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Can I use a hotel address as proof during my UK passport renewal at VFS in Bangkok?

British PassportVisa RenewalVFS BangkokProof of AddressStaying in Hotels during Passport RenewalExpat Guide Thailand
Mar 30, 2024
a year ago
Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
British Passport Bangkok.. I need to renew my passport using VFS in Bangkok. Can I still use hotel as proof of address? Does my hotel booking need to be for the entire time it will take to get a new passport? or just for a week or so? Can you still check into hotels while it is being renewed? Thanks for the help. It's a real stress.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user in Bangkok is seeking advice on renewing a British passport through VFS while staying at a hotel. They inquire whether a hotel can be used as proof of address, the duration a hotel booking needs to cover, and if it's possible to check into hotels during the renewal process. Community responses highlight differing opinions on proof of residency requirements, experiences showing that hotels may accept alternative documentation, and suggest directly contacting VFS for clarification.
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Send email to HMPO in Bangkok directly at

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You can also book an appointment through this email
a year ago
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Steve *******
You keep your passport whilst renewing, VFS send the copies of all the pages you supply for your application
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 But that wasn't my question
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Dani ********
 It WAS your question. "Can you still check into hotels whilst it's being renewed?"

You got my answer.

You still have your passport whilst it's being renewed
a year ago
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Steve *******
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Henry *********
You need to show you are resident in Thailand. Ask VFS if a hotel address is acceptable. I doubt it; they normally need a utility bill or bank statement showing your address in Thailand.
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henry ********
 How do you ask VFS. There enquiry system seems pretty locked down
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Its the reason I posted this thread
a year ago
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Henry *********
@Dani ********
 Good question. I think there's a phone number but it be premium rated.
a year ago
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Henry *********
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Stephen *******
5 days in the Uk 🇬🇧 too received it all through the government website
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen ******
 If I was in the UK that would be a useful comment
a year ago
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John *********
@Dani ********
 indeed!
a year ago
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John *********
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John ***********
My Bangkok hotel accepted a photocopy of my passport (from my prior hotel) in lieu of a passport. Was not a problem. The passport had been stolen.
a year ago
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THAI ******************************
We offer british passport renewal services, can have our team pickup your documents, and drop them off when it's completed.

**********************
a year ago
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Grant ******************
If you want to make your life super easy check out
@Mark's ***************
. Just renewed mine from Phuket without going anywhere, cheap and easy. Got mine back in about 3 weeks
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Grant *****************
 Thanks I sent a PM
a year ago
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Dani *********
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Peter *******
VFS will give you the old passport back so you can use for hotel bookings
a year ago
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Donna **********
They took the Thai visa as proof of address when we renewed this month (not sure if that depends on what visa or you just need visa to be valid during the timeline)

We kept old passport whilst renewal was going through which we used to check in hotels but we didn’t fly.

We submitted 11th March and return on 28th March.
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. what visa were you on. I will be on a 30 day entry stamp. I was going to get a 30 day extension before starting the process. I was going to rent a room for a month or just stay in hotels. Thanks for you help
a year ago
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Donna **********
@Dani ********
 non immigrant O (trailing spouse) which is valid for a year, and we had a couple of months remaining.

I found VFS to be very smooth and helpful, I believe if your visa is not workable for proof of address they would guide you.

As someone else mentioned copied all pages and did another copy of visa page.

As long as you book VFS appointment (not walk in) , if your visa isn’t workable it hasn’t cost you anything and they will have guided you in how to manage.
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna *********
 Thanks
a year ago
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Dani *********
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Manfred **********
@Donna *********
 the only factual comment here...
a year ago
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Manfred **********
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Mark *********
It will take four weeks to process, I think once you've given proof of address and they have excepted it, you should be able to go where you want. In my case my retirement visa was fine.
a year ago
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Marc ********
Why would you need a hotel to get a new passport?

Either you are a citizen of the country and are entiteled for a passport or not.

Even if you are homeless.
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
 Its called being a tourist. Did you know Thailand is one of the biggest tourist destinations on earth? And to pre-empt your reply. Its a long holiday
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Dani ********
 But you want a passport from the UK government right?

Not from Thailand.

They have to give you one. Otherwise Thailand could not even deport you
a year ago
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Marc ********
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John ********
You need to get in touch with VFS in Bangkok to find out

As for you travelling about with out your passport within Thailand you will have problems getting the hotels
a year ago
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Judy *******
*************************************
a year ago
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Judy *******
@Dani ********
 If you click on the link it will guide you through the process. Be warned that it can take up to 12 weeks to receive a new passport
a year ago
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Chris ***********
@Judy ******
 can’t you pay extra for express service?
a year ago
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Dani *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris **********
 there is an express? How I do this?
a year ago
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Duncan **************
@Chris **********
 it will guide you to be able to expedite sooner, but not guaranteed
a year ago
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Duncan **************
@Chris **********
 yes
a year ago
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Duncan **************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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