Entering Thailand with a Passport that is valid for less than 6 months

[Hotrod1]

 

May I ask if anyone here has any personal experience with enterting Thailand with a (western European) Passport that is valid for less than 6 months... ?

 

I understand that, officially, one is supposed to "have a passport that is still valid for at least 6 months", but is it also ok - or maybe not really implemented -  if the passport is valid for only 4 more months - for a 2 week holiday... ?  'Personally' I think that should be plenty of time, but they might see that differently ? Or maybe they do not really care that much (one can always hope), especially if it is a "country in good standing".  (There, of course, is a reason why I am asking, and no, the passport can not be renewed prior to the travel...).

 

So, does anyone have any personal experiece with this... and "what happened"... did things work out fine, or was it a hassle. Looking forward to hear from you guys, thank you.

 

 

Edited June 4 by Hotrod1
.

[Photoguy21]

A lot easier to just renew your passport. With 4 months you may get on the flight but turned back at Bangkok airport. Not worth taking the chance, that is my opinion.

[DrJack54]

OP,  any problem could arise with the airline at departure.

Thailand does not have 6 month rule

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1291703-entering-thailand-with-less-than-6-month-valid-passport/

[bobonzo]

I was turned away at Emirates checkin in Bahrain flying to Thailand via Dubai. USA passport had less than 6 months validity. I was aware of that and had planned to renew when I returned to Saudi in a months time.

Emirates staff at the check in desk refused to let me fly.

 

 

[AustinRacing]

“Country in good standing”. Do tell!!!

[khunjeff]

My experience is that Thai immigration will let you in if you manage to get all the way here, but the airline may question you at check-in and possibly deny boarding. The safest course would be to get a new passport before your trip.

[misterphil]

This website on IG says must have 6 months left on it. 
 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7ydOjay54i/?igsh=MWptdDA1cDEwc2NrbQ==

[Speedhump]

17 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

A lot easier to just renew your passport. With 4 months you may get on the flight but turned back at Bangkok airport. Not worth taking the chance, that is my opinion.

Pointless comment. He said it can't be renewed, didn't he? 🫣

[KhunBENQ]

deleted

What does it help when the airline system (TIMATIC, IATA) says OK with less then 6 months while misc home country government systems insist on 6 months.

Edited June 5 by KhunBENQ

[ChrisKC]

So a ten year passport actually only worth nine and half months! for travel!

 

Why deny boarding with a tourist visa?

[NanLaew]

22 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

So a ten year passport actually only worth nine and half months! for travel!

 

Why deny boarding with a tourist visa?

 

What visa? The OP hasn't mentioned having one.

[ChrisKC]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

What visa? The OP hasn't mentioned having one.

Yes, I know. I am asking a general question about 6 month passport validity!

[Liverpool Lou]

5 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

9 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

What visa? The OP hasn't mentioned having one.

Yes, I know. I am asking a general question about 6 month passport validity!

No, you specifically asked why someone would be denied boarding with a tourist visa, also.

[Caldera]

I wouldn't recommend traveling with a passport that is this close to its expiration.

 

Other countries are strict on the 6 months rule, which could be a problem especially in case of transiting. You could also run into trouble in case you need to make unexpexted changes to your travel plans. Many things can happen. 

Edited June 5 by Caldera

[NativeBob]

500 THB. Cambo border 2019

[brewsterbudgen]

Thailand doesn't have a 6-month rule, although most airlines and travel advisory sites don't seem to know this!

[NanLaew]

15 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

What visa? The OP hasn't mentioned having one.

Yes, I know. I am asking a general question about 6 month passport validity!

 

Chances are the embassy or consulate won't issue a visa if the passport has less than 6-months validity

[ChrisKC]

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, you specifically asked why someone would be denied boarding with a tourist visa, also.

No, that was my only question and yes, I would still like to receive a response for that question which arose in the first place from an example of anybody.

 

It is a "what if"?

 

Although I wasn't referring specially to the OP, it is nevertheless true that he was suggesting a two week holiday and that would more  than likely be on a tourist visa!

[KhunBENQ]

7 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Thailand doesn't have a 6-month rule, although most airlines and travel advisory sites don't seem to know this!

You say it.

I checked an example with a 3 month passport at:

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com

And no problem shown.

I deleted my post as I saw the overwhelming 6 month parole by so many foreign offices etc.

[hotandsticky]

14 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Thailand doesn't have a 6-month rule, although most airlines and travel advisory sites don't seem to know this!

 

 

Nor does the UK Foreign Office.

[Liverpool Lou]

39 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Although I wasn't referring specially to the OP, it is nevertheless true that he was suggesting a two week holiday and that would more  than likely be on a tourist visa!

It would, more than likely, be a visa exempt entry, not a tourist visa.

[brewsterbudgen]

43 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Nor does the UK Foreign Office.

 

Indeed.  When my British son was stuck outside Thailand due to Covid, and only had 4 months left on his passport, the Embassy tried to force me to get his passport renewed before re-entering Thailand and insisted he would be denied entry.  Fortunately, I knew from this Forum that it wasn't essential and stood my ground.  He was able to enter via a land border without issue.

