Retirement extension validity

G

gringo

Member
About 6 weeks ago I returned to Thailand from the UK after 1 months stay , on a direct flight with Thai Airways . I had a re-entry permit . So I checked in at Heathrow , went through the Suvarnabhumi airport immigration without problems . The following day I went to the Kap Choeng immigration for the 24 hour back in the country report . Surprise surprise , because the I.O. said to me that I only had 4 months left on my passport . I am thinking , I should have 6 months left on my pp in order to fly to most countries . How was that missed at London and Bangkok ? Was I lucky or what ? Then I later found out that it doesn't apply to Thailand . They require your pp to be valid as long as your visa is . Well my visa expires in December and the pp in January 2027 . I have since renewed my pp with Thai Visa Express in Pattaya for 11000 baht all in and it came back in 3 weeks . Top class service .
 
gringo said:
About 6 weeks ago I returned to Thailand from the UK after 1 months stay , on a direct flight with Thai Airways . I had a re-entry permit . So I checked in at Heathrow , went through the Suvarnabhumi airport immigration without problems . The following day I went to the Kap Choeng immigration for the 24 hour back in the country report . Surprise surprise , because the I.O. said to me that I only had 4 months left on my passport . I am thinking , I should have 6 months left on my pp in order to fly to most countries . How was that missed at London and Bangkok ? Was I lucky or what ? Then I later found out that it doesn't apply to Thailand . They require your pp to be valid as long as your visa is . Well my visa expires in December and the pp in January 2027 . I have since renewed my pp with Thai Visa Express in Pattaya for 11000 baht all in and it came back in 3 weeks . Top class service .
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A long time ago, we traveled to Thailand from Australia for a holiday--no problem. When we returned, as Pat was still on a permernant
residency visa, we were told her visa had expired and she could not re enter Australia.I lost my cool at the I.O asking robustly HTF
this error was not picked up three weeks earlier when we left. The I.O was dumbfounded and immedialely granted Pat another 1 month
bridging visa, thank f*ck. It only took 2 weeks to issue her a new visa, the systems are not perfect.
 
FERRET said:
A long time ago, we traveled to Thailand from Australia for a holiday--no problem. When we returned, as Pat was still on a permernant
residency visa, we were told her visa had expired and she could not re enter Australia.I lost my cool at the I.O asking robustly HTF
this error was not picked up three weeks earlier when we left. The I.O was dumbfounded and immedialely granted Pat another 1 month
bridging visa, thank f*ck. It only took 2 weeks to issue her a new visa, the systems are not perfect.
Click to expand...


Nor some visa holders, it would seem...... :grinning: :grinning:
 
gringo said:
About 6 weeks ago I returned to Thailand from the UK after 1 months stay , on a direct flight with Thai Airways . I had a re-entry permit . So I checked in at Heathrow , went through the Suvarnabhumi airport immigration without problems . The following day I went to the Kap Choeng immigration for the 24 hour back in the country report . Surprise surprise , because the I.O. said to me that I only had 4 months left on my passport . I am thinking , I should have 6 months left on my pp in order to fly to most countries . How was that missed at London and Bangkok ? Was I lucky or what ? Then I later found out that it doesn't apply to Thailand . They require your pp to be valid as long as your visa is . Well my visa expires in December and the pp in January 2027 . I have since renewed my pp with Thai Visa Express in Pattaya for 11000 baht all in and it came back in 3 weeks . Top class service .
Click to expand...


Hmmmmm..............................I say you were lucky.

Admittedly, I had never seen it written anywhere (until today).....but the e-visa guide (page 23/52) clearly states 6 months validity is required.

 
CO-CO said:
Hmmmmm..............................I say you were lucky.

Admittedly, I had never seen it written anywhere (until today).....but the e-visa guide (page 23/52) clearly states 6 months validity is required.

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Many thanks for your info but I could not find the 6 months validity statement within the pages you quoted . Could you please take a screenshot as I want to know the correct answer and if indeed I was lucky or not .
 
