Passport expiring

[Chelseafan]

I am travelling to Thailand, arriving 24th May leaving a week later. My passport expires on 22nd Dec so will be short by 2 days of the 6 month minimum.

How stringent do you think immigration will be ? For the record, I have plenty of stamps showing in/out dates, never overstayed or done visa runs

 

 

I'm thinking of renewing but I'm worried that the passport won't get back to me in time.

 

Thanks

 

[DrJack54]

Suggest you obtain a new pp.

Is there option for "express service" for pp renewal.

 

Having stated that it's the airline that might have an issue with the "6 month rule" not immigration 

[Maestro]

12 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

I am travelling to Thailand, arriving 24th May leaving a week later. My passport expires on 22nd Dec so will be short by 2 days of the 6 month minimum.

 

24 May plus six months is 24 November. On the date of arrival in Thailand, your passport will have a remaining validity of six months and 22 days.

[scubascuba3]

Isn't there a UK express service? quicker in person, probably same day

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Isn't there a UK express service? quicker in person, probably same day

Gone,

It takes a week now for the express service.

[Upnotover]

38 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Gone,

It takes a week now for the express service.

It was gone. But it's back now. 

[Gaccha]

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

How stringent do you think immigration will be ?

 

Very unlikely that the airline will let you fly. They are not flexible because any breach of the rule results in a heavy fine on them.

[Upnotover]

55 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

 

Very unlikely that the airline will let you fly. They are not flexible because any breach of the rule results in a heavy fine on them.

Should be no problem, he's got nearly 7 months when he flies.

[Chelseafan]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Suggest you obtain a new pp.

Is there option for "express service" for pp renewal.

 

Having stated that it's the airline that might have an issue with the "6 month rule" not immigration 

 

Yes can do 1 day express but will have to take a day off work which is something I want to avoid 🙂

 

[Chelseafan]

13 hours ago, Maestro said:

 

24 May plus six months is 24 November. On the date of arrival in Thailand, your passport will have a remaining validity of six months and 22 days.

 

Apologies I meant Nov not Dec.

 

[Chelseafan]

Decided to send it off and risk it. Thanks for the feedback everyone

[HK MacPhooey]

8 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Decided to send it off and risk it. Thanks for the feedback everyone

A big risk as you will not know if the PP photo or other details on the application will be acceptable in which case you will lose probably three weeks on top of the three weeks or so it will take already and all for the sake of one day off work.

[KhunBENQ]

I remember for sure that the 6 month rule for Thailand has been abolished.

 

"Valid for period of stay in Thailand".

 

"Passengers must hold a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages."

 

https://www.traveldoc.aero/results

 

Check with your airline.

Can't find a full TIMATIC query publicly available anymore.

(TIMATIC is the reference for all IATA airlines)

[KhunBENQ]

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

I remember for sure that the 6 month rule for Thailand has been abolished.

Not sure if there ever was one.

The passport must have validity for period of stay. 

The airline at departure is another matter. 

In this attached link to thread with additional links. 

Suggest the OP renew pp.

As pointed out by @HK MacPhooey taking day off work for pp renewal best option..

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1328939-entering-thailand-with-a-passport-that-is-valid-for-less-than-6-months/

 

[soisanuk]

37 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Agree - Immigration has now for several years required only sufficient time on the passport to cover the period of stay for entry. Thus there should be should be no problem in the airline allowing boarding.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if applying at a Thai Embassy/Consulate for a Visa still requires the passport to have 6 months validity.   

[Chelseafan]

3 hours ago, HK MacPhooey said:

A big risk as you will not know if the PP photo or other details on the application will be acceptable in which case you will lose probably three weeks on top of the three weeks or so it will take already and all for the sake of one day off work.

 

Yes, very but I BELIEVE in our govermental services..... 😕

[Chelseafan]

2 hours ago, soisanuk said:

Agree - Immigration has now for several years required only sufficient time on the passport to cover the period of stay for entry. Thus there should be should be no problem in the airline allowing boarding.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if applying at a Thai Embassy/Consulate for a Visa still requires the passport to have 6 months validity.   

 

I really didn't want to risk it. I only need to get an officious gate attendant and I'll be screwed.

[NanLaew]

On 4/23/2025 at 11:07 AM, BritManToo said:

Gone,

It takes a week now for the express service.

 

I used same-day service at Durham passport office last week, took 4 hours.

 

I also used the 1-week service at Durham passport office for my second passport last week, it took 3 days.

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, HK MacPhooey said:

A big risk as you will not know if the PP photo or other details on the application will be acceptable in which case you will lose probably three weeks on top of the three weeks or so it will take already and all for the sake of one day off work.

 

If you do the online renewal in the UK, you can either upload one of your own pictures that will be checked and either accepted or rejected. I did a high-res scan of passport photographs taken in Udon, and they were accepted.

 

The passport office is also connected to Max photo booths in many locations in the UK where the pictures can be digitally linked to a passport application or renewal.

 

It's very difficult to submit an unsatisfactory or unacceptable passport photo when doing the application or renewal in the UK.