US entry rules: check passport validity before flying, some travellers exempt

Travellers planning to enter the United States should check their passport expiry dates before booking, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The general requirement is that a passport stays valid for at least six months beyond the date the visitor intends to leave the country, although agreements with certain countries waive that extra period.

Key facts

• General rule: passports must remain valid for six months beyond the planned departure date from the United States
• Exemptions: citizens of countries covered by agreements need only a passport valid for their intended stay
• Costa Rica is listed among the countries covered by an exemption
• Other exempt countries named: Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Korea
• Passport holders must still meet all other applicable entry requirements

How does the six-month rule work?

The requirement is measured from the date a visitor plans to leave the United States. Travellers subject to the general rule need a passport that remains valid for six months beyond that date. CBP gives the example of someone departing on 15 December: their passport would generally need to be valid until at least 15 June of the following year.

Nationality changes the calculation. CBP explains that citizens of countries covered by exemption agreements only need passports valid for their intended stay.

Which countries are exempt from the extra six months?

CBP maintains exceptions for passports issued by a number of countries and territories. Among those listed in its reference materials are Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Canada, along with the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

For eligible travellers, the additional six months beyond the planned stay are not required. Their passports must still be valid throughout the intended visit, and other entry requirements still apply. The source notes that passport rules and entry conditions can vary by nationality and travel circumstances, and advises travellers to confirm their country's current status in US Department of State guidance before departing.

What should travellers check before flying?

• Passport expiry date: make sure it covers the required period of stay
• Nationality-based exemptions: check whether the country that issued the passport has an agreement waiving the extra six months
• Immigration documents: confirm any applicable visa or travel authorisation is valid and other entry requirements are met

What this means for travellers

Passport holders from exempt countries such as Costa Rica do not need the additional six months of validity, but their documents must cover the whole visit. Travellers from countries not covered by an exemption should allow for the full six months beyond their intended departure date from the United States.

CBP's guidance on passport technical requirements remains the main reference for the rule, and Visa Waiver Program requirements are set out by the US Department of State. The source does not report any change to the rule itself or any new deadline.