Turkey - how strict on passport validity

[absolutebuffoon]

We fly to turkey next Weds and have just realised that DC1s passport is 19 days short of the 150 day validity requirement. Absolute stupidity on our part for not checking sooner, but means we can’t get it sorted in time. Has anyone got any recent experience going to Turkey and how strict they are with this?! Don’t want to throw money away by not going but at the same point definitely do not want to rock up and get sent packing. Done loads of googling and so many mixed responses so thought I’d ask here to see if anyone had any input?

That's not going to happen. You need to apply now and pray for the best!

You will be refused travel the airline won't accept it because you'd be refused entry into Turkey. You will need 150 days.

Get booking an emergency on the day 4 hour appointment.

They don’t offer that for child’s passports! I’m so, so annoyed with us, such a stupid mistake 😫

We applied last Sunday, posted the old passport and the new one was back on Wednesday. We didn’t fast track it, just the normal application. Apply asap

@absolutebuffoon really?! Oh I didn't know this. Oh I hope you get it sorted apply today praying for you 🙏🏻

Apply today. They won't let you fly.

@Jins

nliney, who is your fairy godmother?

@absolutebuffoon

apply today & hopefully it'll be back in time. IF there's no way of doing it in person. If there is I'd do that, even if it means travelling into London from afar.

Could the Passport Office's Advice Line help?

www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

I’ve contacted the passport office and they’ve said there’s zero they can do. Next available appt anywhere other than Belfast is Tuesday, so there’s no hope of getting it back in time, even with the world’s quickest turnaround. Even if I’d realised a few days ago it would have been worth the risk!

If you can't fly with the current passport I'd be tempted to send it off on fastest tracked & guaranteed post & hope for best. If it doesn't come back in time, you haven't lost anything as can't use it as it is anyway but if it does come back you're off to Turkey 😎🤞🤞

From online application to receiving it back took 7 days for my dd last month. Do it immediately, this afternoon and you might stand a chance.

You need to renew it anyway so nothing to lose! Have the old one to hand and send it next day delivery as soon as they tell you which passport office to send it to.

Good luck!

Could you complete the online application form now, in case there is a small chance that something could be done?

Which part of Turkey are you travelling to and how long are you there for?

How old is the child in question?

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

@CreepySquareBrackets

This advice is brilliant I'd do this if I were you @absolutebuffoon

@AmelieTaylor if I’ve got a fairy godmother I wish she’d work harder than once every 10 years.

Lots of friends have had theirs back in 3 or 4 days but I suspect if they were urgent it would have been slower. Nothing lost by trying though

apparently embassies can override this. As it’s a child, and passport is valid for while you’re there , and return tickets are booked, I would try that. Argument being that if you don’t go, the destination misses out on all the cash you would have spent.

I'm pretty sure the majority of families flying to Turkey are doing AI and will spending minimal money once they are there.
TUI or Jet2 already have their money so not sure they are going to override the rules.

@StillProcrastinating it's not about Turkey or the embassy. It's about if the airline lets them fly and airlines are very much computer says no. They won't fly them to let them gamble with immigration.

@absolutebuffoon

What are you going to do, OP?

Yes we did. It was 5yo passport that was expiring in August and we went in May.

Fine was £100 at the turkey side.

To add:

The uk airport said they would let us fly, but it was up to Turkey if they let us in. We took the risk.

When we got there - was £100 fine.

@absolutebuffoon

I hope that you got something sorted out, OP.

I was wondering whether an option would be for him/her to catch a flight out on the following day, should the passport arrive later in the week.

Likely that UK Will let you fly and up to Turkey if they let you in. They will issue a fine and let you in. Then will be fine with you leaving.

Good luck, take cash!

Please share what the outcome was for too?? I am in the same situation and in panic mode

My daughters passport is valid for 149 days instead of the 150

Really not helpful to create a thread and not update the outcome by the OP.

we booked a trip last minute 2 days ago. When I checked into airline last night I had the horrible feeling. 4 days short of 150 required. Didn’t sleep last night worrying about it. Got to airport and no issues getting on plane. Arrived at security in Turkey and they clocked it immediately. But the Turkish are solution based….so took me to cash point, paid a 5000TL fine and was on my way…..about £120….no drama. Super helpful…. They did ask was I warned at UK airport which I wasn’t….he said that’s bad. Just wanted to contribute as this feed gave me hope last night that it would be ok.