This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Do I need to transfer my Thai visa to a new passport before leaving the country?
Jan 5, 2023
3 years ago
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHi. I am currently on a ED visa that expires in April, 2023.
I want to make a new passport in Bangkok a month before my visa expires (March), and then leave Thailand for a few weeks and come back.
However, before leaving, do I need to transfer my visa from my old passport to my new passport? Or can I just leave the country with my new passport w/o doing anything?
Preferably, I don't want to do anything.
Thank you!
I want to make a new passport in Bangkok a month before my visa expires (March), and then leave Thailand for a few weeks and come back.
However, before leaving, do I need to transfer my visa from my old passport to my new passport? Or can I just leave the country with my new passport w/o doing anything?
Preferably, I don't want to do anything.
Thank you!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on an ED visa that will expire in April 2023 and plans to obtain a new passport in March, before leaving Thailand briefly. They are unsure whether they need to transfer their visa to the new passport before departing or if they can simply leave with both passports. Responses from the community suggest that while it's technically possible to leave without transferring the visa, doing so could create complications for future visa applications. It is advisable to obtain a letter from the school confirming the end of study and to visit the immigration office to transfer the visa to avoid issues when re-entering Thailand.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
James ********
So you know .
Having a New passport will no longer change what a Thai Immigration Officer sees when you seek to re-enter Thailand.
The Thai Immigration software used NOW links your Old and New passports, uses facial recognition and fingerprints to identify you and your Thai immigration history as you are seeking re-entry.
If you NEED to get a NEW passport... Do it.
Having a New passport will no longer change what a Thai Immigration Officer sees when you seek to re-enter Thailand.
The Thai Immigration software used NOW links your Old and New passports, uses facial recognition and fingerprints to identify you and your Thai immigration history as you are seeking re-entry.
If you NEED to get a NEW passport... Do it.
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTERI get you. I'm running out of papers, so I need a new passport for that reason only.
James ********
@Chris ****
then follow the good advice from @Tod ********
. You will be fine.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Tod *********
If you are NEVER going to get any type of Non-Immigrant visa again you could just stamp out on BOTH passports
However if you're ever gonna get any Non-Imm visa type you should follow the rules (whether you want to or not)
Get a letter from the school saying you quit studying on xxx date (the date you're going to leave the country)
go to the immigration office when you get the new passport, get the extension stamp moved and then cancel the current extension.
They will give you a stamp that lets you stay until the date on the termination of study paperwork (the date you will exit thailand)
THEN you can stamp out on the new passport
However if you're ever gonna get any Non-Imm visa type you should follow the rules (whether you want to or not)
Get a letter from the school saying you quit studying on xxx date (the date you're going to leave the country)
go to the immigration office when you get the new passport, get the extension stamp moved and then cancel the current extension.
They will give you a stamp that lets you stay until the date on the termination of study paperwork (the date you will exit thailand)
THEN you can stamp out on the new passport
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTEROh. I want a new Non-immigrant Visa but maybe after a couple of months when I'm back into Thailand. I'm running out of papers so I need a new passport for that reason only, and I want to just save time and avoid doing anything and just leave.
How come I can't get a new Non-Immigrant type of Visa ever again if I don't transfer it to my new passport? Like impossible?
How come I can't get a new Non-Immigrant type of Visa ever again if I don't transfer it to my new passport? Like impossible?
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTERAppreciate the answers!
I obviously want to follow and respect the rules, but any idea how much that “fine” is?
Besides, any possibilities perhaps canceling my current visa. Make a new passport and then leave?
I obviously want to follow and respect the rules, but any idea how much that “fine” is?
Besides, any possibilities perhaps canceling my current visa. Make a new passport and then leave?
Tod *********
@Chris ****
500 baht a day from the day your current extension wasn't cancelled until you apply for the new Non-Immigrant type visa (with a max amount of 20K baht).. <- the same as an overstay fineChris *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Can I cancel my current ED Visa before it expires in April, then get an extension at IM and use that time to make a new passport?James ********
@Chris ****
and you MUST obtain a letter from your school to take to the Thai immigration office that states that you have ENDED study on date certain...Must be the SAME Thai immigration office that ISSUED the ED VISA for it to be cancelled.
Then you can leave Thailand.
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Ok, leaves me with another question. Because if I have the ability to end my studies by obtaining letter from my school (perhaps a month earlier). Can I stay in Thailand until that date when my ed-visa was going to expire? Then I can use that last months time to make a new passport and then leave.
James ********
@Chris ****
ask your school and Thai immigration.Where are you living in Thailand?
Which Thai Immigration office do you obtain the 90 day extension of stay for your Ed Visa?
Which Thai Immigration office issued you the Ed Visa STAMP?
Chris *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
Chiang Mai to all above questions.Just to repeat: I want to end my studies 1 month before ed-visa expiration. Use that last month to issue new passport & then leave Thailand immediately before ed-visa expiration.
Gonna check with school and CM Immigration office. If have success with that I'll share it with you.
James ********
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Tod *********
@Chris ****
if you don't cancel the ED extension you're on now before you leave (the way it is supposed to work) you will get fined if/when you apply for a new Non-Imm visa. Follow the rules 😉 , transfer the stamps to the new passport, cancel the current extension and then stamp out on the new passport (y)
Ana ************************
@Chris ****
not about your new passport, just about not canceling your visaReply to
Ana ************************
Reply
3 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
6 comments
2 years ago
8 comments
2 years ago
5 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
1 comments
3 years ago
Can I transfer my visa stamp to a new passport without returning to the original immigration office?
10 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
3 years ago
1 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
3 years ago
4 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
4 years ago
8 comments
5 years ago
5 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
11 comments
7 years ago
6 comments
7 years ago
10 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
8 years ago
6 comments
8 years ago
9 comments
8 years ago
6 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.