Your flights are booked, your hotels are paid for, and the excitement of an international trip is getting real. But are you sure you’re ready to fly? Before you pack your bags and head to the airport, you might want to look twice at the expiration date on your passport. Even if your passport hasn’t yet expired, it still might not be valid for foreign travel. Follow these essential tips to ensure you’re fully prepared for your next international trip.

What Is the Six-Month Rule?

Before you travel, it’s a good rule of thumb to make sure your passport’s expiration date is six months beyond the date of your intended stay in your foreign destination(s). For example, if you plan to depart your destination on March 30, your passport should be good through at least September 30. Why six months? Some countries applied this rule to ensure travelers’ passports don’t unexpectedly expire while abroad if they have to extend their trip. If this were to happen, it would take significant time to get a new passport or extend a visa, and remaining in a country longer than you anticipated can lead to a strained and difficult financial situation. The six-month rule provides a buffer that helps avoid a potentially unwanted situation. 

Check the Fine Print

It’s important to check each country’s requirements carefully before you travel, as there are some nuances to the six-month rule. Most countries in Asia and South America — like Peru, Thailand, and Turkey — require six months of passport validity from the day of arrival. However, the requirements for Vietnam state your passport must be valid for six months beyond your stay. Others, like Jordan, don’t specify. To be safe, it’s wise to travel to these countries with a passport that’s valid for six months beyond your intended stay.  

There are also plenty of exceptions to the six-month rule — so, a good rule of thumb is to carefully check the entry requirements for each country on the State Department’s website. 

What Is the Schengen Agreement — and What Does It Mean for European Travel?

One notable exception to the six-month rule that many U.S. travelers will come across is the border-free zone called the Schengen Area. Travel to Europe is relatively seamless for U.S. passport holders, but for all 27 Schengen countries (which include popular destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece), you do need a passport that’s valid for three months beyond your intended departure date. Travelers are permitted to stay in these countries for up to 90 days without a visa. So, if you plan to stay in the Schengen Area for the entire duration of the 90-day tourist visa, then you’ll need to make sure your passport is valid for six months from your intended departure. 

But in general, the State Department recommends sticking on the safe side and traveling with a passport that’s valid for six months beyond departure. Also, the department’s website notes to carefully check the passports of any children you’re traveling with under the age of 16, as those are valid for five years instead of the full 10 years for adult passports. 

Other Exceptions to the Rule

Some countries take a more lax approach to passport validity requirements. If you’re itching to travel but notice your passport is about to expire, consider destinations such as South Africa and Hong Kong, which both require 30 days of passport validity beyond your intended date of departure. There are also a few countries that will welcome you and your passport at nearly any time: Costa Rica, Australia, U.K. and Ireland, the Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico only require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay.

My Passport Has Expired — Now What?

If you have travel plans and realize your passport won’t be valid for your upcoming trip, you should renew your passport as soon as possible. Passports can only be renewed by mail (online renewals are currently paused as of early 2024). If you answer “yes” to all five eligibility questions here, you can submit a renewal application by mail. Routine processing time is seven to 10 weeks. If you want your passport back quicker, choose the expedited service, which add another $60 in fees. You should receive your new passport within three to five weeks.

What Do I Do With My Expired Passport?

Additionally, you can still use valid visas in expired passports. For example, if you have a five-year, multiple entry visa for India in your expired passport, be sure to carry both your expired passport with the valid visa and your new passport when you travel. 

After you get your new passport, you’ll also receive your expired passport back with either a hole-punch on the cover or the corner cut off. This indicates the passport is invalid. Although the invalid passport can’t be used for travel, it can be a fun keepsake of stamps and visas from the different countries you traveled to. 

Moving can be an expensive process, but what if you could pick up your life and try somewhere new with a little financial help? Some parts of the world are happy to assist if it means attracting skilled labor — with added benefits for the wider local economy and community. Check out these seven countries that offer financial incentives to relocate.

Portugal

Portugal has a highly uneven population distribution, with the densest concentrations of settlement along the coast, particularly in cities such as Lisbon and Porto. Head inland and the situation is very different, so the Portuguese government has taken action in an attempt to even out its communities. 

