Can I board my flight to Thailand with less than 6 months passport validity and still apply for a visa on arrival?

Thailand Visa on Arrival e-Visa Airline Regulations Passport Validity Indian Immigration Travel Advice Expat Issues

Oct 19, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello i am from india 

Ao in the latest updated visa on arrival or e visa on arrival requirements, one need to have a pssport valid minimum 30days from the date of arrival for a 15 day visa on arrival. I have 4.5months valid and had applied evoa online through vfs global. 

But now i am getting asked for confirmation from flight through which i am travelling and my immigration as some countries donot allow their residents holding passport validity less than 6 months to travel abroad. Although no such thing is mentioned in indian immigration . 

Can someone please explain whether i can board my flight and apply for visa on arrival there? 

Attaching indigo’s exception of voa , vfs faqs and bureau of india immigration requirement. 

Please do help . Urgently require some advice,

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The inquiry pertains to whether an Indian citizen can board a flight to Thailand with a passport valid for only 4.5 months, despite the typical requirement of 6 months for many airlines. The main point of concern is the airline's rules, as they often enforce stricter passport validity rules to avoid issues with stranded travelers. It is advised to confirm the airline's regulations, as Thai visa rules only require a passport to be valid for the duration of stay for a Visa on Arrival. However, for return travel and possible layovers, the 6-month validity rule might still apply, necessitating checking with the airline before the flight.

Mårten ********

Essentially, these days, to make things easier, just consider your passport validity to be 6 months less than it says it is.

It is easiest to just change it for a new one before you reach those final 6 months.

Many countries and airlines (who are held responsible for any issues with stranded travelers they have allowed to board) now apply the "minimum 6 months left" rule for entry.

You can still return straight to the *home country of your passport* after those final 6 months of validity, but any stops/layovers that require you to temporarily enter a third country may be a problem depending on the policies of the airllne and that third country.

a year ago

Brandon ************

The rule for Thailand is that you need enough time on your passport for the entry you're receive. If they'll let you apply for your VOA then you should be fine as far as Thailand rules are concerned.

The issue will be with your airline. Many airlines have rules that require 6 months on your passport or they will not let you fly. If you can verify your airline's rules or get them to confirm the rules for Thailand and accept them, you shouldn't have any issues.

Do be aware after your trip to Thailand you'll have to return to your home country. None of the other countries around Thailand will let you enter without 6 months left on your passport.

a year ago

Adrien **********

I think you need to call the airline, although Indigo is pretty aweful... try to get Indigo staff from the airport of departure, customer support do not always know these things.

a year ago

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Adrien **********

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