Rick Steves book on Istanbul says my passport has to be current for a full six months after my return date to the USA or they may not let me into Turkey. I called the US State Department and they said there are no restrictions as long as the passport is valid. I am flying to Europe soon and returning in September. My passpost expires in October of 2008. Will I have a problem??
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
It's not the State Department that makes such determinations....it would be the Turkish government. Some countries require your passport be valid three months after your travel....some six months. I would e-mail the Turkish embassy or consulate nearest you to confirm.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Renew your passport now. You still have plenty of time to process it and that way you won't have problems.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
According to the Turkish Embassy's Washington DC website (http://tinyurl.com/zn5ud), your passport needs three months validity.
Posted by
Prague
65 posts
Definitely renew! Airport officials in Turkey like to scrutinize American passports, so you can pretty much bet that they will take note of your expiration. Wow, I really wish that the State Dept didn't give you incorrect information.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
In all fairness to the state department, the response may depend on how the question was asked. Even IF Turkey would let you in the big issue is that you do not want to travel with a short expiration date on your passport. If something happened -- illness, accident, etc. -- that would cause you to be delayed on returning to the US and the passport expired. You can bet that the US would give you enormous problem with getting back in. Get it renew, We always renew about nine months early.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
I also see that you are in Olympia. If need be, drive the short distance to the Seattle passport office and you can get it renewed pretty much on the spot.
Posted by
Princeton, IL
1 posts
We are planning on a cruise to Egypt, Greece, Turkey in October. The cruise line (Princess) would not let me register my passport since it had less than six months left. I was told that Turkey and Egypt as well as many other European countries now require a passport with at least six months remaining for entry.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9100 posts
The trend for an increasing number of western European nations, has been to eliminate the expiration rule entirely. For example: Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, simply require your passport be valid during your stay.
Posted by
Izmir, izmir, Turkey
85 posts
Hi, this is Gokhan from izmir Turkey
USA citizens must have/receive 3 months VISA while they arrive Turkish airports.. It is a stamp VISA ~40 USD. easily can be taken...
So, You have come a passport which must be valid for min. 3 months on the date you come to Turkey airports. If not you have to turn back with same or next flight :(
before to flihgt to Turkey you have to extend it suitably..
For your kind attention and information.
Regards
Posted by
Cincinnati, OH, USA
25 posts
You indeed may have a problem in Turkey. Renew your passport; you need to do it anyway. (We encountered the same issue in Italy two years ago when we had just three months left on it, and Italy wanted six months. We simply renewed a bit early, and then did not have to worry.
Cordially,
Pam