Aryty Blog

While checking in for my flight last week from San Francisco to Manila I was not allowed to get on the plane due to the expiration date of my passport. Apparently if your passport expires in less than 6 months the Philippine government can fine the airline if they send you through and their immigration turns you away upon arrival for any reason. Unfortunately for me my passport expiration was in 5 1/2 months!

When the agent told me this at check in I was like “serioso ka ba?” and they told me no chance! Left with no choice I had to get a new passport and rebook my flight. The passport agency in SF expedited my passport for about $130 and I got it back that afternoon. With my new passport in hand I left for Manila the next day.

If you plan on travelling to the Philippines make sure your passport doesn’t expire in less than 6 months from your date of travel and if it does make sure to get it renewed before your trip. Coincidentally the woman sitting next to me on the plane was heading to a nursing convention in Manila and encountered the same problem. Travelling isn’t getting any easier but it’s was nice to go back to the Philippines!