The Emprego Interior MAIS program is aimed at supporting struggling regions by incentivizing migration. The program launched in 2020, and a year later it was extended to foreign nationals. Those who qualify can receive financial support for their move to Portugal’s interior with a payment of 2,633 euros (about $3,090 USD), plus up to 878 euros ($1,030) to subsidize relocation costs.

To qualify, recipients of the grant must have the right to work in Portugal. They must have employment already lined up before the move, and it must be a permanent relocation (defined in this case as a contract covering a period of at least 12 months). The program is also open to remote workers, which makes it an especially attractive prospect for foreigners, particularly when you take into account the relatively low cost of living in Portugal.

United Kingdom

If you’re searching for countries that pay you to move there, the British government is eager to attract teaching talent from overseas as part of its “Get Into Teaching” program. If you’re a qualified physics or languages teacher, the program offers an international relocation payment of £10,000 GBP (about $12,700 USD) to help with moving costs, accommodation, and related expenses. 

To qualify, you must already be in receipt of a teaching job offer in one of the approved subjects. Other conditions apply, too — for example, you must hold a relevant working visa and you can’t move to the U.K. more than three months before your start date. Applications open at the start of each term.

Italy

If you’ve ever dreamed of living la dolce vita in Italy, then purchasing one of its 1 Euro Houses could be the answer. Across the country, villages and towns experiencing depopulation faced an unsightly consequence — watching the condition of their abandoned housing stock deteriorate and local businesses close. 

In a radical approach, some local authorities have signed up for a scheme in which outsiders commit to renovating and restoring these empty properties in exchange for an unbelievable bargain of an asking price — yes, really as low as 1 euro (though prices will vary). From the Valle d’Aosta in the north to Puglia in the south, a wide selection of Italian real estate is on offer.

Precise terms and conditions also vary, and fees and taxes will apply. Strictly speaking, Italy isn’t paying you to live there, but if you’re happy to put the work in and meet the necessary requirements, an Italian residence could be yours for a steal.

Chile

Chile’s extraordinary landscapes and vibrant cities make it an enticing destination for travelers. But entrepreneurs from around the world can find out firsthand what it’s like to actually live in Chile by applying for a program that has already given a leg up to startups led by individuals from 85 different countries.

Start-Up Chile launched in 2010 and is backed by CORFO, the Chilean Economic Development Agency. Interested parties can apply for equity-free investment to grow their company, but they need to demonstrate that their businesses are technology-focused, innovative, and scalable. 

It’s not just about the money, as mentorship, networking, co-working space, and other industry support is also part of the package. Once you’re in possession of the requisite temporary resident visa (they’ll help with that, too) you’ll remain in Chile for up to 12 months before you can apply for permanent residency. 

Spain

In 2023, Spain launched its Digital Nomad visa aimed at non-EU nationals. The application process is relatively straightforward, so long as you meet certain criteria. These include holding a university degree or having at least three years’ work experience in your chosen field. The visa is valid for a year, but it can be renewed for up to five years.

If you’re a digital nomad, you might consider relocating to a region that is one of Spain’s hidden gems: Extremadura. Here, one rural valley is hoping to entice those who can work anywhere with an attractive financial package. Under the “Live in Ambroz” program, remote workers who are eligible to reside in Spain can access grants of up to $16,000 USD.

It’s not the first place in Spain to tackle rural depopulation by advertising financial benefits for eligible outsiders keen to relocate. In the past, places such as Ponga in Asturias, Griegos in Aragon, and Rubia in Galicia have done so, too. But opportunities are limited, and offers don’t tend to last long, so act quickly if you’re interested.

Pitcairn Island

If you truly wish to get away from it all, it’s possible to get a free parcel of land on Pitcairn Island. One of the most isolated places on Earth, the island is part of a British Overseas Territory in the South Pacific and has a population of around 50 people. There’s no airport, but residents qualify for discounted passage on weekly ship crossings to New Zealand, the nearest major country.

The Pitcairn government acknowledges that life in such a remote place isn’t for everyone. However, faced with challenges such as outward migration and an aging population, it has made it easier for foreigners to secure employment and a home, though, as of early 2025, the immigration process is currently on pause. 

