What is the six-month passport rule?

Many countries require your passport to remain valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry or intended departure. The rule guards against travellers overstaying with a passport that expires while they are in the country.

Why do some countries only need validity for the duration of stay?

Some destinations, including the UK and many EU rules for their own residents, only require the passport to be valid for the length of your visit. The stricter six-month buffer is common in Asia and the Middle East.

Does the requirement count from entry or from departure?

It varies. Some countries measure the buffer from your arrival date and others from your intended departure date. When in doubt, calculate from your arrival date, which is the more conservative interpretation.

Can an airline refuse to board me even if the country would admit me?

Yes. Airlines can be fined for carrying passengers who are refused entry, so they often apply the strictest reading of validity rules. A passport that technically satisfies the destination may still be rejected at check-in.

Is this tool official immigration advice?

No. Validity rules change and depend on nationality, visa type, and current policy. Use this as a planning aid and always confirm with the destination's embassy or your airline before you travel.

Passport Validity Requirement by Destination

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Why passport validity matters

The most common reason travellers are turned away at check-in is not a missing visa — it is a passport that does not have enough validity left. Many countries demand a buffer of several months beyond your trip, and the rule is enforced before you ever reach immigration, by the airline at boarding.

How it works

There are two dominant rules. The strict version requires a fixed buffer — usually six months, sometimes three or one — of validity beyond your entry or departure date. The lenient version only requires the passport to be valid for the duration of your stay.

Six-month rule   →  expiry date must be ≥ 6 months after entry
Three-month rule →  common across the Schengen Area
Stay-validity    →  expiry date must be ≥ your departure date

The built-in checker counts the whole months between your arrival date and your passport expiry date, then compares that figure against the rule you select. If your passport expires on or before arrival, it flags it immediately.

Tips and notes

Always calculate from your arrival date rather than your booking date — a trip booked months ahead can quietly cross the threshold. The figures here are guidance for the listed destinations and can change with policy, nationality, and visa type. Treat the six-month rule as the safe default for long-haul travel, renew early if you are within a year of expiry, and confirm the exact requirement with the destination’s embassy or your airline before booking non-refundable travel.