State Dept. Extends Measure Allowing Citizens to Return to US on Expired Passport

Image: An American passport. (photo via ismagilov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: An American passport. (photo via ismagilov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 11:21 AM ET, Wed December 29, 2021

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday said it will continue allowing American citizens to return home even if their passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, the government announced on Tuesday.

This is an extension of a temporary measure announced earlier this year, a measure with clear parameters as the State Dept. works with the Department of Homeland Security as well as the airlines to help facilitate travel back to the U.S.

Citizens can travel back to the U.S. from abroad ONLY on a passport that expired on or after January 1, 2020, just before the pandemic hit. Any passport that expired prior to that date is not valid.

Travel on the expired passport to the U.S. MUST be completed by March 31, 2022.

Travel can ONLY be for a return to the United States. An expired passport can not be used to travel to another international destination or to stay in another country longer than it takes to make a connecting flight back to the U.S.

Airline travelers must also show a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status, in order to fly.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Education
Every Island Tells a Story: Part 1 – Selling the Caribbean Through Immersive ExperiencesJoin us for the first webinar in our two-part Every Island Tells a Story series and discover how to...
Watch Now!
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Education
Every Island Tells a Story: Part 1 – Selling the Caribbean Through Immersive ExperiencesJoin us for the first webinar in our two-part Every Island Tells a Story series and discover how to...
Watch Now!
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 1Monday, July 13, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!