Passport Expires in Less than 6 Months

BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 20:16

My Australian passport will be expiring in less than 6 months shortly. I was wondering if it is likely that I will be able to board a plane back to Australia from the Philippines?

I asked the online chat on Cebu Pacific airlines but I only got an auto generated response about passports needing 6 months validity. I read that it's possible to go to Canada or the UK and back on a passport with less than 6 months validity. However other countries supposedly don't allow it.

Does anyone know how strict they are about enforcing this rule? I understand why they would prevent people leaving Australia with less than 6 months left on their passport. But is there any good reason they would stop someone returning home on a passport that is about to expire?

Travel Passport

Comments

    • HeWhoKnows on 20/03/2024 - 08:30
      +59

      Op can return home back to Australia any time as long as passport has not expired.

      This issue of minimum 6 months is when anyone is departing Australia

      • 2jzzzz on 20/03/2024 - 08:43
        +8

        HeWhoKnows does know.

        Can return to Australia right up til expiry.

      • hotdish on 20/03/2024 - 23:45
        +15

        An Australian in an overseas country (Phillipines in this example) can return to Australia with an expired passport and to be honest with no passport.

        Sure it will take a bit of work and you would want to get to the airport early, it basically involves the airline calling the ABF/Border Force/Aus Gov and getting an over ride/okay and then you'll be manually processed when you arrive in Australia without a passport (or expired passport).

        There is no section of the Migration ACt that states Australians must have a passport to enter Australia. You have Australian citizenship and this cannot be abrogated it you can prove you are a citizen.

        This is a different question that if the country of origin will allow you to leave on an expired visa (may have to pay a fine).

        The 24/7 phone number for the airline to call is listed here: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/crossi…

        • JimB on 21/03/2024 - 09:33
          +4

          Common sense.

          Overseas countries will deport you for not having valid passport so it only makes sense they will allow you to board to return to your country of origin with an expired passport.

          Once you leave their country, you're not their problem anymore.

          • Papa Huggies on 21/03/2024 - 12:58
            -3

            @JimB: Nah I'm pretty sure they just dump you in the ocean right outside their sea border. If you're nice they'll give you a life jacket and compass.

            If you're extra nice, maybe a juice box.

          • trapper on 21/03/2024 - 15:14

            @JimB: They will deport you eventually.

            You might spend some time in jail first depending on which country you are in without a valid visa.

        • trapper on 21/03/2024 - 15:11

          can return to Australia with an expired passport and to be honest with no passport.

          Airlines will probably refuse to fly you to Australia without a valid passport, so might need to walk/swim home.

        • aliam on 21/03/2024 - 17:10
          +2

          Can vouch for the above post - I returned to Australia without my passport (or anything else), after being evacuated from a natural disaster whilst overseas by the RAAF. Everyone on the military plane had to have a 5 minute interview with the order people, but without even any ID on us, it was still easy to get back into the country.

          And the passport office issued a brand new passport in under 24 hours, which was amazing too, and I didn't even have to pay for it. Our government was pretty good in helping us, and the RAAF were great.h

    • SolitaryMan on 20/03/2024 - 10:49
      +26

      Why would the law prevent an Australian with a valid passport returning to Australia?

      You owe everyone $300 Alienware monitors for this comment.

      • sauce2k on 20/03/2024 - 16:54
        +1

        I'm in receiving an Alienware monitor, thanks!

  • scrimshaw on 19/03/2024 - 20:27
    +8

    According to Smart Traveller the rule is up to the airlines to enforce

    Passport validity
    Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. Some airlines also impose this rule on their own initiative. It can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over. Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. You can receive conflicting advice from different sources. Getting it wrong can mean being stranded.

    • MITM on 20/03/2024 - 14:46
      +2

      In this case OP is exiting the country and returning home. This passage refers to visiting/entering a country.

      • Ridiculous Panda on 20/03/2024 - 18:53
        +2

        Yeah but they might have trouble leaving Australia when they can see the passport will have less than 6 months before their return date.
        Most likely staff won't even care or pay attention unless OP is staying in the Philippines for a few months.

