Passport Validity Rule Confusion
Basically, if you check here: http://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/six-months-validity-rule/
It says:
It simply means that your passport should be valid for more than six months before you would be allowed to enter a foreign destination.
Does this mean I have to wait 6 months after obtaining my US passport before I can travel there?
Best Answer
If you received your brand new passport and its validity starts today, you can travel today. If your passport is valid for ten years, then some countries require a passport that remains valid for further six months after entering. So in nine years, six months, and one day from now, some countries might not allow you to enter with your passport that becomes invalid within six months.
The reason is that for whatever reason, you might stay longer than planned. Say an accident and you stay in hospital, you get arrested for punching someone, or whatever reason. With six months validity of your passport, the risk that you stay until your password is invalid is minimal. If you went on a one week holiday with a one week valid passport, even just a small damage on the airplane, or oversleeping if your flight back is in the morning, might mean that your passport is invalid by the time you leave.
BTW. The passport guide mentions six months, which some countries have, but many countries will require at least three months, so don't wait too long renewing your passport.
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How far into the future should your passport be valid at all times?
Six Month Club Requirements: As a general rule, passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States. However, the United States has signed agreements with a number of countries to waive this requirement.Can you travel with less than 6 months validity on passport?
In general, many countries that require a visa to enter will require at least six months validity on your passport when entering the country, so make sure you find out whether your passport has long enough before it expires before you travel.Why is there a 6 month passport rule?
The six-month validity passport rule is a requirement of other countries accepting foreign travelers. The six- month passport validity rule is enforced because nations do not want to risk having travelers and tourists overstaying their passport validity.Is out of date passport valid?
Once it's expired, the travel document is invalid. Bottom line: you can't take the plane with an expired passport. You need a new passport.6 Month Passport Validity Rule | Can I travel with less than 6 months left on my passport?
More answers regarding passport Validity Rule Confusion
Answer 2
As other answers already explained, it does not mean you have to wait before travelling but that your passport must still be valid for some time when you return. So what you need to worry about is not the beginning but the end of your passport's period of validity.
Additionally, while your quote doesn't explain it clearly, those rules typically apply only to foreign nationals. So as a US citizen, you can (re)enter the US at any time, even on your passport's last day of validity, but you might not be able to enter another country if your passport is soon to expire.
As far as the US is concerned, you can leave and reenter at any time provided you have a valid passport.
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