For many expats living in Dubai the holiday season will soon be upon us. Much time will be spent in the upcoming weeks discussing what exotic destinations each of us would love to visit. Most expats when relocating to Dubai take advantage of the fact that they are now located in what appears to be bang in the middle of the world, with flights available to almost any destination imaginable – the world is our oyster! But before you plan these epic journeys be sure to check the validity of your passport!
We all live busy lives and are constantly saying ‘I just don’t know where the time goes’ and before you know it, your passport has expired or at the very least, has less than 6 months left on it.
Countries need to control entry into their borders and this is usually done via visas or ensuring sufficient validity remains on visitors’ travel documents. Some countries require travelers to have at least six months validity remaining on their passports, beyond the period of intended stay, and immigration authorities may refuse entry if you arrive with less than this. Airlines and passenger shipping lines may refuse to carry you if your passport has inadequate validity.
Before travel you should contact the Embassy or Consular representative of all the countries you will be traveling to, or seek advice from your travel agent, to identify each country’s passport validity requirements. If you are unsure, it is safest to renew your passport prior to traveling. Whilst some countries do not have a ‘6 month rule’, if your passport is valid for less it may limit the period of time you are admitted into the country.
The best advice is try not to let your passport expire when you are overseas, as renewing your passport can be complicated and expensive. And don’t forget about your little stopovers, check what validity you need on your passport for all the countries you intend to visit – even if you are just transiting.
Check out our list of Embassy & Consulates in Dubai to help you get the up-to-date answers to all your travel document queries.
For many expats living in Dubai the holiday season will soon be upon us. Much time will be spent in the upcoming weeks discussing what exotic destinations each of us would love to visit. Most expats when relocating to Dubai take advantage of the fact that they are now located in what appears to be bang in the middle of the world, with flights available to almost any destination imaginable – the world is our oyster! But before you plan these epic journeys be sure to check the validity of your passport!