When applications open up again, those approved for settlement or permanent resident status are also eligible to apply for land. “New Migrant Home” plots are offered on a leasehold basis, subject to availability. These sites typically measure about 16,000 square feet in size, sufficient for a family home. The land is free, though you will have to front the cash to build a house on it. 

Ireland

Island life might be more tempting if home base is just off the Irish mainland. In 2023, Ireland launched the Our Living Islands program in an attempt to repopulate 30 islands with a total combined population of fewer than 3,000 people. The smallest, Inis Bó Finne, is home to just a handful of permanent residents. 

One aspect of the policy encourages people to renovate empty properties and turn them into permanent homes. While you can’t bypass Ireland’s immigration process, those already eligible to live in Ireland can apply for a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant of up to 60,000 euros (about $62,350 USD) toward the cost of renovations. The payment rises to 84,000 euros ($87,300 USD) if the island property is considered derelict.

National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner spent years investigating the regions of the world where residents not only enjoy long lives but also an unprecedented quality of life and low instances of chronic disease — even in their later years. His research brought him to Japan before discovering other areas where individuals commonly live to see their 100th birthday — in Greece, Italy, Costa Rica, and even in the United States. In 2000, Buettner, along with researchers Michel Poulain and Giovanni Mario Pes, coined the term “Blue Zones” to describe these exceptional regions, which were the subject of a 2023 Netflix documentary. Curious as to what makes people live longer in these places? Read on to learn more about the original five Blue Zones and why one might be next on your travel bucket list.

Okinawa, Japan

In 2000, Buettner traveled to Okinawa, a subtropical archipelago about 400 miles south of the rest of Japan, to investigate the extraordinary longevity of its residents. He found that people in Okinawa are roughly three times more likely to see their 100th birthday than the average American. Not only that, elders remained vital members of their communities and active in pursuits such as gardening, cooking, and socializing. 

This lifelong social network, what the Japanese call a moai, along with a strong sense of purpose in life, called ikigai, is likely key to their longevity. But it is also the diet of Okinawans — plant-based and focused on vegetables, tofu, sweet potatoes, and herbs and aromatics like mugwort, ginger, and turmeric. Even the fact that residents sit on mats on the floor, forcing them to sit, squat, and stand up several times a day, benefits their overall fitness.

Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost and most remote region, but the area’s sundrenched beaches, warm, blue waters, and candy-colored coral reefs are easily accessible via direct flights from various Asian cities. Highlights include the ancient limestone cave at the heart of the Valley of Gangala — a lush nature reserve of banyan trees and dramatic rock formations — and the coastal village of Yomitan, an epicenter for the area’s famed ceramicists. Okinawa is also considered the probable birthplace of karate, so there are plenty of martial arts-themed workshops and showcases to experience. 

Ikaria, Greece

Ikaria is a tiny Greek island known for its rocky topography and its long history as a target of Persian, Roman, and Turkish invaders. Isolated in the Aegean Sea, the Greeks of Ikaria largely avoid dementia, and one in three live past the age of 90. The area’s rugged terrain and pleasant weather are key to their health. Residents lead active, outdoor lifestyles, and enjoy a slower pace and a culture of gathering, napping, and even wine drinking. Their diets are typically Mediterranean: fruits and vegetables, beans and grains, potatoes, olive oil, and goat’s milk, plus antioxidant-packed herbal teas.

Located about 30 miles off the coast of Turkey, the mountainous island is dotted with vineyards and features white pebble beaches overlooking the turquoise Aegean. The relaxing vibe is immediately obvious — clocks are seemingly of little importance as residents spend their days joking, enjoying seafood, and harvesting fruit. Landmarks include famously blue-domed churches, ancient wineries, and olive groves. Ikaria’s hot springs — rich in radon, iron and sulfur — are also a popular healing destination. That’s especially true in the town of Therma, where the springs are among Roman ruins, and in Lefkada, which overlooks a picturesque bay.

