Answered3 years ago
Is a passport with 6 months validity sufficient to enter Thailand?
Hello, travelling to Thailand next Friday but my boyfriend’s passport only has 6 months left. It expires 16th June 2024 and we arrive in Thailand 16th December , will this be okay ?
Answer summary
The user is concerned whether her boyfriend's passport, which expires on June 16, 2024 (just 6 months from the date of entry on December 16, 2023), is sufficient for travel to Thailand. Responses confirm that while there are differing opinions on the necessity of having 6 months validity on a passport for entry into Thailand, it appears that they will be allowed entry as long as the passport is valid for the length of their stay. However, concerns are raised about the airline's policy, which might enforce more stringent rules. It's also suggested to consider an expedited passport renewal for peace of mind.
64 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Phil ******
@Megan ****************
really this is cutting it really really fine. Get a new passport whilst on holiday....
Terry ********
If you have less than six months left on your passport, you cannot enter Thailand. In your case maybe ok, maybe not.
David *******
No
Bob *********
Make very sure the expiry date is 10 years from the issue date. Some passports show an expiry date longer than 10 years based on the expiry of the previous passport if the current passport was issued early. So check the Issue date in the passport was 16 June 2014. If it was before that he can be denied boarding.
Mark *********
Kool....im doing similar
Duncanc **********
Too many fools giving advice about which they have opinions but no facts.
6 months validity from date of arrival. You JUST make it by a day. But could be wiser to renew asap.
6 months validity from date of arrival. You JUST make it by a day. But could be wiser to renew asap.
********************************************************************
Richard ********
See attached from Thai embassy website, I was also under the impression that you were ok with less than 6 months but it say it is required. My missus has renewed her passport to enter Australia again as it would have only been 5 months. Her Aust visa actually says to have 6 months.
Siegfried **********
Apply for a new passport, it doesn't take long to get a new one and u dont need to worry.
U will have to have a new passport anyway.
U will have to have a new passport anyway.
Bobby *********
You will be okay
Megan *****************
OPThanks for the replies guys , for the people saying ‘poor planning’ it’s a mistake, he didn’t realise. How many people check their passports 😅I’m asking for advice, not criticism. We also live in Dubai. So we are definitely okay getting back into the UAE as the rule is 3 months when you’re a UAE resident.
Lisa ******************
@Megan ****************
the issue you have though it's in a lot of airlines T&C's that you have to have 6 months valid on passport to fly with them regardless of the travelling countries entry requirements. I would also make sure you fully read the airlines T&C's before making the decision not to renew passport. Ours was a Emirates codeshare flight with Bangkok Airways that we had our issues with. Regardless of immigration entry requirements, it's the decision of the airline as to whether or not they allow you to fly with them.
Daniel *****
Should be sweet! If you get asked just tell them "mai pen rai".
Xr ***
Why not apply for new passport in advance
Bob *********
@Xr **
WOW. What An IdeaLisa ******************
We had 6 months on our passports on the way out to Thailand but didn't have 6 months on return by one day last month and our airline wouldn't let us check in online as our passports weren't valid for 6 months even though we were leaving Thailand and going back to UK, we had a right faff on at the airport trying to check in. You might get in with no issues but take it first hand you might have issues leaving as we did just last month. Its up to the airlines whether they'll let you travel or not will less than 6 months on your passport. We flew home from thailand on 16th Nov and our passports ran out on 15th May. We were told that if our airline refused to let ur travel as we didn't have 6 months left we would have to go to the British embassy for an emergency passport and we would have had to pay for 2 new flights home, we were staying in phuket. If you can get a replacement passport, I would recommend it to have peace of mind and not face the issues we did.
Nathanielle *************
In no particular order.
