“For a lot of folks, it’s not an issue since you get 10 years out of a passport,” Nastro said. “When you realize it’s the year your passport expires, however, you actually might be running against a six-month clock depending on where you are traveling to. It makes sense to just go through the renewal process sooner rather than later.”
She recommended renewing your passport a year before it’s due to expire so that you know it’s all taken care of early.
“With expedited processing and wait times at record lows, you’ll most likely see a new book back sooner than expected,” Nastro added.
When it comes to passports and other important travel documents, advanced planning is the name of the game.
“While some countries enforce uniform rules for all foreign visitors, others may have different requirements depending on the visitor’s nationality or specific visa agreements,” Alwadish said. “It is so vital that travelers check the entry requirements of their destination country to understand any variations based on nationality.”
He recommended reviewing an embassy or consulate website in your home country for the place you want to visit. Most provide detailed information about entry requirements for foreign visitors. You might also consult the State Department’s website or travel advisories from the immigration authority at your destination.
Once you have that information, compare your passport expiration date with your planned travel dates.
“To cross-reference with the country’s validity rules, start from the day you return and add the number of months required for the validity,” Alwadish said. “The rule is usually three to six months from the day you return, not from the day you leave.”
Make sure to check the rules of the airline you’re flying as well, especially if you only have four or five months of validity after the date you return home.
“If you don’t have six months of validity starting from the date you return from the trip, the airline has the power to turn you away, whether they’re right or wrong,” Alwadish said. “You should call them and have them put a note in the system regarding this issue so they’re aware of it prior to your arrival at the airport.”
Confirm that your passport has sufficient blank pages and is not damaged. If you changed your name recently due to marriage, divorce or another reason, your passport will need to reflect that as well. Don’t forget to see if your destination requires a visa or electronic travel authorization.
In the event that an issue arises, there are ways to get your travel documents in a rush, but you can avoid the extra stress and hassle by doing a few extra checks in advance. Then, just relax and enjoy your international vacation.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
