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Can I transfer my DTV visa to a new passport when my old one is full?
Thailand visaDTV visapassport transfer visa documentationexpat adviceThai immigration rulesrenewing passportsticker visa vs eVisavisas issued abroad
Sep 16, 2024
2 years ago
Jey *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDid someone already got a DTV and transferred it into a new passport ? My passport is nearly full, but I am afraid to make a new one and they won't transfer the DTV on it.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses whether a Digital Tourist Visa (DTV) can be transferred to a new passport when the current passport is nearly full. Several commenters assert that while other types of visas and extensions may be transferable, the DTV visa, particularly if issued abroad (sticker visa or eVisa), cannot be transferred; instead, both the old and new passports must be presented to immigration. Confusion arises from the distinction between visa types, with some suggesting extensions may be transferred, while the general consensus emphasizes that the DTV must be carried as-is until it expires.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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.
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Tod *********
@Jey ********
how about saving yourself any grief and get a new passport BEFORE you apply for the DTV visa? I mean it's a FIVE YEAR long visa, just get a new passport and you're set
Tod *********
One final time people if you have a VISA <- a sticker from a thai consulate outside thailand and you get a new passport you CANNOT get that sticker moved to a new passport.
If it was a "sticker visa" you would carry BOTH passports, and stamp in/out on the new one until the visa runs out
IF it was an "eVisa" (the PDF file) you would probably still need at least the data page copy and any entry stamps from that old passport to stamp in on a new passport with the DTV (because the PDF will have the old passport number on it)
If it was a "sticker visa" you would carry BOTH passports, and stamp in/out on the new one until the visa runs out
IF it was an "eVisa" (the PDF file) you would probably still need at least the data page copy and any entry stamps from that old passport to stamp in on a new passport with the DTV (because the PDF will have the old passport number on it)
Stuart *********
For those saying a visa can be transferred they are getting confused with their extension stamps (or even initial visa issued in country). These are stamps issued by immigration in Thailand.
It is not possible to transfer a visa sticker, or change the PDF file sent to you via the evisa system.
It is not possible to transfer a visa sticker, or change the PDF file sent to you via the evisa system.
Paul *******
You carry both passports.
Stuart *********
You carry both passports. If you have a sticker visa in your old passport you show the relevant visa page and new passport on entry.
If you got your DTV via email then have a print of the visa and show it, your old passport and new one on entry.
If you got your DTV via email then have a print of the visa and show it, your old passport and new one on entry.
Henrik *****
Get the new passport before applying for DTV.
Sim ******
My agent told me they can’t and to carry both passports
Seb ********
Your agent is wrong. If your visa was legitimately obtained then there won’t be any problems. If it was obtained using scam documents and bribes then yes, there might be issues.
Tod *********
@Seb *******
the agent is 100% correct, if it's a sticker visa you got from a consulate in another country it CANNOT be transferred to a new passport at thai immigrationsStuart *********
@Seb *******
Their agent isn’t wrong. A DTV visa is issued by the ministry of foreign affairs and is either a sticker in your passport or a PDF file. Neither can be transferred to a new passport. You carry both passports for validity of your visa.
