News

United States – CBP Passport Validity Update

What International Business Aviation Travelers Need to Know

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its guidance on passport validity for foreign nationals entering the United States, reaffirming an important - but often misunderstood - rule that affects international operators and passengers alike.

Here's the bottom line:

• Citizens of countries on the CBP six-month validity exemption list only need a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay in the United States (List of countries that are exempt from the six-month rule is available HERE).
• All other travelers must continue to comply with the standard rule requiring a passport that is valid at least six months beyond the intended date of entry.

This exemption applies primarily to countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and a limited number of additional states covered by bilateral agreements. If a traveler’s nationality is not on the exemption list, there is no flexibility - CBP will expect six months of remaining passport validity.

Why this matters in business aviation:

From a flight-planning and risk-management standpoint, passport validity is not a detail to gloss over. Incomplete compliance can result in:

• Denied boarding abroad
• Refusal of entry at a U.S. port of entry
• Costly delays, diversions, or last-minute crew and passenger reshuffling

TSH aviation takeaway:

Always verify passport validity early, and nationality-by-nationality - not assumptions. When in doubt, apply the six-month rule. It’s conservative, but it avoids operational surprises.

For operators, charter clients, and aircraft owners flying internationally, TSH aviation continues to monitor regulatory updates that impact cross-border travel and entry requirements. If you need assistance reviewing passenger documentation as part of trip preparation or operational planning, we’re here to help.