Japan with Less than 6 Months on Passport

helpme on 14/10/2023 - 13:56

Hi all,

have a tripped for january with passports expiring in May next year. Has anyone had any issues going to Japan with less than 6 months on their passport? Everything indicates it's fine (except one phone call I had with a JAL person who later back tracked and said they follow what the embassy says).
Then there are people who say renew 'just in case'. Just in case of what exactly? We have direct flights with JAL.

I know someone is going to argue it's ~$30 a year, but the owners of the passports only travel once every few years so a passport renewal only gets maybe 2 trips.

Thanks

Travel

Comments

  • Tee Rex Arms on 14/10/2023 - 13:57
    +7

    Of course it’s an issue

    • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 13:58
      -8

      why?

      • askbargain on 14/10/2023 - 15:07
        +3

        why don't you google?

        • plmko on 14/10/2023 - 15:19
          +4

          Why Google when you can show some sympathetic-less customs officer a screen shot of Ozb forum posts that said it's fine.

          • bdl on 14/10/2023 - 15:37

            @plmko: … then find out that @jv is an undercover customs officer :)

    • HeWhoKnows on 15/10/2023 - 08:15
      +2

      Applies with many countries

      Even Australian passport office advises you not to travel on expiring passport..

      "If your passport expires in six months or less, you may need a new one.
      Some foreign governments need visitors to carry passports with at least six months validity (beyond their planned stay) or they may be refused entry. "

      https://www.passports.gov.au/news/when-does-your-passport-ex…

    • ValueInvesting on 16/10/2023 - 00:23
      -1

      Not always. Japan is fine with less than 6 months validity.

      As a starting point I use the International Air Transport Association site to check before travelling, it's pretty thorough.

  • bdl on 14/10/2023 - 14:06
    +3

    https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_enquiries.html

    Q. As an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, do I require a tourist visa to enter Japan?
    A. No. Australians who enter Japan as tourists may stay for up to 90 days as long as they hold an Australian passport which remains valid during their stay and is still valid when departing Japan. Tourists in Japan may not undertake any form of work, paid or unpaid.

    Q. Do I need at least six months validity left on my passport to enter Japan?
    A. The remaining period of validity on your passport does not have to be at least six months. Please ensure your passport is valid for your trip and return. We recommend that you check the regulations of your airline before travelling with less than six months passport validity.

    • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 14:09
      -6

      yeah I also saw this, I was just curious if there's any chance this goes sour (like it mentions to check with the airline).

      • bdl on 14/10/2023 - 14:10
        +2

        try it and find out

        each airline has different carriage requirements

        • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 14:15
          -3

          I did but as I mentioned, she first said you need 6 months for the country, after I mentioned that Japan doesn't actually require 6 months she back tracked and just said they follow their immigration laws so I'm not completely certain.

          • bdl on 14/10/2023 - 15:41

            @helpme: Ring JAL again ask what their requirements are, since that's the limiting factor - you're OK with entering Japan itself as per the link I posted.

            You've got to clarify with your airline as to whether they'll get you to Japan - once you're arrive at the border a < 6 month expiry is fine as long as your passport is valid for your whole stay. Can't really make it clearer than that.

  • sonicentropy on 14/10/2023 - 14:12

    Jetstar said there would be an issue with less than 3 months left. Lucky i had a month to get it sorted. I have been with 4 months left 6 years ago with no issue. Cut off as of 4 years ago was 3 months according to jetstar. This could be different post covid.

    • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 14:16
      -2

      oh that's interesting…we have around 4 and a half months from when be board

  • jizmo on 14/10/2023 - 14:49
    +3

    Airlines won't let you board, enjoy your brief holiday to the international check in, tell the cabie to leave the meter running it will be cheaper than rebooking a new cab home.

    • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 15:05
      -2

      What makes you say that?

      • jizmo on 14/10/2023 - 16:27
        +1

        It's happened to people I know, and a lot more for not having an onward ticket, but that's another story

      • lgacb08 on 14/10/2023 - 21:20

        if you fly with Jetstar expect to be denied boarding.

        • afah0447 on 15/10/2023 - 08:53
          +1

          If it shows up and takes off at all!

  • Protractor on 14/10/2023 - 15:00
    +3

    Why would a vague raft of opinions on this forum inform your decision when a few phone calls to the right place would do it emphatically? It's hilarious how humans won't put their phones down for a nano second, and yet making a call on it is somehow a violation of it.

    • helpme on 14/10/2023 - 15:04
      -1

      As I mentioned, I did try calling. I wasn't confident in her answer (first she said 6 months is required but then back tracked and said they just follow the embassy) so I'm asking if anyone has gone in recently with JAL with under 6 months validity.

