Urgent help needed please - passport issue
#16
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 16,187
For Thailand British passports only need to be valid for the period of intended stay, you are able to transit SIN provided you have a confirmed onward reservation to leave SIN within 24 hours of arrival. You will not (unlikely) be permitted to enter Singapore without the passport being valid for 6 months.
Last edited by Tobias-UK; Dec 13, 2023 at 7:13 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 707
Thank you all so much.
I am reading that we can only transit in SIN if we don't have to collect baggage or clear immigration, and that certain low cost carriers require immigration clearance. Does anyone know which carriers would not cause this problem. The options for same day transfer seem to be Thai Lion Air, Jetstar, Thai Vietjet and Thai AirAsia.
I am reading that we can only transit in SIN if we don't have to collect baggage or clear immigration, and that certain low cost carriers require immigration clearance. Does anyone know which carriers would not cause this problem. The options for same day transfer seem to be Thai Lion Air, Jetstar, Thai Vietjet and Thai AirAsia.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,779
Thank you all so much.
I am reading that we can only transit in SIN if we don't have to collect baggage or clear immigration, and that certain low cost carriers require immigration clearance. Does anyone know which carriers would not cause this problem. The options for same day transfer seem to be Thai Lion Air, Jetstar, Thai Vietjet and Thai AirAsia.
I am reading that we can only transit in SIN if we don't have to collect baggage or clear immigration, and that certain low cost carriers require immigration clearance. Does anyone know which carriers would not cause this problem. The options for same day transfer seem to be Thai Lion Air, Jetstar, Thai Vietjet and Thai AirAsia.
Last edited by 1Aturnleft; Dec 13, 2023 at 7:59 pm
#20
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
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(Not intended to reopen the South African IDB discussion, just highlighing the risks from that case to here: )
Newly Wed , there was a long case with BA in T5 where check-in agents denied a PRC passport holder from boarding BA flight to South Africa for lack of visa, ignoring the traveller's presentation of a stand-alone same day ticket to take her out of South Africa with another airline.
Sparing you the discussion of what was perhaps not done, how much time the traveller and her children should have arrived in T5, what information BA did consider and should consider, please note the following:
BA denied wife & daughters boarding due incorrect use of Timatic
BA denied wife & daughters boarding due incorrect use of Timatic
Newly Wed , there was a long case with BA in T5 where check-in agents denied a PRC passport holder from boarding BA flight to South Africa for lack of visa, ignoring the traveller's presentation of a stand-alone same day ticket to take her out of South Africa with another airline.
Sparing you the discussion of what was perhaps not done, how much time the traveller and her children should have arrived in T5, what information BA did consider and should consider, please note the following:
- BA may wrongly deny your kids boarding (you are also asking BA to consider a stand-alone same day ticket with another airline for your children, and asserting they will abandon the rest of their BA itinerary)
- More time is better than less (arrive in T5 as early as you and your children practically can as you might need multiple staff members to consider/reconsider your documentation).
BA denied wife & daughters boarding due incorrect use of Timatic
BA denied wife & daughters boarding due incorrect use of Timatic
Last edited by percysmith; Dec 13, 2023 at 8:22 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 707
Thank you all.
A sleepless night.
To avoid the LCC from T4 it looks like Singapore Airlines to BKK with an overnight in the transit hotel is probably our best option. Current weighing up whether to chance it (with super early arrival at LHR tomorrow) versus a passport appointment in Liverpool tomorrow afternoon and trying to get things back on track at great expense once new passports are to hand.
A sleepless night.
To avoid the LCC from T4 it looks like Singapore Airlines to BKK with an overnight in the transit hotel is probably our best option. Current weighing up whether to chance it (with super early arrival at LHR tomorrow) versus a passport appointment in Liverpool tomorrow afternoon and trying to get things back on track at great expense once new passports are to hand.
#22
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
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These are mutually exclusive, right?
I'd go for LHR with the Scoot booking and transit hotel. If there are check in problems (and can't wait for another shift) then do a Hail Mary to Liverpool (but I doubt you can make it back...)
Not every BA ground agent should make this error - going as early as possible ("on the break of dawn" approach) is appropriate.
I'd go for LHR with the Scoot booking and transit hotel. If there are check in problems (and can't wait for another shift) then do a Hail Mary to Liverpool (but I doubt you can make it back...)
Not every BA ground agent should make this error - going as early as possible ("on the break of dawn" approach) is appropriate.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 707
Scoot and transit hotel booked.
Passport appointment for today cancelled and I can rebook for tomorrow if necessary.
Will arrive at LHR 5 hours before SIN flight. If that isn’t enough time I suspect nothing will be.
Passport appointment for today cancelled and I can rebook for tomorrow if necessary.
