Help.. Passport Expiry in 5 1/2 months

[andyperth]

Hi. I have a flight with my wife, with SQ to AMS leaving Perth tomorrow at 17:10. On checking in online yesterday I could not check in because my Aussie passport expires Feb 6th 2017 (I didnt know this was a problem). I am returning Sep 20th. I also have a UK passport valid until 2020, so can I still check in tomorrow or do I need to contact embassies and beg that they bend the rules? If so should I contact every embassy in my travel plan- AMS, UK and Italy? I am starting to get a little edgy so would be overjoyed if someone could put me at ease. Cheers.

 

[medhead]

Can't you just travel on the UK passport?

 

[andyperth]

I believe so, but can I just switch to the UK passport at the checkin desk or will they expect to see a valid (!) aussie passport?

 

[Himeno]

I believe so, but can I just switch to the UK passport at the checkin desk or will they expect to see a valid (!) aussie passport?

The AU passport is valid, it just can't be used to enter some countries that require 6 months validity.
Use the UK passport at check in. Agent may ask to see AU passport as well. Use AU passport to exit AU.
Use UK passport at all points in EU/UK. Use AU passport when returning.

 

[travelislife]

Aus passport in to Uk just needs to be valid for the length of your stay. So 6 month thing shouldn't matter. Can check Timatic here:

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/vendors/default.aspx?i=TIMATIC&Mobile=1

Not sure if the transit in Singapore matters. Shouldn't because you aren't entering the country.

 

[medhead]

I believe so, but can I just switch to the UK passport at the checkin desk or will they expect to see a valid (!) aussie passport?

The 2 issues are being able to enter and stay in europe - UK passport should do that. And being able to return to Australia - Australian passport regardless of expiry. Expect you'll need to show both.

 

[travelislife]

The 2 issues are being able to enter and stay in europe - UK passport should do that. And being able to return to Australia - Australian passport regardless of expiry. Expect you'll need to show both.

If staying just in UK should be fine to travel just on Aus passport.

 

[medhead]

If staying just in UK should be fine to travel just on Aus passport.

They're flying to AMS - amsterdam

 

[andyperth]

Thanks to all for your help. I feel a little more relaxed now... I cant believe that I made such a newb mistake... Aug- FEB =7 months but 15 Aug to 6 Feb ....errr BIG mistake. Its a good thing I kept my UK passport handy. Will try and update the thread with what happened... even if I cant post from my IPAD ( this is from my laptop which stays behind)

 

[travelislife]

If staying just in UK should be fine to travel just on Aus passport.

They're flying to AMS - amsterdam

Ah yep! Somehow missed that!

 

[ermen]

Hi. I have a flight with my wife, with SQ to AMS leaving Perth tomorrow at 17:10. On checking in online yesterday I could not check in because my Aussie passport expires Feb 6th 2017 (I didnt know this was a problem). I am returning Sep 20th. I also have a UK passport valid until 2020, so can I still check in tomorrow or do I need to contact embassies and beg that they bend the rules? If so should I contact every embassy in my travel plan- AMS, UK and Italy? I am starting to get a little edgy so would be overjoyed if someone could put me at ease. Cheers.

Very simple.
Check-in passport showing and immigration are two separate matters (usually)


PER Check in:- show your UK passport. Check in agent only cares about if you need a visa to enter the destination country.
PER Immigration, use your Aussie passport to exit and re-enter

Coming back, you show the check in agent your Australia passport in AMS to give them comfort you won't be deported when reaching PER...

 

[travelislife]

Looks like for Netherlands it only needs to have validity 3 months longer than intended stay so you should be fine using Australian passport anyway.

 

[andyperth]

The AU passport is valid, it just can't be used to enter some countries that require 6 months validity.
Use the UK passport at check in. Agent may ask to see AU passport as well. Use AU passport to exit AU.
Use UK passport at all points in EU/UK. Use AU passport when returning.

This was exactly correct.. thanks again

Singapore sling and Lobster Termidor (pre-booked cook)... I'm in heaven.

 

[Cynicor]

Reminds me that my passport expires in 2 weeks. Luckily I get home in 5 days so it shouldn't be a big problem. Wonder if Singapore have a minimum validity on it if you are using the E-gate things, or at all?

It's not an issue regardless, just curious.