The 6-month passport rule, explained
The rule that catches travellers out at check-in — what it means and where it actually applies.
What it is
Lots of countries require your passport to have at least six months left when you travel. But it's far from universal: some count from the day you arrive, some from the day you leave, and big regions like the Schengen area use a different rule entirely (3 months after you leave). Assuming "six months everywhere" is exactly how people get turned away at the airport.
Countries that commonly need around six months: China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam. See the full validity rules by country, or check your exact dates.
Common questions
What is the 6-month passport rule?
Many countries require your passport to have at least six months left when you arrive (some count from when you leave). It's common but not universal — large regions like the Schengen area use a different rule.
Which countries need 6 months on your passport?
Common ones include China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam. Always check the exact country, as rules change.
Does Europe need 6 months' passport validity?
No. The Schengen area needs your passport valid for 3 months after you leave and issued within the last 10 years — not a full six months.
🔒 Your privacy: your passport dates are checked entirely in your browser. They are never sent to us, logged or stored, and we set no tracking cookies. Some outbound links are affiliate links — if you click through, the destination site (e.g. Amazon) may set its own cookies. This site is open source — verify it yourself.