[hotchilli]

22 hours ago, Hotrod1 said:

 

May I ask if anyone here has any personal experience with enterting Thailand with a (western European) Passport that is valid for less than 6 months... ?

 

I understand that, officially, one is supposed to "have a passport that is still valid for at least 6 months", but is it also ok - or maybe not really implemented -  if the passport is valid for only 4 more months - for a 2 week holiday... ?  'Personally' I think that should be plenty of time, but they might see that differently ? Or maybe they do not really care that much (one can always hope), especially if it is a "country in good standing".  (There, of course, is a reason why I am asking, and no, the passport can not be renewed prior to the travel...).

 

So, does anyone have any personal experiece with this... and "what happened"... did things work out fine, or was it a hassle. Looking forward to hear from you guys, thank you.

 

 

Largely depends on which airline you are traveling with and from what country...

if you can best to re-new it.

[Photoguy21]

5 hours ago, Speedhump said:

Pointless comment. He said it can't be renewed, didn't he? 🫣

Pointless reply as a passport can be renewed. If he is outside of his home country then he may have to travel home to get a new one. Saying it cant be renewed is obviously not what you meant in your reply.

[BritTim]

The rule for Thai immigration is only that your passport be valid for the duration of your intended stay. However, there are various problems that you can encounter when travelling with a passport with less than six months validity. Easiest is to avoid trying to do this.

 

If you nevertheless feel you need to try, at least run your plans through the IATA travel guidance website (https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/TH-Thailand-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm). In most cases, that site will identify issues preventing you from boarding your aircraft to Thailand. However, if planning to enter visa exempt, ensure that your onward flight booking is direct back to your home country. The airline is liable to deny you boarding if your plans involve travel to or from Thailand via a country (most) that will not permit entry with a passport with less than six months validity. They might even be unhappy if you will only be transiting through such a country.

[Speedhump]

17 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

Pointless reply as a passport can be renewed. If he is outside of his home country then he may have to travel home to get a new one. Saying it cant be renewed is obviously not what you meant in your reply.

He said it CAN'T be renewed. I presume you actually read his post? I presume he meant that it can't be renewed in time for travel. Wake up.

[lom]

21 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

So a ten year passport actually only worth nine and half months! for travel!

No, it is worth 10 years as long as you travel to countries which doesn't have the 6 month rule or while staying in such a country having arrived with more than 6 month left on the passports validity.

[EVENKEEL]

My story - I was working in Diego Garcia, had a flight to Bangkok via Singapore. My passport had less than 6 months. My flight to S'Pore was a military flight so I landed at the military airport. They let me into Singapore to obtain an emergency passport good for 12 months. This emergency passport took only one day to be issued. Not sure if it was Singapore or Thailand that required a new passport, perhaps it was both.

 

Point being an emergency passport can be issued in one day.

[Hotrod1]

Thank you Gentlemen for your insightful replies and the many good tips and information here.  👍

I will reply to a few questions / comments for more clarity. (And sorry, English is Not my first language).

 

On 6/4/2024 at 4:28 PM, DrJack54 said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1291703-entering-thailand-with-less-than-6-month-valid-passport/

 

Thank you for sending me this link, I was not aware of this... on the other hand it might also be good to have an "updated version" here now.

 

On 6/5/2024 at 8:56 AM, bobonzo said:

I was turned away at Emirates checkin in Bahrain flying to Thailand via Dubai. USA passport had less than 6 months validity. 

Emirates staff at the check in desk refused to let me fly.

 

Wow, I am sorry to hear that this has happened to you... I would (of course) Not want this to happen to me (who would)... Would be quite "inconvenient" (to say it mildly). May I ask what you did do then... ? 

 

My case is a bit different than most (but then again, most everybody has a unique story and reason "why things are the way that they are").

 

In my case I would have enough time to apply for a new passport, through my embassy, in the country where I am at (until my flight takes place), which is in the Philippines. 

 

BUT - for some important reasons - I will need a passport that has actually been issued in the country of my origin.  (Which in this case IS visible in the passport itself, it is stated there, WHERE it has been issued).

 

 (To not prolong this here any further, I will leave it at this for now).

 

On 6/5/2024 at 9:10 AM, AustinRacing said:

“Country in good standing”. Do tell!!!

 

By now some of you might wonder where I am from, lol - I am from Switzerland (- but no, I do Not have an elephant sanctuary in Phuket, this just "for the records", lol).

 

On 6/5/2024 at 9:28 AM, khunjeff said:

My experience is that Thai immigration will let you in if you manage to get all the way here, but the airline may question you at check-in and possibly deny boarding. The safest course would be to get a new passport before your trip.

I unfortunately have to agree... BUT it would cost me 2 trips to the capital (Manila, that is Not where I am at) AND about 8'000 THB (12'000 PHP) in additional costs for a passport... AND it might not be sure that THEN I could get a "second" / replacement passport (issued in Switzerland, which is what I need), once that I would be back there (in Switzerland)... So, I would - for these reasons - REALLY prefer not to have to do this (the "safe") way. Especially not if not even needed... Hmmmm...

