Your Passport May Be the Only Thing Standing Between You and Your Summer Trip

Planning international travel this summer? Make sure your passport is not the thing that derails it. Here is everything you need to know right now.

If summer travel is on your radar, this is not the time to put passport logistics on the back burner. I came across two separate articles this week that are worth your attention, especially if you're planning to leave the country in the next few months.

Let's get into it.

U.S. Passport Demand Is Up and Appointments Are Harder to Get

Getting a passport appointment has become genuinely frustrating lately. Demand has surged, appointment availability has not kept pace, and if you are working against a travel deadline, that is a stressful combo.

The good news: the U.S. State Department has responded by launching Passport Fairs across the country in April and May 2025. 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/passports/special-passport-acceptance-fairs.html

These events are specifically scheduled outside regular business hours so you do not have to burn PTO to get this done. They are being held at accessible locations like public libraries, post offices, community centers, and other passport acceptance facilities nationwide.

Where to find them:

• Full list of Passport Fair events: U.S. Department of State official website

• Can't make a fair work? Use the Acceptance Facility Search Tool to find a location near you with weekend or after-hours availability.

Passport Basics to Check Before You Book That Flight

Whether you're renewing or just double-checking, here are the things most travelers overlook until it is too late.

Check Your Expiration Date First

The State Department recommends checking your passport expiration as soon as you start planning any international trip. Here is what to know:

• Passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years

• Passports for adults 16 and over are valid for 10 years

The Six-Month Rule Could Catch You Off Guard

Many countries, especially across Europe, require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your travel return date, not your departure date. This trips people up more often than you would think. A passport that expires in September is not going to work for a July trip to France if that country enforces the six-month rule.

Check the requirements for your specific destination before you assume you're fine.

Do Not Forget About Blank Pages

This one surprises people: travelers have been denied boarding because their passport did not have enough blank visa pages remaining. Flip through yours and count them before you travel. (this may change with the new EES system which was introduced in Europe on April 10, 2026)

Apply Early

If you need to apply for a new passport or renew, do it as early as possible. Processing delays happen, especially during peak travel season, and they tend to happen at the worst possible moment.

You can apply or renew online through the U.S. State Department's website.

Online Passport Renewal: Read This Before You Submit

This is important and not widely known, so pay attention here.

The U.S. State Department's Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system is only available to people physically located in a U.S. state or territory at the time of submission. Not while abroad or from U.S. embassy,  you have to be on U.S. soil.

Here is the part that catches people off guard: the moment you submit your online renewal, your existing passport is automatically canceled in the State Department's system, even if it has not expired yet. It becomes immediately invalid for travel.

This means if you are mid-trip, living abroad, or plan to travel before your new passport arrives, online renewal could leave you stranded.

If you are a U.S. citizen living or traveling outside the country: renew your passport through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, not online.

A few other restrictions worth knowing about the online system:

• It does not accept APO, FPO, DPO, or foreign home addresses

• It is not configured for international shipping or overseas security verification

• Immediate cancellation upon submission exists specifically for fraud prevention

For full details and current guidance, Travel.State.Gov is your most reliable resource.

Do Not Forget About Visa Requirements

Passports get all the attention, but visas matter too, and requirements vary by destination.

Many countries require visas for American travelers, and those requirements can change. Before you finalize any trip, check the U.S. State Department's travel advisories:

1. Go to travel.state.gov

2. Enter your destination in the "Learn About Your Destination" search bar

3. Look for the entry, exit, and visa requirements section on that country's page

Knowing what is required before you travel is your responsibility. The information is all there and it takes about five minutes to check. Worth it.

Bottom Line

Passport logistics are not exciting, but getting them right is what makes everything else possible. Summer travel does not have to come with last-minute scrambling if you take care of this now.

Check your expiration date. Know the six-month rule. If you need to renew, start the process today.

And if you are ready to start planning the actual trip, that is where I come in.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Let's talk through where you want to go and make it happen. Book a call with Sandy and let's get your trip on the calendar. Or if you've been eyeing the Christmas Markets in Germany and France, spots are limited for a private off the beaten track tour.

Sandy is a luxury travel advisor, Virtuoso affiliate, and founder of Just Travel with Sandy, helping women travel with confidence, ease, and zero overwhelm. She has traveled to 39 countries across 30+ years and walks every city on foot. Join the conversation in her free community, Luxury Travel Advisor Sandy, on Facebook.