My friend, a Canadian, is presently in Vientiane. He went there to get a tourist visa for Thailand, and is at this moment at the Thai consulate there. However his passport expires Aug 10th, less than 6 months from now. Any suggestions as to what he can do? There is no Canadian Embassy in Laos, and all his belongings and return ticket back to Canada are in Bangkok.

I expect he will be allowed 15 day entry if visa is refused, with such a passport, and can then obtain a new one in Bangkok. If not he will have to find out what Embassy takes care of Canada interests in Laos or arrange flight home from there.

Thanks Lopburi. Since posting here I have found out that the Australian Embassy provides consular service for Canadians in Laos, so he could renew there. If not, I suggested he fly to Singapore where they only require a passport with 90 day validity.

Looks like 6 months passport validity is needed for him to enter Singapore based on IATA database information:

/ 01MAR10 / 0325 UTC

National Canada (CA)

Residence Lao People's Democratic Republic (LA)

Destination Singapore (SG)

Singapore (SG)

Passport required.

- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid

for at least 6 months on arrival.

Visa required, except for Nationals of Canada, for a stay up

to 30 days.

Extension possible for a fee of SGD 40.-.

Minors:

- Foreign minors up to/including 15 years of age

For details, click here

Additional Information:

- Visitors must hold confirmed return or onward ticket and

sufficient funds for maintenance during their stay in

Singapore. Moreover they must hold valid documents

(including visas, if required) to their onward destinations.

- Foreign ladies in advanced state of pregnancy,

For details, click here

Warning:

- Non-compliance with the visa regulations may result in

deportation at carrier's expense to the country of origin.

CHECK TINEWS/N1 - BAHRAIN: FORMULA ONE, 12 -14 MARCH 2010

Timaticweb Version 1.3

01 March 2010

www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

I expect he will be allowed 15 day entry if visa is refused, with such a passport, and can then obtain a new one in Bangkok. If not he will have to find out what Embassy takes care of Canada interests in Laos or arrange flight home from there.

I concur with Lopbiri he will be allowed time to return to Thailand and they apply at the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok for a new visa.