 

On 6/5/2024 at 9:51 AM, misterphil said:

This website on IG says must have 6 months left on it. 
 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7ydOjay54i/?igsh=MWptdDA1cDEwc2NrbQ==

 

Hmmm... yes, I see that now... (question is, what was this based on ?).

 

On 6/5/2024 at 1:13 PM, NanLaew said:

What visa? The OP hasn't mentioned having one.

 

Like most of us, I will be getting a "Visa on arrival" (new good for 60 days, but I will be there only for 2 weeks).

 

On 6/5/2024 at 2:38 PM, hotchilli said:

Largely depends on which airline you are traveling with and from what country...

 

On 6/5/2024 at 1:29 PM, Caldera said:

Other countries are strict on the 6 months rule, which could be a problem especially in case of transiting.

 

I will be traveling from the Philippines, and transiting with Singapore Airlines, via Singapore (where I will stay 2 days / 1 night).

 

The routing would be:  Manila - Singapore - Phuket - Bangkok - Singapore - Europe. 

 

Once in Europe, I would not have any problem. The idea is to be, additionally, first for a few days in Turkey, and from the information that I gathered I can visit Turkey with a (Swiss) passport that is even expired for already 5 years. (Quite the difference there). 

 

On 6/5/2024 at 1:41 PM, KhunBENQ said:

I checked an example with a 3 month passport at:

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com

And no problem shown.

 

Interesting website... and if (?) the information on there is true, then I do NOT need a passport that is valid for "more than 6 months".

 

I have entered ALL information, regarding my flights, where I am flying from, mentioned the stopover in Singapore, the trip to Thailand, with all dates and everything, and also all personal information that are required, and I get THIS info here...:

 

 

Now the question is "only" if this - indeed - is "airtight"... and if, should ever the sh*t hit the fan, I can actually refer to this... ?! 
(Airline, Immigration ?).

 

On 6/4/2024 at 4:29 PM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

yep happened to me during the covid crisis and all the hoops to get back into LOS...so caught up in that i didnt see my PP had 4 months left until i tried to check in early on flight and it flagged me...!!!!!!

 

I was able to board in LAX without problem.....but the IO at BKK noticed it...no biggie as I told them i was going to renew it

 

On 6/5/2024 at 2:32 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

When my British son was stuck outside Thailand due to Covid, and only had 4 months left on his passport, the Embassy tried to force me to get his passport renewed before re-entering Thailand and insisted he would be denied entry.  Fortunately, I knew from this Forum that it wasn't essential and stood my ground.  He was able to enter via a land border without issue.

Interesting... ! I wonder if this is 'standard operations procedure'... or if these cases were maybe handled a bit differently, as they were during the Covid time and hence Immigration might have made (an) excemption/s... ?

 

22 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

If he is outside of his home country then he may have to travel home to get a new one.

 

Yes, this is exactly my point. And there is also an (important) reason why I MUST get the passport IN Switzerland, and not "elsewhere".

 

IF I would get another passport here (Philippines), I would need to get yet again another passport AGAIN, once that I would arrive in Switzerland.

Not cheap. - And (the way that I see it) "totally useless", if I would not even need it in the first place... 

 

20 hours ago, BritTim said:

At least run your plans through the IATA travel guidance website (https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/TH-Thailand-passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm).

 

In most cases, that site will identify issues preventing you from boarding your aircraft to Thailand. However, if planning to enter visa exempt, ensure that your onward flight booking is direct back to your home country. The airline is liable to deny you boarding if your plans involve travel to or from Thailand via a country (most) that will not permit entry with a passport with less than six months validity. They might even be unhappy if you will only be transiting through such a country.

 

I hear you... ! There are a number of "unknown" issue that COULD (?) arise... even though the Website (great link !) states that it (actually ?) IS ok... ?!

 

4 hours ago, lom said:

It is worth 10 years as long as you travel to countries which doesn't have the 6 month rule or while staying in such a country having arrived with more than 6 month left on the passports validity.

 

It IS a bit, how shall I say, "confusing"... and - IMHO - does not really make that much sense... As I would say that most Western Europeans, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders - "Westerners" in general - should Not need to get inconvenienced like this... As my/our passport/s is/are "good and solid and well known", and ("ffs") STILL valid for 5 months upon departure, and STILL valid for 4 months upon arrival at the final destination... And, lol, no, I do not plan to go and hide below the radar, somwhere in the Isaan, for the next 20 years (and this should not need to be "expected", automatically, for everybody)... So, why not cut international travelers some slack, Oh well, as mentioned, of course just IMHO.

Edited June 6 by Hotrod1

[treetops]

23 hours ago, Hotrod1 said:

BUT - for some important reasons - I will need a passport that has actually been issued in the country of my origin.  (Which in this case IS visible in the passport itself, it is stated there, WHERE it has been issued).

 

If you apply in the Phillipines will the passport actually be issued there or are they just a postbox service and the actual passport will be issued in Switzerland and couriered back to the PI?

 

If that's the case it removes the obstacle you foresee.