Answered9 years ago
Can I transfer my visa from an old passport to a new one when traveling to Thailand?
Has anyone had experience "transfering" a visa from one passport to another? My passport needs to be renewed for more pages but I still have an active 1 year non O until Feb 2018. I called the consulate in NYC and they said it's fine and to just present both passports when reentering thailand and they will put the next stamp in my new book. I just want to confirm because sometimes what a consulate says and what the officer of immigration does are not the same.
I plan to enter BKK airport when I come back.
I plan to enter BKK airport when I come back.
Answer summary
Many community members shared their experiences regarding transferring a visa from an old passport to a new one while entering Thailand. The consensus is that you cannot transfer the visa itself; instead, you must present both the old and new passports at immigration. The visa is typically a sticker in the old passport, and you need to ensure that the immigration office notes the valid visa information in your new passport. Some users reported successfully having their entry stamps or extension stamps transferred at immigration in Thailand, emphasizing the importance of carrying both passports during travel.
45 repliesnewest first
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Edward ******
Just staple it to gather its fine
Francis ********
It's easy the embassy will give you a letter to give to immigration
Tod *********
When you get a new passport from your consulate inside the country you are given a letter to take to the immigration office so they can make a notation that you switched passports AND transfer any valid stamps <- like your current admitted until or extension stamp.
If you hold a valid multi-entry visa you must travel with both passports until the visa itself expires, but they will stamp you in and out on the new passport.
If you hold a valid multi-entry visa you must travel with both passports until the visa itself expires, but they will stamp you in and out on the new passport.
Nick ********
OPHaha true!! Thank you Tod. You're a saint
Tod *********
@Ni**
, nope, you're gonna be fine. face it you ain't the first foreigner who got a new passport while they were outta the country who had a valid visa in the old one. ;)
Nick ********
OPSo just get my new passport. And bring them both back to thailand. Show the visa in my old book and get the stamp in my new book. And do this until my visa expires basically? Thank you for the help and if I seem repedative. I'm just paranoid I'll waste a 200 dollar visa by screwing this up
Tod *********
Nick, nope, IF you have a valid visa or an extension of stay in the old passport that you're going to re-enter on just hand 'em both to the immigration officer who stamps you in
Nick ********
OPDo I still need the letter from a US consulate if I am currently in the US? I would receive my new passport before entering thailand again as well as continue to have my old passport.
Bim *******
You cannot transfer a visa. You transfer the last stamp of entry or extention and still need both passports.
Bim *******
@Kevin *******
that is so helpful mate thank you so much.Kevin ********
@Bim ******
, you need to pay buy debit or credit card. There is a separate payment instruction form to fill out with your card details and submit with your application. You can use a Thai or UK card, doesn't matter. Just make sure if you use your Thai card, it is able to be used for international payments. When your application reaches the UK, the office in Liverpool will take the money in pounds sterling. Let me know if you need any other information.Bim *******
Thanks
@Ke***
. Just one more question so sorry. How did you pay for it. I sent many emails and got one reply with same scripted response on there website. At what point did they take in thr payment in Thailand or UK. Do I use my Thai card to pay. I have no UK bank account so will have to use my wifes UK card to pay. Thank mate and thanks @Steve ******
xKevin ********
Bim, HMPO quote a max of 6 weeks to process. I did mine last month and it only took 2 weeks, but always plan as if it would take longer.
Steve *******
@Ke***
. Yeah. Come to think of it I think this guy did use an agent. So my mistake.Kevin ********
Some people use agents to submit applications and pick up passports from Trendy Building. These agents then EMS to the owner. I did this as I live in Samui and the agent price is much cheaper than travelling up myself twice.
The email from HMPO Bangkok states that they will not post. Has to be picked up by somebody. I guess they may have had issues in the past with lost passports??
The email from HMPO Bangkok states that they will not post. Has to be picked up by somebody. I guess they may have had issues in the past with lost passports??
