CBP Updates List of Countries Exempt From Six-Month Passport Validity Rule

Quick Hits

• CBP updated the Carrier Liaison Program on December 18, 2025.
• The new list of countries exempt from the six-month passport validity rule has been issued.
• Citizens of these countries need only have a passport valid for their intended period of stay in the United States.

Understanding the Six-Month Passport Validity Rule

The six-month passport validity rule requires visitors traveling to the United States to possess passports that are valid for at least six months beyond their intended period of stay. This rule is crucial for maintaining orderly and secure international travel, as it prevents situations where a visitor’s passport expires while they are still in the United States, which could complicate their ability to return to their home country. By ensuring that travelers have sufficient time to address any unforeseen circumstances that might delay their departure, this rule helps to avoid complications arising from an expired passport, thereby facilitating smoother travel and entry processes.

Carrier Liaison Program Update

Countries that are provided exemptions from the six-month passport validity rule are included on the CLP list issued by CBP through a detailed process that involves several considerations. The United States often enters into bilateral agreements or reciprocal arrangements with certain countries, based on mutual trust and cooperation in immigration and border security matters. These agreements often recognize the efficiency and reliability of the exempt countries’ passport issuance and renewal systems, which can handle passport validity issues without the need for a six-month buffer.

CBP also evaluates the risk of overstaying or violating immigration laws by citizens of the countries under consideration, and countries with a low risk of such issues are more likely to receive exemptions. Historical travel practices and long-standing precedents between the United States and the exempt countries are also taken into account.

Once these factors are considered, CBP updates the list of exempt countries under the CLP. This list is published online and communicated to airlines and transportation companies to ensure passengers from these countries are aware of the exemption and only need a passport valid for the duration of their stay in the United States. It is made available through official channels, such as the CBP website and relevant bulletins, to keep carriers and travelers informed of the current exemptions.

Carrier Liaison Program Country List Update

The updated list of countries whose citizens are exempt from the six-month passport validity rule is as follows:

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, December 18, 2025, Publication Number 5303-1225

Practical Impact

Airline and transportation companies must ensure that their passengers are aware of these requirements to avoid any travel disruptions. Travelers from the listed countries can plan their trips to the United States with the assurance that their passports need only be valid for the duration of their intended stay.

Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group will continue to monitor developments and will post updates on the Immigration blog as additional information becomes available.

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