What is the six month passport validity rule?

Although an Australian passport is technically valid until its expiry date, many countries require it to remain valid for at least one to six months after your planned return to Australia.

So, what does this mean? If your Australian passport is expiring within six months, it’s best to renew it before booking international travel. This buffer is tied to visa conditions and immigration policies. Governments want to ensure your documents won’t expire if your trip is extended unexpectedly.

Australian passport expiry

When do Australian passports expire?

• Adults (ages 16 and older): Passports expire after 10 years

• Children: Passports expire after 5 years

• Senior citizens: Choice of 5 or 10 years of passport validity

Countries that require six month passport validity

Many popular travel destinations enforce the six months rule passport regulation. That means your passport must be valid for six months after your return to Australia, even for short trips.

Here’s a snapshot of popular countries where the six month passport validity rule applies:

China

• Six months validity beyond your return date

• Most travellers also need a visa

• Transit visas may be available

Fiji

• Visa on arrival (up to 4 months stay)

• Six months validity and return ticket required

India

• eVisa required

• Six months validity from date of entry

Indonesia (Bali)

• Visa-free for stays under 30 days

• Six months passport validity required from your return date

Malaysia

• Visa-free for stays under 90 days

• Six months validity beyond your return date

Singapore

• Requires six months validity for entry

• No visa needed for Australians

Thailand

• Visa-free for up to 30 days

• Must have six months validity from your return date

United Arab Emirates

• Visa-free for up to 90 days

• Six months validity and return ticket required

Destinations That Require One to Three Months of Passport Validity

Some countries combine the time you're permitted to be in the destination with an additional three months passport validity requirement.

Schengen Zone (Europe)

Although official European Union guidance requires your passport to be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, some countries effectively apply a six-month passport rule by combining this with the permitted 90-day stay—meaning your passport should ideally be valid for six months from your arrival date.

• You can stay up to 90 days within 180 days

• Passport must be valid for at least three months from your return to Australia (some countries may require six)

• Countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries That Don’t Require Six Months Validity

If you've seen your Australian passport is expiring within six months, don't stress. You can still travel! Some destinations let Australians travel as long as their passport is valid on entry and exit. Here are a few popular countries where the six month passport validity rule does not apply:

Canada

• Passport must be valid for the length of your stay

• An electronic travel authorisation (eTA) required before arrival

New Zealand

• No visa required, and your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your visit. Easy as.

United States

• Visits under 90 days can enter under the Visa Waiver Program with a valid ESTA

• Your passport must be valid for the time you’re in the country

United Kingdom

• No visa required for tourism up to six months

Countries and their passport requirements for Australian travellers at a glance

Information is correct as of July 2025, sourced from smartraveller.gov.au. Always check the latest entry requirements before booking your trip.