Answered3 years ago
Can a foreigner in Thailand use both old and new passports for immigration purposes?
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.
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.
21 repliesnewest first
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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.
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.
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.
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.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.
Martyn ***********
@Gareth *******
a letter from who? If immigration want one, what happens..?Gareth ********
@Martyn **********
British embassy no longer provide that letter.
Richard *********
@Gareth *******
Nor does the USgive 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.
Steve *******
@Gareth *******
The British Embassy doesnt deal with passport renewals. It's done via VFS Global, they provide the letter.
Duncanc **********
@Gareth *******
given a letter to confirm they no longer give letters ❤️ marvellous 🤩Steve *******
@Gareth *******
VFS do provide a letter.Gareth ********
@Steve ******
hair splitting. VFS no longer provide a letter.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?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.
James ***************
OP@Gareth *******
thank you, welcome back 👍
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.
After returning he can then visit his immigration office and transfer the needed stamps into his new passport.
James ***************
OP@Klaus **********
thank you 🙏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.
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.
James ***************
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you as always Brandon 👍Activity
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