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Will my UK passport with an extended expiry date be accepted for re-entry to Thailand in 2025?

Thailand Entry RequirementsUK PassportVisa RegulationsPassport ValidityExpats in Thailand
Nov 12, 2024
a month ago
Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I hope someone that can help please:

I am a UK Passport holder that was issued January 2016 but with residue from previous passport (UK Passport Office allowance as maximum 9 months) so date shown for its expiry is October 2026! know in Europe they have stopped accepting the additional months and apply a strict 6 months remaining on exact 10 years from date of issue!

Question is based on my returning to UK next September (2025) will my passport be accepted to come back in to Thailand, obviously with the appropriate visa in place?

I am not sure who, officially, to ask so hence my question here - I don’t want to change my passport early if it will still be accepted on my re-entry to Thailand.

I hope you can help or steer me, thank you in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK passport holder with a passport set to expire in October 2026 due to EU rules on validity, is concerned about whether they will be allowed to re-enter Thailand with it after their return to the UK in September 2025. Community responses indicate that as Thailand does not have a strict minimum passport validity requirement, the passport should be accepted for re-entry, provided the appropriate visa is in place. However, there are cautionary notes regarding potential transit issues in the EU and suggestions to consider renewing the passport before travel for peace of mind.
Mike **********
That’s interesting =

That in UK they add on the “residue”

I just renewed my passport

USA=

The new passport is good for 10 years from date of Issue — you start over fresh - my old one still had 9 months of validity.

Doesn’t make sense to add-on — since the World standard is 10 years
a month ago
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Paul ***************
Best get-a new passport
a month ago
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Paul *******
Get a new passport
a month ago
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Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pa**
, I am contemplating it but where does you answer come from, getting a new passport(prior to travel date) has multiple implications attached and that is what i am trying to avoid if I don’t have to. Thanks for the help though
a month ago
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Andy *********
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Dca *****
Thailand doesn't have a minimum passport validity per se, but any Thai visa, stay period, or Extension of Stay will only be as long as the validity of the passport (not more than the passport validity)
a month ago
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Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you - just to clarify the question is about Thailand accepting the “bolted on 9 months “ element that makes the passport 10 years and 9months with the recorded expiry date shown as October 2026 - thereby giving 13 month validity remaining when I return to Thailand - when UK left EEC countries in Europe stopped accepting the “extra” and put expiry 10 years after issue - that is what leaves me in doubt ?
a month ago
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Peter ****************
@Andy ********
 Well, I never heard (Dutch) about that extra time after 10 years. So what Paul says, I would arrange a new passport.
a month ago
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Peter ****************
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Peter ****************
@Dca ****
 Sorry, but I think Thailand needs 6 months of validity left after entry.
a month ago
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Euan ********
@Peter ***************
 correct.

On the government website it states a minimum of 6 months
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Euan *******
 Link? I don't think that this is a Thai government website.
a month ago
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Euan ********
@Graham *****
Thaiembassy.com / gov.uk / London.thaiembassy.org

And there's probably more.

Do you have a link that says to the contrary?
a month ago
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Ken ***********
@Graham *****
 To enter Thailand, your UK passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of arrival. It's important to ensure that your passport meets this requirement to avoid any issues at immigration.
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Ken **********
 You need that to fly (the airlines rarely let you fly without) but not to enter Thailand. Thailand does not have this requirement.
a month ago
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Ken ***********
@Graham *****
 this is from the Thailand London website
a month ago
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Ken ***********
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Christopher ***********
Only problem Andy could be if you have a transit in the EU and miss the connection. Happened to me two years running. Last occasion had to check into a hotel in Munich overnight. No problem financially because Lufthansa paid for refreshments, evening meal, hotel and taxi both ways.
a month ago
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Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris******
, thank you - as mentioned to Stuart I have now (in the interim) also emailed the British Embassy in Bangkok to see if they can give an answer
a month ago
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Christopher ***********
@Andy ********
 Understand Andy. Everything I’ve searched says the 10 year validity from date of issue only applies to EU and Schengen countries. Presumably, all other countries will accept the valid until date as printed in our passports. Incidentally, I’m in the same position. My current passport has the full nine months unexpired period from the previous one ‘tacked on’.
a month ago
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Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris******
, thanks - I am not sure some of the respondents totally understand the question that I posed - it is an odd one and I have also seen that it is only EU countries and Schengen (had to look that one up) that have the ruling - thanks again.
a month ago
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Andy *********
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Stuart *********
Not an issue for entry to Thailand.
a month ago
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Andy *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
, thank you - I have now (in the interim) also emailed the British Embassy in Bangkok to see if they can give an answer
a month ago
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Andy *********
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