Passport Validity for Visa: 6-Month & 3-Month Rule by Country
Passport validity for visa: 6-month rule, 3-month rule. Check if your passport is valid for UK, US, Schengen, Canada, Australia. Free checker.
Passport validity for visa
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months (or 3 months) beyond your intended departure date. This is often called the passport validity rule or 6-month rule. If your passport expires too soon, your visa may be refused or you may be denied entry. Requirements vary by destination: UK, US, Schengen, Canada, Australia, Singapore, UAE each have their own rules.
6-month rule vs 3-month rule
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6-month rule: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure (common for US, China, many Asian countries).
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3-month rule: Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after departure (e.g. Schengen for some nationals).
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UK: Usually valid for the whole of your stay.
Always check the official embassy or government site for your nationality and destination.
Next steps
Use our free passport validity checker to see if your passport meets the requirement for your destination. Then prepare your visa cover letter and checklist.
Use our tools to prepare your application
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