Langkawi Gazette

I just want to share my travel mistake. A big whoops. I recently was booked to travel to Chiang Mai. Although the airline asks for passport expiration when purchasing ticket...no problem. But when I went to the check-in counter I was not allowed to board the plane or actually leave the country (Malaysia). My passport was about to expire in 4 months. I knew it was about to expire...but so was my 90 day visa. I didn't know, however anything about the 6 month rule. 6 months? I can't possibly be the only nitwit who didn't know this. I was lucky at least to be traveling out of KL, so the embassy was there and also that I had ample time before 90 day visa expiration. It was a bit stressful to say the least and I will always be reminded by looking at my new passport photo, which looks like a DUI mugshot. :( And maybe its just my particular Embassy, but don't expect them to treat you like long lost kin. You are a number. I was C701.

Hi C701 !
Thanks for posting this. I will take it up in the "Tips".
I wouldn't have thought this to be a problem myself. Autsch.

:-))
Mark

Seems strange really, but it could have been a lot more stressful if I was about to expire on my 90day visa! :( So maybe I am lucky? ha...

It's not all that strange. A lot of countries, if not most, do not allow entry if your passport expires in less that 6 months.

The airline is legally responsible, and subject to a very large fine, if they allow a passenger to board a plane if they don't meet those requirements.

Yes - nice organized world we have :-((