        • trapper on 21/03/2024 - 15:22
          -1

          Airlines generally don't want to transport a passenger who may not be allowed in, because many countries will require the airline to return the traveler back to their point of origin if this happens.

  • CyberMurning on 19/03/2024 - 20:28
    +25

    Everyone, go check your passport and set reminder to renew around 8 months before expiry

    • xylarr on 20/03/2024 - 09:16
      +2

      Make it a year, just to be safe

      • dwarves on 20/03/2024 - 18:44
        +31

        As soon as I receive my new passport I renew it again. Can't be too careful.

        • mducpham on 24/03/2024 - 11:25

          on behalf of the government and the taxpayers, I thank you for your donation!

    • HeWhoKnows on 20/03/2024 - 11:35
      -1

      Passport only required if planning to go overseas.

      • ProlapsedHeinous on 20/03/2024 - 18:45
        +2

        You would think. Ive tried to apply for a few things recently, and my drivers license for some reason doesnt verify online. I checked with dept of transport and they see nothing wrong. So i've just applied to renew my passport just so i have something other than medicare card to verify me. pisses me off.

        • MilkDrinker on 21/03/2024 - 08:31

          So Did mine, signed up to license online (vicroads) and found out my card had the verification numbers in the back of card changed. Worked as normal after using the new one.

  • Benoffie on 19/03/2024 - 20:31
    +12

    Never heard of immigration stopping an Australian coming in on an Australian passport, regardless of expiry. If in doubt, contact nearest consulate/embassy

    https://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/contact-us.html

    • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 20:32

      That's what I thought but I think it's also up to the airline.

    • jv on 19/03/2024 - 21:01
      +5

      Problem might occur catching a connecting flight…

      • SolitaryMan on 20/03/2024 - 10:51
        +1

        Why would anyone need a connecting flight between the Philippines and Australia?

        • jv on 20/03/2024 - 11:06
          -3

          Dunno, not my airline.

        • Papa Huggies on 21/03/2024 - 13:00

          Doncha know super common to go from Manila to Dubai then Sydney. Very sane and logical.

  • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 20:31
    +10

    I was just reading in the other forum "Japan with less than 6 months on the passport." Someone said:

    Australia requires a valid passport (and visa if on foreign passport) at the time of entry and doesn’t have to be 6 months valid even if it is foreign passport.

    Airlines won’t stop a passenger from returning to home country as long as the passport is valid at the time of travel even if the country has 6 months minimum validity requirement for foreign passports.

    Any country won’t refuse their citizens entering the country even if the passport validity is less than 6 months as long as the passport is valid at the time of entry.

    • Thatbargainhunter on 19/03/2024 - 23:51
      +23

      Even if you don't have your Australian passport, as an Australian citizen you still would have to be let in.

      For example, if you lost your passport mid flight or you departed on another passport and didn't have the Australian (and if wasn't checked).

      Australian citizens have an automatic right of.entry. while it would be a long wait with immigration as they try and establish your identity and your citizenship, they would eventually have to let you in..

      • Ozbargainite on 20/03/2024 - 20:47
        +2

        This is 100% correct.

      • skidexa on 21/03/2024 - 17:01

        So if you're a dual citizen of another country and they had similar rules, can you travel without a passport? Lol imagine

        • Thatbargainhunter on 21/03/2024 - 19:00

          You wouldn't be able to leave a country without a passport. But you do not need to leave one country and enter the new country on the same passport.

    • burningrage on 20/03/2024 - 07:42

      Japan doesn't require you to have 6 months passport validity period. Nor does Australia requires it.

      However, the airline that takes you to Japan MAY require you to have 6 months validity regardless of destination (stupid I know) because if you try to say put a passport expiry date on your airline profile, they may stop you from saving the profile.

