months before the expiration date. You definitely do not want to spend your vacation in a Thai prison because of a passport expiration date!

• Asia: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen.

• Africa: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

• Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.

• Europe: Russia and Turkey.

Airlines may refuse boarding if your passport has less than 6 months validity, even if the destination country allows it.