Sardinia, Italy

The island of Sardinia, located at the toe of Italy’s famous boot shape, is where the concept of Blue Zones originally took shape. Two demographic researchers, Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain, identified the area as having the highest concentration of male centenarians in the world. The team also identified nine lifestyle habits the residents of these regions ascribe to, including naturally active lifestyles, a sense of purpose, friendship, faith, and a plant-centered diet. 

Like their counterparts in Japan and Greece, Sardinians don’t eat a lot of meat — their diets consist of whole grain breads, beans, fruits and vegetables, sheep’s cheese, and mastic oil. Mnay Sardinians still grow their own vegetables, hunt, and fish. Their families are close-knit and multigenerational, and they famously joke over antioxidant-rich wine.  

Sardinia is Italy’s second-largest island, and it offers more than 200 idyllic beaches, ranging from glamorous party scenes to quiet coves overlooking marine parks where visitors can snorkel among flamingos. The island is also rich in history. Ruins dot the landscape, including the Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a series of Bronze Age conical watchtowers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular resort towns include Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo, while the rugged inland areas are a paradise of hiking trails and wineries. 

Nicoya, Costa Rica

Costa Rica — a small Central American nation bordered by the Caribbean Sea to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west — has a generally healthy population, thanks in part to its economic security and healthcare system. But in the Costa Rican region of Nicoya, just south of the Nicaraguan border, residents are especially long-lived. 

Part of that can be attributed to a reason to live, or plan de vida, that many residents — and especially elders — subscribe to. It’s an attitude that goes hand in hand with how many people here live their lives: lots of laughter and conversation, and a focus on family and friends in multigenerational households. In terms of diet, Nicoyans eat light evening meals centered around the “three sisters” of agriculture: squash, corn, and beans. They also drink a lot of water, which in Nicoya is loaded with calcium — great for cardiac and bone health. 

Visiting Nicoya is all about relaxation and nature, as a low-stress lifestyle is one of the likely reasons Nicoyans lead such healthy lives. Tourists can take surfing lessons, snorkel along coral reefs, practice yoga, or simply enjoy the beaches. Tamarindo and Montezuma are lively seaside towns with plenty of restaurants, while the Ostional Wildlife Park is a famous sea turtle nesting ground and the Palo Verde National Park is a top spot for birders. Or, hop a boat to the uninhabited island paradise of Isla Tortuga.  

Loma Linda, California

Located in Southern California’s San Bernardino County, Loma Linda is America’s only Blue Zone. Residents here tend to live a decade longer than other Americans. One possible explanation is the Seventh-day Adventist church, a Protestant denomination in which health and wellbeing are central tenets. The 9,000 Adventists in Loma Linda are often vegetarians, exercise regularly, rest on the sabbath, and eschew tobacco and alcohol. Their diets are biblically inspired — predominantly fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, and grains. Like residents in other Blue Zones, Loma Lindans tend to eat lighter meals in the evening, and community plays a role in their everyday lives.

Loma Linda is a small municipality near San Bernardino and Riverside, part of a region called the Inland Empire. The area is sandwiched between Los Angeles and Orange County to the west and Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park to the east. Here, outdoor recreation is less about the beach and centers on hiking, swimming, skiing, and enjoying nature at spots like San Bernardino National Forest and Big Bear Lake.  

From crowded airports to packed planes and strict security rules, flying can be a stressful experience. With the complex nature of air travel, there are dozens of regulations and protocols that must be followed on any given flight, and most parts of the process are designed for a very specific purpose. It might help you breathe a little easier on your next flight knowing, for example, exactly why window blinds should be open for takeoff or what those pings over the airplane PA system really mean. Here are seven secrets of airplane cabins most passengers don’t know.

Cabin Lighting Has a Specific Purpose

You’ve probably noticed that the cabin lights on your flight are dimmed during takeoff and landing. Turns out, there are two very good reasons for this. The first reason is safety. If the lights stayed on at full brightness and were to suddenly switch from bright to dark in an emergency, it would take precious seconds for passengers’ eyes to adjust. With dim lighting during takeoff and landing, our eyes are already adjusted — making it easier to find an exit.

The second reason is the mood. Dim lights are more relaxing than bright lights and might calm a passenger who struggles with flight anxiety. Some airlines take this a step further by adding colored mood lighting — for example, on JetBlue Airways passengers will notice the airline’s signature calming blue color throughout the cabin during flight. 

