86 Countries That Require Six Months Passport Validity for Travel

When you’re planning for an international trip, the last thing on your mind is your passport expiry date. Yet, for many destinations, that tiny detail can make or break your journey. A significant number of countries enforce what’s called the six-month passport validity rule, and if you don’t meet it, you could be denied boarding before your trip even begins.

What Is the Six-Month Passport Validity Rule?

The rule is simple but strict: your passport must remain valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave the country you’re visiting. It’s not about your arrival date but your intended departure date from that country.

Why does this matter? Governments use the rule to avoid potential immigration headaches, like travellers overstaying or facing emergencies with a nearly expired passport. Think of it as a buffer period that keeps both sides, travellers and border officers, out of unnecessary complications.

How to Calculate Passport Validity

The math is straightforward:

• Look at your passport’s expiration date.
• Count back six months from that day.
• That date is the latest you can plan to depart from a country that enforces the rule.

For example, if your passport expires on December 10, 2026, you should avoid booking a trip to a six-month-validity country that has you leaving later than June 10, 2026. Anything beyond that window could get you flagged.

Countries That Enforce the Six-Month Passport Validity Rule

If you’re heading to any of the following destinations, double-check the dates in your passport now. The list is long, covering parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the Pacific Islands.

Here’s the complete list of countries, where your passport needs at least six months of validity at the time of travel:

S. No.	Country
1	Afghanistan
2	Algeria
3	Angola
4	Bahrain
5	Bangladesh
6	Bhutan
7	Botswana
8	Brazil
9	Brunei
10	Burundi
11	Cambodia
12	Cameroon
13	Central African Republic
14	Chad
15	China
16	Congo
17	Côte d’Ivoire
18	Djibouti
19	Ecuador
20	Egypt
21	Equatorial Guinea
22	Eritrea
23	Ethiopia
24	Fiji
25	Gabon
26	Guinea
27	Guinea-Bissau
28	Guyana
29	India
30	Indonesia
31	Iran
32	Iraq
33	Israel
34	Jordan
35	Kenya
36	Kiribati
37	Kuwait
38	Kyrgyzstan
39	Laos
40	Madagascar
41	Malawi
42	Malaysia
43	Marshall Islands
44	Mauritania
45	Mongolia
46	Mozambique
47	Myanmar
48	Namibia
49	Nepal
50	Nigeria
51	Oman
52	Palau
53	Pakistan
54	Papua New Guinea
55	Peru
56	Philippines
57	Qatar
58	Republic of the Congo
59	Rwanda
60	Samoa
61	Saudi Arabia
62	Singapore
63	Solomon Islands
64	Somalia
65	South Korea
66	South Sudan
67	Sri Lanka
68	Sudan
69	Suriname
70	São Tomé and Príncipe
71	Taiwan
72	Tajikistan
73	Tanzania
74	Thailand
75	Timor-Leste
76	Tonga
77	Turkmenistan
78	Tuvalu
79	Uganda
80	United Arab Emirates
81	Vanuatu
82	Venezuela
83	Vietnam
84	Yemen
85	Zambia
86	Zimbabwe

What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Rule?

If your passport falls short of the six-month requirement, here’s what you might face:

• Denied boarding at your departure airport. Airlines check passport validity before issuing boarding passes.
• Refused entry at the border, even if you’ve already flown there.
• Added costs, from rebooking flights to last-minute passport renewal fees.
• Stress and delays that can throw off your entire travel plan.

Passport Validity Rules for Other Countries

Not all countries follow the six-month rule. Some require just one month of validity, others three months, and a few only need your passport to be valid for your stay.

One-Month Validity Rule

Some countries, such as New Zealand and South Africa, only ask for one month of passport validity after your stay. However, the exact rule can vary depending on the country of passport.

Three-Month Validity Rule

Many European Union and Schengen Countries, along with a few others, require your passport to be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date.

Valid for Duration of Stay

Countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia allow entry as long as your passport is valid through the entire trip.

Case-by-Case Exceptions

Certain destinations may have bilateral agreements waiving longer validity rules for specific nationalities. Always check your own country’s travel advisory before booking.

Final Tip for Travellers

Before you book an international trip, check your passport. If you’re even close to the six-month cutoff, renew it. The peace of mind is worth it, and it keeps your trip from turning into a nightmare before it starts.