What if my passport expires in 5 months but I'm only going for a week?

You will likely be denied entry or boarding. Airlines and border agents follow the 6-month rule strictly; do not risk your trip by assuming you can enter with less time.

Does my passport need to be valid for 6 months from the date I leave or the date I arrive?

It is almost always 6 months from your intended date of departure from the foreign country.

Where can I find the specific rules for my destination?

Check your government's official international travel website (e.g., U.S. Department of State, UK Foreign Office) under the 'Entry and Exit Requirements' section for your destination.

How to check if your passport is valid for international travel

Most countries require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure. Check your expiration date, add 6 months to your return date, and ensure your passport expiration is later than that date.

Find the expiration date. Open your passport to the personal data page (the one with your photo). Look for the 'Date of Expiration' or 'Expiration Date' field. Note this date.
Check the 6-month rule. Add 6 months to your planned departure date from your destination country. If your passport expires before that calculated date, you must renew it before booking flights.
Count your blank pages. Many countries require at least 2 to 4 completely blank 'Visa' pages. If you only have one or two pages left, immigration may deny entry regardless of your expiration date.
Verify destination-specific requirements. Go to the official government travel advisory website for your home country (e.g., travel.state.gov for the U.S.) and search your destination country’s entry requirements to see if they enforce the 6-month rule or something stricter.

What if my passport expires in 5 months but I'm only going for a week?: You will likely be denied entry or boarding. Airlines and border agents follow the 6-month rule strictly; do not risk your trip by assuming you can enter with less time.
Does my passport need to be valid for 6 months from the date I leave or the date I arrive?: It is almost always 6 months from your intended date of departure from the foreign country.
Where can I find the specific rules for my destination?: Check your government's official international travel website (e.g., U.S. Department of State, UK Foreign Office) under the 'Entry and Exit Requirements' section for your destination.