Passport panic - advice please!

[TightPants]

I’ve booked a last minute deal to Turkey leaving next Friday 17th June.
My passport expires on 23rd December this year (or so I thought) Turkey requires 6 months left on a passport for entry.
Ive just checked my passport and it expires on 16th Dec!
Will they let me in? Help!

Ring the Turkish embassy or consulate and ask. Or possibly the FAQs on the e-visa website has more info?

I'd check with your airline, but as there is less than 6 months on your passport from the date of arrival, I'd say it's not valid. Sorry. I hope you get it sorted.

Honestly I could kick myself.
I could have sworn it expired on 23rd December and booked to fly on the 17th because of this.
What a bloody idiot.

No, your passport wont be valid when you travel, sorry

Is your passport less than 10 years old? My passport wasn’t valid for travel recently as, despite still having 8 months left on it was 10 years old. You can renew but the one day appointments are not currently available and renewal turnaround is about 4 weeks.

It’s an Irish passport and I’m trying to book for fast track. It costs a fortune but it’s better than losing the holiday!

it’s one day out - I so annoyed with myself

Technically it's 150 days I think;

www.mfa.gov.tr/passport-validity-requirements-while-entering-turkey-in-accordance-with-law-on-foreigners-and-international-protection.en.mfa

""As of 1 January 2015, in accordance with the article 7.1b of “the Law on Foreigners and International Protection” no. 6458, foreigners wishing to enter Turkey should carry a travel document (passport) with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.

Example A: In order to enter Turkey having a visa with 90 days “duration of stay”, foreigners should hold a passport/travel document valid at least for an additional 60 days which totals to 150 days (90 days + 60 days/5 months) of validity at the time of entrance.

the UK has a 90 day visa exemption, so 90+60 = 150 days.

The advice on that same site is "You are kindly advised to have a travel document/passport valid for at least 6 months as from the date of your arrival in Turkey." but that isn't the legal situation.

Your problem , however, will be your airlines' interpretation of that, as it's up to them whether to take you; so call them.

Thanks for all your replies.
Ive managed to book a fast track appointment for tomorrow with a 5 day turnaround.

Hopefully it’ll be ok. I’ll really need the holiday after this!

@PatriciaHolm That’s interesting but as you say, it’s how they interpret the numbers isn’t it?!

Don't forget your visa for Turkey (we did) 🤦🏼‍♀️

You don’t need a visa!

You used to need a visa - I remember the days when that meant you had to take a clean tenner with you to hand over at immigration!

You definitely needed one in 2019! Looks like it's changed. Phew.

Does anyone know how strict this is? I've made the same mistake. My child's passport has 106 days left on it. I can't get an emergency passport. I've been on the website constantly since yesterday and nothing is working. The phone line say they can't book appointments. They also said they don't do same day passports for kids. We fly on Thursday. I'm so annoyed with myself for not realising. I called Tui who said they can't do anything to help. They won't rearrange without paying the full holiday cost because its such short notice 😱 I just wonder if they are as strict with kids and if he has to travel with me and my passport has 9 years on it will he be allowed through? I'd hate to get to Turkey and be turned back

They are very strict I’m afraid, sorry. Are there no appointments available at any of the passport offices?

Having had a run in with Turkish immigration about the amount of time left on my visa I’d say very strict. Sorry.

Can't remember the name of it so you'll have to Google but I used a service where I paid £10 or so and they would text me when new appointments went live so I could go straight on and book as I couldn't find any appointments either

Hi @rosegarden45 I’m the OP, sorry you’re in this situation too, it’s so stressful!
I was fortunate in that I have an EU passport and paid a fortune managed to arrange a last minute renewal at the Irish PP office in London.
Have you had any luck resolving this?

How did this work out? Did Turkish immigration let you through?