Passport Validity Less Than 6 Months

[jeebusjones]

I'm planning a trip to Thailand in February but my US passport expires on July 2. This means my passport will have only 4 months remaining, but as I understand it 6 months validity is technically required to enter the country.

I was planning to renew my passport before the trip but it probably won't be possible (long story). Will I be able to enter Thailand with only 4 1/2 months remaining on my passport? I will have a return ticket and am planning only a one week stay.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The rules of Thai Immigration provide for a six month period of validity. You need to get a new passport. It is unlikely that your airline will board you without it.

[ballbreaker]

Your might not even be boarded by airline. I once had seven months left on my passport and airline check-in agent let me know had it been less than six months I would not be boarded.

[jeebusjones]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't sound promising, but I guess a lot of it depends on the airline. I'll be flying with Jet Airways, so hopefully they aren't organized enough to catch it. I will still try to get the new passport in time but it doesn't look promising.

[Mario2008]

You would have to be lucky with both the airline and immigration! Upon arrival, immigraiton could still deny you entry.

[Thongkorn]

No . it states that you must have at least 6 month before your passport expires.

[lopburi3]

National U.S.A. (US) /Destination Thailand (TH)

Thailand (TH)

Passport required.

- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid

for at least 6 months upon arrival.

https://www.delta.com/planning_reservations...ation/index.jsp

[chiang mai]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't sound promising, but I guess a lot of it depends on the airline. I'll be flying with Jet Airways, so hopefully they aren't organized enough to catch it. I will still try to get the new passport in time but it doesn't look promising.

Interesting that despite having been told by a range of people that the answer to your question is a resounding no that you still seem inclined to try. Is there not a fast track facility for new passports that you can use at a cost?

[tropo]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't sound promising, but I guess a lot of it depends on the airline. I'll be flying with Jet Airways, so hopefully they aren't organized enough to catch it. I will still try to get the new passport in time but it doesn't look promising.

Interesting that despite having been told by a range of people that the answer to your question is a resounding no that you still seem inclined to try. Is there not a fast track facility for new passports that you can use at a cost?

Some people are more adventurous than others. I'm sure a lot of people get caught out on passport expiry dates as they sneak up quite quickly, especially for people with 5 year passports. I reckon he's got a good chance.

Jeebusjones, please report back here and let us know what happens.

[seaeagle]

I had the same issue entering Egypt a while ago. Pleased to say, thay gave me no problems.

[jeebusjones]

Interesting that despite having been told by a range of people that the answer to your question is a resounding no that you still seem inclined to try. Is there not a fast track facility for new passports that you can use at a cost?

You mean a range of complete strangers on a board renowned for it's conservative bend in all visa matters. I understand it's a risk and will, hopefully, be able to arrange at least a temporary passport before the trip. However, having heard reports similar to the one from Seaeagle, I think it's quite likely that the letter of the law might not be enforced as consistently as one might imagine.

Thanks again for all the replies. I'll certainly report back if I try it, Tropo, but hopefully it won't come to that.

[jombom]

Never had any problems entering Thailand with less than 6 mths validity on my passport. Did it several times.

Never any problems in any other country either.

[mojaco]

[quote name='jeebusjones' date='2010-01-03 02:04:16'

You mean a range of complete strangers on a board renowned for it's conservative bend in all visa matters.

<snip>

I am always amazed at the number of people that keep discarding answers until they get the answer they want to hear. Why ask?

[tropo]

Interesting that despite having been told by a range of people that the answer to your question is a resounding no that you still seem inclined to try. Is there not a fast track facility for new passports that you can use at a cost?

You mean a range of complete strangers on a board renowned for it's conservative bend in all visa matters. I understand it's a risk and will, hopefully, be able to arrange at least a temporary passport before the trip. However, having heard reports similar to the one from Seaeagle, I think it's quite likely that the letter of the law might not be enforced as consistently as one might imagine.

Thanks again for all the replies. I'll certainly report back if I try it, Tropo, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Great! Nothing beats real life experiences.

It's a pretty lame rule that someone visiting a country for a short time needs to have a full 6 months validity on their passports. Who dreamt up this rule in the first place? It's not difficult to apply for new passports in Bangkok.

[tropo]

I am always amazed at the number of people that keep discarding answers until they get the answer they want to hear. Why ask?

Nothing amazing about that at all. The OP was prepared to give it a go, and now he's heard from someone else who has done it more than once. A pretty satisfactory conclusion to the thread I would say.