Gareth 666 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Hi, We've hit a potential snag with our journey 'home'...... Just got to KL international airport to fly on to Penang for our last 6 days killing time on the way home and the passport officer noticed one of our passports has just under 6 months left. We thought initially we was going to refuse entry but his concern was where we were going next. We said the UK next week via Singapore. He reaction was we might have a problem in Singapore as they're pretty strict. We said it's only a transit and we have onward flights booked. He let us proceed but warned us it's our risk. I've looked around and can't find a definitive answer to this so I've emailed British Airways (our carrier home) and also the Singapore visa authority. If we don't leave the transit area it looks ok as there's no need to go through Singapore immigration. However as it's two different airlines we can't check the baggage through from Penang to Heathrow, meaning we've probably got to go through immigration to get the bags and check them back in.....Does anyone have experience of Changi airport please when transiting through to say if we have to go 'out' and bank in again, even better, has anyone got through in similar circumstances?Ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 https://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=95 This explains about immigration clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evandale Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I am not sure whether the British Consulate in Penang can help you on the passport front... or is it possible to go to the British Embassy in KL (delaying your flight) in the morning they open at 8am.... I hope you sort it ok.. alternatively is it possible one of you to go through Immigration to process the luggage onwards in Singapore leaving the others airside? Address: Menara Binjai, 2, Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: +60 3-2170 2200 or ADDRESS British Honorary Consulate in Penang, Malaysia Menara Zurich, Suite 9-04, 9th Floor No 170 Jalan Argyll 10050 Penang Malaysia TELEPHONE (+60) 4-227 5336 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Also this from the airport page http://www.changiairport.com/en/passenger-guide/transit.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Given that you have to clear immigration in Singapore and yes they are very strict and it clearly states you must have 6mths left on your passport i think you may have an issue in all likely hood. Good luck i'm not sure i would risk it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 24 minutes ago, Evandale said: I am not sure whether the British Consulate in Penang can help you on the passport front... or is it possible to go to the British Embassy in KL (delaying your flight) in the morning they open at 8am.... I hope you sort it ok.. alternatively is it possible one of you to go through Immigration to process the luggage onwards in Singapore leaving the others airside? Address: Menara Binjai, 2, Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: +60 3-2170 2200 or ADDRESS British Honorary Consulate in Penang, Malaysia Menara Zurich, Suite 9-04, 9th Floor No 170 Jalan Argyll 10050 Penang Malaysia TELEPHONE (+60) 4-227 5336 Pretty sure the luggage has to be checked by the person it belongs to meaning one bag per ticket so no they wouldn't be able to do the one person check it. Good thought though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 You're stuck either way. If you stay in KL and fly from there you still have to transit in Singapore. I'd go to Penang then go to the consulate. If they can't help book a flight with Singapore airlines from Penang to Singapore for the offending passport holder then they don't have to clear immigration at Singapore Although to be honest what exactly will the Singaporeans do? They can't deport you to Malaysia as you don't have a valid passport for there either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evandale Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) Not sure whether the Consulate in Penang can help issuing you with an ETD give them a ring in the morning ... but the Embassy in KL should be able to arrange an "Emergency Travel Document which will get her through to Singapore ok then onwards to the UK...https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document Edited August 16, 2017 by Evandale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Thanks for all of the advice guys. We could try to leave her 'air side' in transit and check in online. I could take DD & DS to check bags in as we're lucky enough to have used Avios to upgrade to Club World so 2 bags each. I got a twitter reply from Changi Airport who gave me a number for Singapore immigration. We'll have to sort a SIM card today and call them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolman Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I've always thought the 6 month thing is rather strange, surely if you passport is valid on the day you present it you would be fine. One of those strange peculiarities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssiri Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 As Chicken66 said, they are strict in Singapore and it is a risk. Especially since they state that a passport must be valid for over six months. I wouldn't bank on going there without getting advise and a rectification as appeals to 'common sense' at the immigration counter on the day, will likely fall on deaf ears. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 Quick update for anyone interested. I've spoken to Singapore immigration and they confirmed the required 6 months minimum but they've said as there's no time to get the passport updated it will be up to the immigration officer on the day to advise us how to proceed. They also said that having our onward flight checked in will be a help. We can check in online 24hrs beforehand so we'll have that. Here's hoping for a bit of leniency and some common sense. