Avoid travelling outside Australia if your passport is going to expire in the next 6 months.
Check your passport’s expiry date
Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. Other countries and airlines have different rules for travelling on a passport that’s close to expiring.
Some countries won't allow entry if you have less than 6 months' validity on your passport from the date you intend to leave that country. This may apply even when you’re transiting or stopping over in the country. If your passport expires while you’re overseas, you may become stranded.
Check if you need a new foreign visa
If you have a foreign visa in a passport that’s expired, you may need to get a new visa before you travel.
Many countries don’t accept visas in expired passports. If your visa was electronic, there may be no physical evidence of it in your new passport. This means you may need to get a new visa.
Some countries also require your passport to have an electronic chip for entry or visa requirements. All current Australian passports, except emergency passports, have an electronic chip.
Emergency passports are only valid for up to one year and don’t have a chip. This means there are restrictions on using them in some countries. Check the visa and entry requirements of any country you plan to enter or transit through.
Contact the relevant foreign embassy or consulate(Opens in a new tab/window), or visit Smartraveller(Opens in a new tab/window) for more information.
Consider renewing your passport before you go
If you’re not sure whether you have enough validity on your passport:
- contact the airline you’re flying with
- check with the foreign embassy or consulate(Opens in a new tab/window) of your destination
- consider renewing your passport before you leave.
If you’re in Australia and have a current passport, it will generally be cancelled when you apply to renew it. This means you won’t be able to use it in connection with travel or identification. Any remaining validity will not carry over to your new passport. Your new passport will be valid from the date it’s issued.
Allow at least 6 weeks from lodging your application to get your renewed passport. During this time, avoid travelling outside of Australia, otherwise you may get stranded overseas with a cancelled passport.
When you receive your passport:
- keep your new passport separate from your old passport
- update travel bookings with your new passport number.
We also recommend marking your old passport to make it clear it’s no longer valid. For example, place a sticker on the cover.
For trusted travel advice on entry requirements, visit Smartraveller(Opens in a new tab/window).