Answered4 years ago
How can I renew my US passport and transfer my Thai visa stamp when my current visa is about to expire?
Hello all. My current (and first) 45-day visa expires on Jan. 2. I plan to extend 30 days. However, my future travel plans have changed, which means I will also need to renew my US passport at the embassy before I travel in late January. My plan now is to renew visa then renew passport immediately after (I do not want to renew passport now in case it takes longer than my visa expiration date -- so visa first). My questions are: 1. Will I receive my old passport back along with my new one. 2. Will I be able to transfer my 30-day visa stamp onto my new passport. Thanks.
Answer summary
The user seeks advice on renewing their US passport while managing an upcoming visa expiration in Thailand. They explain their current visa situation and ask if they will receive their old passport back with the new one and if they can transfer their visa stamp to the new passport. Responses clarify that they will receive both passports back and need to obtain a letter from the embassy to facilitate the visa transfer. Other tips include renewing the visa early, where to get passport photos, and the process for renewing the passport by mail.
18 repliesnewest first
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Nikki *********
When you go in person, do you know how long it takes? We mailed everything in and then received an email that we need to come to the US Embassy in Bangkok for the renewed passport. I'm just wondering how long that appointment time is expected to take and if we will get the passport at that time or if it will come later in the mail? Any insight would be helpful. TYIA.
Kool *******
Understand that any extension you get will only be valid until your passport expires. It takes about two-three weeks to get it done by mail, and understand that you must have an address they can mail it to you. You get your old passport back, but with holes punched in it, and you get a letter to take, with both your passports, to immigration to get your current stamp transferred into the new one.
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David *******
OP@Kool ******
I've just run out of pages and need to travel.Kool *******
@David ******
you can not get extra pages added. You must get a new passport. They ended adding extra pages about 10 years ago.David *******
OP@Kool ******
Yes, you are correct. Thanks.Brandon ************
You can apply for your extension when you have 30 days or less left at most offices so go get your extension now then send in for your passport renewal ASAP. Every day will matter.
David *******
OP@Brandon ***********
Hi Brandon. I did not know I could apply for my 30-day extension early. This would certainly make the passport renewal process less stressful if I could do it sooner rather than later. Do you know if there's an immigration office near Suvarnabhumi Airport?Brandon ************
@David ******
if you have the 45 day visa exempt stamp (meaning you entered with no visa) you would use the Bangkok immigration office of IT Square LakSiMike *********
Oh and don’t forget to have a few copies made of your ID page and current visa or exemption stamps.
Mike *********
You mail your current passport along with the application and check from one of 3 Thai banks to cover the return postage inside Thailand. The US embassy will mail your passport application back to the US for processing and minimum time is 3 weeks.
David *******
OP@Mike ********
Hopefully, I'll have the new passport back before the 30 days expire. Won't the embassy take online payments via a credit or debit card?Mike *********
@David ******
I found a Kodak photo shop in a small alley in Patong Beach for my new passport photos. 2 excellent quality prints for 100 baht. Not familiar with your area but most print shops also do passport photos. When I was looking for a place to print my documents to sign and prepare for mailing is how I found my photo location.David *******
OPMuch appreciated.
Mike *********
@David ******
for the passport application it is online payment. The item you get a 100 baht check from the bank is to cover the registered Thai mail of your passport back to you inside Thailand. There is a form on the embassy website that you would need to print and take with you to one of the 3 specific banks with instructions.David *******
OP@Mike ********
One more question if you don't mind. I lived in Vietnam for five years and photo and photocopy shops were pretty much everywhere. I've walked a fair bit since I arrived here, but don't really see any. Maybe it's the area I'm in (near Suvarnabhumi Airport). Anyway, I like to have a good passport photo to send in, avoid any potential delays. Recommendations? And what might I expect to pay?Mike *********
It is all done my mail to the US embassy in Bangkok. No visits allowed for passport renewal.
Mike *********
1: yes will you get both back.
2: the embassy will provide a letter that you will need to take to Thai immigration for transfer of your then current visa stamp
2: the embassy will provide a letter that you will need to take to Thai immigration for transfer of your then current visa stamp
Stuart *********
If you got stamped in for 45 days you don’t have a visa. You have a visa exempt entry. No idea on turnaround times for US passports but hopefully not like UK which can be 12 weeks or more.
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