Do I need to immediately transfer my Thai visa to my new passport after getting it, or can I wait until my visa is about to expire?

Thai visa transfer visa extension Thai spouse visa passport renewal Chaeng Watthana Immigration expat guides Thailand immigration rules

Aug 17, 2022

2 years ago

Tommy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello group! Quick question!

I just sent my current Passport to my Embassy in Bangkok to request a new one, as I have only 2 blank pages left in it and planning to travel to a few different countries in the upcoming months + renewing my thai visa extension (Thai spouse), which, as we all know, takes a whole page or 2... 

My thai visa extension based on marriage to a thai spouse is in the old passport (obviously!) and expires at the end of October.  I will probably get the new passport within the next 3 to 4 weeks (probably mid-september).  

My question is: Once I get the new passport (along with a letter from the Embassy that asks Thai Immigration to transfer my current visa to my new passport), do I need to go immediately to Chaeng Watthana Immigration, or can I wait until it's 45 days until my current visa expires, so I can  1) transfer the old visa; and 2) request a new extension at the same time? 

Kind of a weird situation, I don't know if anyone has ever been in this situation? Thanks in advance for your help! Cheers!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the procedure for transferring their Thai visa from their old passport to a new one after submitting a passport renewal request at their embassy in Bangkok. They want to know if they must transfer the visa immediately upon receiving the new passport or if they can wait until their current visa is close to its expiration date.

Philip **********

Leter from embassy requesting transfer of stamp? Is this new ?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Philip *********

when you renew a passport INSIDE the country most embassies give a letter saying you had xx passport but got a new one yyy inside the country and ask that the stamps be transferred

2 years ago

Philip **********

@Tod ********

… cheers for the update Tod .

2 years ago

Reply to

Philip **********

Ellie *******

You are supposed to go to the immigration office to transfer your stamps immediately after you get a new passport. Since there is no clear penalty for delayed submission of transferring stamps, it's your decision if you go immediately or wait until you go for an extension application. If you wait until the next extension, you need to transfer stamps first of all other applications.

But, remember, you cannot complain if you are grilled by officers because you didn't go there to move stamps when you were supposed to. I know someone did as you described and was given a hard time before they accept the extension application.

2 years ago

Jeff *******

@Ellie ******

can you point out where it says stamps must be transferred "immediately". I'm on my third passport here and both previous times had the transfer done at BKK when leaving the country. I just checked the US Embassy website and all they have to say is:

"Thai immigration law requires entry/exit stamps and Thai visas be transferred into new passports. After receiving your new passport, please visit any Thai immigration office to have the visa transferred. The letter to facilitate visa transfers comes standard with all passport renewals and is provided without fee."

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Jeff ******

it appears you didn't have a yearly extension then because they don't transfer extension stamps at the airport when you leave. They just stamp you OUT on the new passport.

If you are here on an extension you GO to the immigration office when you get your new passport with the letter from your embassy and your old passport and they move the stamps

Also the US embassy doesn't have a dog in the "transfer the extension stamps when you get a new passport" fight.

2 years ago

Jeff *******

@Tod ********

Correct, I was not on an extension then. I was either on a METV or an old 1 year Non-Imm O issued in the US when they still issued those. They transferred my "walk-in" stamp from Mae Sai when I left from BKK.

Also correct, the US Embassy doesn't really care but I still have never seen anywhere where it says you have to transfer the stamps immediately. Like the OP, I'm curious if I need to make a special trip to Immigration since I'm now on a yearly extension and will be getting a new passport later this year.

2 years ago

Reply to

Jeff *******

Tommy *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thank you very much for your very informative response. Exactly the info I was looking for. Much, much grateful for your help! Since I can ask for an extension 45 days prior to the expiration of my current extension, there will probably be a gap not exceeding 7 to 10 days. If I receive the passport earlier than expected, I won't take any chances and make the trip only for the visa transfer first. Thanks!!!

2 years ago

Steve ********

@Ellie ******

I have noticed a few of these very informative cards on here . Where can i find them , i have looked under the " files " section but cant see them .

Graham ******

Try "Media"

Steve ********

yes there is a couple in there but not all i dont think . Ones i saw that were relevant to me are not in there . I did see one in a post here a while back so i may have to search for it . They just seem like a good resource so i thought they might all be together somewhere .

2 years ago

Reply to

Steve ********

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Can I transfer my marriage visa from my old passport to a new one, or should I wait for the new passport to apply?

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