Conflicting advice about international flights near the end of your passport’s expiration date has left some travelers confused. The Passport Office is warning people that they may have to wait 10 weeks or more to get their passport renewal, leading some to worry about their vacation and how close to the passport expiry date you can actually travel.
A tweet from the passport office on Monday (April 4) read: “Is your passport expiring? You must allow up to 10 weeks to process your passport application if you are applying from the UK.” However, the Echo reports that if you have a UK passport you must have at least three months left on your passport, according to the ABTA and your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years to travel abroad. How long it takes you to get your passport also depends on the country you are visiting and also who you are flying with.
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People have taken to social media to express their confusion over whether or not they can fly. Taking to Twitter, Mr Chips said: “Fly Ryanair on 22/4 L, return on 28/4. I still have almost four months in my passport (was new, no additional months). Ryanair says six months, three everywhere else. What’s happening? Haven’t updated your terms and conditions? I’m afraid I’ll be denied promotion.” To get the latestWales Online Newsletter, which you will receive directly and free of charge by e-mail, click here.
Meanwhile, Chantelle said: “We’re going to Greece in two weeks. Does the passport have to be three or six months left from the last day of vacation in order to be able to travel? Thanks.”
The information can seem overwhelming, so we’ve put together a guide to whether you can fly while your passport is about to expire – it all depends on where you’re traveling and who you’re flying with.
How much longer should you have on your passport?
If your passport expires, you may be refused entry into the country you are visiting. The Post’s website states: “While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the US only require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey require at least six months . You must have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (excluding Ireland).
“In general, many countries that require visas to enter require your passport to be valid for at least six months upon entry, so make sure you find out before you travel whether your passport has enough validity before it expires .”
Passport rules for different countries
All countries will have their own rules regarding passport validity and expiration rules. Here is a list of the most common:
Australia
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Barbados
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Canada
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months it may take longer to clear immigration control.
China
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Egypt
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
European Union
For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommends that you have at least three months left on your passport on the day of travel. These countries are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
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Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
India
Your passport must be machine readable, contain two blank pages for your visa and be valid for at least 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Japan
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Mexico
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
New Zealand
Your passport should be valid for at least one month from the date of departure.
Singapore
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
South Africa
The rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of departure, but it is recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when entering or exiting South Africa.
Thailand
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Turkey
Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
United States of America
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric e-passport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other entry requirements for the USA that you should check before you travel.
Passport rules for different airlines
Ryanair
Ryanair states that you need a valid passport to travel anywhere in the world.
For travel outside the EEA (European Economic Area), the passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay, with the exception of the following countries:
- For travel to Jordan, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the planned stay.
- For travel to Turkey, the passport must be valid for six months from entry.
- For travel to Montenegro, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
- For travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
All non-EU passport holders traveling to a Schengen member country must ensure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date they leave the Schengen member country, unless the person has one Schengen-issued or long-term resident visas.
easyjet
All customers traveling on international flights must hold either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss ID card or passport and, if required, a valid visa.
Your passport must be in good condition and signed. Some countries require passports to be valid beyond your trip for a minimum period, usually three or six months.
For UK passport holders traveling to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, please note that you will need your passport for both countries on the day of travel:
- Have at least six months on your passport (the requirement of most European countries is to have at least three months left on your passport the day after you intend to leave the EU)
- GBR passports must not be older than 10 years on the date of travel
British Airways
If you are traveling on an international flight, you will need a passport or equivalent travel document that is valid for the entire duration of your trip. Your children also need their own passport, including small children under the age of two.
All UK passport holders should check updated government advice on passport validity requirements. You are responsible for ensuring that you have valid travel documents.
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