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2023
5
April
Can I enter the US with a passport only three months from expiry?
5
April
Question:
Humans say...
Chris
Similar to Mexico, the U.S. is one of the 42 countries where a Canadian passport technically just needs to be valid for the duration of your stay (Canada is one of the countries with an exemption for U.S. entry). That being said, there is a small risk that you will run into someone along the way who isn't familiar with this rule.
The official rules: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-619?language=en_US
The reality: https://www.snowbirdadvisor.ca/how-long-do-canadian...
HELP.CBP.GOV
Visiting the U.S. - Documents required for Canadian Citizens / Residents / Landed Immigrant to enter the U.S. and how long they can stay
Craig
Chris hey Chris, do you have a list of the 42 countries?
Chris
Hi Craig:
North America: Canada, Mexico, United States
Caribbean: Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia
Central America: Costa Rica
South America: Argentina, Chile, Falkand Islands, Paraguay, Uruguay
Europe: Georgia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Ukraine
Middle East: Yemen
East Asia: Japan, North Korea, South Korea (short term visitors)
Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo (Republic Of), Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritius*, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, The Gambia, Tunisia, Western Sahara
South Pacific & Oceania: Australia
Sandra
Yes I have heard that you can do a land border cross into the USA with less than 6 months left on your passport. But flying you have to have the 6 months or more. I haven’t tried it though!
Glyn
This should never be a issue, renew once you have less than12 months remaining.
Carrie
Glyn well - in an ideal world I would have. Except, the passport office was months behind after Covid, and my child’s passport doesn’t expire until the end of this October. So - I thought there would have been plenty of time - except now they are on strike. And there will be a backlog again. So thanks for the advice, but this was just bad timing and I’m trying to anticipate some September travel.
Laura
Carrie I feel this. My kids expire in July and we travel in September to the US. I’m hoping the strike won’t last long and it will be ok. As a back up, kids under 16 only need a birth certificate to cross the land border to the US. My back up is to drive across the border and then fly to where we are going.
Glyn
Carrie It's for reasons like this I jump on it early. I couldn't imagine being without a passport. I actually have two of them...
Jacklyn
Carrie recently took us 3 weeks. Super quick
Carrie
Jacklyn I bet that was before the strike…. The passport office said they will not be processing ANY passports for leisure travel. Only urgent business purposes, etc.
Jacklyn
It was right before
Kady
I just entered the US when mine was about to expire and no issues
Edward
I think you are good unless you plan to be gone past the expiry date.
Arie
Yes
Caroline
They can deny you. It depends on the Custom Agent's mood.
Norah
Caroline no it doesn’t depend on mood. valid length of stay for a Canadian is the requirement.
Courtney
My son went to Hawaii with less than 3 months on his and was fine!
Norah
Canada to US is validity for length of stay
Suzie
Canadian Passport go to US just need to be valid during stay .
We went to Orlando my son’s passport only few months left valid about 3 months , it’s fine .
Shelley
I know someone that was going to Mexico for a Week and her passport was set to expire within 3 months and they wouldn’t let her travel. That would be taking a huge chance.
Carrie
Shelley who denied her? The airline? Customs at the airport? Curious which airline?
Shelley
Carrie the people working the check in desk. Doesn’t matter which airline. I agree with Karen….I think it’s 6 month, not 3.
Carrie
Shelley but the actual rules in the USBPA and homeland security state valid for the duration. It is not 6 or 3 months. So whoever denied her is wrong - period.
Tiffany
Carrie that’s only for the states though, not Mexico isn’t it?
Robbin
Shelley it’s 6 months.
Robbin
Shelley it is 6 months.
Chris
Tiffany Mexico has the same rule. Canadian Passport technically just needs to be valid for your stay. Same small risk that you will run into an airline employee unfamiliar with the rule. Official info for Mexico: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/.../en/servicesforeigners/11729
EMBAMEX.SRE.GOB.MX
Passport validity to travel to Mexico
Tiffany
Chris good to know, thanks!
K
Shelley yes most won’t let you travel if your passport expires within 6 months dumb but it’s their rules
Carrie
Karen Buehler but it’s not actually the rules. Chris quoted them in the article above.
Pete
Karen Buehler if the airline denies you not much you can do . Your trip is cancelled. It’s their rule.
Telissa
We went to Disneyland in March and my kids passports expire in May and there wasn’t even a comment
Jennifer
Only need it valid for length of stay
Krista
Yes you can
Shirley
How about going to Mexico, for less than 6 months passport validity? any experienced?
Arlene
It really depends on the border agent. My son went to the US, and his passport was a month from expiring. i told him they would not let him enter (he was doing a coast to coast road trip) but they let him in! The agent did tell him if his passport expired while he was there, he would have a lot of trouble EVER getting into the US again.
Donna
Into US only your fine
Martha
It depends on when the last time was that you entered the US. When you enter the US you are given a tourist visa B1/B2 and it’s valid for 6 months. Visas cannot be issued for longer then the time left on your passport therefore say you haven’t been to the US in over a year and your last B1 is expired well that means you’ll be getting a new one requiring 6 months be left on your passport.
Now say you last entered USA in April and we’re given a B1 which expires in October, your visa is valid until October therefore you can still enter with a passport that expires in January.
Make sense?
A.I. says...
Passport Validity for US Travel: Clearing the Confusion
If you're planning to travel to the United States, one of the most important things to check is the validity of your passport. While it's generally known that your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, there's a lot of confusion surrounding how long it needs to be valid beyond your planned travel dates.
The Six-Month Rule
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), travelers entering the United States are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their planned stay. This is known as the "six-month rule" and applies to most foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for business or pleasure.
The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that travelers have a valid passport for their entire stay, as well as a buffer period in case of any unforeseen circumstances that may extend their stay or require additional travel.
Exceptions to the Rule
While the six-month rule is generally applicable, there are some exceptions. Certain countries have agreements with the U.S. that allow their citizens to enter with passports that are valid for a shorter period. For example, citizens of Canada and some other countries may be able to enter the U.S. with a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay, even if it expires shortly after.
Additionally, the six-month rule may not apply to certain categories of travelers, such as U.S. permanent residents or those entering the U.S. for specific purposes like transit or crew travel.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If you attempt to enter the U.S. with a passport that does not meet the validity requirements, you may face difficulties or even be denied entry. The CBP officers have the discretion to deny entry to travelers whose passports do not comply with the six-month rule or other applicable regulations.
To avoid any issues or delays at the border, it's highly recommended to ensure that your passport meets the validity requirements well in advance of your planned travel dates.
Conclusion
In summary, while there may be some exceptions or variations based on specific circumstances, the general rule is that your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States. This applies to most foreign nationals visiting the U.S. for business or pleasure.
To be on the safe side, it's advisable to renew your passport well before it approaches the six-month validity threshold if you plan to travel to the U.S. This will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free entry process and prevent any potential complications or delays at the border.
Sites
Carrie
Passport question for the group. Can someone verify for me if this is true? I can enter the US if my passport is only three months from expiry? I did searches and found conflicting information…..