# 22 C.F.R. § 51.64 (2026): Special validation of passports for travel to restricted areas

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_64

## Section

- **Citation:** 22 C.F.R. § 51.64 (2026)
- **Heading:** Special validation of passports for travel to restricted areas
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 22 CFR: Foreign Relations / Chapter I: DEPARTMENT OF STATE / Part 51: PASSPORTS / Subpart E: Denial, Revocation, and Restriction of Passports and Cancellation of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad / § 51.64: § 51.64   Special validation of passports for travel to restricted areas.

## Text

(a) A U.S. national may apply to the Department for a special validation of his or passport to permit its use for travel to, or use in, a restricted country or area. The application must be accompanied by evidence that the applicant falls within one of the categories in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) The Department may grant a special validation if it determines that the validation is in the national interest of the United States.
(c) A special validation may be determined to be in the national interest if:
(1) The applicant is a professional reporter or journalist, the purpose of whose trip is to obtain, and make available to the public, information about the restricted area; or
(2) The applicant is a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross or the American Red Cross traveling pursuant to an officially-sponsored Red Cross mission; or
(3) The applicant's trip is justified by compelling humanitarian considerations; or
(4) The applicant's request is otherwise in the national interest.

## Nearby sections

- [22 C.F.R. § 51.60 (2026) § 51.60   Denial and restriction of passports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_60.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.61 (2026) § 51.61   Denial of passports to certain convicted drug traffickers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_61.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.62 (2026) § 51.62   Revocation or limitation of passports and cancellation of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_62.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.63 (2026) § 51.63   Passports invalid for travel into or through restricted areas; prohibition on passports valid only for travel to Israel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_63.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.64 (2026) § 51.64   Special validation of passports for travel to restricted areas.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_64.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.65 (2026) § 51.65   Notification of denial, revocation or cancellation of passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_65.md)
- [22 C.F.R. § 51.66 (2026) § 51.66   Surrender of passport and/or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_66.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T22_P51_S51_64. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.