Travel to the United States, are you familiar with the Six Months Club?
The six-month passport rule almost always applies. Something to absolutely consider before embarking on a [...]
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The six-month passport rule almost always applies. Something to absolutely consider before venturing on a trip outside Europe. The converse is very simple: you need to verify that your document boasts at least another six months of validity, past the return date of one's ticket. In fact, most countries will not allow entry unless this rule is met.
No problem as long as you intend to move within European borders. In fact, in this case, one will be able to make use of one's documentation much longer, proceeding to renewal even a step away from expiration. To leave the old continent, on the other hand, you will most likely have to consider it already "useless" once you approach the six-month validity threshold.
Six-month rule, because
Many countries demand this extended validity for a simple reason: they do not in any way want to take the risk that some tourists may exceed the expiration threshold before leaving. This would create bureaucratic issues and, in some cases, such a situation could be linked to illegal immigration.
Six-month rule, that's where
One should always inform oneself properly before leaving so as not to run into any nasty surprises when going through airport security. Here are some examples of Countries requiring extended passport duration.
Validity of 3 months
- Korea
- New Zealand
Validity of 6 months
- Antigua
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Egypt
- Russia
- Jamaica
- India
- Israel
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
Six-month club
We generally tend to believe that this rule also applies to the United States, but this is only partially true. In fact, there is a list that goes by the name of Six Months Club, constantly updated by theU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which highlights which citizenships are exempt from this rule.
L'importance of a passport is also evidenced by items like this. Italy is part of the club, and that means being able to have a valid document with you even if only for the period of stay. The only thing that matters, therefore. ID does not expire while traveling overseas.
It is as if the U.S. government proceeds to consider these particular passports automatically valid for another six months beyond the period of stay on U.S. soil, even if, past the date of return home, the document actually expires. It goes without saying that anyone not in the Six Months Club will have to make arrangements to renew his or her passport before taking the flight, so as to avoid unpleasant surprises.
When to renew your passport
The advice is to make an appointment at Police Headquarters at least six months (if not a year) before the expiration date. It would be best to proceed at a time well in advance of your next non-European trip. Bureaucracy can take its time, as is well known, and it is important to be aware of how applying for renewal renders one's current document null and void.
This means that a corner of one's passport is cut off, making it unusable. Until the procedure is completed, therefore, one can travel only where identity card valid for expatriation proves to be sufficient.
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