Check before you travel
Whether you’re on holiday, a work trip or jetting away on a gap year or career break, travelling abroad can be exciting. But, before you take off, there’s a few things you need to sort out first.
One of the most important is making sure your passport’s still valid. In fact, it’s just as essential as taking out travel insurance or having the right foreign currency.
Different countries have their own rules about passport validity. Some countries might ask that your passport’s valid for your whole time away and even a bit longer, sometimes up to six months. If you don’t check these rules, you could run into problems, like not being able to board your flight or being denied entry when you land.
Passport validity rules for Europe
Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, UK passport holders are now seen as ‘third-country nationals’ by EU and Schengen countries. This means the entry rules have changed. And many UK holidaymakers are still being caught out by them.
Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years. But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one.
This means some people have passports that haven’t officially expired and are still valid for travel worldwide. The exception is travel in Europe, where passports must be less than 10 years old.
To travel to Europe and Schengen countries, your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before your departure date
- Valid for at least three months after your planned return date
And remember, you can now only stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Before Brexit, you could stay as long as you wanted.
You can find more information about travelling to the EU and Schengen countries on the GOV.UK website.
Passport validity rules for the rest of the world
Here are the passport validity requirements for UK passport holders travelling to popular destinations outside of Europe and Schengen countries.
United States
Your passport must be valid for your entire stay, but having six months’ extra validity is a good idea to help avoid any issues.
Canada
Similar to the US, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. But it’s recommended to have an extra six months left on your passport’s validity.
Australia
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country.
New Zealand
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
Japan
Your passport must be valid for the whole time you’re in Japan. There’s no six-month rule but having extra validity is wise.
China
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date.
Thailand
Your passport must be valid for six months from the date you enter the country.
United Arab Emirates, including Dubai
You need to have at least six months’ validity on your passport from the date you enter.
Indonesia
Your passport must be valid for six months upon arrival.
India
You need a passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you arrive.
Which countries don’t require six months of passport validity?
Countries which don’t require at least six months’ validity include Albania, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
This information was correct at the time of writing. Please always check the latest entry requirements for overseas destinations on the GOV.UK website before you travel to help ensure a hassle-free trip.
Renewing your passport? We can help with that
You can renew your passport with our Check & Send services, available at selected Post Office branches. You can renew both UK adult and child passports with this service. Using Check & Send is usually faster than posting your own application and it’s less likely that your application will get rejected.
There are two services available:
- We’ll complete and submit your application for you digitally, so there’s no paper forms
- We’ll take your digital photo to correct specifications
- Available at 1,100 branches
- We’ll ensure that your application is complete and correct before sending it off
- You can use your own compliant photographs
- Available at 2,500 branches
You’ll need to pay a HM Passport Office fee, which varies by application type. But the cost for our Check & Send service is the same for all. Check the exact fees on our passports page, in the common questions section.
After we send off your application, HM Passport Office will send you text messages and emails to update you on the progress of your application. You’ll also be able to track your application online. You’ll then get your passport from the HM Passport Office in the post usually within three weeks. This might take longer if HMPO require further information or if there is a need to interview you, but this will be communicated within the three-week timeframe.
You can also use Check & Send to change personal details on your new passport, to replace a lost or stolen passport, or to apply for your first passport.
If you need to apply or renew your Irish passport, you can use our Paper Accept & Send service.
Other ways to renew your passport
You can also renew your passport on the GOV.UK website or by filling out a paper application form. You can Visit GOV.UK for more details
If you need to urgently renew your passport
If you’re in a hurry, you can renew your passport using faster services from the passport office directly. Costs vary depending on which service you choose and whether you need a frequent traveller passport, but they’re more expensive than the standard service.
You’ll need to apply, pay and book for an appointment at a passport office. You can book an appointment up to three weeks in advance. Appointments usually take around 10 minutes.
There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport:
One-day premium
- The earliest appointment is two days after you apply
- You’ll get your new passport at your appointment
- This service is only for renewing an adult passport
One-week fast track
- The earliest appointment is the next day after you apply
- You'll get your new passport delivered by courier one week after your appointment
If you need to travel urgently for medical treatment, on government business, or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, you should call the Passport Adviceline instead.
Key takeaways
When you’re getting ready to travel, making sure your passport is valid is vital. Here's what you need to do:
Check your passport expiry date. Before you book anything, look at your passport and check its expiry date. Many countries ask that your passport is valid for at least six months for your return date
Know the entry requirements of your destination. Different countries have different rules about passports and visas. Check entry requirements on GOV.UK to avoid last-minute surprises
Renew your passport, if needed You can renew it in a few ways. One of the quickest and most reliable is the Check & Send services at selected Post Office branches
