How long before the validity of the passport expires can I renew it?

1. Passport renewal should be processed within 6 months before the passport expires, and the advance time should not exceed 1 year at most. If the passport expires, a replacement passport will be issued.

2. Passport renewal must be applied for in person at the Embassy. Fill out the "Chinese Passport/Travel Certificate/Seaman's Certificate/Return Certificate Application Form" item by item, submit 3 recent passport photos of yourself with no hat on the front, and write your name on the back of the photo. The specific photo requirements are:

1. Frontal color half-length passport photo without hat (glossy photo paper, size 48mm Photos within the specified size range will not be accepted);

2. The background of the photo is white. Photos with other background colors, reproduced photos, black and white photos or photos printed with a color printer are not accepted.

3. Provide an original passport and a copy (A4 paper) each (blank pages in the passport do not need to be copied, and those applying for a replacement passport can also provide a copy of the birth certificate with photo). Those who are applying for a visa need to provide relevant letters from the Immigration Bureau or other relevant proofs (such as a receipt and a copy of the application fee payment).

4. To apply for passport renewal, you must meet with the person concerned at least once. If the applicant lives out of town, after applying at the consulate, you can prepare an envelope with a return address and stamps, and send it to the consulate general. Send the documents back.

Legal basis: Article 11 of the "Passport Law" If any of the following circumstances occurs, the passport holder may apply for a replacement or reissue of the passport in accordance with the regulations:

(1) The passport is about to expire;

(2) The visa page of the passport is about to be used up;

(3) The passport is damaged and cannot be used;

(4) The passport is lost or stolen;

(5) Other circumstances when there are legitimate reasons for renewing or reissuing the passport.

Passport holders who apply for renewal or reissue of ordinary passports must apply in person to the exit and entry administration agency of the public security bureau of the local people’s government at or above the county level in the country where their residence is registered; abroad, they must apply in person to the People’s Republic of China It shall be submitted by the People's Republic of China's embassy, ??consulate or other overseas institution entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If a Chinese citizen who has settled abroad applies for a replacement or reissue of an ordinary passport after returning to the country, he or she must submit the application to the exit and entry administration agency of the public security bureau of the local people's government at or above the county level in the place of temporary residence.

The renewal or reissue of diplomatic passports and service passports shall be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.