CO-CO said:
Hmmmmm..............................I say you were lucky.

Admittedly, I had never seen it written anywhere (until today).....but the e-visa guide (page 23/52) clearly states 6 months validity is required.

Click to expand...
I just did an A.I. search and you are right . Details below


can i enter thailand with less than 6 months passport validity but have a retirement visa with 4 months validity













No, you cannot enter Thailand with less than 6 months of passport validity, even if you hold a valid retirement visa. [1]
Thailand strictly enforces a 6-month passport validity rule at all ports of entry. If your passport has less than 6 months left before its expiry date, immigration officers will deny you entry, and your airline will likely block you from boarding your flight. [1]

The Conflict Between Your Visa and Passport
Your passport is your primary identity document, and your visa is inherently tied to it. Thai immigration laws mandate that:
  • Passport overrides visa: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the exact day you arrive in Thailand.
  • Shortened stamp: Even if you were somehow permitted to board, Thai immigration would only stamp your stay up to the expiration date of your passport, completely cutting short your remaining 4 months of visa validity. [1]
 
gringo said:
I just did an A.I. search and you are right . Details below


can i enter thailand with less than 6 months passport validity but have a retirement visa with 4 months validity













No, you cannot enter Thailand with less than 6 months of passport validity, even if you hold a valid retirement visa. [1]
Thailand strictly enforces a 6-month passport validity rule at all ports of entry. If your passport has less than 6 months left before its expiry date, immigration officers will deny you entry, and your airline will likely block you from boarding your flight. [1]

The Conflict Between Your Visa and Passport
Your passport is your primary identity document, and your visa is inherently tied to it. Thai immigration laws mandate that:
  • Passport overrides visa: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on the exact day you arrive in Thailand.
  • Shortened stamp: Even if you were somehow permitted to board, Thai immigration would only stamp your stay up to the expiration date of your passport, completely cutting short your remaining 4 months of visa validity. [1]
Click to expand...


Well done .... It took me 20 years to find it. :)
 
gringo said:
About 6 weeks ago I returned to Thailand from the UK after 1 months stay , on a direct flight with Thai Airways . I had a re-entry permit . So I checked in at Heathrow , went through the Suvarnabhumi airport immigration without problems . The following day I went to the Kap Choeng immigration for the 24 hour back in the country report . Surprise surprise , because the I.O. said to me that I only had 4 months left on my passport . I am thinking , I should have 6 months left on my pp in order to fly to most countries . How was that missed at London and Bangkok ? Was I lucky or what ? Then I later found out that it doesn't apply to Thailand . They require your pp to be valid as long as your visa is . Well my visa expires in December and the pp in January 2027 . I have since renewed my pp with Thai Visa Express in Pattaya for 11000 baht all in and it came back in 3 weeks . Top class service .
Click to expand...

@gringo Do the lottery, you clearly have luck on your side.

The 11,000 Baht you paid is somewhat less than their published price (the attached came into my FB feed today).

9646.jpg
 
CO-CO said:
@gringo Do the lottery, you clearly have luck on your side.

The 11,000 Baht you paid is somewhat less than their published price (the attached came into my FB feed today).

View attachment 86342
Click to expand...
My apologies to you and well spotted . I just checked in my Whats app conversation with Visa Express and I paid 13000 baht not 11000 and not 12500 as shown in the advert . However I was very happy with their service . Having filled in the pp application and got the photos , I sent it to them via Post office recorded delivery and when it arrived at their office they checked that I had completed the app form correctly and that my photos were in compliance , before they asked for their money . 3 weeks later they called me to say that my new pp had arrived and was being sent to me via Post office tracker mail . Top service IMO .
 
gringo said:
32 pages
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They must count to cover page now :)

Official HM Passport Office Fees (Paid in GBP)
    • Adult Standard 34-page passport: £130 (£160.56 including the £30.56 courier fee)
    • Adult Frequent Traveller 54-page passport: £144 (£174.56 including the £30.56 courier fee)
 
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