How do I go about getting a new US passport in Chiang Mai, and what are the visa transfer details?

US Passport Chiang Mai Immigration Visa Transfer Expat Experiences Passport Renewal Process

Nov 19, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Are there any Americans in this group who've bought a new passport in Chiang Mai? 

Mine is getting full (4 blank pages left) and I'd like to get a new one, but I'm not sure it's worth it to do this in Thailand. According to the website for the US embassy in Thailand, it looks like they will have to transfer my Thai visas and entry/exit stamps to the new passport. I'd rather have a fresh passport with all blank pages. 

Obviously, this isn't urgent with existing blank pages. However, I have no plans to go back to the US to get one there. I will be in other countries in SE Asia in the coming year. I'm also happy to hear suggestions for doing this in other countries if anyone has had experiences outside of Thailand.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user inquired about renewing their US passport in Chiang Mai due to having limited blank pages remaining. The discussion revealed that the US Embassy in Thailand transfers only current entry stamps and important visas to the new passport. It is noted that the process can be completed in approximately two weeks, and users shared successful experiences with both in-person and mail-in renewals. It was also mentioned that there is an option for a passport with 50 pages at no extra charge, which is useful for frequent travelers.

Jhona ***************

I don't know if it's the same case but I renewed my passport at our embassy here and when I went to immigration they 'transfered' only those important old visas and the current.

5 years ago

Ben ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Awesome! Thank you all for the info. This is exactly what I was looking for.

5 years ago

Ryan ***********

And you can do the option of 50pg passport, no extra charge.

5 years ago

Ryan ***********

My form from Chiang Mai consulate still had the option to get the 20-something page book, guess they need to update it. 🙂

5 years ago

Ben ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Interesting. So all foreign issued passports will have 52 pgs?

5 years ago

Reply to

Ben ***********

Ryan ***********

My wife and I actually did it all by mail. Was real easy and also only took about 2 weeks. Saved a trip to CM, then the CR Immigration office transferred our Visas to the new one. No problems! 👍🏼

5 years ago

Ben ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Perfect!

5 years ago

Reply to

Ben ***********

Shayne **********

Chiang Mai is easy. About 2 weeks. Immigration is easy. 2 forms, one copy of the whole of the old passport and face page of the new. Probably an hour at immigration.

5 years ago

Ben ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Shane!

5 years ago

Reply to

Ben ***********

Ivan ************

They only transfer your current entry stamp. It only takes up around half a page in the new passport. They don't transfer all your past visas or stamps.

Is there a specific reason you want to avoid this? They link new and old passports anyway in their online database, even if you get the new passport outside Thailand.

5 years ago

Ivan ************

It looks like this on the first page of your new passport. It's no more than a single page, max.

5 years ago

Ben ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Ivan. The way I read it on the website is that all stamps/visas were transferred... pretty sure I just misread it.

It makes sense that they only transfer the current ones.

I was just trying to avoid having space taken up in the new passport. I've almost filled my current one in less than 2 years

5 years ago

Reply to

Ben ***********

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Will my Thai visa remain valid if I renew my passport in the US before re-entering Thailand?

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