Airfare has been purchased. The hotel has been reserved. Bags
have even been packed. However, a last-minute check reveals your
passport is about to expire. There is not much time before your
departure date arrives. What can you do? Is it possible to travel with a
passport that is about to expire? This article will provide answers to
these questions.
Foreign Entry Requirements
One of the things that you need to take into consideration is your destination. Each country has specific entry requirements for visitors. There are some countries that require a passport have at least 6 months of validity remaining before a visitor will be granted permission to enter. Other countries require only 3 months. Still others only require 30 days. Of course, you would not be able to travel with a passport near its expiration date if you had plans to travel to a country with such requirements.
There are, however, some countries that only require your passport be valid for the duration of your stay. If your passport will not expire until after you return, it is possible to travel to locations that do not require additional validity beyond the time you will be in the country. Contact the embassy of consulate of the places you plan to visit for specific passport requirements.
Alternative Documents
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does allow for the use of other documents when returning to the United States from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico by land or sea. If you plan to travel to one of these locations, you may not need your passport if you have another acceptable document. These include a passport card, enhanced driver's license or trusted travelers program card such as FAST, NEXUS or SENTRI.
Note, the fact that you can re-enter the United States with one of these alternative document does not necessarily mean that you do not need a passport. Some of the destinations listed above require visitors possess a valid passport in order to enter. Again, verify entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit.
Closed-Loop Cruises
A passport is not required for passengers of a closed-loop cruise that originates and terminates at the same U.S. port. If you plan to travel on a closed-loop cruise, verify travel document requirements with the cruise line on which you will travel.
Prepare for Emergencies
Even if you can travel with a passport that is about to expire, it is not recommended that you do. You can apply to renew your travel document prior to your trip. If an emergency occurs while you are abroad and you are detained in a foreign country for longer than originally planned, your passport may expire while there. While it is possible to obtain an emergency passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate general, you may be distant from any of them or it may be over a weekend over which they are closed. It is best to recommended that you travel with a passport that has sufficient validity for your trip and any unforeseeable emergency.
New Passport in One Day
If you just discovered that your passport will soon expire and have a trip planned within the next few days, be aware that it is possible to get a new passport as quickly as the same day. Regional passport agencies process same day passports for American citizens who can present evidence of emergency travel. Those who live distant from any of the 25 regional agencies can still expedite their passport applications through a registered courier service.
Foreign Entry Requirements
One of the things that you need to take into consideration is your destination. Each country has specific entry requirements for visitors. There are some countries that require a passport have at least 6 months of validity remaining before a visitor will be granted permission to enter. Other countries require only 3 months. Still others only require 30 days. Of course, you would not be able to travel with a passport near its expiration date if you had plans to travel to a country with such requirements.
There are, however, some countries that only require your passport be valid for the duration of your stay. If your passport will not expire until after you return, it is possible to travel to locations that do not require additional validity beyond the time you will be in the country. Contact the embassy of consulate of the places you plan to visit for specific passport requirements.
Alternative Documents
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does allow for the use of other documents when returning to the United States from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico by land or sea. If you plan to travel to one of these locations, you may not need your passport if you have another acceptable document. These include a passport card, enhanced driver's license or trusted travelers program card such as FAST, NEXUS or SENTRI.
Note, the fact that you can re-enter the United States with one of these alternative document does not necessarily mean that you do not need a passport. Some of the destinations listed above require visitors possess a valid passport in order to enter. Again, verify entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit.
Closed-Loop Cruises
A passport is not required for passengers of a closed-loop cruise that originates and terminates at the same U.S. port. If you plan to travel on a closed-loop cruise, verify travel document requirements with the cruise line on which you will travel.
Prepare for Emergencies
Even if you can travel with a passport that is about to expire, it is not recommended that you do. You can apply to renew your travel document prior to your trip. If an emergency occurs while you are abroad and you are detained in a foreign country for longer than originally planned, your passport may expire while there. While it is possible to obtain an emergency passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate general, you may be distant from any of them or it may be over a weekend over which they are closed. It is best to recommended that you travel with a passport that has sufficient validity for your trip and any unforeseeable emergency.
New Passport in One Day
If you just discovered that your passport will soon expire and have a trip planned within the next few days, be aware that it is possible to get a new passport as quickly as the same day. Regional passport agencies process same day passports for American citizens who can present evidence of emergency travel. Those who live distant from any of the 25 regional agencies can still expedite their passport applications through a registered courier service.
Visit U.S. Passport Service Guide, the experts in expedited passports, for the latest information on getting passports quickly.
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