Passport Panic

[laus211]

Firstly, my apologies if this is in the wrong section or has been covered previously.

I e-mailed passport details to Aegean airlines two days ago for our flights on 19 June. Having since then checked the FCO website it states that when travelling to Turkey passports have to be valid for six months prior to travel.

Could someone please tell me if this is indeed the case and how stringent passpost control is at Dalaman, as my sons passpost runs out on 2 September. I have booked to go and get a new passport for him on 11 June (work every other day means I can't go before then) and am having to pay £109 instead of £57. Would Aegean air (or border control or whoever) contact me in regards to the 6 month ruling.

I wil obviously pay to renew the passport to ensure my son travels with us but am raging as his passport is still valid for 2 months even once we return to UK.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Laura (a very stressed and soon to be out of pocket parent) x

[heather07]

Why not apply now, I don,t think it is taking that long.  Then if it is not there by the 11th chase it up.

[DianaJ]

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/europe/turkey?ta=entryRequirements&pg=4 - have a look at this link it may help

[laus211]

Thanks for the reply.
Passport office cannot guarantee delivery before 18th using usual method. The one week service whereby you go to the passport office does not have any slots this coming Friday so I have to wait until next Friday (work committments) therefore have to use the one day service.
Hope that makes sense!!
Laura

[laus211]

Hi Diana
That information is where is states the six month requirements. What I was wondering was if the passport contol at Dalaman is stringent in regards to enforcing this.
Laura

[cheers]

You can apply through a large post office and you pay a small fee for them to check and send it off for you.  Maybe ring them and see what the turn around is at the moment.  Its not so much the problem at Dalaman immigration for the 6 month rule its when you turn up at the airport here, they will not let you fly if there is not 6 months left on it.  The extra time that is left on the old passport is automatically added to the new one.

[peecee]

Agree with Cheers, not worth the hassle if Passport control are stringent.
Last time I renewed my passport in UK I did it through the Post Office.  If I remember correctly I got it back within a week (I remember because I was stunned at the speed)  Think you can pay a bit extra for a 2/3 day service but worth it for piece of mind.

[laus211]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
Given that I have now got most of my packing done for the holiday on 19th June may give an indication that I'm not really a last minute type of gal so I'm not really sure if I could handle the uncertainty of waiting for the 2 week service.
I have spoken to the passport office again this morning who said that the current turnaround is the 2 week mark - far too close for comfort for me, I would be freaking out every morning waiting for the post.
So have now managed to get an appt for Monday for the one week service - still a rip off I know but at least I don't have to sit around for 4 hours waiting to collect it.
Maybe this a subject that could be flagged to other members or visitors to the website - I was aware of the £10 rip off - sorry visa charge on entry to Turkey but certainly had no idea about the 6 month passport validity.
Never mind, get it done by Monday and my 10 year old son will now be on his 3rd passport - the same amount of passports as his parents who are both in their (very early I have to emphasise) 40s!!
16 sleeps and counting.
Laura x

[pookie]

its not worth the risk........I travelled very close to my passport deadline a couple of years ago, and they noticed reminded me to get it renewed as soon as I returned. So.....its not worth the anxiety if you can sort it before you go.

[KKOB]

quote:Originally posted by laus211

certainly had no idea about the 6 month passport validity.

A large number of countries apply the 6 month validity rule, including the UK.

The good news is that you can renew your UK passport well in advance of expiry and any period up to and including 9 months of unexpired validity will be added to your new passport.