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssiri Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Quick update for anyone interested. I've spoken to Singapore immigration and they confirmed the required 6 months minimum but they've said as there's no time to get the passport updated it will be up to the immigration officer on the day to advise us how to proceed. They also said that having our onward flight checked in will be a help. We can check in online 24hrs beforehand so we'll have that. Here's hoping for a bit of leniency and some common sense. Good luck Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 22 hours ago, Gareth 666 said: Quick update for anyone interested. I've spoken to Singapore immigration and they confirmed the required 6 months minimum but they've said as there's no time to get the passport updated it will be up to the immigration officer on the day to advise us how to proceed. They also said that having our onward flight checked in will be a help. We can check in online 24hrs beforehand so we'll have that. Here's hoping for a bit of leniency and some common sense. Don't want to worry you but we only found out my youngest passport had less than six months left on it when we went to check in online. After a major panic we discovered it wasn't a major problem as we were only transiting through Singapore but it meant we had to check in at the airport in person. That was wit Singapore airlines, not sure if other airlines would be the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Don't want to worry you but we only found out my youngest passport had less than six months left on it when we went to check in online. After a major panic we discovered it wasn't a major problem as we were only transiting through Singapore but it meant we had to check in at the airport in person. That was wit Singapore airlines, not sure if other airlines would be the same.Thanks, we have to go through immigration as we're flying in on a budget airline then on with BA so can't transit through. DW has been in touch with the CEO of the budget airline to make sure they let us on and that seems ok. It'll be up to the officer on the day. We'll see if BA let us check in online later today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Maybe its my management background but passport validity would probably be the first thing I would check when planning a trip. In fact I know mine off by heart that they expire in mid 2020. Edited August 21, 2017 by Parley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolman Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 3 hours ago, Parley said: Maybe its my management background but passport validity would probably be the first thing I would check when planning a trip. In fact I know mine off by heart that they expire in mid 2020. Good for you ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 Maybe its my management background but passport validity would probably be the first thing I would check when planning a trip. In fact I know mine off by heart that they expire in mid 2020.Thank you for your helpful input. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 9 hours ago, Gareth 666 said: Thank you for your helpful input. You are welcome. At least you know you will never do it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evandale Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 42 minutes ago, Parley said: You are welcome. At least you know you will never do it again. At least Gareth is human and makes mistakes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 21, 2017 Author Share Posted August 21, 2017 You are welcome. At least you know you will never do it again.I would like to just add that when we booked this flight it was the return leg on our initial outward emigration flight. We booked a return as it was the sensible thing to do and as British Airways only release flights 330 days in advance the flight was originally returning within the time the passport was valid. The only reason it has gone over is that we split the booking when we decided to use the time our container was at sea to have a break. The Oz to Singapore leg was still in the passport validity window and it's only because we have to go through immigration today that the problem has come up. Among all the other things we had to plan to get our move home sorted this one thing got overlooked. It's a genuine human error that caused me to post a question in the UK Chat part of the forum asking for other people's experiences and advice. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 We made it!!!!!!!! I went through first with a landing card filled out with '0' in the length of stat box. The immigration officer asked if I was just transiting and asked for flight details. I showed him the checked in details and said the rest of the family were coming through. DD sailed through then DW took DS. The officer cast her passport a glance and mentioned she needed to get it renewed then sent her in her way. No dramas!! Happily now sat in the lounge killing 8hrs... 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 26 minutes ago, Gareth 666 said: We made it!!!!!!!! I went through first with a landing card filled out with '0' in the length of stat box. The immigration officer asked if I was just transiting and asked for flight details. I showed him the checked in details and said the rest of the family were coming through. DD sailed through then DW took DS. The officer cast her passport a glance and mentioned she needed to get it renewed then sent her in her way. No dramas!! Happily now sat in the lounge killing 8hrs... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evandale Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 29 minutes ago, Gareth 666 said: We made it!!!!!!!! I went through first with a landing card filled out with '0' in the length of stat box. The immigration officer asked if I was just transiting and asked for flight details. I showed him the checked in details and said the rest of the family were coming through. DD sailed through then DW took DS. The officer cast her passport a glance and mentioned she needed to get it renewed then sent her in her way. No dramas!! Happily now sat in the lounge killing 8hrs... Well done, enjoy your flight and relax you are nearly home! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottieGirl Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 36 minutes ago, Gareth 666 said: We made it!!!!!!!! I went through first with a landing card filled out with '0' in the length of stat box. The immigration officer asked if I was just transiting and asked for flight details. I showed him the checked in details and said the rest of the family were coming through. DD sailed through then DW took DS. The officer cast her passport a glance and mentioned she needed to get it renewed then sent her in her way. No dramas!! Happily now sat in the lounge killing 8hrs... I was so looking forward to the photos of Changi prison....???? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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