thailand
Ask question

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

Thailand visa rulesretirement visapassport validityimmigration regulationsre-entry permitairline requirements
Jan 25, 2024
a year 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
3,690
views
12
likes
101
all likes
46
replies
0
images
23
users
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
a year ago
Like
Reply
Lye **********
Minimum of 6 months validity or airline staff won't allow you to board.
a year ago
Like
Reply
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
a year ago
Like
Reply
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
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markiv ********
 right, I thought so too, but I'm going to ask immigration to be sure
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Allan *********
Good luck getting on a plane ✈️ under 6 months they can stop you boarding
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Allan ********
 I'm living Here
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Daniel ************
"NO"
a year ago
Like
Reply
David **********
Everyone knows you have to have 6 months on passport to travel to another country. End of story.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@David *********
 Not if using land borders
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *********
 we live in thailand plus have a year visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
Selena ********
@David *********
 well clearly not 'everyone' knows this 🙄
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Selena ********
Reply
Cliff *********
5555 why would you do this? Fix the passport issue first.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cliff ********
 that’s has to be done in Thailand because I live here
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Aad *******************
Nope .. you need a expiration date of 6 months at least … so you need some luck
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Aad ******************
 I’ll go to immigration and ask in person then
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
 immigration isn't the issue, it's your airline that likely will not let you fly.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
David *********
Your retirement visa usually expires when your passport does
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 nope
a year ago
Like
Reply
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)
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *********
@Nongnuch *******
 I know the terminology thanks, I’m just keeping it simple
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 me too.and when they ask what visa it's RET or retired visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
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
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tony *********
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Tanya ********
 There's no such thing as a "same day passport" inside the US...
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tanya *********
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tanya ********
 thanks
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tanya ********
 great, I’m living here and can go to immigration, but thought I give it a try here first
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Michael **********
op should check this out before he gets in trouble
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *********
 I will
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Phil ******
@Mai *******
 depends on the airline so I would be asking them.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Frank **********
You have a reentry permit?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 good to mention
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mai ********
Reply
Will ************
Airline won’t let you travel unless to country of your passport
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bent *************
Depends on the officer in immigration.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Martin *****
Don't think so. But good luck
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 return from 1 month holiday abroad
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Holland
a year ago
Like
Reply
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.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mai ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 what if you return to the country that you live in?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Mai *******
 if you return to the country of your passport you'll be allowed to fly back home
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Will my 14-year-old be allowed entry to Thailand with a student visa if their passport is expiring soon?
4 comments
3 months ago
Is a passport with 6 months validity sufficient to enter Thailand?
64 comments
a year ago
Can I renew my retirement visa in Thailand if my passport expires shortly after?
80 comments
a year ago
Is a UK passport expiring one day before the six-month validity acceptable for entry to Thailand?
10 comments
a year ago
Can I re-enter Thailand with less than 6 months validity on my passport?
10 comments
a year ago
Can a foreign passport holder with less than 6 months of validity return to Thailand on an active visa?
2 comments
2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand with a passport that has less than 6 months validity?
12 comments
2 years ago
Is my passport sufficient for entering Thailand if it expires in October while I arrive in April?
3 comments
2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand with less than six months validity on my passport if I have a multiple entry visa?
16 comments
2 years ago
Is it a problem to return to Thailand with a passport that has less than six months of validity?
21 comments
2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand with less than 6 months validity on my passport if I have an education visa?
18 comments
2 years ago
Can I enter Thailand with a passport expiring in less than 6 months if I have a Thai e-VOA?
15 comments
2 years ago
Will I face issues returning to Thailand if my passport expires soon but I have a valid extension of stay and re-entry permit?
3 comments
3 years ago
What are the passport validity requirements for re-entering Thailand with a non-B visa?
2 comments
3 years ago
Can a US Citizen with a valid retirement visa enter Thailand if their passport has less than 6 months of validity?
21 comments
3 years ago
Can I Use My Old Passport with a Retirement Visa to Enter Thailand After Renewal?
2 comments
4 years ago
Will I have problems entering Thailand with a passport that has less than 6 months validity?
0 comments
5 years ago
Will my family be allowed entry into Thailand with less than 6-months passport validity?
8 comments
5 years ago
Is my passport validity sufficient for travel to Thailand if it's less than 6 months when I leave?
10 comments
5 years ago
Will I be refused entry to Thailand with a passport valid for less than 6 months despite having a business visa and work permit?
0 comments
5 years ago
Can I enter Thailand for 15 days without a visa after a 90-day tourist visa, given that my passport validity is less than 6 months?
4 comments
7 years ago
Is the 6-month passport validity rule strictly enforced by Thailand immigration or the airline?
8 comments
7 years ago
Is it safe for a traveler with a passport expiring soon to visit Thailand?
26 comments
7 years ago
Can I enter Thailand with an old passport if I have a valid visa but am applying for a new one?
38 comments
7 years ago
Will I face issues with Thai immigration when returning on a passport with less than 6 months validity?
34 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.