Travel Tips
April 24, 2023
Americans are eager to book tickets and pack their bags as they plan to take off to international destinations this summer. But before you even start to plan your trip, be sure you have a current passport in hand! Many countries require passports to be valid for six months after the final day of travel.
As travelers request new or renewed passports, the U.S. State Department is experiencing longer than usual wait times. With that in mind, all travelers are encouraged to check their passport expiration date and, if necessary, renew their passport well in advance of making international travel plans.
To ensure you have the proper documentation before traveling internationally, please find additional information below as you get ready to go!
Be aware of lengthy wait times:
Across the country, Americans are dusting off their passports and submitting them to the U.S. State Department for renewal, and many are submitting applications for new passports. As a result, passport processing times have significantly increased. Routine applications are taking 10 to 13 weeks to process, and expedited applications are being processed in 7 to 9 weeks or longer in some cases. [Note: these wait times are estimated by the U.S. State Department and can vary significantly.]
Keep in mind that processing times do not include mailing times, and the process begins once your application has been received at a passport agency or center.
For more information visit the State Department’s passport webpage here.
Check your passport before purchasing a ticket:
To check your passport expiration date, look on the data page of your passport book or on the front of your passport card. Below your personal details, it shows the date of issue and date of expiration. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months prior to your return date.
What to do if your passport is lost or stolen:
You should immediately report your passport as lost or stolen and it will be canceled. You should only report your U.S. passport lost or stolen if the original, physical version of the passport book or passport card has been lost or stolen.Once you report a U.S. passport lost or stolen, it is invalid and cannot be used for international travel.
Where to find more information about passport issuance and renewals:
Most travelers can renew passports by mail or in person at a passport acceptance facility.
Information about necessary documents and the submission process can be found on the State Department’s passport renewal page here.
There is a unique application process for first-time passport holders and children under the age of 16. More information can be found here.
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Media Contacts
Marli Collier
Managing Director, Communications
Phone: 202-626-4141
Hannah Walden
Director, Communications
Phone: 202-626-4204
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FAQs
A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.
When traveling internationally should you carry your passport on you? ›
To carry or not to carry? That is the question that travelers most often ask when visiting a foreign country. In almost all cases, the best option is to keep your passport with you in a secure travel pouch.
Can a US citizen enter the US without a passport? ›
U.S. nationals, including U.S. dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. U.S. dual nationals may also be required by the country of their foreign nationality to use that country's passport to enter and leave that country.
Which countries require 6 months of passport validity? ›
Some countries requiring six months of passport validity include: mainland China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Turkey.
Can I still fly internationally without a passport? ›
All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel. Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration cards, and affidavits cannot be used.
Does customs check your passport? ›
Yes, the traveler's document information and answers to CBP inspection-related questions are submitted directly to CBP via secure encryption protocols.
Is it safe to leave your passport in your hotel room? ›
Although your passport is required as an ID when travelling abroad, you don't really need to carry it around with you everywhere. Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe.
Should you take a copy of your passport when traveling? ›
Safeguard your passport. While overseas, carry copies of your passport ID page and foreign visa with you at all times. If your passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the nearest embassy or consulate, or at 1-877-487-2778.
What does a U.S. citizen need to reenter the US? ›
U.S. citizens entering the U.S. at sea or land ports of entry are required to have documents that comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which are a U.S. passport, a passport card, a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST, or an enhanced driver's license.
Can a U.S. citizen be denied entry into the US? ›
No. A US citizen can never be denied entry to the United States. As long as you make it to a US port of entry, and the officer is satisfied that you are a US citizen, immigration inspection is over and you must be allowed in.
Note, however, that rules established under the U.S. Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, require that all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to reenter the United States.
How strict is the 6 month passport rule? ›
If your passport is set to expire in six months or less, you may not be able to fly to or from the countries of your choice. That's why it's important to check your passport's expiration date, especially if you plan to travel soon.
Can I travel internationally if my passport expires in 2 months? ›
Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after arrival abroad. In most cases, passengers will not be allowed to board an international flight departing the United States if they do not have the required amount of validity remaining on their passports.
Do airlines check passport validity? ›
Some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check our Country Information page to learn how long your passport needs to be valid.
Is a passport required for International flights? ›
A passport is required for all international travel.
Remember, the name on your boarding pass must match the name on your government-issued passport. In general, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in a foreign country.
Do all airlines ask for passport information? ›
Yes, it is possible to book an international flight without a passport number. This information is usually only requested at check-in; although some airlines do request it at the time of booking, that field is usually optional.
What happens if you lose your passport on an international flight? ›
What Should I Do if I Lose My Passport While Traveling? You will have to replace the passport before returning to the United States. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. Contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates is also available in our country information pages.
Are passports checked when leaving the US? ›
As there is no specific CBP interview or check by any customs officers as part of the exit process, no one will put an US Exit stamp on your passport. Your passport will only have the entry stamp from Port of Entry, that's about it.
