Free travel tool

Passport validity checker

Check whether your passport will still be valid enough for your trip. Test your expiry date against the common 6-month rule, the Schengen 3-month rule and the duration-of-stay rule, and see exactly how many days of margin you have.

Free, no sign-up
Runs in your browser
Reviewed 1 Nov 2026

Your passport and trip

Passport expiry dateAs printed on the photo page.

Issue date (optional)Needed for the Schengen 10-year check.

Arrival dateThe day you enter the destination.

Departure dateThe day you leave the destination.

Destination ruleNot sure? Check the destination’s official portal, or start with the 6-month rule — it is the most common.

6 months beyond arrivalThe passport must be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive. One of the most common rules worldwide, and what many airlines check at boarding.6 months beyond the end of your stayStricter variant: six months counted from the day you leave the destination, so a longer trip needs a later expiry date.Schengen area (3 months beyond departure, issued within 10 years)For Schengen short stays the passport must be valid at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area, and must have been issued within the previous ten years.3 months beyond the end of your stayThe passport must remain valid for three months after the day you leave the destination.Valid for the duration of your stayThe passport only needs to be valid until the day you leave. Airlines and transit countries may still ask for more, so extra margin is wise.

Verdict

Enter your passport expiry date and travel dates to check them against the 6 months from arrival.

How to use the passport validity checker

Enter the expiry date from your passport’s photo page. For a Schengen trip, add the issue date too.
Enter the day you arrive at the destination and the day you leave it.
Pick the rule the destination uses. If you are not sure, check its official portal or start with the 6-month rule.
Read the verdict and the days of margin. Under 30 days of margin is flagged, because airlines may read the rule strictly.
If you fall short, renew your passport before applying for the visa.

Common passport validity rules

Countries usually express their requirement in one of a few ways. The checker supports each of them — but rules vary by country, by nationality and over time, so always confirm on the destination’s official portal.

6 months beyond arrival. One of the most common requirements, and the one airlines check most often.
6 months beyond departure. Counted from the end of your stay, so long trips need a later expiry date.
Schengen area. Valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the previous 10 years (EU Visa Code, Article 12).
Valid for the duration of stay. The passport only has to last until you leave — but transit countries and airlines may ask for more.

Planning a Schengen trip? Count your days with the Schengen 90/180 calculator. Indian passport holders can renew or re-issue a passport through Passport Seva (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What is the 6-month passport rule?

Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date you arrive — some count from the date you leave. Airlines often check this at boarding, because they can be fined for carrying a passenger who is refused entry.

How long must my passport be valid for the Schengen area?

For a Schengen short stay, your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen area, and it must have been issued within the previous ten years. Visa applicants also need at least two blank pages.

Does the day of expiry count as a valid day?

Your passport is normally valid up to and including the expiry date. The checker treats a passport expiring exactly on the required date as meeting the rule, but flags it as cutting it close, since interpretations differ.

What if my passport does not meet the rule?

Renew it before you apply for a visa. A visa placed in a passport that is about to expire may be limited to the passport’s remaining validity, and you may need to carry both passports if the visa is in the old one. In India, passport re-issue is handled through Passport Seva.

Which rule does my destination use?

It differs by country and sometimes by nationality, and it can change. Use VisaScout’s destination guides as a starting point, then confirm on the destination government’s official visa or immigration portal and with your airline.

Do I also need blank pages?

Often, yes. Many countries ask for one or two blank visa pages, and Schengen visa applicants need at least two. Check the destination’s official requirements.