Passport 6 months? Do they enforce it?

[NoshowJones]

12 hours ago, Phuket Man said:

Passport has to be valid for the length of stay.

 

That is a fact. so no problem.

Do not listen to anyone who says otherwise.

They are wrong.

Thai immigration can do almost what they like, they have a great amount of discretion, so a lot is going to depend on their mood.

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Some airlines currently enforce a 6 month validity requirement to all countries AirAsia is one. So the "Few years ago" is not necessarily a key point.

True. You need to be careful with small or budget airlines that are not members of IATA. They do not necessarily follow the standard rules.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Rubbish.

The same rule is on the LA counsulate site.
Pure rubbish!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bobonzo]

it's possible the airline won't allow you to fly. i was stopped in Bahrain by Emirates from traveling when they discovered my passport had less than 6 months validity.

[lagavulin1]

15 hours ago, Phuket Man said:

There is no 6 month rule for entering Thailand.

Your passport has to be valid for the length of your stay.

So don't worry.

In my case it was the airline who blocked my wife. That was BKK to London.

[EdSize]

3 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Thai immigration can do almost what they like, they have a great amount of discretion, so a lot is going to depend on their mood.

This is why I m asking for RL experiences.

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, EdSize said:

This is why I m asking for RL experiences.

Not a problem with immigration since they know the rule is that your German passport only has bo be valid for the length of stay.

It is only the airlines that may say it has to be valid for 6 months.

Did you see my earlier post where I posted a screenshot of what the IATA info states for one valid for about 4 months.

[spacebass]

Anything can happen in Thailand x

[VBF]

Not sure how relevant this is, but the Thai Embassy London website contains the following:

 

Required Documents

For Single Entry (stay up to 60 days)

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application and at least 2 blank pages
• Visa application form completely filled out
• Two (2) recent photos of the applicant

 

For Multiple Entries (stay up to 60 days for each entry within the period of 6 months)

• A current passport with validity of over 6 months beyond the date of application  and at least 2 blank pages

 

From Thai Embassy, London  (scroll down the page)

[khunPer]

17 hours ago, EdSize said:

I will coming from Hongkong and only stay for 9 days.

You'll likely not be allowed to board the flight from Hong Kong, as the airline staff at check-in, or bording, will check validity of your passport, as it's the airline responsibility that their passengers have legal documentation for entry at destination; otherwise the airline will be forced at to take the passenger back to the point of boarding, i.e. HKG.

 

If you're very lucky, and in possession of a returning ticket before the end you passport's validity, check in counter staff might call Immigration at destination to double check if the passenger can expect to be allowed in, and if yes, the passenger will have to sign a document declaring to pay any expenses the airline could have, in case of not being let in by Immigration at the destination; i.e. pay for a return ticket with first available flight. Be prepared to check in early, as this procedure might take some time, if you count on traveling to Thailand that way.

 

I've tried above with 5½ month validity in my passport, but my destination was Singapore, and later Malaysia over land border, and back to Singapore, and I did not have any problev when arriving there; the permitted visa-free length of stay was 30-days. Returning from Singapore to Thailand 4 days later was not a problem, as I had a non-O Visa, or rather extension of stay, for Thailand, and would be allowed to stay the length of my Visa.

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, VBF said:

Not sure how relevant this is, but the Thai Embassy London website contains the following:

That is to apply for a tourist visa not entry to the country.

If you scroll up the page it has info for visa exempt entries and it not does not mention passport validity.

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, khunPer said:

You'll likely not be allowed to board the flight from Hong Kong, as the airline staff at check-in, or bording, will check validity of your passport, as it's the airline responsibility that their passengers have legal documentation for entry at destination; otherwise the airline will be forced at to take the passenger back to the point of boarding, i.e. HKG.

 

Have you read any of the earlier posts by myself and others in this topic. He only needs a passport valid for the length of his stay.

[khunPer]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

Have you read any of the earlier posts by myself and others in this topic. He only needs a passport valid for the length of his stay.

Yes, but the airline might be the problem at boarding point.

[VBF]

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is to apply for a tourist visa not entry to the country.

If you scroll up the page it has info for visa exempt entries and it not does not mention passport validity.

Sorry @ubonjoe - in fact @BritTim mentioned it early on in this thread - serves me right for posting before i've had my morning coffee!

Please remove my post and these replies if you think it will confuse others.  VBF

[Mattd]

6 minutes ago, khunPer said:

I've tried above with 5½ month validity in my passport, but my destination was Singapore, and later Malaysia over land border, and back to Singapore, and I did not have any problev when arriving there; the permitted visa-free length of stay was 30-days.

You were very lucky for both Singapore and Malaysia, as they DO have a 6 month validity rule and usually enforce it.

[BritTim]

31 minutes ago, khunPer said:

32 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Have you read any of the earlier posts by myself and others in this topic. He only needs a passport valid for the length of his stay.

Yes, but the airline might be the problem at boarding point.

1. If using an airline that belongs to IATA, there should be no problem. If the check in staff do not know the rules, ask to talk to a supervisor, and insist that s/he check the rules if his/her recollection is incorrect.
2. If using an airline that is not a member of IATA, try to avoid using a passport with less than six month validity. If you have no choice, (i) have a printout of the IATA requirements and hope they will follow them although not a member; or (ii) offer to sign an indemnity form that promises to reimburse any financial costs they could incur should you be denied entry.

[evadgib]

Quote

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand. Entry to Thailand is normally refused if you have a passport which is damaged or has pages missing.

If you’re a dual national you must make sure that when you depart Thailand you have a valid passport of the nationality used to enter, otherwise you may have difficulty in leaving.

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, evadgib said:

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements

Just more incorrect info.

It is under travel advice and says should be though.

[evadgib]

11 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Just more incorrect info.

It is under travel advice and says should be though.

It's there because people have been turned around at the point of entry & bleated at FCO when their perceived magic wand fails to work; "Cannot Interfere" an' all that.