      Example: If you are travelling to Japan via SQ, SQ itself will require you to have 6 months passport validity because its home country doesn't allow you to enter Singapore if you don't have that. However, if you are transiting only in Singapore, Singapore itself doesn't require you to have that 6 months validity (you simply don't exit immigration) but SQ itself won't let you fly UNLESS you are being tricky and said I don't use online profile.

    • Samyool on 20/03/2024 - 20:17

      Smartraveller says you need 6 months on your passport to enter the Philippines, but doesn't mention anything about it in the "departure from the Philippines" section:
      https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/philippin…

      At the end of the day, it will be up to the airline - I'd recommend trying again to check with them.

  • bobbieb on 19/03/2024 - 20:34
    +10

    AFAIK - if you have an Australian passport and are returning to Australia there is no passport validity requirement.

    Does my passport need 6 months validity to travel to Australia?

    Your Australian passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in Australia. It does not need to have six months remaining validity to enter Australia unless you are passing through a third country that requires it.

    https://usa.embassy.gov.au/passports-faqs

    • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 20:35

      Sounds good. Direct flight then, not via Singapore.

      • sumyungguy on 19/03/2024 - 20:45
        +2

        You should be fine if you stay airside in SIN

        • SolitaryMan on 20/03/2024 - 11:13

          Doubtful any airline would let you board a flight to SIN on the hope you would try to stay airside.

  • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 20:34

    I suppose it's worth a shot if I can get a cheap promo ticket that I won't be crying too much if I get refused boarding. Although from the above comments it would seem they can't refuse my boarding for that reason.

    • Dumax on 19/03/2024 - 20:45
      -3

      They absolutely can deny you boarding because the airline will be the one responsible for returning you to Australia if you are denied entry to the Philippines.

      I wouldn't risk it without getting something in writing from the Embassy/consulate:

      General Information on the Entry of Foreigners

      As others have said, just renew your passport and save yourself the headache.

      • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 21:07
        +6

        I'm already in the Philippines. Just need to return to Australia later.

  • Tomhaigh1 on 19/03/2024 - 20:44
    +3

    Just get a new one, mine came within a week.

    • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 21:08
      +2

      It takes 6 weeks to get a new one in the Philippines which is where I am now.

      • freefall101 on 19/03/2024 - 22:47

        When are you returning? Presumably less than 6 weeks?

  • FocusRider on 19/03/2024 - 20:47
    -3

    Why can’t you just get a new one? Easy solution

  • starspawn on 19/03/2024 - 20:47
    +1

    My passport has expired lol…

    • jv on 19/03/2024 - 21:01

      lol

  • GordonD on 19/03/2024 - 20:51
    +8

    I find it really hard to believe that an Australian citizen could be refused entry to Australia because their passport had expired while they are overseas. They may not make it easy, but if you are an Australian citizen, and your Australian passport has expired, and its the only one you've got, they can't put you on a plane and send you back to somewhere else, because there isn't anywhere else that will let you in.

    That's the definition of home. Home is where if you have to go there, they have to let you in.

    • jv on 19/03/2024 - 21:03
      +3

      they can't put you on a plane and send you back to somewhere else, because there isn't anywhere else that will let you in.

      https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362227/

    • stewy on 20/03/2024 - 12:24
      +2

      When l thought I had lost my passport overseas, I contacted the Aust Govt helpline and they told me to go to the airport early because if the airline is cooperative they can contact Border Force and organise for clearance to fly even without a passport. I guess the next issue would have been leaving that foreign country's immigration.

      I'd imagine the same process would apply in the case of an expired passport, otherwise the local embassy would surely be able to help you.

  • mskeggs on 19/03/2024 - 21:05
    +3

    The issue is not your return flight, but the outbound flight.
    You won't be allowed to board to depart with a short dated passport.

    • Thatbargainhunter on 19/03/2024 - 23:53
      +7

      They are already overseas (presumably a long term stay)

  • JimmyF on 19/03/2024 - 21:09
    +1

    My Australian passport will be expiring in less than 6 months shortly. I was wondering if it is likely that I will be able to board a plane back to Australia from the Philippines?

