Can I enter Thailand if my passport has 5 months validity left while holding a retirement visa?

Jan 25, 2024
10 months ago
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I enter Thailand coming back from a holiday abroad with my passport expires in 5 months, I already have a year visa retirement that’s passing that time
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring about the possibility of entering Thailand with a passport expiring in 5 months while holding a retirement visa. The consensus in the comments is that while Thailand may allow entry despite the passport validity being below the standard 6 months, the airline may not permit travel under these circumstances. It's recommended that the user verify airline policies as they can vary, and perhaps consult with immigration for clarity on their retirement visa and re-entry permit.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
John *******
Ok I have question for you what country is your passport because its the airline issue you will have if your native country is not thailand and your passport is not thailand than you have problem does not matter where you live it's where passport is registered is what matters Chokh di I think you will need it
Lye **********
Minimum of 6 months validity or airline staff won't allow you to board.
Markiv *********
I might be wrong, it happed to my friend, that’s why I know, usually, either all the countries or most of the countries will allow if passport validity is more than 6 months. That’s applicable for tourist visas. But if you are working or living or retired in Thailand or long term visa or what so ever, you will not be denied as you are eligible for passport renewal at your country embassy within Thailand
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the replies, I'll let you know in a week when I have to do my 90 day report and ask the immigration
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markiv ********
right, I thought so too, but I'm going to ask immigration to be sure
Allan *********
Good luck getting on a plane ✈️ under 6 months they can stop you boarding
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Allan ********
I'm living Here
Daniel ************
"NO"
David **********
Everyone knows you have to have 6 months on passport to travel to another country. End of story.
Graham ******
@David *********
Not if using land borders
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
we live in thailand plus have a year visa
Selena ********
@David *********
well clearly not 'everyone' knows this 🙄
Cliff *********
5555 why would you do this? Fix the passport issue first.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
that’s has to be done in Thailand because I live here
Aad *******************
Nope .. you need a expiration date of 6 months at least … so you need some luck
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Aad ******************
I’ll go to immigration and ask in person then
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
immigration isn't the issue, it's your airline that likely will not let you fly.
David *********
Your retirement visa usually expires when your passport does
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Nongnuch ********
@David ********
by the way, he doesn't have a visa, he uses the wrong terminology. He most probably got a "one year extension of stay permit" - not a "1 year retirement visa" (which would either be a Non-Imm-O/A visa, or a ME Non-Imm-O visa)
David *********
@Nongnuch *******
I know the terminology thanks, I’m just keeping it simple
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
me too.and when they ask what visa it's RET or retired visa
Nongnuch ********
@David ********
no, it remains valid until the original expiry date. He can use both the old and the new passport upon the next entry, and get the Extension and a re-entry stamp (should it be a multi entry) transferred from the old to the new passport
Tony *********
@Nongnuch *******
you are incorrect. I applied for a one year extension of my visa but because my passport only had 6 months to expiry, the extension also expired on the expiry date of the passport.
James **********
I traveled to KUL and back to Thailand with a friend who had 5.5 months left on passport. AirAsia did a double check call on the exit and control had questions. He was allowed in and out, but was warned. Your results could be very different.
Tanya *********
No!

We just went through this. My husband literally had 5 months and 28 days left on his passport and he was denied.

He had to fly to Miami to get a same day passport. It taught us a lesson.
Garrett ***********
@Tanya ********
There's no such thing as a "same day passport" inside the US...
Tanya *********
@Garrett **********
well we know for a fact there is, because we got one. You call, get the appt time and go the next day. 9am hand in your new paperwork, old passport and then wait for 4 hours. Come back and pick it up. We had a choice of Detroit Michigan or Miami.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tanya *********
@Mai *******
You’re very welcome. We have been traveling Thailand for our first time the past 6 weeks now and are learning so much. Also trying to pass along to anyone else like us who have never been before information so they are prepared and only have a fantastic time.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tanya ********
great, I’m living here and can go to immigration, but thought I give it a try here first
Michael **********
op should check this out before he gets in trouble
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Phil ******
@Mai *******
depends on the airline so I would be asking them.
Frank **********
You have a reentry permit?
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
good to mention
Will ************
Airline won’t let you travel unless to country of your passport
Bent *************
Depends on the officer in immigration.
Martin *****
Don't think so. But good luck
Brandon ************
Returning from where?

Thailand will allow you to enter the country without any issue.

There's probably not any airline that will let you fly internationally except back to your home country without a passport valid for 6 months or more.

So you can enter Thailand, but realistically you cannot get to Thailand.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
return from 1 month holiday abroad
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
I specifically meant which country. If you're trying to enter by land border you shouldn't have any issues. But flying here probably won't work.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
I don't think you'd be able to board a flight anywhere internationally in that care. Airport personnel are trained to check for 6 months for everyone.
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
what if you return to the country that you live in?
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
if you return to the country of your passport you'll be allowed to fly back home
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