Steve *******
@Kevin *******
. Im sure I read report on here of someone getting their new UK passport posted to their Thai address. I thought that was the whole point of showing proof of address in Thailand.Bim *******
@Steve ******
@Kevin *******
thanks guys. Really helpful. How long does it take to process do you know. Mine expires Jan 18 but immigration here say I have to do it by November. Thanks again.Kevin ********
Just to clarify. Collected from Trendy building in BKK
Kevin ********
@Steve ******
, HMPO will not post your new passport, whatever the address. Has to be collected in person or by a third party with an authorising letter.Kevin ********
Yes. UK HMPO is in the trendy building. More info here
***************************************
Steve *******
@B**
. If you use a UK address you have to return in person to pick up your new passport. If it's a Thai address they post it on to you.Steve *******
@B**
yesBim *******
@Steve ******
so the trendy building which I believe is on Soi 13 is the place I go to to renew.Bim *******
@Steve ******
thanks mate. Do they do the translation there and then? I have 30 dogs to look after and dont want to spend any longer than I have too in Bangkok. I have a UK bank account but it is different to my address on my UK driving licence which I will be using as my photo ID.Kevin ********
So the proof of address doesn't need to be a Thai address?
Kevin ********
I have already changed my address with the UK HMRC to my address in Thailand. I used a recent reminder letter from them about my annual tax self assessment which was obviously in English, so no translation required.
Steve *******
Bim. You can get it translated near the trendy building or the British embassy. There are plenty of translation services and their agents touting their services at both locations. You can also use proof of address from the UK, ie bank statement, utility bill if you still have an address there.
Bim *******
Can I ask what proof of address you gave to renew your passport. My only option is a letter from immigration but its in Thai and I need to get it translated. Where would I get it translated do you know? Thanks mate
Kevin ********
Yes. UK passport.
Bim *******
@Kevin *******
thanks for that. Are you a UK passport holder?Kevin ********
I recently exited after obtaining a new passport. I showed both passports at the airport immigration. I was taken to a separate desk where a lady placed a stamp in my new passport with dates from my old visa extension and a comment stating that my old passport was full.
The point is, I think you can use both passports to travel with a valid visa or extension stamp in the old passport.
You only need to transfer an extension stamp if you are planning to extend again or get a proof of address etc.
The point is, I think you can use both passports to travel with a valid visa or extension stamp in the old passport.
You only need to transfer an extension stamp if you are planning to extend again or get a proof of address etc.
Bim *******
Yes indeed you do
Martin **********
ok..but you still need to get your new passport updated with this info at thai consulate...if you simply enter without doing this..the new passporr will not show the details so will end up with a visa exempt stamp
Robert *******
I agree with
@St***
. Bring both passports when enter Thailand. The Visa is a sticker with lots of data and can not be transferred or renewed, This is an example of a Visa:Steve *******
@Martin *********
. You can get an extention of stay transferred at immigration but not a visa.Martin **********
thats wrong Steve. i had a visa transferred to new passport in thailand. I renewed my passport and when i collected a new one i was given a letter to take to chang wattana where they transferred it.
As the is currently in The US id suggest a trip to the local thai consualte would be his most prudent move.
As the is currently in The US id suggest a trip to the local thai consualte would be his most prudent move.
Martin **********
no...i had a non o multi entry based on marriage. Not an extension. when i picked up my new passport from trendy, they gave me a letter which i took to chang wattana. they then stamped the info in the new passport written in a big red stamp..and that was it. Then then asked me to carry both when crossing a border just to be safe. ill do some pics to show you romorrow. i might even still have the letter
Wichuda ******
u right
Steve *******
@Martin *********
. The OP still has a valid non imm o visa which cant be transferred. Im guessing you had an extention of stay transferred at immigration and not the visa.Martin **********
ill just add that i was told to travel with both passports in case thai immigration asked to see the old original visa sticker.
Steve *******
You cant transfer the visa, you keep both passports until the visa expires.
David ************
@Steve ******
yep, I stand correctedSteve *******
@David ***********
. Yes you can transfer the extention of stay but not the valid visa which the OP still has.David ************
Oh, it was an extension of stay.
David ************
Wrong, I did it 2 month ago.
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