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Can a foreigner in Thailand use both old and new passports for immigration purposes?

Retirement VisaVisa TransferPassport RenewalThai ImmigrationUK EmbassyRe-entry PermitVisa Extension
Jul 18, 2023
a year ago
James ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, my friend in UK is having a nightmare trying to get in touch with embassy regarding his new passport travel. He’s lived in Thailand for many years and has a retirement visa and will be returning in October. I’ve told him if he travels with his new passport and also produces his old passport at thai immigration on arrival they will copy his existing stamp across to his new passport…have I told him correctly or am I talking a load of garbage?. Thanks.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, your friend is correct. When returning to Thailand with a new passport, he should present both his old and new passports at immigration. This process allows Thai immigration to copy the entry stamp from the old passport to the new one, provided that his retirement visa and any necessary re-entry permits are still valid. After returning, he will need to visit the immigration office to officially transfer his visa extension stamp to the new passport. However, recent discussions indicate that obtaining a confirmation letter from the UK embassy may no longer be required, as immigration may only need both passports.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tony *********
When I transferred my visa to my new passport recently there was no mention of a letter. All immigration wanted was the old and new passport. They have all your details on the computer system.
a year ago
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Martyn ***********
To transfer stamps to new passport you need a letter from the embassy here? Or you did... It was easy the email a blank letter to you, that you fill in yourself.
a year ago
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Gareth ********
I got a letter in English and Thai saying they no longer issue that original letter. I’ll find out this week what Jomtein will do.
a year ago
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Mark *********
@Gareth *******
 The letter is obtained from the UK Passport Office outsource provider in Bangkok VFS Global in Trendy Building Bangkok. Make contact with them.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark ********
a year ago
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Mark *********
@Brandon ***********
 That is true. It isn't an Embassy service. It is outsourced by the embassy. Got one maybe 3 weeks ago. The only question is whether VFS will play ball if you haven't completed the whole process here. You can but ask - and they seem quite a decent, helpful bunch. It's all in the words. It could also be that if you popped into the British Embassy they would say a simple "No" - they are not very helpful people - rather than advise asking VFS Global. I note that the letter is very new, so I suppose another question is whether they've now stopped supplying the letters to VFS Global. All this said you never did need that letter anyway. So the final question becomes whether the individual immigration officer is fully appraised.
a year ago
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Mark *********
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Martyn ***********
@Gareth *******
 a letter from who? If immigration want one, what happens..?
a year ago
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Martyn ***********
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Gareth ********
@Martyn **********
 British embassy no longer provide that letter.
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Gareth *******
 Nor does the US

give ya this ( In Thai as well)

Dear Immigration official of the Royal Thai Government Please be informed that as of April 10, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the Consulate General in Chiang Mai no longer issue passport linkage letters. For purposes of transferring visas for cancelled U.S. passports to new U.S. passports, please refer to the passports themselves.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Gareth *******
 The British Embassy doesnt deal with passport renewals. It's done via VFS Global, they provide the letter.
a year ago
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Gareth ********
@Steve ******
 British Embassy provided the attached.
a year ago
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Duncanc **********
@Gareth *******
 given a letter to confirm they no longer give letters ❤️ marvellous 🤩
a year ago
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Gareth ********
@Steve ******
 hair splitting. VFS no longer provide a letter.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Gareth *******
 VFS do provide a letter.
a year ago
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Steve *******
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Martyn ***********
@Gareth *******
 my friend renewed his passport 2 or 3 months back and he got the letter... So it must be now thing? So what do you do if thai immigration want one?
a year ago
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Martyn ***********
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Gareth ********
I came in this morning, retirement extension and re-entry permit in my old passport, IO checked both and stamped the entry stamp into my new passport.
a year ago
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James ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gareth *******
 thank you, welcome back 👍
a year ago
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James ***************
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Klaus ***********
Correct - he should show both passports on arrival and will be stamped in in his new passport until the end date of his retirement extension. Provided of course his retirement extension has not expired before his return and he has a valid re-entry permit in his old passport.

After returning he can then visit his immigration office and transfer the needed stamps into his new passport.
a year ago
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James ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Klaus **********
 thank you 🙏
a year ago
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James ***************
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Brandon ************
If he gets a new passport while he's out of Thailand but his extension is still valid in his old passport, he would present both passports at arrival.

Then afterwards once he's settled in back home he needs to go to the immigration office that he got his extension from and bring both passports so they can move his extension stamp.
a year ago
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James ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you as always Brandon 👍
a year ago
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James ***************
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