Those Chimes Have Different Meanings

We’re all familiar with the pings that come over an airplane’s PA system during flight, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice subtle differences. These chimes are used to indicate important stages of the flight, such as takeoff, ascent, and descent — as well as communications between flight attendants and the cockpit.

Each airline has its own specific protocol, and these chimes can often vary. On many carriers, a double chime right before entering the runway usually means that the pilots have been given takeoff clearance, according to airline pilot Jack Herstam. 

After being airborne for a few minutes, you’ll notice another double chime indicating the plane has exceeded 10,000 feet in altitude — which is when it’s usually safe for flight attendants to start moving about the cabin and for passengers to use larger electronic devices. The same double ping occurs on descent when the airplane passes below 10,000 feet. And when the fasten seatbelt sign comes on and off, the indicator light will also be accompanied by a single chime. 

During the flight, you might also hear a single chime indicating a passenger has pressed his or her call button for assistance. A high-to-low chime means that flight attendants are trying to communicate with one another over the airplane’s phone system, according to a viral TikTok video from flight attendant Tommy Climato. A rare triple chime will indicate an emergency. 

The Temperature Is Cold on Purpose

Passengers sometimes complain about the cold temperature in airplane cabins. If you’re lucky, some airlines will provide passengers with a blanket, but it’s rare for the flight attendants to turn up the heat in the cabin. That’s because the temperature on an aircraft has been set in a very intentional way for your safety.

A study by ASTM International found that people were more likely to faint on an aircraft than on the ground due to a condition called hypoxia. The pressurized environment of an airplane cabin can prevent our body from getting enough oxygen, which causes fainting. The warmer the temperature onboard the aircraft, the more likely this is to happen. To prevent passengers from passing out, airlines intentionally lower the cabin temperature. While this might be slightly uncomfortable, it’s much safer for your body.

The Air Is Cleaner Than You Think

A common myth about air travel is that being confined in an airplane means you’re more likely to share germs and air particles with all the other passengers on board. In reality, modern airliner cabins have advanced HEPA — which stands for high-efficiency particulate air — filtration systems for maintaining clean air quality onboard the aircraft. 

According to the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), this is the same type of filter used to clean the air in hospital operating rooms. Cabin air is refreshed through this system 20 to 30 times per hour, which is more than double the average office building. Fresh air is brought in from the outside, which flows through the filter and helps to remove viruses and bacteria from the air — making the air you breathe on an airplane cleaner than you think.

Bathrooms Can Be Unlocked From the Outside

While there is a lock inside cabin bathrooms for passengers to use, flight attendants also have the ability to quickly unlock the door from the outside. It’s usually hidden under the “lavatory” sign on the door, which can be flipped up. This is for passenger safety: In the event of an emergency, flight attendants need to be able to access the bathroom without picking the lock or taking the door off its hinges. It also may be necessary if a passenger has a health scare or needs assistance while in the bathroom, or can also be used for children who are unable to unlock the door themselves.

Window Blinds Must Remain Open at Certain Times

During takeoff and landing, flight attendants on many airlines will ask that passengers lift their window blinds. Like other rules on an airplane, there’s an important reason for this. Open blinds allow the flight staff to see any issues on the ground or on the airplane itself. Passengers might also report unusual circumstances they observe from their windows. 

Lifting the blinds also allows our eyes to adjust to the conditions outside quickly in case of an emergency. However, while the practice is broadly recommended by international aviation safety organizations like the ICAO, there’s no blanket rule in place, so not all airlines will require it. 

There’s a Secret Hand Rail

Walking down the aisle of a moving airplane can be a wobbly experience — especially when there’s turbulence. Most passengers end up grabbing the seats as they walk, which can disturb the people in those seats, but there’s actually a better way.

If you watch the flight attendants, you’ll notice that they repeatedly reach up to the ceiling when they walk down the aisle. That’s because there’s a built-in handle rail along the bottom edge of the storage compartment, which can be used to steady yourself. Next time, follow the lead of the flight attendants and avoid aggravating fellow passengers — use this secret rail instead.