Preparation is Key
If you have an upcoming international trip, don’t have it ruined when you arrive at your destination with an invalid passport.
Sadly, some people arrive at an overseas destination ready to start their vacation, only to be denied entry. Why? Their passport was invalid. Not expired, but invalid. They complain they weren’t told about this issue by the airline or travel company they booked their tickets through. That doesn’t work. YOU are responsible for ensuring your travel documents are valid, not the airline or travel agency.
If your U.S. passport is within six months of expiring, you should renew your passport as soon as you can. This is critically important if you have an upcoming international trip within four months.
Here is the link for the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Renewal By Mail. I renewed my passport this way four years ago. It was easy, painless and I received it within two months.
Each country sets their own immigration laws and policy, including passport rules. If you don’t meet your destination country entry requirements you’ll likely be denied boarding at the airport. If you manage to slip through and arrive at your destination, you will be refused entry upon arrival and will required to buy an immediate return ticket back home.
You do not want this to happen to you. There are a lot of changes currently happening and we’ll do our best to keep you up to date.
Specific Country Requirements
These countries require a valid passport upon arrival and for the duration of your stay. Anguilla, Aruba, Australia , the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan , Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United Kingdom.
These countries require your passport to be valid for at least three months after arrival. They include all 29 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. They also include these countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Panama, Turks and Caicos, New Zealand.
These countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after arrival. Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Cambodia, China , Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, French Territories in the Pacific, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
As you can see, having a valid passport that meets your destination country’s requirement is essential. It is an often overlooked matter until you are packing and gathering travel documents, or worse, you arrive at your destination.
We want you to enjoy your vacation and create awesome memories, not have your trip canceled. Proactive action is this case is essential, and rather easy.
See you on board!
Buddy and Jordan