30 days visa exempt for baby - passport valid for less than 6 months

[manonthemon]

Hi,

I live in Thailand with my girlfriend (not Thai) and daughter (6 months).

Soon we'll be traveling outside Thailand together. The thing is that on the way back to Thailand my daughters temporary passport will not have the 6 months validity required for the on arrival 30 days visa exempt. (shell probably have something like 5 months validity on the passport left)

The 6 months validity is also required to get a normal tourist visa. Getting her a new passport is not an option at this time as the procedure takes to much time

Do you think that this will be a problem. Does it matter that we're talking about a little baby and both her parents will have proper Thai visas (Torist and Non B probably)?

Not that it matter but my daughter was born in Thailand, than left the country for a couple of days, came back with a 60 days tourist visa and now she's overstay here by a couple of months - but I was told its not a problem as kids don't pay the overstay fines and the fact of an overstay doesnlt reflect on their future future ability to receive thai visa.

In short - will she get a 30- days visa exempt on arrival with a passport valid only for 5 months.

cheers

[Mario2008]

There is no 6 month validity requirement for most (western) countries to enter Thailand, only that the passport is valid for the intended duration of stay.

If not traveling to the home country, it might be a problem as many other countries in the region do have a minimum validity requirement.

[manonthemon]

Thanks,

We'll be traveling form India - mothers home country but not my daughters home country - she has a western passport.

[ubonjoe]

There is no 6 month passport validity reguirement for entry. Only that it is valid for length of stay.

[Mario2008]

There is no 6 month passport validity reguirement for entry. Only that it is valid for length of stay.

If passport validity is required depends on nationality. Visa exempt countries have no 6 month requirement, but (many) other countries still have.

[manonthemon]

My country has the 30 days exempt option. But from what I'm reading here ther, the 6 months is required.

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15380-Questions-&-Answers-on-Thai-Visa.html

??

Cheers

[Mario2008]

No, that is for applying for a visa, which your child doesn't need/have. You only deal with immigration and they have no such requirement.

[manonthemon]

Are you sure? I'm asking because the link above clearly states that one requires a passport valid for 6 months to enter Thailand on the 30 days exempt.

"Nationals of the United States of America and 41 other countries are eligible

to travel to Thailand, for tourism purpose, with the exemption of visa and

are permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period of not exceeding 30 days.

Therefore, you do not need a visa.

However, please make sure that you are in possession of a passport valid for

at least 6 months"

And the links below seem to confirm it.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/thai-visas-for-americans.html

http://www.pattaya-funtown.com/visa_thailand.html

Is there no such rule or is it a rule thats not enforced?

Just want to be absolutely sure we'll be able to go back home (Phuket) from a short holiday outside Thailand.

cheers,

[Mario2008]

You can check the requirements here:

http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

It checks the IATA database, which has all entry requirements for every country and is kept up to date.

[lopburi3]

Are you sure? I'm asking because the link above clearly states that one requires a passport valid for 6 months to enter Thailand on the 30 days exempt.......

That is old and outdated information - it still refers to the six month rule which was rescinded years ago (when land border visa except changed to 15 days). MFA has nothing to do with immigration (different departments of government) and entry is an immigration issue.

[manonthemon]

This is awesome news! And the Star Alliance link goes straight to my bookmarks.

Thank you all!

Cheers,