Anyone traveling with an expired passport should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new passport. If you're flying overseas, don't bother showing up at the airport without a legitimate passport. If you can't renew in time, rearrange your flight.

If your passport expires while you are abroad in 2026, you will be unable to board any international flight to return home or travel to a new country. Airlines are legally required to verify that you have a valid travel document before boarding. In this situation, you must immediately contact the nearest embassy or consulate of your home country. They can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or a one-way "Emergency Certificate" that allows you to return directly to your home country. This process usually takes 1 to 3 business days and requires proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate copy) and a police report if the passport was lost or stolen. For 2026 travelers, the biggest risk is the "6-month rule"—many countries will deny you entry before your passport expires if it has less than 6 months of validity remaining, so always check your expiration date and renew it at least 9 months before it lapses to avoid being stranded.