March 2, 2022 at 3:15 AM
Location: Russia
Subject: Travel to the United States on Expired U.S. Passports
U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available.
If you are in Russia and your U.S. passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until March 31, 2022.
Recently expired U.S. passports cannot be used to travel from the United States to an international destination or to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the United States or to a United States territory.
While you may only travel directly back to the U.S. on your expired passport, you may seek emergency consular services in a different country as needed.
You may qualify to travel on your expired passport if all the following are true:
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You are currently abroad seeking direct return to the United States.
- You are flying directly to the United States, a United States territory, or have only short-term transit (“connecting flights”) through a foreign country on your direct return to the United States or to a United States Territory.
- Your expired passport was originally valid for 10 years. Or, if you were 15 years of age or younger when the passport was issued, your expired passport was originally valid for five years.
- Your expired passport is undamaged.
- Your expired passport is unaltered.
- Your expired passport is in your possession.
- Your passport expired on or after January 1, 2020.
You do not qualify to travel on your expired passport if:
- You are currently abroad seeking to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the United States or to a United States territory.
- Your expired passport was limited in validity.
- Your expired passport is a special issuance passport (such as a diplomatic, official, service, or no-fee regular passport).
- Your expired passport is damaged.
- Your expired passport is altered.
- Your expired passport is not in your possession.
All other passport rules and regulations remain in effect. The Department of Homeland Security maintains discretion to reject any bearer in accordance with 22 CFR 53.2(b)(7) and 8 CFR 235.1(b)
If your U.S. passport expired on or before December 31, 2019, please email MoscowACS@state.gov to apply for an emergency passport. For more information, please see see our website. All emergency passport appointments must be scheduled via email.
U.S.-Russian dual nationals must both enter and exit Russia on a Russian passport. You will not be permitted to depart on an expired Russian passport. Applying for a Russian passport can take several months.
Actions to Take:
- U.S. citizens should enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and ensure you can be located in an emergency.
- Monitor local and international media for updates.
- Notify friends and family of your safety.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/Westerners.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Russian visa.
- Have a contingency plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia
+(7) (495) 728-5577
After hours – +(7) (495) 728-5000
moscowacs@state.gov
Website – U.S. Embassy Moscow - State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 202-501-4444 (from overseas) or + 1 888 407-4747 (from the U.S.) - Russia Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
