How do I transfer my visa from my old passport to my new one in Thailand?

Visa Transfer Passport Renewal Non-Immigrant Visa TM30 90 Day Reporting Chiang Mai USA Passport Thai Immigration

Nov 14, 2024

a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

[New Passport] I’m about to send my passport off for renewal but before I do I want to know how do I transfer my visa from the old to the new one when it arrives?

- USA passport

- Non-Imm Visa for studying at university 

- Currently live/study in Chiang Mai 

- Renewed 90 day report on 11 November for current passport.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To transfer your visa from an old passport to a new one in Thailand, you need to visit the immigration office with both your old and new passports. Make sure to bring a copy of every page with Thai stamps or visas, and fill out a 'request to transfer stamp' form. No fee is usually required for this transfer. Additionally, file a new TM30 to update your passport number for reporting purposes. Typically, immigration will handle the transfer process straightforwardly.

Jennifer ********

I just did this and it was easier than expected. US Embassy in Bangkok says it takes "up to six or eight weeks" to get the passport back, but in fact, in my case, it took less than 4 weeks (and I paid for the extra travel-card too). For CM immigration, I had to copy every page with Thai stamps or visas on the old passport, bring both old and new passports, and fill out the "request to transfer stamp" form, and hand it all over. No fee to do this.

a month ago

Lauren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jennifer *******

I have seen a lot of people saying that they got theirs quickly but I’m still allowing for the full 8 weeks plus a little more before thinking about any travel plans. I had already planned on making copies of every page of my old passport before I sent it off for my own records but it’s nice to know that immigration will also want this, thank you!

a month ago

Reply to

Lauren *********

Stewart ***************

I may be wrong I have a UK passport I didnt have to send my old passport off I held onto it until the new one returned. I thought you were not allowed to be in Thailand with out it. Immigration will transfer the visa over I used the one at Central Festival.

a month ago

Mike ********

@Stewart **************

The US does require it to be mailed in as per the Embassy website and personal experience. Quite a few steps involved, I did a full write up of each step in a Chiang Mai group.

Took 6 weeks for me, others reporting 4-5 weeks.

a month ago

Stewart ***************

Yes, UK passport holders have to use and agency and you keep hold of your passport until the new one is sent back from overseas. I got mine back from the UK in under 2 weeks. Which was nice.

a month ago

Reply to

Stewart ***************

Lauren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stewart **************

Things vary by country, that’s why I included what country my passport is from. I have to send my current one off in order to get a new one (renewal) issued to me. The voided one and the new one will both be sent back to me.

a month ago

Stewart ***************

@Lauren ********

Yes I thought that may be the case but I thought it was a rule in Thailand that you cant be without your passport. A rule made by the Thai government. I just did mine for a replacement, the agency that deals with UK passports voided the old passport when the new one was sent back. I thought I had to send my old one but no, I was advised I have to keep it. Just had to photocopy every page etc. Good luck.

a month ago

Lauren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stewart **************

I’m sure I’ll be ok. I’ll have photocopies, proof of it being sent for renewal and I also have both a Thai motorcycle and car license for identification.

a month ago

Reply to

Lauren *********

Tod *********

doubtful you have any VISA and I'd wager that instead if you looked at the stamp in your passport it'd say 'extension of stay permitted until" and have a date you can stay until.

IF you have that stamp, when you get the new passport you go to the immigration office with both passports and get the extension stamp transferred to the new one.

You should also file a new TM30 <- so that they have the new passport number too, and remember your next 90 day report on the new passport will have to be done in person to get that number into the TM47 90 day report system

a month ago

Lauren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you for clarifying the terminology for me. That’s the visa that I entered in when I started school and you are correct that I have an extension of stay permitted stamp. I was trying to get out any potential relevant information out all in one post 😂 I get this stamp once a year before fall semester begins.

Thank you for your expert advice!

a month ago

Tod *********

@Lauren ********

then you do indeed take BOTH passports to the office where you got the year extension issued and they'll transfer the appropriate stamps/extension to the new one for you 🙂

a month ago

Lauren *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thank you again so much Tod!

a month ago

Sean **********

@Lauren ********

Tod is the best!

a month ago

Reply to

Sean **********