    As you are already out the country, then yes you'll get back in. But you won't be able to leave Australia till it is renewed..

    • Samyool on 20/03/2024 - 20:13

      You can leave Australia with less than six months validity on the passport so long as you're travelling to a country that will let you enter with less than six month's validity (e.g. New Zealand). The Australian government lets you use your passport up to the day of expiry, but lots of countries, especially most (possibly all) of our neighbours in South East Asia have a six month rule.

  • Trance N Dance on 19/03/2024 - 21:19
    +1

    You'll be fine if you're flying directly back to Australia from the Philippines. Australia will still let you back in with even 1 day left on your passport.

    (You could in theory fly via Japan and South Korea as well as they don't require 6 month validity on your passport, but the agent at the check in desk may or may not actually be aware of that, do your own research if you want to transit and not fly directly back to Australia.)

    • BluebirdV on 19/03/2024 - 21:35

      Would via Singapore be fine? You don't need to clear immigration there for the connecting flight.

      • Assburg on 20/03/2024 - 10:25

        This would be the way, but if your connecting flights are not with the same airline you'll probably not be allowed to board to Singapore.

  • bobokingdom on 19/03/2024 - 21:43
    +2

    The rule is about entering the foreign country on a near expire passport. Australia will welcome you in as long as your AU passport is valid.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 19/03/2024 - 22:23
    +5

    See you on Border force, if it doesn't work out.

    Btw best of luck.

  • USER DC on 19/03/2024 - 23:27

    As An Austrlian Citizen you should be able to enter Australia (infact you can probably prove yourself as an Australian without passport too, like your biometrics, birth certificates, other government issued ID's, Digital ID's etc, think of case like lost passport overseas). You should also be able too seek help from Australian Embassies overseas.

    But whether a country allows people to exit their country (or exit their country to go to another country) is another different question.

    International Passports is one of the most signficant official government documents that most countries will use to identify you as overseas citizen (including for the essential services like mobile communications, driving etc.).

    If you want to be normal person, who just wants a easy good trip you should keep at least 3+ months validity than your returning date to Australia. Even if you passport is expired it can still be used by some overseas countries to identify you, But you may need Australian embassy's support for it though. (You should be glad Australia is a country with good relationships with most overseas countries, hence good diplomatic relationship, that enable easier emabassy processes). Check rules relating to you specifically seperately.

  • ode1online on 19/03/2024 - 23:28

    You may be lucky, or they may stop you in Australia and tell you that you cannot board. Renew your passport as soon as you can.

  • altomic on 20/03/2024 - 00:07
    +3

    Dept of Home Affairs says -

    If you are an Australian citizen you have an automatic right of entry to Australia and need only present a current Australian passport on your arrival. Australian citizens who travel without an Australian passport might have their entry delayed until their identity and claim to Australian citizenship has been verified.

    • MITM on 20/03/2024 - 14:53
      -6

      Current i.e. NOT expired

      • Ridiculous Panda on 20/03/2024 - 18:59

        Also Australian citizen i.e. NOT foreigners..
        Wait what is your point?

        • GordonD on 20/03/2024 - 19:22

          Wait what is your point?

          The point is that that the assertions made by a number of posters that you can't get back into Australia with an expired Australian passport are not correct. You can. They can't prevent an Australian citizen returning to Australia, you just have to prove you are an Australian citizen.

          In fact there's a circumstance in which you can't be denied entry to Australia even if you aren't an Australian citizen. The courts decided that someone with Aboriginal heritage, even if they were born in another country, and aren't an Australian citizen, has the right to "return" to Australia.

          • trapper on 21/03/2024 - 15:28

            @GordonD:

            The point is that that the assertions made by a number of posters that you can't get back into Australia with an expired Australian passport are not correct.

            This is true. But no airline will fly you without valid travel documentation. So you'll be swimming home.

