Philippines entry with <6 months passport validity - authorized

[albatross710]

Upon exit clearance at MNL this evening I enquired about re-entering the country when I arrive again in 8 weeks. By then my passport will have 5 months remaining validity.

The Philippines immigration officer advised me that Australian passport holders are allowed to enter as long as they have a valid passport. I confirmed that the 6 month validity does not apply to Australian passport holder.

I then asked how can I know that? He said they have a list of countries. Although I did not see the list.

I can see this mentioned on this link : Philippines - World Travel Guide

Anyone have specific experience entering <6 months.

Alby

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Upon exit clearance at MNL this evening I enquired about re-entering the country when I arrive again in 8 weeks. By then my passport will have 5 months remaining validity.

The Philippines immigration officer advised me that Australian passport holders are allowed to enter as long as they have a valid passport. I confirmed that the 6 month validity does not apply to Australian passport holder.

I then asked how can I know that? He said they have a list of countries. Although I did not see the list.

I can see this mentioned on this link : Philippines - World Travel Guide

Anyone have specific experience entering <6 months.

Alby

No personal experience with this specific matter but general experience with Phils I would NEVER trust or chance this.

 

[Hvr]

No personal experience with this specific matter but general experience with Phils I would NEVER trust or chance this.

Totally agree. Last time I went to fly to MNL I had my passport carefully checked by the airline for expiry date and had to show them a departing ticket (on another itinerary) before they would check me in.

Immigration also asked to see the departing ticket before admitting me to the country.

 

[travelislife]

What Timatic says is all that matters. It is the system the airlines use to confirm Visa requirements.

Emirates has a good site to use as a search of the Timatic system. I punched in Australia passport holder to Philippines and no 6 month requirement. Just valid passport.

Visa & Passport Information Results | Visa & passport information | Emirates

If a check in desk employee ever questions always tell them to refer to Timatic.

 

[Kerrodt]

Why don’t you just renew now? It’s going to be useless in a few months time anyway.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

If a check in desk employee ever questions always tell them to refer to Timatic.

Check in agent would be the least of my worries - try telling immigration officer on arrival that they don’t know their job and go check this or that.

Tried and true formula for crisis management is avoid the problem in the first instance wherever possible - prudence should reign here IMHO.

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm only planning to visit PH in the next six months. I'm clearer in my schedule to be without passport in 2019 whereas now to Christmas just feels busy. In this case.

a) I've checked with Ph immigration and they say no minimum validity
b) Travelislife's link confirms it via another channel, and
c) No one with a valid passport has so far said they have been denied entry to Ph.

Then I've got Cruiser Elite's & Kerrodt's replies on my mind. So for $282 renewal fee for ten years means $14 to renew 6 months earlier. $14 is not much for a peace of mind arrival.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Alby