When Should I Renew My British Passport?

Updated February 22, 2021 -- Please see COVID-19 section on the bottom of the page for the latest information regarding how fast you can renew your British passport from the United States.

We often get asked this question and advise that you should renew your British passport before the expiration date. It is a good idea to keep your passport up-to-date so you are not scrambling at the last minute to renew your passport before an important trip.

Many countries require you to have a passport with at least 6 months validity upon arrival at their port of entry. Furthermore, some countries require travel visas prior to entry. For example, if you reside in the United States and want to obtain a tourist or business visa to travel to China, you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport prior to the date of entry.

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