            • MITM on 21/03/2024 - 16:46

              @trapper: The point is an Expired Passport is not current. Yes, you can return but immigration will give you 14 days to show your Birth/Citizen Cert at an immigration office - after that, I'd imagine you'll be locked up at Villawood.

              • trapper on 21/03/2024 - 17:28

                @MITM: Immigration will have to positively identify you before the let you in, of course.

                But that is exactly what they will do, then you're good to go.

  • bweiss on 20/03/2024 - 07:50

    It'll be fine for returning home (if you're going direct, or via airside transit in Malaysia / Singapore at least).
    I would advise you NOT to try to renew it whilst in the Philippines. Better to wait until you return home to renew it.
    Renewing passports whilst overseas can be annoying, since visas are generally tied to a passport number, and the old passport is cancelled when getting a new passport (apart from in special cases).
    This would mean in most situations you would be resident within the foreign country without a valid visa (since the visa is associated with the cancelled passport… making it no longer valid). Most countries do have some exceptions which allow it to carry over, but certain immigration officials can still use it to ruin your day.

    Travelling away from Australia with a passport expiring within 6 months (or that would be < 6 months within your expected travel period) is not advised.
    Since it can result in rejection for on arrival visas, and may not meet requirements for other visas also (certain multi-entry visas explicitly state your passport must have >6 months validity on arrival).
    This is why most airlines would refuse to carry passengers in this situation, the airline is responsible for return carriage for such passengers… and that might not just be back to the country of departure (since they may also not accept the passenger).

  • numloxx on 20/03/2024 - 08:17
    +1

    Renew it. Chances are you'll be stopped from travelling.

    • gromit on 20/03/2024 - 10:05
      +1

      He may be stopped from travelling to "other" countries, he will have no issues travelling to Australia.

  • stickingly on 20/03/2024 - 08:51
    +3

    Even though Australia will let you in, it is up to the check-in staff whether they let you board, and they probably have a blanket rule about the 6 months. The check-in staff don't have time to check many different requirements based on country.

    If you are going to try I would try and get something in writing from the airline before you go

    I once had a situation with my kids passport where they wouldn't let me board, even though I was in the right. They ended up having to call someone else after I insisted and the whole thing took a long time.

  • tabitha731 on 20/03/2024 - 09:25

    Question is are you willing to take that risk and jeopardise your holiday running smoothly.. there are times it's worth being a tight@$$ about but this is not one of them.. it's not as if U will only need your passport this one time.. get a new passport while its prices haven't gone up yet!

  • mrvaluepack on 20/03/2024 - 10:36

    If you are already in the Philippines and then returning to Australia, the answer will be yes of course you'll be allowed back in. The 6 months passport ruling is usually for return flights entering a different country from the issuing passport. For example, you have less than 6 months on your aussie passport but have a holiday trip to thailand, you probably won't be allowed into thailand.

  • Spending2Much on 20/03/2024 - 11:17

    I got denied entry to South Africa a few years ago now, because I didn't have a full blank page in my passport.
    Other pages had been double stamped from overland trip in Africa, flew into South Africa and got denied entry.

    Not quite the same thing and doesn't really answer your question….so probably not helpful at all really

  • munecito on 20/03/2024 - 11:29

    Let me Google that for you

    https://www.passports.gov.au/FAQ#4

    • MITM on 20/03/2024 - 14:56
      -1

      Not useful

      • munecito on 21/03/2024 - 13:34

        How is that not useful?

        It days your passport is valid until it expires. However some countries take 6 month validity to allow you to enter.

        You know what the country you are going to requires, so you know if your passport is going to be an issue.

        • MITM on 21/03/2024 - 16:49
          +1

          OP is in Philippines and wants to return home with an expired passport. Your info is for general departing Aussie's going overseas - so not useful to OP.

  • Autonomic on 20/03/2024 - 12:58

    I flew out with a passport >6 months and returned with it one day into the expiry period. Connected via Singapore (seperate tickets) on the return and immigration asked to see the return ticket but didn't stop me.

  • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2024 - 13:00

    Why aren’t people prepared when they travel?

    • smartazz104 on 21/03/2024 - 09:02

      I'm sure OP's passport has more than 2 days left to expiry.

  • CGradeCyclist on 20/03/2024 - 13:57

    Australia officially only requires a valid passport to arrive/depart - there is no 6-month rule for us.

    HOWEVER - other countries set their own rules, and when you depart its the airlines who will be doing that check, not Australian Border Force. Reason is its the airlines who get fined by the destination country if they carry someone who gets rejected due to an invalid passport.

    I have been in Malaysia, and seen first-hand a person denied uplift to Indonesia as their passport was 5 months & 29 days from expiry. Reason was Indonesia is VERY strict about the passport validity rule.

    No idea about the Philippines - but if the rule is there, take it seriously.

    • hashtagbargain on 20/03/2024 - 14:53

      passport was 5 months & 29 days from expiry. Reason was Indonesia is VERY strict about the passport validity rule.

      So much middle management energy

  • adgnetworks on 20/03/2024 - 14:26

    Renewed my passport recently. 10 mins at post office and a few days later they sent it via registered mail.

    Pretty fast if you do it now.

    • MITM on 20/03/2024 - 14:57
      +1

      Which Post Office in Manilla was that please ?

    • hasher22 on 20/03/2024 - 19:47

      OP is in Philippines now

  • Crimzic on 20/03/2024 - 15:34

    My experience a couple of years ago: no issues in Australia.
    We were returning from France to Australia via Vietnam and my daughter had her passport expiring in 5 months. We only realised that when she was denied entry to Vietnam during our stopover. Had to spent 12 hours in the airport transit zone waiting for our connecting flight but in Australia it all went smoothly.

  • Worf on 20/03/2024 - 17:46
    +1

    Sucks that a 10year passport only has a maximum practical use of 9 years and 6 months… in reality it is even less, because you’d need to allow some time prior to your departure to have a valid passport, so maybe 9 years and 3-5months of effective use.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 20/03/2024 - 19:01
      +1

      you also allow a month or two before departure… let's just say 9 years total.. SCAM!!!!

      • Worf on 21/03/2024 - 20:09

        IKR!

  • bethepro on 20/03/2024 - 19:23
    -1

    Definitely get it renewed! Even if you come back before it expires - customs may not let you in! I've heard horror stories - get it renewed ASAP!

  • hasher22 on 20/03/2024 - 19:44

    I don't need to link you, you got some official sources.

    Just to reassure you, you can come back to Australia within 6 months of your passport expiring, just as long you don't enter Australia on or after the expiry date.

    BUT the problems you may face is not in Australia, but the policies and processes overseas airports and Airlines tell their staff members not to board or question people with less than 6 months expiry, even coming back home.

    So be prepared and not assume they will let you pass without question. You may get a rep that is by the books and be a total border control freak while another rep will just let you pass and get the line moving.

    For example, when I was an artist in uni, I used scapels and I totally forgot I had spare blades in my carry on bag. Australia security and Thailand security didn't even notice the 5 spare scapel blades in my backpack. I forgot to take them out too before leaving cause it's such a tiny container. Anyways on the way back home, Thailand security checked everything and opened up all my bags cause the x-ray found the blades.

    Conclusion: depends on the rep.

    • jackspratt on 20/03/2024 - 20:41
      +1

      just as long you don't enter Australia on or after the expiry date.

      As shown several times above, your reassurance is not very reassuring.

      • hasher22 on 20/03/2024 - 20:57

        Why cut off my full sentence?

        Everything else is a gamble depending on the reps outside Australia.

        I've heard airline staff members not even boarding passengers because their passport is slightly torn but otherwise in good condition that doesn't affect their ID or chip, yet the previous reps that gave the boarding pass and security didn't have an issue with it.

        • jackspratt on 21/03/2024 - 00:39

          Because they are irrelevant as to whether you can enter Australia, as an Australian citizen, with an expired Australian passport.

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