Is there a 6-month passport validity requirement for entering Thailand on a visa exemption?

Thailand visa rules Visa exemption Passport validity Travel requirements for Thailand Expat advice

May 19, 2018

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My Belgian friend wants to visit Thailand with a last minute booking. Will stay less than 30 days so it will be 30-day visa exempt. BUT his passport is valid less than 6 month. Is the +6 month rule also needed when arriving on visa exempt? 

I know you need it for a TV or non-imm Visum.... 

But can he enter or not?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A Belgian traveler wanting to enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption might encounter issues due to their passport's validity being less than the commonly suggested 6 months. While some commenters believe the 6-month rule applies strictly when applying for a visa, others note it has been enforced at check-in. Overall, the consensus is that while technically a passport only needs to be valid for the duration of stay for visa-exempt entry, airlines may deny boarding based on their own requirements or policies. It is advised to check with the airline prior to travel.

Kkostas ***************

CPH-Vienna-BKK flight, found out in Vienna had to stay the night. Austrian airlines.

7 years ago

Kkostas ***************

most probably the airline will turn him back. happened to people visiting. had to get an emergency passport next day, lucky it was a weekday. costs extra too. if in your city you will not have to pay for hotels. if there is a flight to be put on the next day. if ticket is re-bookable or ticket lost.

7 years ago

Dennis *************

Ministry of foreign affairs in Germany says your documents have to be valid 6 months if you enter Thailand. Even on a visa exempt. Many countries have this rule, I'd double check it.

7 years ago

Dennis *************

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US & UK ministries confirm it, btw

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Maybe you're lucky and your airline / Thai immigration doesn't care, but I would not risk to get denied.

7 years ago

Dennis *************

The ministry of foreign affairs sells visas? That's pretty new ;)

The German ministry has a website where you can check the requirements of all foreign countries.

7 years ago

Tod *********

The ministry of foreign affairs office SELLS visas to thailand at the thai embassies, they do not set entry policy.

No matter what they or their website says, you need a passport valid only as long as you're getting stamped into the country for.. ;)

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@Mark *******

, the way the real rule is written is you need a passport with at least a 6 month validity to BUY a visa for thailand from a consulate.

BUT when you fly in to the country on a visa exempt entry you only need the passport to be valid for the length of time you're going to be stamped in for. There is NO rule about a passport needing 6 month validity to enter the country.

7 years ago

Tod *********

With that being said, you can't get into ANY neighboring country without 6 months on your passport, so you're either gonna get a new passport here OR just stay here and then go back to where ever it is you come from.

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Mark ********

I had similar 2 years ago my passport was in its expiry year. I wanted to fly Heathrow to bkk. I spoke to 2 different thai consulate staff. 1 said has to be over 6 months remaining for any kind of entry. The other said 30 day visa exempt not a issue. I never took the risk I flew with 6 months and 1 day remaining to be safe. I never really got a definitive answer to what is the correct ruling.

7 years ago

Valère *************************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark *******

Seems to me this is more an unwritten rule than a law of some kind. Anyway, thanks fo your comments

7 years ago

Mark ********

@Valère ************************

I was told the 6 month was only on entry to Thailand. Can stay until 1 day remaining as long as your leave before expired date. But yes not easy to get a definitive answer.

7 years ago

Valère *************************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Well the flight is dirt-cheap so he's taking the risk. His exp.date is actually 5 month and 2 weeks on the day of the return flight. Thank you.

7 years ago

Reply to

Valère *************************

Martin *******

He will be OK IF the airline know the rules and let him on his flight !

7 years ago

Valère *************************

ORIGINAL POSTER