Is your passport expiring soon, but you’re still dreaming of a summer escape? Many countries require at least six months of passport validity, but not all. If you’re short on time and don’t want to postpone your vacation, there are still destinations where you can travel without renewing your passport right away.
Let’s talk about where you can go this summer with limited validity left on your passport and what to do if you want more options. We’ll also explain how The Passport Office can help you renew your passport in as little as three days.
Why Passport Validity Matters
Passport validity isn’t just about the expiration date. Many countries have specific rules for how long your passport must be valid after your arrival or before your return flight. If your passport is close to expiring, you might be turned away—even if it’s still technically “valid.”
Common Validity Rules:
- 6 months beyond your arrival date – most common rule (used by the EU, many Asian countries)
- 3 months beyond your departure date – a few countries follow this
- Passport valid on day of entry/exit – a handful of destinations accept this
Where You Can Travel This Summer with Less Than 6 Months Left on Your Passport
If your passport is expiring soon and you want to travel anyway, here are some countries that allow entry as long as your passport is valid at the time of entry or departure:
Caribbean & Central America
- Mexico – the passport must be valid at the time of entry
- Costa Rica – the passport must be valid for at least one day
- Dominican Republic – valid on arrival and return
- Jamaica – the passport must be valid at the time of entry
South America
- Colombia – passport valid at entry (no 6-month rule)
- Peru – only 6-month validity if entering on a tourist visa; many U.S. tourists qualify for exceptions
- Ecuador – 6 months preferred, but flexible with U.S. citizens
Europe (Some Exceptions)
- United Kingdom – requires a passport to be valid for the duration of stay
- Ireland – no 6-month rule for U.S. citizens
Most other European countries (like France, Spain, Italy) do require 6 months, so renew before you go.
Asia-Pacific
- South Korea – your passport must be valid on arrival and for your return
- Philippines – The 6-month rule is typically enforced, but travelers have been granted flexibility if returning before passport expiry
- Australia – passport must be valid for entry and stay (no 6-month rule)
Always check with the country’s embassy or consulate before you book. Rules can change without notice. To find more information about a country, including travel advisories and local customs, visit Travel.state.gov.
What If You Want to Travel Somewhere That Does Require 6 Months?
That’s where The Passport Office comes in.
We help travelers renew or replace their passports in as little as three business days. Whether you need a new adult passport, child passport, renewal, name change, or replacement, we walk you through the process quickly and correctly.
Our Services Include:
- Expedited passport renewals
- Lost or damaged passport replacements
- Child and minor passports
- Name change
- First-time passport applications
Office Locations (Walk-Ins Welcome!)
You can visit any of our Florida or Atlanta locations without an appointment:
Virtual Appointments Available Nationwide
Not near one of our offices? We’ve got you covered. Our virtual passport appointments let you meet with a specialist online from anywhere in the U.S., helping you prepare your paperwork and send your application through our secure, expedited channels.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to give up your summer travel plans because your passport’s close to expiring. There are still incredible destinations that welcome U.S. travelers with fewer than six months of passport validity.
But if you want the freedom to travel anywhere, it’s smart to renew now—and fast. The Passport Office makes it easy, whether you walk in or book a virtual appointment. Contact us today to get your passport in time for takeoff.
