Less than 6 months left on passport—OK for visa-free?

Legal Visa & Residency
1

Passport expires in August. I was planning to go to Taiwan March 30 and apply for a new passport in Taipei (I am Canadian).

I’m worried about getting hassled at customs for having only 4 months of validity left on my passport, or being given less than the standard 90 days.

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

2

[quote=“Lee Kohl”]Passport expires in August. I was planning to go to Taiwan March 30 and apply for a new passport in Taipei (I am Canadian).

I’m worried about getting hassled at customs for having only 4 months of validity left on my passport, or being given less than the standard 90 days.

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks![/quote]

Less then six months validity on passport = no visa free for Canadian citizens.

boca.gov.tw/content?mp=2&CuItem=1443

3

Yeah, get yourself a new passport ASAP.

I hear that Canadian passports are now valid for 10 years.

4

Processing time is 20 working days; I have 14. Anyway I just talked to the office in Taipei and they say they can probably do it. Road trip tomorrow… Thanks for your replies!

5

I think you will find yourself stuck at the airport , unable to enter visa free. The regulations (link I posted) is pretty clear about this.

You may be able to apply for a LANDING VISA (which is NOT the same as Visa Free) upon arrival. But it will NOT be Free of charge. A Landing Visa is for people who hold a temporary travel document, people who’s passports have less then six months validity and for those who are from countries that are not on the Visa Free list, but where Landing Visas may be possible. May is the operating word. They have no obligation to grant you a Landing Visa.

My two cents.

6

Yup, going to attempt passport renewal tomorrow. It’s supposed to take too long, but the Canadian office says it will almost certainly be faster and if not, I can apply for a 9 month temp passport.

7

It only took me a week to renew my Can passport in Kuala Lumpur recently. Very quick.

8

One can hope. Mucha thanks, Man!

Edit: Just noticed the forum autocorrects Mu and cha into Muzha

9

I had this problem in October. Got new passport in about 5 days, and that’s witthout extra charges. If you pay the $100 or so, the turn around time is 24-48 hours I think.

All the details here: ppt.gc.ca/info/service.aspx? … ion=Canada

10

Fancy express services are not available overseas, sadly. I’m currently in Taiwan. Anyway, I applied on the 11th … fingers crossed. They said if it’s not there by the 24th I can apply for a temporary passport, but that will cause me all kinds of [strike]grief[/strike]excitement, I’m sure.

11

I’m confused… 2 days ago you were planning to go to taiwan on 30th of March with a passport expiring in less than 6 months.
And now you are in taiwan waiting for your new passport?!

Or you meant "I’m currently in Thailand "?! :stuck_out_tongue:

12

You’re thinking too much haha

13
  • Japanese passport holders with their passports valid for more than 3 months are eligible for visa-exempt entry.
  • US passport( including emergency passport) holders with their passports valid for the period of intended stay are eligible for visa-exempt entry.

Everyone is supposed to have “a confirmed return air/sea ticket or an air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure”.

14

:eh: