Today, after cancelling work, arguing with my family, scrambling to pack my bags, speeding to the airport and filling in immigration forms to fly out to have a much needed holiday, I wasn't allowed to check in. My passport has less than 6 months away from expiration on it. Yes, that's a thing, apparently. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I found out that my passport expired two days ago, two days before my first vacation abroad. I only found out when the airline employee scanned it at check-in, looked at me with sympathy, and said, "I don't think you're going anywhere today." My friends are currently posting beach photos while I'm filling out passport renewal forms. FML
Today, I went to the airport to start the amazing 3 week vacation in Costa Rica that I've been saving for and planning for more than a year. They wouldn't let me on the plane because my passport expires in less than 6 months. FML
Today, after months of planning and saving for our honeymoon in Italy, my wife and I were turned away at the airport because my passport only has a month until it expires, even though it's only a five-day trip. FML
Today, my flight landed after a 12-hour trip, and I walked out of the airport without checking a single bag. Twenty minutes into my drive home, the airline called asking why I'd left my passport at immigration. FML
Today, after spending 2 years saving for my flights, I was denied boarding due to issues with my passport. I heading straight to the embassy only to be told a replacement will take 8 days. The airline will only hold my place for 7. FML
Today, I went with my girlfriend to the airport for some much needed vacation time. We arrived on time but were stopped at the gate when they told me I didn't have the right passport. The plane left without me. My girlfriend did too. FML
Today, the passport office informed me I won't get my passport in time to go on holidays. However, they took the money for the passport out of my account 2 months ago, causing me to go overdrawn, and not pay my travel insurance. The same insurance I needed to get the cost of the holiday back. FML
Today, I woke up excited for my trip to Jamaica with my friends. We went to the airport, and I gave them my passport to check in. They gave it back. It had expired three weeks ago. I watched my friends board the plane while I'm stuck in the city. FML
Today, I picked up my passport, as my previous one was damaged in a car crash. As the teller warned me that a pattern of damaged passports would result in longer processing periods, she spilled her coffee - all over my new passport. I'm supposed to go overseas in a month. FML
Today, we're taking the plane home from Dublin after a school trip that I only barely got onto after troubles with my passport. Luckily for me, a kind person had decided to save me from the passport this evening - together with the rest of my wallet. I'm stuck. FML
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Top comments
Sara Niemantsverdriet 12
It's not an Australian government thing. A lot of countries require 6 months validity on a passport or they don't let you in. The airlines can actually be fined for carrying passengers that are then turned back at the airport in their destination country, so they stop it at check-in I don't get it either, but them's the rules.
mssileas 25
That's quite common and in my experience it's mentioned in most airline check lists and information writings. Shame about your holiday though
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Comments (13)
Loz88 3
Of course it’s a thing. Even I know that and I don’t even have a passport. YDI
jbuckets_404 39
And just where did you first learn about this caveat? I've had a US passport for 10 yrs and have never heard of it. Is it an Australian gov't thing only? Thx! :-)
timinator5000 28
I never knew this either. granted I got mine as an 18 year old so I probably didn't read everything. Still, I didn't know it so I could have faced the same situation.
Inkoseh 33
It's written in the information for travelling by plane, also depending on what country but it's the rule for international flights usually. You're only allowed to stay 6 months per calendar year out of your country as any longer, you lose your residency. Unless of course, you start filing for Visa's for extended travel times, and that's done months in advance. Having less than that left on your expiration flags you for possible abandonment AND as others said, makes it so you don't have an expired passport if you do plan to come back in 6 months for any extenuating circumstances. Protects you and them! This fact is 100% tested and true for USA and Canada from personal experience as an immigrant from one country to the other!
bl3ur0z3 17
So it's not expired yet, but it will in less than 6 months so you can't travel now? What's the point of an expiration date if you can't use it up until that date? I'd go "Karen" on them.
jbuckets_404 39
Yea, but this is the Australian federal gov't. I doubt that they'll bend the rules for anybody, but high-ranking gov't officials.
Sinshine 28
Yea that's sadly a thing. I believe it's to prevent people from getting stranded with an expired passport that was still fine when they left the country.
mssileas 25
That's quite common and in my experience it's mentioned in most airline check lists and information writings. Shame about your holiday though
Sara Niemantsverdriet 12
It's not an Australian government thing. A lot of countries require 6 months validity on a passport or they don't let you in. The airlines can actually be fined for carrying passengers that are then turned back at the airport in their destination country, so they stop it at check-in I don't get it either, but them's the rules.
bluejello2001 18
I once heard the 6 month rule explained as a sort of buffer, in case something goes really wrong and you are delayed leaving (medical issues, legal trouble, whatever).
skippydoda 32
Sorry, but YDI. It was mentioned at least a dozen times when I buy tickets
ForSeriousReally 17
I've never understood this policy. "OH NO! DANNY WON'T STILL BE DANNY IN SIX MONTHS! HE MIGHT BE SOMEONE TOTALLY DIFFERENT!"