Pandemic rule that allowed US travelers reentry with expired passports ends July 1
As of July 1, Americans returning to the U.S. from abroad are no longer allowed to enter the country with an expired U.S. passport. This had previously been allowed for passports that expired from Jan. 1, 2020, onward.
In addition to needing a valid passport to enter the U.S., Americans planning to travel abroad should remember that many countries require you to have a minimum of six months of validity left on your passport at the time of your visit.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State extended leniency for passports between Jan. 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, to allow American citizens to travel into the U.S. from overseas. This was possible assuming these citizens met certain conditions, including direct travel to the U.S. with an expired passport that was originally valid for 10 years, with an exception for passports issued for kids under age 16 (which are only valid for five years, unlike the 10-year validity for adult passports).
While this rule permitted certain people to travel with expired passports for the past 2 1/2 years, the State Department says that will no longer be the case starting Thursday.
"You will not be permitted to use your expired U.S. passport to return to the United States after June 30, 2022," according to the State Department, which urges travelers with expired passports to apply for a new passport as soon as possible.
In order to renew an expired passport, you must have received an adult passport within the previous 15 years. Those whose names may have changed since getting their passport must present proof of a legal name change if their current name does not match the name on their passport. Additionally, you cannot renew an expired passport if it is damaged.
Related: A complete guide to the 6-month passport validity rule
If you are planning on renewing your passport this summer, it will most likely take between eight and 11 weeks for routine processing or five to seven weeks for expedited service, plus mailing time.
Routine processing costs $130 for a passport book plus an additional $30 for a passport card (plus an additional $35 fee for new passports); expedited service costs an extra $60. You must submit both documents if renewing a passport card and book.
"Processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply," the State Department notes.
You can renew your passport prior to its expiration date, and the State Department urges travelers to apply for renewal a minimum of six months in advance of expiration. This is because many countries adhere to a six-month passport validity rule requiring travelers to have passports that do not expire for at least six months.
"Apply several months in advance for a new passport. If you already have one, it should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination," per the State Department. "Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter."
For example, 26 countries within the European Union enforce the aforementioned six-month validity rule, along with much of Asia, South America and Africa.
Other countries, including Canada, the Bahamas and Bermuda, only require that your passport is valid at the time you enter the country. In order to visit the United Kingdom, Ireland and Mexico, your passport needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
Related: Why you should renew your child's 5-year passport after 4 years
Beyond a specific passport validity time frame, most countries require that travelers have at least one blank page in their passport to stamp.
To verify all entry requirements for a specific country, including passport validity rules, head to the State Department's website and enter your specific destination.
Bottom line
The government's decision to revoke previous rules that allowed U.S. citizens to enter the country from abroad with expired passports is part of an overall lifting of COVID-19-related restrictions across countries.
Regardless of whether you have upcoming travel plans, double-check your passport expiration date and submit it for renewal well ahead of that date — you may encounter processing delays.
Although wait times for passport turnarounds have consistently decreased as the agency works through the application backlog from passport centers being closed during the pandemic, it's safe to begin the renewal process at least seven months ahead of expiration, at the very minimum.
Related: How long do I need on my passport to travel? A country-by-country breakdown
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.