Passport Validity

stressedoutmumof1

Hi, we're going to Turkey on holiday on 24th October and return on 1st November. I've just read that passports need to be valid for 3 months on exit from Turkey. Ours expire on 10th January :eek: Have we really got to renew all 3 passports fast track at an exorbitant cost of £321.50

miamoo

Just had a quick look on the Turkish consulate website, and it seems that validity is 6months on arrival! I had no idea I will try to do a link... LINK

Incapuppy

Yes, 6 months on arrival, 3 on exit, more info here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/europe/turkey

ericonabike

Looks like it. FCO.gov says

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months on entry into Turkey and have at least three months validity from the date you are exiting Turkey. If you hold a Travel Document it must be valid for at least one year on entry into Turkey.

Whilst it doesn't state the consequences of non-compliance I'd be reluctant to bet my holiday on it personally. You'd have to renew the passports anyway, and so the 'loss' is only the excesss required for Fasttrack.

stressedoutmumof1

Thanks, what a pity we fall foul by 21 days

Incapuppy

You don't - you fall foul by 3 months as you need 6 months validity to enter the country.

jammin_2

What's it got to do with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office?

The FCO has no authority to advise conclusively of the entry requirements of a foreign country and they get it wrong from time to time. Only the authorities of the country in question can advise conclusively.

In the case of Turkey, the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs says:

Passports should be valid at least 90 days longer than the expiry date of the requested visa

The requested visa, in the case of British citizens entering Turkey for tourist purposes, is a three month-multiple entry visa (described in the same link above).

So, practically speaking, your passport must be valid for at least six months from date of entry to Turkey.

HXDave

did your travel agent not make you aware of this when booking?

anniewarren

I hve the same problem. Flying to Turkey Tues 26th Oct 1 week flying out 3rd Nov my 10yr sons passport expires 19th April 2011 will this be OK?

wealdroam

anniewarren wrote: »

I hve the same problem. Flying to Turkey Tues 26th Oct 1 week flying out 3rd Nov my 10yr sons passport expires 19th April 2011 will this be OK?

No.

Have another read of the posts above. The bit where it says must be valid for six months on entry.

That seems to tell me that your son's passport needs to be valid until 26 April 2011.

mecrazybenz

Hi

From my experience I travelled to Turkey in July and my passport only had 5 months left which if going by the rules was 1 month short of being valid to enter the country.

I had no problems getting in our out. Infact the passport control person was quite friendly and made conversation about what me and my wife do for a living etc. Don't know if having a 3 year old daughter made things easier. They hardly checked the passport, a quick glance and a stamp and your done.

But if you only have 3 months left, thats a different story.

I would suggest speaking to your airline asap. They will tell you if it will be ok or not as it is in their interest to make sure you will get into the country because if you don't they have to cover the cost of returning you home (which they will probably try and get off you).