Friendly Passport Advice

[Deleted]

Maybe I am the only one that didn't know this but some countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months to enter.  I was just denied a boarding pass to go to Indonesia since my passport expires in January.  I actually I have no idea how I got into Singapore because they apparently have the same rule but I got in yesterday.  Now I don't know if I will be able to leave so I get to visit the US embassy tomorrow.   So my friendly advice is if your passport is expiring within the next 12 months don't delay get it renewed today!

[frlcb]

This is pretty common but there are many countries who don't require it. The UK doesn't, but the Schengen countries (25 of them) require only 3 months. The 6 months seems to be more prevalent in Asia. Good luck!!

Here's a good list:

traveltips.usatoday.com/countries-require-six-months-passport-validity-100788.html

[Deleted]

Good luck! I hope everything gets worked out quickly. You're having quite a trip!

[emilyinchile]

I'm sorry, monsterz! I did know that rule, but I could easily see myself forgetting it. Luckily my passports are good to go for a few years.

[GilliC]

Between name changes and questionable ethics among Chinese import companies, I haven't actually had a passport expire since I was a teenager.  


I'm not sure it would cross my mind to check!

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2013 6:33:51 GMT -5 frlcb said:

This is pretty common but there are many countries who don't require it. The UK doesn't, but the Schengen countries (25 of them) require only 3 months. The 6 months seems to be more prevalent in Asia. Good luck!!

Here's a good list:

traveltips.usatoday.com/countries-require-six-months-passport-validity-100788.html

Based on this list I shouldn't have been allowed into Hong Kong which is where I was before Singapore but I was which has me irrationally worried that I won't be able to leave for some strange reason.   We head to Europe at the end of September and I've decided I am going to expedite a new passport for that trip.  I don't understand what the purpose of an expiration date is if it actually expires sooner.   

This has definitely been an educational trip for me.  Hopefully I can leave on Saturday.

[frlcb]

Aug 22, 2013 8:37:02 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Aug 22, 2013 6:33:51 GMT -5 frlcb said:

This is pretty common but there are many countries who don't require it. The UK doesn't, but the Schengen countries (25 of them) require only 3 months. The 6 months seems to be more prevalent in Asia. Good luck!!

Here's a good list:

traveltips.usatoday.com/countries-require-six-months-passport-validity-100788.html

Based on this list I shouldn't have been allowed into Hong Kong which is where I was before Singapore but I was which has me irrationally worried that I won't be able to leave for some strange reason.   We head to Europe at the end of September and I've decided I am going to expedite a new passport for that trip.  I don't understand what the purpose of an expiration date is if it actually expires sooner.   

This has definitely been an educational trip for me.  Hopefully I can leave on Saturday.

You shouldn't have been allowed in Singapore either. Where are you flying to next?

I think it is because these countries issue a 6 month visa and don't want your passport expiring while you are in the country. I am sure there are exceptions to this but my understanding has been this is always why.

[Deleted]

The only reason I knew that was because of this board! Hopefully you can get things worked out quickly.

[hz80408]

My mom had a similar expierence so now this rule is engrained in my head. Good luck getting the expedited!

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2013 8:56:02 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Aug 22, 2013 8:37:02 GMT -5 monsterz said:

You shouldn't have been allowed in Singapore either. Where are you flying to next?

I think it is because these countries issue a 6 month visa and don't want your passport expiring while you are in the country. I am sure there are exceptions to this but my understanding has been this is always why.

Home!  But the flight is via Hong Kong.

[frlcb]

Aug 22, 2013 9:11:48 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Aug 22, 2013 8:56:02 GMT -5 frlcb said:

You shouldn't have been allowed in Singapore either. Where are you flying to next?

I think it is because these countries issue a 6 month visa and don't want your passport expiring while you are in the country. I am sure there are exceptions to this but my understanding has been this is always why.

Home!  But the flight is via Hong Kong.

I think if you are transiting maybe you will be okay? Good luck

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2013 9:11:48 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Aug 22, 2013 8:56:02 GMT -5 frlcb said:

You shouldn't have been allowed in Singapore either. Where are you flying to next?

I think it is because these countries issue a 6 month visa and don't want your passport expiring while you are in the country. I am sure there are exceptions to this but my understanding has been this is always why.

Home!  But the flight is via Hong Kong.

What did you have to do?

[Wanderista]

Good luck at the embassy!

[Deleted]

Im now going to go check my passport!

[Deleted]

We had to get DS2 an expedited passport 2 years ago because of this Cunard requires 6 mos left on your passport when you embark and DS2 had 5 mos and 29 days

[osumelissa]

Good luck at the embassy! I always check the rules for each country before booking a flight just to make sure I will be ok.

[frlcb]

Aug 22, 2013 15:46:56 GMT -5 @mx said:

Aug 22, 2013 6:33:51 GMT -5 frlcb said:

This is pretty common but there are many countries who don't require it. The UK doesn't, but the Schengen countries (25 of them) require only 3 months. The 6 months seems to be more prevalent in Asia. Good luck!!

Here's a good list:

traveltips.usatoday.com/countries-require-six-months-passport-validity-100788.html

I'm kind of cracking up that this list includes no African countries. I know 2 people who have been denied boarding this year because they were headed to South Africa without six months validity. I'm hard pressed to think of a country I've visited in Africa recently that WILL issue a visa when your passport is within 6 months of expiry!

I thought it was odd it didn't include Africa too. I should have clarified that it seemed to be a good list for Asia, where the op is

[Deleted]

Embassy said I am fine to leave tomorrow. They weren't surprised that I was able to come in. They said Singapore isn't as strict but Indonesia requires 6 months plus 1 day.

[Deleted]

The same exact thing happened when I was traveling with my grandmother years ago - same countries even. Since then I have always checked requirements - but I would never have thought to do so had that not happened. You'd think you'd be good as long as it's valid. Good luck!!

[mdgirl]

Glad it worked out!

[sushi]

I've read that if you can prove you have sufficient finances, or an outbound boarding pass, you can often get around the 6 month rule. I've never tested it, though.