Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > TravelBuzz
Reload this Page >

Singapore in-transit passport valid less than six months

Singapore in-transit passport valid less than six months

Old Jun 16, 2006, 3:16 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
Singapore in-transit passport valid less than six months

I don't think I will have a problem, but a friend of mine just scared me.

My US passport expires in 5 months.

I am am currently scheduled on the direct SYD-SIN-LHR flight. So I will physically will be in Singapore for about an hour.

Singapore won't let you enter unless your pass port is valid for six months.

Will I have a problem with my passport?

I am more worried with an overzealous check in agent interpreting the rules aggresively.
AAaLot is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 3:22 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
If by "direct flight" you mean the BA or QF flights that just stop in SIN to refuel, SIN won't enter into the equation as long as you do the trip in one long haul. You're going to the UK, and Singaporean immigration or their regulations have nothing to do with you.

I wonder what the UK will say about your passport though. I thought they also had a "six months" rule, but I may be mistaken on that point. BTW, where are you heading after the UK? The longer you wait to have your passport replaced, the more hassles could arise for your travels in the near future.
alex0683de is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 3:29 pm
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
I looked here.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html

The UK does not seem to have that requirement.

Yes, I am on the direct flight QF#31. I was just worried the check in agent saying that the airplane might have a problem in Singapore thus me needing, but being unable to clear customs.
AAaLot is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 3:34 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CGK
Programs: LH SEN (LH*G), HH Diamond, AB Gold (1W Saph)
Posts: 5,677
Originally Posted by AAaLot
I looked here.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html

The UK does not seem to have that requirement.

Yes, I am on the direct flight QF#31. I was just worried the check in agent saying that the airplane might have a problem in Singapore thus me needing, but being unable to clear customs.
What prevents you from just staying airside in case of a problem? I doubt they would use this reasoning. SIN even has an airside hotel if things go really awry or if you have a REALLY long connection. I doubt the stop there will be a problem.

Besides, even if you tried to enter and Singapore wanted to deport you, wouldn't it make sense for them to stick you on the flight you already have a ticket for?
alex0683de is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 4:55 pm
  #5  
Moderator, Hilton Honors
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
Relax - you'll stay airside. In the extremely unlikely event that you get a major (multi-day) delay and need to go airside the airline will take care of arrangements. I seem to recall a year ago an EK a/c going us in BKK and some pax needed visa to enter Thailand. The airline arranged formalities so they could enter the country and stay at a nearby hotel.
Kiwi Flyer is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 6:02 pm
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,323
I've visited SIn with less than two weeks left on my passport. other than the agent pointing it out to me (I was to be there for 3 days) there was no problem whatsoever.
hfly is offline  
Old Jun 16, 2006, 6:34 pm
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
Originally Posted by hfly
I've visited SIn with less than two weeks left on my passport. other than the agent pointing it out to me (I was to be there for 3 days) there was no problem whatsoever.
That is interesting, because it listed a country with the exception.

Here is a list of some countries that have special passport expiration rules.

Brazil, Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands), Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore: six months.
Cambodia, Denmark (including Greenland), Fiji, Switzerland: three months (Denmark applies its three-month rule to your stay in any of 15 European countries).
AAaLot is offline  
Old Jun 17, 2006, 3:42 am
  #8  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,323
You are right, however it ould seem that for stays less than 48 or possibly 72 hours they can consider that transit at which point they have no six month rule and the big requirement is that you have tickets etc.
hfly is offline  
Old Jun 17, 2006, 11:27 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,924
Originally Posted by AAaLot
...
Cambodia, Denmark (including Greenland), Fiji, Switzerland: three months (Denmark applies its three-month rule to your stay in any of 15 European countries).
Remember , it is just a recommendation that your passport should be valid for more than 6 months, but generally, it will still be accepted even up to 2-3 months prior expiry.
Guy Betsy is offline  
Old Jun 17, 2006, 3:55 pm
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
Remember , it is just a recommendation that your passport should be valid for more than 6 months, but generally, it will still be accepted even up to 2-3 months prior expiry.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/

When your valid passport isn't really valid
Some countries require passport be valid for 3-6 months from start of trip
By Joel Widzer
Travel columnist
Tripso.com


Updated: 1:19 p.m. CT June 15, 2006
I was recently in the Atlanta airport, headed for a flight to Tel Aviv, when I noticed something odd: a young man and his 3- or 4-year-old daughter were taken aside and asked to stand behind the security perimeter.

Were they carrying too many toys? Was there something wrong with their tickets? Did they fail the security screening? Could they possibly be terrorists?

None of the above. This gentleman, who was traveling from California to Israel for an important family gathering, had failed to check his passport. The passport hadnt expired. In fact, it wouldnt expire for five months and 22 days. But that wasnt good enough. Like several other countries, Israel will not permit travelers to enter the country unless their passports will remain valid for at least six months after their scheduled departure.

This young father didnt know the rules. Both he and his daughter were denied boarding, and they had to spend three days in Atlanta getting new documents. The airline kindly waived the customary change fee for rebooking their flights and upgraded them to business class. But, sadly, they missed their family gathering.

What to know about special expiration rules
Its true: Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid not only for the duration of your visit, but also for three to six months after your entry or return from their country. This means you have to check your passport expiration date carefully. For example, if your passport expires on March 1, 2007, and you want to travel this coming November, you may need to renew your passport before you go.

Here is a list of some countries that have special passport expiration rules.

Brazil, Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands), Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore: six months.
Cambodia, Denmark (including Greenland), Fiji, Switzerland: three months (Denmark applies its three-month rule to your stay in any of 15 European countries).
There are many others. Some countries count their expiration windows from date of entry into their country, others from scheduled departure, so be sure to ask. For further information about special passport expiration rules, check the U. S. Department of States listing of foreign entry requirements. Other good sources of information are your airline, your travel agent, and the host countrys embassy or consulate.

What to do if your passport will expire in less than six months:

Contact the host countrys embassy or consulate to see if you can get a special visa for travel within the expiration period.
Renew your passport. The State Department says to allow six weeks for renewal, but you can sometimes get it sooner. For example, if you apply during September or December, when relatively few travelers apply for passports, the turnaround time is faster.
Apply for an expedited renewal. For an additional fee of $60, you can get your passport renewed in about two weeks.
Only the U.S. State Department can issue you a U.S. passport. For information on all passport matters, consult the State Departments Web site.


A few more things you should know about passports:

Many Middle Eastern and African countries will deny entry and refuse to issue a visa if your current passport contains an entry or exit stamp from Israel. If you are in this situation, you should apply for a new passport.
New passport rules are scheduled to take effect for travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada. As of December 31, 2006, a passport or other secure documentation will be required for all travel by air or by sea to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2007, a passport or other secure documentation will also be required for all land border crossings to or from these countries.
If you have been traveling a lot and have run out of passport pages, as I recently did, you can add new passport pages. Be aware that South Africa requires that all travelers have at least two blank pages for visas in their passports.
In most cases, U.S. citizens planning to stay in one country for more than 90 days will be required to provide additional paperwork, such as visas, proof of financial resources, and an outgoing ticket.
Finally, be aware that all U.S. citizens must have their own passport. Children cannot be included on a parents passport even newborn babies must have a passport to travel.
Dont let your next overseas trip get tripped up by a passport fiasco. Check your passport well in advance, and make sure your paperwork is in order.
AAaLot is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.