Seb ********
@Stuart ********
that’s not how it works in Thailand.Tod *********
@Seb *******
you are confused about the difference between an EXTENSION OF STAY <- which can be transferred to a new passport and
a real VISA from a thai consulate outside the country <- which CANNOT be transferred to a new passport
Seb ********
@Tod ********
I transferred a visa to a new passport 2 years ago because the original had to be handed in upon renewal. That was done at the immigration office in Chaengwattana with a letter from the embassy confirming a passport swap. If you get a new passport outside of Thailand that’s a situation I can’t speak to. Especially if your country lets you keep the old passport and cuts a corner off. Some won’t let you do that.Tod *********
@Seb *******
you didn't move a visa 😛 if you look at your stamp it will say "extension of stay" you can't move visasand you CAN use passports no matter if they're cut OR cancelled to show a valid visa and get stamped in on a new passport as long as the old visa is valid for
I don't know any country that makes you turn IN an old passport when you renew, US punches holes in them,UK cuts the corners but they give them back to you. I have 4 or 5 old US passports
Seb ********
@Tod ********
it was a new 1Y ED Visa obtained at the Embassy abroad. The passport got severely damaged by a stupid TG checkin agent in Phuket three months later. 🙄 Emailed them for instructions and was told to get a letter from the Embassy and bring the new passport to the office. They didn’t print a new label, but put a stamp in it that lasted for the remaining 9 (well 8 at that point) months. The passport was retained at the Embassy in BKK and I wasn’t allowed to keep it. Should have used my German one because with them it’s indeed not a problem. Will see how this works in 3.5 years when the one with the DTV expires and 1.5Y remaining validity being left on it.Tod *********
never seen that happen, you're lucky, AND immigrations usually doesn't fool with that at all It'd be an MFA thing because they are the ones that run the consulates that sell the visas and immigrations wouldn't have any way to check that you had a year long multi-entry visa from a thai consualte, only MFA would
Keep in mind that ONE isolated instance is hardly a blanket statement that they transfer VISAS to passports 🙁 😉
How about we chalk your experience up to some aberration and leave it at that?
Immigrations inside the country doesn't move VISA stickers to new passports, you show BOTH passports to get in/out of the country for the duration of the visa in the old passport
Keep in mind that ONE isolated instance is hardly a blanket statement that they transfer VISAS to passports 🙁 😉
How about we chalk your experience up to some aberration and leave it at that?
Immigrations inside the country doesn't move VISA stickers to new passports, you show BOTH passports to get in/out of the country for the duration of the visa in the old passport
Reply to
Tod *********
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Sim ******
@Seb *******
I hope there wrong 😂Reply to
Sim ******
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Toni *******
It would be like other long visas, you go immigration with old and new passport. Why wouldnt it be? If you worry, you have a reason why you think that way?
Tod *********
@Toni ******
you cannot transfer VISA stickers to a new passportToni *******
@Tod ********
you can, just go to immigratiom with both passportsTod *********
@Toni ******
you are confused, VISA stickers cannot be transferred to a new passport. You can transfer EXTENSIONS OF STAY stamps, re-entry permit stamps, but not visasToni *******
@Tod ********
what do you mean by visa sticker? Theres no visa on my passport, only entry stamp.Tod *********
@Toni ******
you cannot transfer a VISA to a new passport period, That transfer stamp form is to transfer EXTENSIONS of STAYSTod *********
@Toni ******
how about you post an image of a stamp they transferred to a new passportToni *******
@Tod ********
what stamp? Entry stamp? Thats the only stamp i haveToni *******
@Tod ********
i could ask tomorrow when i drive past, but that wouldnt be ebough either.. how about if i record audio?Tod *********
@Toni ******
nope, I mean they don't move visas, they move extensions of stays at the immigration office, that's itReply to
Tod *********
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Ning ******
just bring both to the immigration, they will transfer it over. takes about extra 10 mins if you are there for 90 days report.
Tod *********
@Ning *****
if you're there for a 90 day report you don't have a VISA at all you have an extension of stay 😛Stuart *********
@Ning *****
They physically can’t transfer it over. It’s either a sticker stuck in the old passport or a PDF file referencing the old passport number. You carry both passports until the visa expires.
