Conflicting advice on flying abroad near the end of your passport's expiration date has left some travellers confused. The Passport Office are warning people that they may be waiting 10 weeks or more to get their passport renewal, prompting some to worry about their holidays and wonder how close to the passport expiry date you can actually travel.
A tweet from the Passport Office on Monday (April 4) said: "Is your passport due to expire? You'll need to allow up to 10 weeks to process your passport application when applying from the UK." However, the Echo reports that according to the ABTA, if you have a British passport you will need to have at least three months left on your passport and your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years to travel abroad. How much time you need on your passport also depends on the country you’re visiting, and also who you are flying with.
Read more: Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham Airport travel chaos updates
People have taken to social media to express their confusion over knowing whether or not they can fly. On Twitter, Mr Chips said: "Fly with Ryanair on 22/4 L, return 28/4. Will have just under four months left on passport (was new, no extra months). Ryanair say six months, everywhere else says three. What’s the crack? Not updated their T&C’s? Worried I’ll be denied boarding." To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
Meanwhile, Chantelle said: "We are travelling to Greece in two weeks. Does the passport need to have three months left or six months left from the last day of the holiday to be able to go? Thanks."
The information can seem overwhelming so we have put together a guide on whether or not you can fly while your passport is near its expiration date - it is all dependant on where you are going and who you are flying with.
How long should you have left on your passport?
If your passport is due to expire, you may be denied entry into the country that you are visiting. The Post Office website states: "While most countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA, just need your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, other countries such as China, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey need at least six months. You need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
"In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel."
Passport rules for different countries
All countries will have their own rules concerning passport validity and expiration rules. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
Australia
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Barbados
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Canada
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.
China
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
Egypt
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
European Union
For most European countries, HM Passport Office recommend that on the day you travel you have at least three months left on your passport. Those countries are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
-
Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
India
Your passport must be machine readable, with two blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Japan
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
Mexico
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay.
New Zealand
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of one month from the date of exit.
Singapore
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
South Africa
Rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 30 days from the date of exit, but it’s recommended that you have at least six months on your passport before it expires. Your passport should also have at least two blank pages when you enter or leave South Africa.
Thailand
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
Turkey
Your passport should have at least six months validity.
USA
Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. However, your passport must be a biometric ePassport with the silver camera symbol on the front. There are also a number of other rules concerning entry to the USA, which you should check before travelling.
Passport rules for different airlines
Ryanair
Ryanair states that you need a valid passport to travel anywhere in the world.
For travel outside the EEA (European Economic Area), the passport must be valid for the period of the intended stay, except for the below countries:
- For travel to Jordan, the passport must be valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay.
- For travel to Turkey, the passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry.
- For travel to Montenegro, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
- For travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the passport must be valid for at least three months.
All non-EU passport holders travelling into a Schengen member country must make sure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date they will leave the Schengen member country, unless the person has a Schengen-issued residence permit or long-term visa.
EasyJet
All customers travelling on international flights must hold either a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity card or Passport, and, where required, a valid Visa.
Your passport needs to be in good condition and signed. Some countries require that passports are valid for a minimum period beyond your trip, usually three or six months.
For UK passport holders travelling to the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, please note that on your day of travel you'll need your passport to both:
- Have at least six months left on it (the requirement of most European countries is to have a minimum of three months left on your passport on the day after your intended departure from the EU)
- GBR Passports must be no more than 10 years old on the date of travel
British Airways
If you're travelling on an international flight, you’ll need a passport or an equivalent travel document that is valid for the full duration of your trip. Your children will also need their own passports, even infants under two years.
All UK passport holders should check the updated government advice regarding passport validity requirements. You are responsible for ensuring you have valid documentation for travel.