Option 1. Order fast tracked new passport. Takes 48hrs. If you’re in London and it won’t be busy in winter but summer yes. Money talks and will blow away you worries
Option 2. Wing it. These things in practice are 100% at discretion of the man or woman you have at immigration
Option 3. Check with the Thai embassy. Send them an email. They are fast to reply
Option 1. Order fast tracked new passport. Takes 48hrs. If you’re in London and it won’t be busy in winter but summer yes. Money talks and will blow away you worries
Option 2. Wing it. These things in practice are 100% at discretion of the man or woman you have at immigration
Option 3. Check with the Thai embassy. Send them an email. They are fast to reply
Megan *****************
OP@Nathanielle ************
thank you! We live in Dubai so unsure how fast a new passport would come , the Thai embassy was closed yesterday, we’re going to give them a call today to check things. Thank you 😊Nathanielle *************
@Megan ****************
lived in Dubai too previously and the UK embassy is pretty quick to respond. Good luck! If no hope go the Abu Dhabi office they’re less busy
Ruth *******
@Megan ****************
check with the airline too. All reports I've ever heard of people having trouble have been with the airlines.
Ross ********
Get a new one then no need to sweat it
James ********
Just about 😀
Bent *************
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Declan **********
Shouldn't be an issue but like anything it's at the sole discretion of the Immigration officer you are standing in front of.
Kool *******
You'll get to Thailand okay, but if you are planning travel to other countries you could have problems.
Roger **********
Depends how be long you’re going for?
Megan *****************
OP@Roger *********
returning 31st DecemberRoger **********
@Megan ****************
…all good then . No problemsPaul ***********
Very poor planning at best 😎
Christine *******
@Paul **********
very poor response at best.Paul ***********
@Christine ******
Karen alert 🫣Christine *******
@Paul **********
Are you ok? You seem annoyed with me...My grammar was deliberate..na wot I mean?
Yours however....😂
Paul ***********
@Christine ******
0 for grammar.Listen you going travelling to the other side of the world and 50% of your party forgot to check their most important document and did so 1 week before travelling.GET IT you dimwitted Karen.
If you want an argument go elsewhere you sound like the fool who would also forget.🥱
Christine *******
@Paul **********
oooh Pauly, you so original n smart n everythin 🥰
John ********
@Paul **********
Yes! Very Poor Planning!
Sheen ************
@Paul **********
obviously not as wonderful as you!Paul ***********
@Sheen ***********
thanks for the compliment much appreciated 😎Stuart *********
You are departing on the 15th so your boyfriend’s passport has 6 months validity left. You should have no issues with the airline for that. Thai immigration generally won’t give a monkeys about it.
Gianpaolo ******
@Stuart ********
hi on December 7th I made an request for an e visa (tourist) and after making the payment online I didn't receive any email! It's normal? Or do I have to worry that maybe I entered the wrong email addressStuart *********
@Gianpaolo *****
That really depends on the country you are from. The evisa system routes your request to the local embassy/consulate where you are. Some like London take on average 3-5 working days. Others like LA have been known to take 3 or 4 weeks.Stuart *********
@Gianpaolo *****
I’ve not used the evisa system myself so cannot comment regarding what is a “normal” response. Perhaps you should check your spam folder.Gianpaolo ******
@Stuart ********
excuse me , maybe I expressed myself badly! I have not received any email that they have received my application! It's normal? I know that approval takes several working days (in Rome between 7 and 14)
SteBu ******
@Stuart ********
nope. At the immigration in TH he must have 6 validi months
Joris **********
@SteBu *****
@Stuart ********
is 100% rightStuart *********
@SteBu *****
Sorry but you’re wrong.Andy ********
@Joris *********
And the Thai Government is wrong?Joris **********
@Andy *******
@Stuart ********
is 100% right.Andy ********
@Ruth ******
It seems Admin removed the link i posted to the Thai Embassy Website in Australia which shows the requirement so here it is again. (It will probably get deleted again too)....... ***************************************************
Ruth *******
@Andy *******
perhaps Facebook wasn’t showing your link to the Thailand website amongst your numerous copies from other countries. I didn’t go out of my way to choose “all comments” while reading your copies from the UK, Australia…Andy ********
@Ruth ******
Read my replies properly 🤦♂️ The website which i put the link to is a Thai Government website and it does state the requirement is to have 6 months left in your passport....its not hard, well it seems it is 🙄🙄Ruth *******
@Andy *******
Instead of pointing to other countries' websites and using them as references to prove Thailand's policy, find a statement from Thailand saying 6 months is required.