  • AaronRain on 14/10/2023 - 15:02
    +1

    There are some countries that require you to have passport valid for six months from return date such as Vietnam, China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia etc.. however, I do not believe that Japan is one of these afaik unless you are stopping over/transiting in one of the other countries than you should be fine (I had friends who traveled there at the beginning of the year with 4 and 5 months with no issue):

    https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/japan

    "Validity

    Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

    Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

    You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months."

  • GordonR on 14/10/2023 - 15:13

    Why not try the “pre-register your trip”at https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/ which allows you to do some travel admin tasks before you arrive.

    It requires your passport so maybe that does some basic checks.

  • hasher22 on 14/10/2023 - 15:26
    +18

    Why ask the question when you're going to contest everyone's reply.

    The logical and SMART thing to do is to renew it and you won't have any issues regarding this matter. You're going to Japan, you have money to renew a damn passport.

    People say just in case because:
    - The airline doesn't board you
    - The security says your passport needs at least 6 months
    - Some airports impose this rule, regardless of country
    - On that rare instance, you may get stranded and need more than 6 months, it happens

    A prevention is better than a cure, just renew the damn thing.

  • MrThing on 14/10/2023 - 15:28
    +7

    renew and then theres no issue, problem solved, as if you would risk an international holiday to a $300odd passport renewal fee

    and if you are that tight, are you the type of OP who is going to post in 3months with a travel disaster and say you have no insurance either?

    /thread

  • FocusRider on 14/10/2023 - 15:43
    +5

    Here’s an idea to avoid any trouble get a new fricken passport.

  • mbck on 14/10/2023 - 16:05

    Nah you're good op.

  • tabitha731 on 15/10/2023 - 09:16
    -2

    Passport validity of more than 6 months from time of travel is for every country… good luck travelling back to Australia with less than 6 months on passport

    • ashtdp on 15/10/2023 - 12:45

      Australia requires a valid passport (and visa if on foreign passport) at the time of entry and doesn’t have to be 6 months valid even if it is foreign passport.

      Airlines won’t stop a passenger from returning to home country as long as the passport is valid at the time of travel even if the country has 6 months minimum validity requirement for foreign passports.

      Any country won’t refuse their citizens entering the country even if the passport validity is less than 6 months as long as the passport is valid at the time of entry.

  • fdav on 15/10/2023 - 09:37

    I flew Jetstar to Japan on 19 March with passport expiring in the 26th of September. So passport went to less than 6 months while we were over there. No issues with Jetstar.
    I had a very good look around for info and couldn’t see anywhere that you need 6 months on your passport for Japan, so don’t think it’s needed for Japan and wasn’t for my situation.
    Having said that if you’ve got time to get a new passport, why wouldn’t you?

    It’s definitely needed for some countries, my friend had less than 6 months when we arrived at Bali, but the immigration officer was happy to accept an additional payment of cash (basically all the cash we had on us, I think it was a few hindered) to let us in. I’m pretty sure that’s not going to work for Japan though

  • Cohey on 15/10/2023 - 09:51

    (profanity) about and find out.

  • jrvb42 on 15/10/2023 - 10:54

    Just renew passport now. You'll get credit for the remaining time, plus a credit for the two years of covid preventing travel. Oh wait, that bit is what might happen if life were fair.

    Best just renew though, if there is a possible problem that you can foresee, why waste your time or ours, just fix it.

    • kiitos on 15/10/2023 - 15:08
      +2

      Edit: Argh, fell for it :-)

  • JoeBogan on 15/10/2023 - 19:59

    Hey I actually just got back from Japan with less than 4 months left on my passport and it was not an issue whatsoever haha. I only noticed when I got back.

  • edrooney on 16/10/2023 - 11:09

    Just got back from Japan last week. Was there 3 weeks with a passport that expires in Feb 2024.

    I used points, so the routing was a little wacky and meant I had to take a Jetstar flight for the first leg (Melb -> Bangkok) and the Jetstar person who checked in my luggage said I would have no problems going to Japan.

    They said if I was going to Bali, it would be an issue.

  • Playboi Carti on 23/10/2023 - 12:31

    Flew to Japan with 1 month left on my passport and it was okay. The check-in lady was warning me that I should get it renewed as soon as I can.

    It's better if you can renew though obviously.

  • thewhale on 21/03/2024 - 09:50

    If you renew your passport before expiry, will the remaining time be credited in the new passport’s expiry date?

    • helpme on 21/03/2024 - 12:19

      Nope

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