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Will I face issues with Thai immigration when returning on a passport with less than 6 months validity?

Thai Visa Non-Immigrant ED Visa Passport Validity Thai Immigration Travel from Thailand to Canada Expat Advice Visa Requirements

Aug 18, 2017

8 years ago

Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

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TLDR : 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?

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Larisa ****

I agree. This is what I would do as well. Usually it takes less than 1 month to do all this.

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Larisa ****

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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.

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Larisa ****

Most welcome,

.

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Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

.

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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.

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Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

So they eventually let you on the plane?

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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. 😊

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Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Did you already have a Thai visa, or not?

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Zachary **********

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Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone know who I should email to get the definitive word on this?

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Sean ********

The US government seems to think you need 6 months on your passport.

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I doubt it's enforced too often though otherwise we would have heard about it

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Tod *********

That is because ALL the thai consulates list it as a requirement to get a visa and many airlines enforce it too.

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Tod *********

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Mark *******

Just an idea

, 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.

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Fra *****

Here they check on your passport 6 months validation and have sent people back

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Fra *****

South of bangkok

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Tod *********

here as in where?

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Tod *********

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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

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Fra *****

Hahaha usually i try to tell them , every9ne listen what they wonna listen 555

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Tod *********

There's a great side like job for you

, you can rent clothes to your customers so they can go to the immigration office :O .

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Fra *****

I am diving mostly with bag packers and low budget tourist here at koh tao , many of whom are not aware

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Tod *********

there is a dress code at gov't offices and most immigration offices have signage posted.

Here's signage from two different immigration offices.

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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 ,)

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Tod *********

they certainly can't deny you entry because you have less than 6 months on your passport :/

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Tod *********

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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..

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Robert *******

As Tod mentioned, no 6 month rule on enter Thailand only when you apply for Visa at Consulate or Embassy.

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Erik ************

, and the 6 month issue?

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Robert *******

, website is not correct. 15 days by land border is out dated.

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Erik ************

In Dutch but here is the page:

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Erik ************

Oth, we don't have to show proof of return/onward travel... it says.

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Tod *********

Be that as it may

, 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.

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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.

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Tod *********

, unless I'm wrong that's to buy a visa from the thai consulate there.

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Erik ************

Indeed very conflicting as the website of the Thai consulate in the Netherlands states the 6 months rule is there....

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Zachary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is very helpful, thank-you. A lot of conflicting information on this topic online.

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Zachary **********

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