Check your passport expiration date: how long does a passport need to be valid to travel abroad?

In 2025, Ukrainians will need a valid passport to travel abroad. Find out what requirements apply to the validity of the document in different countries, rules for children and refugees, tips for replacing a passport, as well as many other useful information for travelers

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When planning a trip, Ukrainians often face the question: how long should a passport be valid in order to cross the border without problems. The answer depends on the destination country, the purpose of the trip, and the conditions of entry.

This article contains up-to-date information on the validity period of a passport for traveling abroad in 2025, recommendations for replacing the document, and additional tips for safe travel.

Current rules for crossing the border in 2025 in this article.

Read about the operation of checkpoints, their workload, and tips on the optimal time to leave Ukraine at the link.

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How long does a passport need to be valid to leave Ukraine?

The general rule that applies in most countries of the world is that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry to the destination country.

This is due to the fact that in the event of a delay or unforeseen situations, the tourist's document must remain valid for the entire period of stay abroad.

Important! Even if Ukrainian border guards let you in with a passport with a shorter validity period, the destination country may not let you in due to insufficient validity of the document.

What are the passport requirements in the EU, Schengen zone, Great Britain, USA, Canada, etc.?

Different countries have different requirements for a Ukrainian passport, here are some examples:

- Schengen zone countries (Poland, Germany, France, etc.) - the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after leaving the Schengen zone.

- China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, etc. require a 6-month passport validity period.

- Great Britain - the passport must be valid for the entire period of stay in the country.

- USA and Canada – a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of entry is recommended (but there are exceptions for citizens of Ukraine, in particular, Ukraine has been included in the list of countries (PDF 59 KB) that extend the validity of the passport for an additional 6 months after its expiration).

- The document required for visa-free entry for citizens of Ukraine to Georgia is a passport valid for another 90 days after returning from the trip.

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What additional requirements are there for a passport, in addition to the validity period?

Before each trip abroad, it is important not only to check the validity period of the passport, but also to pay attention to other details that may cause a refusal of entry, in particular, the following points deserve special attention:

- Do you have enough free pages in your passport?

Many people forget to check whether there is enough space in the document for new visas or stamps. There must be at least two free pages in the passport.

For example, Italy requires a completely blank sheet for its stamp. Other countries can stamp any free space – even on a page with already started markings.

- Is your passport damaged?

Minor scuffs are normal, because a passport is valid for 10 years. However, if the pages are torn, damaged or torn, the data is illegible, the photo or personal information is blurred or erased, the biometric chip is broken, then such a document is considered invalid, and border guards may refuse to cross the border.

A passport with drawings, notes or other extraneous inscriptions (even made by a child) will also be unacceptable for use.

- Outdated personal data

This is especially true for women after marriage or people who change their surname or other data. According to Ukrainian law, after changing their surname, you must change your passport within 30 days.

What to do if your passport is about to expire?

Before traveling abroad, it is important not only to know how long your passport should be valid, but also to react in time if it is about to expire. Even if the document is still valid, this does not guarantee a smooth border crossing.

Can you travel if your passport is about to expire?

If there are fewer months left before the expiration of your passport than is prescribed in the country's requirements, traveling is dangerous - most countries will simply not let you in. This is especially true for the Schengen zone countries, the USA, Canada, and the UK, where the requirement for the minimum remaining validity of the document is clearly stated.

In some cases, you may not even be allowed to leave Ukraine - the validity period of the passport for traveling abroad must be sufficient to cover the entire period of travel.

When should a Ukrainian change his or her passport?

The best time to submit documents for a new passport is 6-9 months before the expiration of the old document. This will avoid haste and unforeseen situations, for example:

- delays in production due to seasonal workload,

- inability to buy tickets or apply for a visa,

- refusal to enter a foreign country.

It is especially important to check the validity period of your passport before buying air tickets or booking accommodation.

How to apply for a passport outside Ukraine in 2025 - read here.

If you are not sure when to change your passport, are traveling under special procedures, or need a quick solution to a problem with your passport - get help from a migration lawyer to avoid the risk of being denied entry and to properly prepare documents if your situation is complex or non-standard.

Do special conditions affect passport requirements?

According to general rules, you can only travel to European countries in 2025 with a valid passport. However, there are exceptions for emergency situations, which mainly concern citizens leaving the combat zone.

In such cases, if it is impossible to issue or renew documents in a timely manner, the Ukrainian border service may agree to the departure of a citizen on the basis of an internal passport - with prior approval from the border guards of the country to which the person is going. These are exceptional situations, and each case is considered individually.

Departure of children without a passport

In 2025, the rule still applies to minors: a child can travel abroad with a birth certificate, even without a passport. In such situations:

- The decision to cross the border is made by the Border Service of Ukraine together with the border guards of the host country;

- The validity period of the passport for traveling abroad in such cases is not critical, if there is no passport at all, but confirmation of the child’s identity is required.

These rules are agreed with Ukraine's neighboring countries that accept refugees and people leaving dangerous regions. However, we recommend that you always have as many documents as possible with you.

In unusual cases - if you do not have documents, they are damaged or expired - you should contact a migration lawyer to receive personal instructions on departure.

What is important for a safe trip abroad?

Traveling abroad is always an exciting adventure. However, to avoid troubles and ensure peace of mind, it is important to take care of basic documents, security and medical coverage in advance. In addition to a valid passport, tourists should:

1. Check if visas and permits are required

Check if a visa is required for citizens of Ukraine to the country of your trip. If you are traveling on an invitation, for work or to study - prepare the documents in advance.

2. Apply for medical insurance

Insurance for traveling abroad is mandatory in most countries, especially in the Schengen area. It covers the costs of treatment, hospitalization, evacuation or return home in the event of an accident or illness.

The most convenient way to apply for medical insurance is online on the Visit Ukraine platform, quickly, in just a few clicks.

Despite the simplification of exit procedures due to martial law in Ukraine, checking your insurance policy is possible when crossing the border of any country. Read here why having insurance is important for Ukrainians.

3. Financial confirmations and return tickets

In many countries, border guards may ask for: confirmation of hotel booking or invitation, return tickets, proof of financial capacity (cash, bank statement, card).

4. Contact information and emergency plans

Always have a list of emergency contacts (relatives, consulate, insurance company). Write down the address and contacts of the Ukrainian embassy in the country of stay.

Even the most perfectly planned trip can be spoiled by little things. Check your documents, arrange insurance, save the contacts of a lawyer or consul - and your trip will go smoothly.

Let's remind you! Green Card is always the right solution for traveling abroad. This document is an integral part in case of an unforeseen situation on the road. We have already told you why you need a Green Card and what the consequences are if you do not have one.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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