Andrew *******
@Stuart ********
you are 100% incorrect. I’ve done this 3x when I got a new passport in BKKYou are correct if you mean the initial transfer of visa into the new passport, after that there are no issues and you don’t carry your old passport for the duration of your visa
Tod *********
@Andrew ******
you are confusing a yearly extension of stay with a real VISA, the only VISA they transfer to a new passport is EliteStuart *********
@Andrew ******
Advise me how I can be incorrect. The DTV is a 5 year visa. Either sticker or PDF via email. What can they transfer?Andrew *******
@Stuart ********
so have you ever actually transferred a visa to a new passport when your current passport expires? I’ve done it 3xTod *********
@Andrew ******
I don't believe you've EVER transferred a VISA to a new passport unless you hold an Elite visa (that is the only sticker visa that they move to a new passport) I think you MIGHT have transferred an extension of stay from the immigration office from one passport to a new one
Andrew *******
@Tod ********
I had a visa, my passport expired. Got a letter from my embassy + new passport. Took it to immigration, visa was transferred. I had to do that 2x once in a 1 month period because I needed a temporary passport to renew my visa in time and then when my new passport arrived I had to transfer again. Il try to find my old passport and upload a picture of it. It may very well be an extension of stay based off the visa I had, not debating that. Thanks for being diligent and calling me out almost 24 hours later 🫡
Tod *********
@Andrew ******
doubtful you had a VISA transferred but you could have had the ENTRY STAMP from the original visa along with an extension of stay transferred 🙂sorry I just noticed this train wreck of a thread full of mis-information so was going down the list of commenters
nothing personal 😛
Tod *********
@Andrew ******
that looks like the entry stamp from the previous passport being moved to the new one
Andrew *******
@Tod ********
I just checked. You were correct, I need to carry the previous passport aswell according to the stamp.Tod *********
@Andrew ******
Yep, that is the stamp the embassy gives you saying you swapped passports in country and
that is what lets any valid visa from the old passport be used when you enter, by showing both passports when you stamp in and they stamp you in on the new passport
Sorry to have replied so late to your comment, i will try to be more attentive 🙂
Take care thanx for responding (y)
Stuart *********
@Andrew ******
I can guarantee you 99% that you have never transferred a visa from an old passport to a new one. The 1% is there because of if it was a visa issued in country it could have been transferred. I suspect what you are referring to is transferring an extension of stay stamp put in your passport by immigration in Thailand and having that transferred.
Many people confuse the fact that they came here with a visa and now have a stamp that it’s still the “visa” that they are on. They aren’t. That visa was used and is done and dusted. They are on extension of stays granted by immigration. Those stamps are transferable.
Reply to
Stuart *********
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Gerry ********
@Stuart ********
your method is necessary if you've obtained the new passport while in the home country. It may be fine for the life of the visa, but immigration can definitely transfer it to a new passport...Stuart *********
@Gerry *******
What can they transfer? They cant transfer a sticker. They can’t update the PDF evisa that was sent if you via the evisa system. They can and will transfer extention of stat stamps issued in Thailand and indeed visas issued in Thailand but cant transfer visas issued abroad from the MFA.
Gerry ********
@Stuart ********
I've never done it. but it's very well documented.Do you really think they can't update their systems to relate an existing visa to a new passport number?
The PDF isn't the visa. The visa is in the database.
When we're all going through the auto gates at BKK (my last exit was through an automatic gate), visa stamps and pdf hard copes become 100% irrelevant.
Most Thai embassies in western countries are already only issuing e-visas.
Stuart *********
@Gerry *******
The PDF is 100% the visa. The sticker in your passport - if obtained at a consulate that doesn’t yet use the evisa system - is the visa. Neither can be transferred to a new passport. There may well be a notification on the immigration computer system about a valid visa in an old passport but 100% I wouldn’t rely on the immigration officer either checking that or even interested in it.
You use both passports until the visa expires.
Gerry ********
@Stuart ********
auto immigration gates can't read your pdf or sticker, yet they work almost perfectly...Stuart *********
@Gerry *******
Good luck trying one of those with a new passport and a visa from a old passport. Perhaps miracles will happen. I won’t hold my breath that long.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Gerry ********
@Stuart ********
they can:************************************************************************
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*****
*****
406-a*****
dd-94deReply to
Gerry ********
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Greg ********
There is no problem transferring any other visa from an old passport to a new one. I have done it in the past and takes minutes. Do you think they are making a special case for a DTV?
Stuart *********
@Greg *******
There is no transferring a visa from one passport to another. You carry both passports (and print of visa if evisa) until your visa expires. You are possibly thinking of extension stamps issued by immigration in Thailand - which can be transferred.
Gerry ********
@Greg *******
may I ask how this is normally done?I won't face this for a few years, but I'm curious whether it's done at immigration in Thailand, online through the e-visa portal, or through the issuing consulate in the home country...
Seb ********
@Gerry *******
in person at Immigration Division 1.Gerry ********
@Seb *******
cheers.Reply to
Gerry ********
Reply
Seb ********
Why would anyone have done that in the last 45 days since the visa exists? Make a new passport first!
Reply to
Seb ********
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