I just realized that as a result of extending our vacation my wife's passport will only have 4 months validity left when we fly out of Manila to Bangkok. She has a visa extension (retirement) up until the expiry of her passport in May and a valid re-entry permit.

So the big questions is: Will there be any problems? Does anyone have experience with this? We were planning to renew her passport at the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok in April.

She might not get on the plane with less than 6 months validity left. Get her a new passport now and travel with both passports.

As far as I know, when there is a valid visa in the passport the validity is of no concern. The 6 months validity is only important when on visa exempt.

Edited January 18, 201511 yr by Anthony5

She might not get on the plane with less than 6 months validity left. Get her a new passport now and travel with both passports.

It's what I'm afraid of. It's a real hassle to get her new passport here and takes awhile too.

Thiland is one of the few countries that do not require 6 month validity upon entry, it only has to be valid for the corrent permission to stay She should be okay. If she has a problem at checkin ask to speak to the suorvisor and have them check the IATA regulations. Hope she has a re-entry permit otherwise her retirement extension will be invalid and she will only get a 30 day visa exempt entry.

She can enter with a passport valid for her intended stay. I checked here http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/ because those from certain countries are required to have 6 months validity.

"

Passport required.
- Passports issued to nationals of Philippines must be valid

for the period of intended stay.
- for holders of normal passports"

Thanks for the replies. It looks like our main hurdle will be with Philippine Immigration leaving Manila. Apparently they are very strict with the 6 month rule and she will probably not be allowed to depart.

So far I've been unable to find any accounts of anyone leaving Manila without 6 month's validity on passport.

I understand departure immigration in the Philippines are strict.

I am not aware of how long it takes to get a new passport there but that might be the best choice if it does not take to long. I can recall reports of it taking a long time to get one from the embassy in Bangkok though.

I understand departure immigration in the Philippines are strict.

I am not aware of how long it takes to get a new passport there but that might be the best choice if it does not take to long. I can recall reports of it taking a long time to get one from the embassy in Bangkok though.

It's looking like 3 weeks minimum. It is done on an appointment system in Manila and the earliest appointment I can make is January 29, and then it's 7 to 10 working days to get passport.

The last passport we got (2009) at the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok only took a month, but there's a new e-passport now which could take longer. Despite the wait it's much easier in Bangkok.

To me it taking a month to get a new passport is a long time. I think I read a post saying it took 6 weeks or longer.

To me it taking a month to get a new passport is a long time. I think I read a post saying it took 6 weeks or longer.

Nothing happens quickly in the Philippines.

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

For the Philippines, get yourself one of those clear plastic passport covers. On the inside of the back or front put a 1,000 peso note. Just hand the officer the passports and say nothing. But if asked you can say, you keep it there for emergencies in case the hotel catches fire, but you won't have any problems.

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

You only needed a passport with validity equal to your intended stay since you are from the states.

The airline was wrong. Check the link I posted that gives info from a IATA data base,

_{My Filipina gf says her passport application took 6 weeks. She applied here in Cebu last year.}

Edited January 19, 201511 yr by Asia2000

I was refused at the khmer border two years ago

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

You only needed a passport with validity equal to your intended stay since you are from the states.

The airline was wrong. Check the link I posted that gives info from a IATA data base,

Here it says they need 6 months but is this only required for re-entry? This is off the uk site i couldnt find it in the usa thai consulate...

"Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The exemption to this is Malaysian nationals crossing overland from Malaysia who are granted a period of stay not exceeding 30 days each time.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

You only needed a passport with validity equal to your intended stay since you are from the states.

The airline was wrong. Check the link I posted that gives info from a IATA data base,

Here it says they need 6 months but is this only required for re-entry? This is off the uk site i couldnt find it in the usa thai consulate...

"Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The exemption to this is Malaysian nationals crossing overland from Malaysia who are granted a period of stay not exceeding 30 days each time.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

The embassy website is way out of date for passport validity. The info on the IATA website is correct. Many people have entered the country with less than 6 months validity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website does not mention passport validity for visa exempt entries. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15396-Tourist-Visa-Exemption.html

The only time passport validity of 6 months is needed is to apply for a visa.

And the 90 days in 6 months rule went away over 6 years ago.

For the Philippines, get yourself one of those clear plastic passport covers. On the inside of the back or front put a 1,000 peso note. Just hand the officer the passports and say nothing. But if asked you can say, you keep it there for emergencies in case the hotel catches fire, but you won't have any problems.

I wouldn't take the risk. Both of us could end up under arrest if we struck an anti-corruption advocate who can get seriously upset about bribes. Believe it or not there are honest government workers in PI and at the airport they are under surveillance.

_{My Filipina gf says her passport application took 6 weeks. She applied here in Cebu last year.}

It does take a long time from Regional offices. The only way to do a rush application is at the DFA in Manila, with 6 locations to choose from. Rush means waiting 10 days for an appointment and then 8 - 10 working days for release.

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

You only needed a passport with validity equal to your intended stay since you are from the states.

The airline was wrong. Check the link I posted that gives info from a IATA data base,

Here it says they need 6 months but is this only required for re-entry? This is off the uk site i couldnt find it in the usa thai consulate...

"Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The exemption to this is Malaysian nationals crossing overland from Malaysia who are granted a period of stay not exceeding 30 days each time.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

Did you notice that is about people who want to enter on visa exemption, and doesn't apply to the OP?

WIth a USA passport it was a no go for me ;( they wouldnt let me get on the plane. I guess different countries different rules.

You only needed a passport with validity equal to your intended stay since you are from the states.

The airline was wrong. Check the link I posted that gives info from a IATA data base,

Here it says they need 6 months but is this only required for re-entry? This is off the uk site i couldnt find it in the usa thai consulate...

"Since 20 December 2013,Nationals of (G7) the following countries who enter via a land crossing or enter via an airport will be entitled to a 30 day visa exemption , UK, U.S.A, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, France

The exemption to this is Malaysian nationals crossing overland from Malaysia who are granted a period of stay not exceeding 30 days each time.

Foreigners who enter Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category and would like to leave and re-enter may only stay for a cumulative duration which does not exceed 90 days and is within a 6-month period from the date of first entry. (Passport or travel document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of first entry).

Did you notice that is about people who want to enter on visa exemption, and doesn't apply to the OP?

Yes, the wife has a retirement extension until passport expiry in May AND a valid re-entry permit.

I don't think this is enough to satisfy the Philippine Immigration. They will stick to the letter of the law on this. You'd think that with the number of Filipinos travelling abroad there'd be some more examples (online) of people attempting to fly out without 6 months validity, but it seems they are all doing it by the book.

Seems to me a lack of planning on your part. She'll be very lucky to clear immigration. Tried it once, it didn't work. Best solution is to go to the main office of the Dept of Foreign Affairs, see an immigration officer, and explain your plight. Bring all supporting documents.

You'll get it 2 weeks later.

Seems to me a lack of planning on your part. She'll be very lucky to clear immigration. Tried it once, it didn't work. Best solution is to go to the main office of the Dept of Foreign Affairs, see an immigration officer, and explain your plight. Bring all supporting documents.

You'll get it 2 weeks later.

It wan't lack of planning as we first planned to return when there was still 6 months of validity remaining. I also wasn't aware of how strict they are here, so I didn't think there was going to be a problem after extending our vacation by 2 1/2 months. It was a case of not being aware of the facts.

There is no point going to Manila to plead my case because that will most likely be a waste of a return flight from our province and hotel accommodation adding up to well over 10,000 baht and further delay the application process for a new passport which we need anyway. If you're referring to an emergency validity extension of passport, we don't qualify for that.

13/09/2014

To: <removed>

To whom this may concern

I was planning to travel to Thailand on Friday, 19 September 2014, and returning on Tuesday, 16 December 2014 on my new Zealand passport with my O visa but flight center said I can`t because my passport expires on 28 April 2015 leaving only 4 months Validation when I return is this correct or are the wrong or can I travel there on this passport this one last time

Passport expiring
Actions

Visa
16/09/2014
[Keep this message at the top of your inbox]
To: <removed>
Dear <removed>

Regarding to your question, according to our passport validity regulation your passport must have at least 6 months validity from the date you are expecting to enter Thailand. Thank you


Yours Sincerely,
<removed>

Visa Section
Royal Thai Embassy
110 Molesworth Street
PO Box 12247
Thorndon
Wellington
<removed>
www.thaiembassy.org/wellington

Edited January 19, 201511 yr by ubonjoe
removed email addresses, phone numbers and personal info

13/09/2014

To: <removed>

To whom this may concern

I was planning to travel to Thailand on Friday, 19 September 2014, and returning on Tuesday, 16 December 2014 on my new Zealand passport with my O visa but flight center said I can`t because my passport expires on 28 April 2015 leaving only 4 months Validation when I return is this correct or are the wrong or can I travel there on this passport this one last time

Passport expiring

Actions

Visa

16/09/2014

[Keep this message at the top of your inbox]

To: <removed>

Dear <removed>

Regarding to your question, according to our passport validity regulation your passport must have at least 6 months validity from the date you are expecting to enter Thailand. Thank you

Yours Sincerely,

<removed>

Visa Section

Royal Thai Embassy

110 Molesworth Street

PO Box 12247

Thorndon

Wellington

<removed>

www.thaiembassy.org/wellington

Which basically means your NZ passport is valid for 4 1/2 years only. Why doesn't NZ get with the times and start issuing 10 year passports. I let mine expire as I got tired of renewing it all the time (5 years seems to fly by).

Just more incorrect info from an embassy that is quoting rules for getting a visa not entering the country.

To me it taking a month to get a new passport is a long time. I think I read a post saying it took 6 weeks or longer.

Nothing happens quickly in the Philippines.

Don't know about that, the begging hand comes out quite quickly.

To me it taking a month to get a new passport is a long time. I think I read a post saying it took 6 weeks or longer.

Nothing happens quickly in the Philippines.

Don't know about that, the begging hand comes out quite quickly.

Do you have anything to add about passport validity? You made your feelings about the Philippines well known already in that other thread in the general forum.

Just more incorrect info from an embassy that is quoting rules for getting a visa not entering the country.

I need to ask, what happens with the visa (retirement extension and re-entry permit) in her old passport after renewal? Will she be OK presenting both old and new passports to the Immigration Officer upon entry into Thailand?