Brandon ************
@Andy *******
the reports from people that have done it.Andy ********
@Brandon ***********
Where is your information that there is no such rule?Andy ********
@Brandon ***********
Then why do the Thai Government say there is on their Australian website? Im not making this up its there for you to see as well as everybody else....... ***************************************************
Brandon ************
@Andy *******
regardless of what the UK says, you can enter Thailand without a passport valid for 6 months. Thai immigration only cares that your passport is valid for at least as long as your entry stamp will be. Thailand does have a rule that you cannot apply for a visa with less than 6 months but there's no such rule about entering the country.Andy ********
@Stuart ********
I can't believe that. The UK Government website certainly doesn't control Thai Immigration rules but they do discuss requirements in detail with the Thai Government and print those requirements on the UK Government website. Wether or not immigration officials offer leniency is another matter. I just checked the Thai Embassy in Australia and that also says you need 6 months remaining on your passport. Its not an airline thing it's a Thai Government requirement.Stuart *********
@Andy *******
The UK government doesn’t control immigration policy for Thailand. They almost certainly state that because the airlines carrying you to Thailand will use that policy as it’s pretty much standard for most countries. Thai immigration won’t give a monkey about your passport validity as long as your proposed time within Thailand is within the validity of your passport.
Andy ********
@Stuart ********
Why is he wrong as thats what the UK Government website says is the stipulation?
John **********
@SteBu *****
not true. Thailand doesn't require 6 months validity but is the only country in the region that doesn'tAndy ********
@John *********
Why does it say its a requirement on the UK Gov website if its not required?
Harry *******
Check Thailand’s rules. Many countries use the 6 month period from when you depart, not when you arrive.
Erikh *********
Unlikely
Michael ********
Just hope there’s no delays
Steve ********
Just! Makes it by one day!
Andy *******
yes, ok
Activity
38 joined38
people
Related
25Can I travel to Thailand with a UK Travel Document instead of a British passport?
6836711d
Can my friend travel to Thailand with less than 6 months validity on his passport before his visa application?
1.4k121614d
Will I have trouble entering Thailand with a history of visa runs?
3.7k182210mo
Can I return to Thailand after two 90-day visits without a visa?
5k49281y
Will I have problems entering Thailand with a DTV visa after being denied entry on a 60-day exemption?
3k20371y
Will I have any issues getting a 2-month entry stamp at a Thai land border with a nearly-valid Canadian passport?
1.6k9212y
Is a UK passport expiring one day before the six-month validity acceptable for entry to Thailand?
1.4k1083y
What should my son do if his passport validity is less than 6 months and he has to leave Thailand soon?
3.1k11653y
Can I enter Thailand again on visa-exempt status after multiple entries and extensions?
2.7k22223y
Can a foreign passport holder with less than 6 months of validity return to Thailand on an active visa?
759273y
Can I enter Thailand with less than six months validity on my passport if I have a multiple entry visa?
2.5k16254y
Is it a problem to return to Thailand with a passport that has less than six months of validity?
2.6k21174y
How can I stay in Thailand until I receive my new passport and apply for a long-term visa?
1.4k1074y
Do I need to renew my passport before applying for an extension of my Non-Immigrant 'O' visa in Thailand?
1.5k9135y
Can my daughter travel back to Thailand with a passport expiring in less than 6 months?
3.4k30255y
Am I still able to travel to Thailand with my Thailand Pass and flight booked for January 6th despite new regulations?
7.9k70705y
What should I do if my visa dates are incorrect and I need to travel to Thailand?
1.8k11195y
Will I have problems entering Thailand with a passport that has less than 6 months validity?
3087y
What are the passport validity requirements for traveling to Thailand and Indonesia for residents?
2.2k8367y
Is my passport validity sufficient for travel to Thailand if it's less than 6 months when I leave?
1.7k10147y
Will I be refused entry to Thailand with a passport valid for less than 6 months despite having a business visa and work permit?
36017y
Can you enter Thailand with an emergency passport that has only 2 months of validity?
58557y
Can my friend travel to Thailand with a passport that expired in 2019 but will be valid at the time of travel?
3488y
What nearby countries can a South African passport holder enter with less than 6 months passport validity?
1.3k898y
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?
782449y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served