Question:
i am leaving to thailand from los angeles on friday for a two week
vacation. i just realized that my passport expires in january, 2003.
i am bit concerned and i was just wondering if anyone had been
rejected trying to to fly to, or get into, thailand, because their
passport wasn't valid for more than six months after the intended
visit. it would also be interesting to hear which countries do
enforce this rule and if anyone had their vacations ruined as a
result?
Answer:
It's often ignored but it sure would suck if they didn't let you in,
wouldn't it? Spend the $30 or whatever extra to renew your passport now.
I am not sure but to be on the safe side, you might want to
check with the local Thai Embassy in regards to this. No point
being turned back or taking the risk just because of this.
Ask the Thai embassy, ask your travel agent if you want a definitive answer.
Thai immigration sets the rules, not this newsgroup.
I would try hard to renew it but time is so tight, maybe you can get an 6
month emergency extension endorsed onto the passport? I had that done once.
Or perhaps a letter or visa from the Thai embassy?
I have previously been warned by helpful immigration staff in Asia that I am
getting close to the 6 month limit, but never tried using a pssport inside
the 6 month period
You have to pass the airlines before reaching the country.
It is up to the airlines.
I think she knows what the rules are, she just wants to know if
they're actually enforced. The Thai Embassy would just quote her the
official line, so she wouldn't be any the wiser after speaking to
them.
even if you pass that (likely), then on the arrival/departure card
one of the fields on the form is the expiry date of your passport, so it's
very visible when you're entering the country. Really do try to get an
extension if at all possible. Make up an urgent reason why you have to fly to
Thailand right this week.
I do not think it is wise to take the risk. If
the official line is that it would be enforced, some immigration
officers might glance and let it slip but if you get one which
enforces the law, you be in trouble.
Often your airline will insist to check the validity when you check-in.
This is because the airlines are fined and must covere return costs for
all of those turned away by immigration authorities.
would rather believe the official embassy line than whoever
replies in this newsgroup.
Opinions are fine on hotels, but this is (or should be) established
procedure in Thai immigration.
Maybe reality is variable but I would not like to travel half way around the
world just to get sent back.
Or simply be refused at boarding, where the airline may enforce the official
rule regardless of what may happen at Bangkok.
I did say more than that (which you have cut), like check with the embassy.
I should have also said check with the airline, as they can refuse to let
someone board the plane without a valid passport (including the 6 months
validity)
I don't know about Thailand's enforcement policies, but I do know that other
countries do enforce the 6 month rule. I know two people who were refused entry
to Costa Rica because their passports expired in less than 6 months. One of
those still had over 4 months before expiry. Renew yours now to be safe.
Jeff V.
Yes Roger, there's no question about it, the advise from the embassy
is the most authoritative. The issue here isn't finding out what the
rules are - she's already determined that. The question is whether
they're enforced. To ask that question of the embassy is pointless
because they're obviously going to tell you they are. Ask the question
from a group of experienced travellers and you may get a different
answer.
Of course, renewing her passport is the most sensible thing to do, but
since she appears to be travelling within a couple of days of posting
the question, that may not be possible.
I thought from her original post that she had not checked.
She did not say that she had - see at the end below.
Sorry if she said later that she had checked, I did not see that post.
And not all countries have this rule BTW, I have no idea if Thailand does
but I would guess so.
I wouldn't take the chance. Several years ago I was turned away at the
check in for Bali at the airport in Bangkok because my passport expired in 5
months and 15 days. Luckily for me I was able to get to the American
embassy and Thai immigration and go on my way the next day. I don't believe
US passports can be issued outside of the US anymore. Better to do
something now than to be turned away at the check in for your flight.