Will arrive at LHR 5 hours before SIN flight. If that isn’t enough time I suspect nothing will be.
#24
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
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#25
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: BER
Programs: OW Sapphire, *A Gold
Posts: 1,161
These types of threads are more exciting than any Netflix series. OP, I strongly hope everything works out in your favour and that your next reply is from your seat with a glass of bubbly in hand.
#26
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,069
#27
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles & Smiles
Posts: 479
This comes from an example of an Icelandic friend I have, who is based in the Philippines, where there is no embassy and the Honory Consul can only issue emergency travel documents (valid for a year).
They may need to go to Beijing or Tokyo to renew their sons passports (long expired, and they are on emergency travel documents).
There are protocols to enter countries, so he is told by the embassy, for those without passports of the proper validity, if the reason is to visit the home embassy.
There are also exceptions for children traveling with parents (its the kids who need the passport renewal, and one at the time did not have his dual passport either so his only travel document was the emergency travel document (AKA emergency passport).
Anyhow. Maybe consider emergency travel documents or at least brush up on how to get them in case that information proves useful (so you could for example offer to the Singaporeans/Thais that you intend to get an Emergency Travel Document if they make issue with the passport validity).
Make sure you have your travel arrangements printed.
And from experience of my Icelandic and Austrian friends who have got emergency travel documents - it’s made while you wait.
They may need to go to Beijing or Tokyo to renew their sons passports (long expired, and they are on emergency travel documents).
There are protocols to enter countries, so he is told by the embassy, for those without passports of the proper validity, if the reason is to visit the home embassy.
There are also exceptions for children traveling with parents (its the kids who need the passport renewal, and one at the time did not have his dual passport either so his only travel document was the emergency travel document (AKA emergency passport).
Anyhow. Maybe consider emergency travel documents or at least brush up on how to get them in case that information proves useful (so you could for example offer to the Singaporeans/Thais that you intend to get an Emergency Travel Document if they make issue with the passport validity).
Make sure you have your travel arrangements printed.
And from experience of my Icelandic and Austrian friends who have got emergency travel documents - it’s made while you wait.
Last edited by ahopkins767; Dec 14, 2023 at 3:51 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 610
Good luck OP.
As per the strict letter of the rules you should be fine. In particular because Timatic is usually used as decision maker for airlines and Timatic says passport must be valid for duration of stay.
Pre covid, I toured SE Asia on Air Asia flights and was able to do online check in for all flights and get mobile boarding passes.
If you can get that airside bus over to T4, you should be okay.
Please keep us updated.
As per the strict letter of the rules you should be fine. In particular because Timatic is usually used as decision maker for airlines and Timatic says passport must be valid for duration of stay.
Pre covid, I toured SE Asia on Air Asia flights and was able to do online check in for all flights and get mobile boarding passes.
If you can get that airside bus over to T4, you should be okay.
Please keep us updated.
#29
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,122
Given the last minute-ness of the issue and the fact that it does fall in a grey zone I would try my luck checking in (while playing dumb - which suits me).
Another consideration is: I understand Mr. NW is not travelling with (and I'll assume for sake of discussion) is the father, In Canada and US that often requires a lot of paperwork indicating parent has the authorisation of other parent to leave the country with the children. Not sure how the UK deals with this.
Good luck. Keep us posted
Another consideration is: I understand Mr. NW is not travelling with (and I'll assume for sake of discussion) is the father, In Canada and US that often requires a lot of paperwork indicating parent has the authorisation of other parent to leave the country with the children. Not sure how the UK deals with this.
Good luck. Keep us posted
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 707
Thank you!
Thank you all for your helpful advice. They say a picture paints a thousand words so, here goes…..
There is no way we would have been approved for travel without me having all the relevant information to hand as the initial response from the back office approval desk was “no”. But armed with boarding passes for an onward flight within 24 hours, a confirmed booking at the transit hotel, and hand luggage only I pressed for reconsideration and it was approved. I don’t think entry to Thailand was much of an issue, it was more about checking the transfer rules in Singapore.
The whole process took about 15 minutes so now we are in F lounge with 4.5 hours to kill.
Phew!!
There is no way we would have been approved for travel without me having all the relevant information to hand as the initial response from the back office approval desk was “no”. But armed with boarding passes for an onward flight within 24 hours, a confirmed booking at the transit hotel, and hand luggage only I pressed for reconsideration and it was approved. I don’t think entry to Thailand was much of an issue, it was more about checking the transfer rules in Singapore.
The whole process took about 15 minutes so now we are in F lounge with 4.5 hours to kill.
Phew!!
Last edited by golfmad; Dec 14, 2023 at 7:52 am Reason: Reduced image size for readability.