6 Months Expiring Passport Deadline

[rob65]

Hi everybody,

I'm Italian, 43, I would like to know if it's possible to flight to Thailand on 16-17 May 2008,

with my italian passport expiring on 26th November 2008, and enter the kingdom.

Do they will get me a 30 days VOA?

Other question if yes : Is it possible to go to Laos or Cambogia (for example) on the 19 May and coming back to LOS on 26 May and stay there until 8th June , after that I will go home.

So, when is the latest deadline to enter in Thailand : 25 or 26 May ?

Thank you in advance for reply me.

[lopburi3]

You should not have a problem with first entry as your passport is still valid for six months. But the second entry could be a problem if they wanted to make it so as it would not be valid for six months and you would not be eligible for a visa exempt entry.

You could buy a re-entry permit prior to your trip to Laos/Cambodia and use that for your return. Cost is 1,000 baht and a photo. It will keep your original 30 day permitted to stay stamp date for your new entry.

[A_Traveller]

Doesn't the Italian Passport service offer an express replacement service? Most EU countries do now, and given the 6 month cut off, would have thought that would be a safer and more effective option. Understand that other countries around here are scrupulous about this, so you would either have to replace here or return to Italy anyway.

Regards

[rob65]

You could buy a re-entry permit prior to your trip to Laos/Cambodia and use that for your return. Cost is 1,000 baht and a photo. It will keep your original 30 day permitted to stay stamp date for your new entry.

Thank you Lopburi, where I will get a re-entry permit, direct at the immigration arrival at the airport or the day I travel to Laos at the Thai immigration border?

thanks in advance

[jstumbo]

You get the re-entry permit at immigration offices in Thailand. There is one at the airport in Bangkok, so you could get one when you arrive if you were up to it after a long flight.

[rob65]

You get the re-entry permit at immigration offices in Thailand. There is one at the airport in Bangkok, so you could get one when you arrive if you were up to it after a long flight.

thanks, jstumbo,

but the re-entry permit is available for all people arriving without visa (or only for those have already a visa)?

I checked and the price now seems to be 1900 baht, but with this permit how long I could stay outside thailand?

eg.= ( my passport expires the 26th November 2008 ) I arrive in Thailand from Italy on 17 May. and my return is 8th June 2008. if I'm going to Laos on 19 May when I have to go back to Thailand? I could go back to LOS on 5th June?

Sorry for trouble you thank you in advance.

[Lite Beer]

The price is 1,000 Baht for a single Re Entry Permit.

It is valid for the length of your current permission to stay.

E.G. 8th June

[lopburi3]

A re-entry permit cost 1,000 baht single or 3,800 multi version.

It is obtained prior to exit of Thailand at an immigration office. It can be done early or on day of departure.

It can not be obtained on arrival at airport as you must have checked in for an outbound flight to use the service there.

[Maestro]

...but the re-entry permit is available for all people arriving without visa (or only for those have already a visa)?

When you enter Thailand without a visa you do not need a re-entry permit. You just leave Thailand and next time arrive with or without a visa, as you prefer. Please note, however, that you are limited to a maximum of 90 visa-exempt days within 6 months. For the rest of the 6 months you would need to arrive with a visa.

--

Maestro

[rob65]

thank you Maestro,

I'm wondering if I can risk to arrive in Thailand the 17th May 2008, with the old passport expiring on the 26th November ( is it still more than 6 months ), do they will give me a 30 days VOA ?

My trip will finish on 8th June . sorry for bother you, thanks in advance

[lopburi3]

The potential problem is the poster is talking about a return with less than six month validity on passport which would not be eligible for visa exempt entry stamp. If they have a re-entry permit to use on return that should avoid that situation.

[apetley]

Hi, I just realised I may have an issue after reading this.

I am in Thailand on a non-o multi entry which expires 9th Aug 2008.

I intend to do a border hop at the beginning of August at Mae Sot which will take me until the beginning of November.

My passport is valid until December 15th 2008 and I intend to renew in BKK.

Will the border hop at the beginning of August be an issue with Thai or Burmese Immigration as I will have less than 6 months remaining?

Thanks for reading, Andy.

[lopburi3]

Although Burma does not appear to have a six month requirement Thailand does. I would ask on next trip if they will allow your entry in August and be sure they understand your passport will have less than 6 months remaining. I suspect with visa they will allow entry up to expiration of passport but rule seems to be more strict recently so best to check. I would advise getting a new passport as if you need to travel for some reason most countries do have that six month rule.

[apetley]

Thanks for the quick reply lop, I appreciate your advice.

[apetley]

Although Burma does not appear to have a six month requirement Thailand does. I would ask on next trip if they will allow your entry in August and be sure they understand your passport will have less than 6 months remaining. I suspect with visa they will allow entry up to expiration of passport but rule seems to be more strict recently so best to check. I would advise getting a new passport as if you need to travel for some reason most countries do have that six month rule.

Ho lopburi, as a follow up to your advice both officers in Myawaddy, the Burmese side and Mae Sot Immigration told me that they would NOT give me a further stamp if I did a border run in August as I would not have 6 months remaining in my passport.

The Thai immigration officer said there is absolutely no problem bringing my old passport with my current visa in to accompany any new passport I get.

Thanks again for your heads up.

As an aside today was the first time I have been any further than the Burmese immigration office rather than heading straight back across the bridge back into Thailand.

What a mistake that was! Myawaddy is a depressing hole and the market is not worth going to.

The tri-shaw drivers are a pain in the a** and two off them followed the wife and me for the whole 15 minute walk from Burmese immigration to the market shouting the fare.

When we got back to Thailand we spoke with a guy who said that he had taken a ride in one of these. They had agreed a price of 20 Bht but when they got to the market the driver demanded 100 Bht. When the guy said they had agreed 20 Bht at the bridge the guy was suddenly surrounded by many other aggressive tri-shaw drivers. Very threatening and he paid up.

I won't be going further than the bridge in the future.