The 6-month passport rule explained

Most countries require your passport to remain valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. The Schengen area is stricter in wording — your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure and have been issued within the previous ten years. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before you apply, because embassies routinely refuse applications on a soon-to-expire passport.

How to use this checker

Enter your passport expiry date, your return date, and your destination rule. The tool tells you instantly whether you qualify and, if not, the date your passport needs to reach. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and nothing you type is stored.

Frequently asked questions

Is it 6 months from entry or exit?

For most countries it is six months beyond your planned departure (return) date. Always confirm the exact rule for your destination.

My passport has under 6 months left — can I still travel?

Often no. Many airlines and consulates will not accept it. Renew first; UAE residents can renew their home-country passport through their embassy or consulate in the UAE.