Answered9 years ago
Will I face issues with Thai immigration when returning on a passport with less than 6 months validity?
QUESTION FOR CANADIANS: (And hopefully others who have been in a similar situation....)
I plan on traveling from Thailand to Canada soon. I currently hold a Non-Immigrant ED Thai Visa.
My Canadian passport expires March 5, 2018. I want to return to Thailand on October 5. At that time there will be less than 6 months left on my current passport.
Will Thai airport immigration authorities give me a hard time? Or is the 6 months passport validity issue only for Canadians entering Thailand WITHOUT a Thai visa?
Thanks in advance.
I plan on traveling from Thailand to Canada soon. I currently hold a Non-Immigrant ED Thai Visa.
My Canadian passport expires March 5, 2018. I want to return to Thailand on October 5. At that time there will be less than 6 months left on my current passport.
Will Thai airport immigration authorities give me a hard time? Or is the 6 months passport validity issue only for Canadians entering Thailand WITHOUT a Thai visa?
Thanks in advance.
Answer summary
The question centers on concerns regarding passport validity when returning to Thailand with a Non-Immigrant ED visa. The user holds a Canadian passport expiring soon and fears potential issues at the Thai immigration due to having less than six months validity left at the time of re-entry. Commenters offer advice based on personal experiences, highlighting that while airlines often enforce the six-month rule before boarding, Thai immigration does not strictly require six months validity if you possess a valid visa. They recommend replacing the passport in Thailand for peace of mind and address the confusion surrounding the necessity for six-month validity, indicating it primarily applies to visa applications rather than entry requirements.
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Terary **********
Maybe someone already suggested it - but I will do it anyway. Why dont' you get a Canadian replacement passport now - and transfer all that stuff while here, now?
Larisa ****
I agree. This is what I would do as well. Usually it takes less than 1 month to do all this.
Larisa ****
I remember once I had to enter Thailand with a passport valid for less than 6 months and I had trouble with the airline staff that would not let me take the plane. Immigration staff had no issues with it at all. If I were in your situation I might have asked for a new passport at the embassy and transfer the visa in that passport before leaving Thailand.
Larisa ****
Most welcome,
@Zac****
.
Zachary **********
OPThanks
@Lar***
.Larisa ****
Yes, they let me in the plane. :) I had to negotiate with them. :) I also know that the 6 months passport validity rule is taken into the account only when flying in a foreign country. For example, if your passport is valid for 1 day only and you are flying in Canada, then there is no problem at all. But if you want to enter a foreign country, you might have troubles. I always call airlines and embassies to ask these kind of questions. They are usually super effective.
Zachary **********
OPSo they eventually let you on the plane?
Larisa ****
Yes. I had. It was a tourist visa. I was coming from Penang and my passport was valid for less than 6 months. Airline staff did not want to let me in because they were scared that immigration will not let me in the country and they will be in trouble. I told them I take all risks on me and if this happens I will just fly out of Thailand again. They agreed and I was allowed in by immigration. No problem at all. 😊
Zachary **********
OPDid you already have a Thai visa, or not?
Zachary **********
OPDoes anyone know who I should email to get the definitive word on this?
Sean ********
The US government seems to think you need 6 months on your passport.
I doubt it's enforced too often though otherwise we would have heard about it
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I doubt it's enforced too often though otherwise we would have heard about it
Tod *********
That is because ALL the thai consulates list it as a requirement to get a visa and many airlines enforce it too.
Mark *******
Just an idea
@Zac****
, get a new passport from a Canadian embassy/consulate in Thailand now and have the visa transferred before you leave to save any worries. You're going to have to get a new passport anyways and you have enough time (I think mine took 2 weeks here in Chiang Mai). Also, getting one here was easier/quicker than getting one in Canada.Fra *****
Here they check on your passport 6 months validation and have sent people back
Fra *****
South of bangkok
Tod *********
here as in where?
Fra *****
Be aware that in thailand a visa is no garanty at all , the officer at the immigration point can always give you a hard time if he thinks to do do , and they have the authority over the visa and entry
Fra *****
Hahaha usually i try to tell them , every9ne listen what they wonna listen 555
Tod *********
There's a great side like job for you
@Fr***
, you can rent clothes to your customers so they can go to the immigration office :O .Fra *****
I am diving mostly with bag packers and low budget tourist here at koh tao , many of whom are not aware
Tod *********
@Frank ****
there is a dress code at gov't offices and most immigration offices have signage posted. Here's signage from two different immigration offices.
Fra *****
As far as i am aware due to reading and hearing about immigration stories here south of bangkok, from my customer, clients and friends
Their have been people with propper paperwork sent back ,
just they have not been propper dressed in clothes
( tank top , surf shorts , flipflops ,backpack ,)
Their have been people with propper paperwork sent back ,
just they have not been propper dressed in clothes
( tank top , surf shorts , flipflops ,backpack ,)
Tod *********
they certainly can't deny you entry because you have less than 6 months on your passport :/
Tod *********
The 6 months required on a passport are when you're BUYING a visa from a thai consulate.
It is an old wive's tale that you need 6 months validity on your passport when you enter thailand . . . :/
There is no rule written that you need a passport validity of 6 months to enter thailand if you already possess a valid visa or an extension of stay OR are comin' in on a visa exempt entry stamp.
All you need is enough time to cover the amount you'll get stamped into the country for..
It is an old wive's tale that you need 6 months validity on your passport when you enter thailand . . . :/
There is no rule written that you need a passport validity of 6 months to enter thailand if you already possess a valid visa or an extension of stay OR are comin' in on a visa exempt entry stamp.
All you need is enough time to cover the amount you'll get stamped into the country for..
Robert *******
As Tod mentioned, no 6 month rule on enter Thailand only when you apply for Visa at Consulate or Embassy.
Erik ************
@Rob***
, and the 6 month issue?Robert *******
@Er**
, website is not correct. 15 days by land border is out dated.Erik ************
In Dutch but here is the page:
************************************************************************************
Erik ************
Oth, we don't have to show proof of return/onward travel... it says.
Tod *********
Be that as it may
It could be an airline rule where the won't take you.
@Er**
, there is no rule in thailand about a passport needing to be valid 6 months anywhere except a thai consulate to buy a visa from them. It could be an airline rule where the won't take you.
Erik ************
No, Tod, that says for all visa/visa exempt. I have seen people being bounced from flights from Amsterdam due to this as well.
Tod *********
@Er**
, unless I'm wrong that's to buy a visa from the thai consulate there.Erik ************
Indeed very conflicting as the website of the Thai consulate in the Netherlands states the 6 months rule is there....
Zachary **********
OPThis is very helpful, thank-you. A lot of conflicting information on this topic online.
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