How can I enter Thailand with a new passport when my eVisa is issued for an expired passport?

eVisa Thailand immigration new passport expired passport visa transfer DTV Visa Thai Immigration Bureau

Aug 6, 2024

3 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

How to handle entering on a new passport, when the eVisa is issued for the old / expired passport?

Since the DTV is a whopping 5 year visa, which lets your squeeze out even almost 6 years, it is likely that a currently valid passport will expire before the duration of the eVisa does. E.g. my passports expire in about 4.5 years.

Does anyone have confirmation how this situation is handled? So far I have heard that if you have a stamped visa or an extension of stay, that stamp can (and has to be) transferred into the new passport at immigration.

However, with PDF eVisa, no sich mechanism exists. Some statements claim that in that case, people should travel with both their expired passport matching the eVisa AND the new valid passport to be stamped in on. But I have not found any official information about that. Does entering on an expired passport + corresponding eVisa + new passport really work? Alternatives?

Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the challenges faced when entering Thailand on a new passport while holding an eVisa that was issued under an expired passport. It raises concerns about how to manage the situation, as the eVisa is valid for a long duration (e.g., the DTV visa) and clarifies whether one can enter using both the old passport with the eVisa and the new passport. Comments offer various opinions and experiences, suggesting that presenting both passports to Thai immigration may facilitate the process, although no official confirmation is provided.

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Jo **********

Just before I applied for my LTR I got a new passport so problem solved that’s the way to do it.

3 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jo *********

I already have two passports - both valid for another good 4.5 years. I cannot just get a new one only because I want to. That is not how it works in Germany. I would have to report one stolen to be replaced early. Won't do that just to please Thai bureaucracy. Also, passports are not cheap these days ... might be cheaper to loose a year of DTV than to pay for an early passport. Anyways ... I am sure there will be a solution to the problem down the road. Pretty sure many more people have the same issue of needing to "transfer" a eVisa to a new passport.

3 months ago

Jo **********

@Frank-Steven **********

yes understand in the Netherlands it’s very easy, cheap and fast

3 months ago

Reply to

Jo **********

Dennis *********

Shouldn't be an issue. Thai immigration has copies of any visas issued, and when you renew your passport, you do get your original back, only with a few hole punches in it. just take that along with you. We currently have 10 year Chinese multi-entry visas, one of the 1st in US to get them. Right after we got them, we were stopped by US customs, on the way out, on the boarding ramp; they said no issue, just they'd never seen them before and passed the passports around their group.

3 months ago

Milan ********

I worried about this too, so applied for new passport even if 4 years left

3 months ago

Jo **********

@Milan *******

yes Just before I applied for my LTR I got a new passport so problem solved that’s the way to do it.

3 months ago

Reply to

Jo **********

Tony ********

Good question, been wondering about that myself. I suppose local immigration could put a stamp with the visa type, but this generally only reflects your permision to stay date, not visa expiration date.

3 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tony *******

Oh well. Maybe they will figure something out until then. I doubt immigration can re-issue a new eVisa (different department). I also doubt the original embassy will provide a corrected visa. Maybe immigration can transfer an eVisa into a visa stamped in the new passport with the original expiration date. But I have never heard that happen.

3 months ago

Jo **********

@Frank-Steven **********

just get a new passport before you apply

3 months ago

Tony ********

@Jo *********

but what happens in 2 years time when your passport is full/damaged or lost and your pdf no longer matches your passport number?

3 months ago

Jo **********

@Tony *******

good question and point

3 months ago

Reply to

Jo **********

Bob ********

It will be a case of going to Thai Immigration with both passports and they will change the numbers in the computer system.

3 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bob *******

Really? I never heard of that with a printed eVisa. Would I get a new eVisa to print out, then?

3 months ago

Bob ********

@Frank-Steven **********

if you are in the country at the time, no worries, outside I would suggest you would have to visit a consulate, I would be asking personally after you get to Thailand with the current one

3 months ago

Reply to

Bob ********

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Can I travel in and out of Bangkok with an expired passport containing my visa if I bring my new passport?

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