I have a passport. I am going to Spain. Do I need to have 6 months left on my passport after my planned return date?

I have read a few places that I might. I wasn't sure if it were a US, EU, Spain, or whomever requirement. Anyone know?

Basically I will have to apply yesterday with all the state department delays to get a passport. I am debating paying the extra fee to have it expediated if I need to have the 6 months left on the passport.

7/11/2007 3:25:40 PM

you're never going to get back in.

7/11/2007 3:26:11 PM

Quote :

"Do I need to have 6 months left on my passport after my planned return date?"

I've never heard of this. So long as your passport is valid, it doesn't matter how far away the expiration date is.

7/11/2007 4:05:59 PM

I think it's one of those things where they might say it, but they probably won't refuse to let you in the country if you're just under the 6-month deadline. They probably just want to make sure you aren't leaving the country with a week left before it expires in case you get injured or arrested or something.

7/11/2007 4:10:13 PM

Actually found a decent site on this (within the state department)...

Quote :

"SPAIN - *Passport required. Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days. (**90-day period begins when entering Schengen countries). U.S. medical report required for residency, student, and work permits. For additional information, contact the Embassy of Spain, 2375 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202/452-0100 and 728-2330) or nearest Consulate General in CA (415/922-2995 and 213/938-0158), FL (305/446-5511), IL (312/782-4588), LA (504/525-4951), MA (617/536-2506), NY (212/355-4080), PR (787/758-6090), or TX (713/783-6200). Internet: http://www.spainemb.org"

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html


For example Argentina says

Quote :

"ARGENTINA - *Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. For longer stays visa requires passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry and must have at least one blank page), application form, 1 photo, evidence of sufficient funds, and return/onward ticket. For more details concerning longer stays, employment, or other types of visas contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1811 Q St., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202/238-6460) or the nearest Consulate: CA (213/954-9155), FL (305/373-1889), GA (404/880-0805, IL (312/819-2610), NY (212/603-0400) or TX (713/871-8935). Internet: http://www.embassyofargentina.us. "

I just don't know if these are recommendations/tips/what? I have read other sites, though not the state departments, that say 6 months for Europe and I can't find anything to confirm it.

7/11/2007 5:04:07 PM

whilei have never heard of this, anything listed as 'must' is usual not just a 'tip' or 'suggestion'

7/11/2007 5:08:20 PM

whats the point of an expiration date if its not true

7/11/2007 5:17:35 PM

^^^ Is says 6 months there because they want your passport to be valid through the duration of your extended visa.

7/11/2007 6:37:40 PM

myth, passport is good to get back into the country till the expiration date

7/11/2007 8:54:36 PM

Quote :

"whats the point of an expiration date if its not true"

Yeah really. If they were going to do some 6 month rule then why not just make the passport expire 6 months earlier?

I've been out of the country on a passport that was set to expire in 10 weeks. The only thing they did was bring it to my attention that the passport was going to expire soon.

7/12/2007 7:11:17 AM