Most travelers believe that it is enough to have a passport within the validity to be able to enter another country, but the reality is quite different. In several international destinations, the authorities require the document to be valid for an additional period after the scheduled date of return, which catches many tourists by surprise.
A recent example occurred in the Schengen space, where the rule is clear: the passport should be valid for at least three months after scheduled output. It was this detail that almost prevented an American citizen from watching a wedding in Italy. Although your passport was valid until September, the trip was scheduled for July, which meant that the validity did not extend until October, as required. The situation was resolved in time with the renewal of the document.
This type of unforeseen events is more common than one thinks and originates, most of the time, in ignorance of the specific norms of each destination, says the Spanish newspaper HuffPost.
Three, six or even more months?
According to the Going, Katy Nastro Flight Alert Platform spokesman, having a valid passport does not, in itself, guarantee entry into all countries. “Many countries require the passport to be additional in addition to the dates of the trip,” he said, quoted by the same source.
In Asia and the Middle East, for example, it is usual to ask a minimum validity of six months after the exit date. Thus, those who travel to Vietname in July need a passport valid until January of the following year.
It is not just the border authorities that apply this rule. In many cases, it is the airlines themselves who refuse to board passengers whose documents do not meet the requirements, even if they have confirmed ticket.
Different criteria depending on the country
David Alwadish, founder of the Itseasy.com visa company, recalls that there is no universal norm. “Some countries require three months, another six, and in some cases up to one year, especially if the visa has a prolonged validity,” he explains.
These variations depend on bilateral agreements, migratory policies and security requirements of each country. Hence checking official requirements before traveling is an essential step, although often ignored by tourists, according to the above source. Both Nastro and Alwadish recognize that lack of information is a frequent problem, especially between occasional travelers or on less traditional routes.
Caution above all
The main reason for this requirement, according to the same source, is the precautionary. In case of illness, accident or unforeseen delay, it is essential that the passport remains valid throughout the stay and also at the time of departure. Nastro sums this logic simply: it is a preventive measure that avoids legal, logistics and bureaucratic complications in foreign territory.
In addition to validity, other factors can lock the entry of a traveler. Some countries do not accept passports with visible damage, even if they are on time. A tear, stain or fold can suffice to prevent entry.
More demands than you think
There are also destinations, such as the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, which oblige the passport to have at least two consecutive blank pages for entry and exit stamps. These rules show that traveling with a valid passport is no longer sufficient in itself, the. What seems like a simple detail can make all the difference between boarding or seeing the trip canceled at the last minute.
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