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Should I renew my passport before moving to Thailand in July/August if it expires in December?

Passport renewalThailand immigrationNon-O visaRetirement visaTravel regulationsExpat tips
May 20, 2021
4 years ago
Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was just in Thailand for 90 days. I'm going back to live in July/August. My passport expires in December. Should I renew now or do it there ? I will be getting non o then retirement visa. I called Embassy in Chicago but couldn't understand them.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus among commenters is that it is advisable to renew your passport before returning to Thailand, especially since your current passport expires in December. Many expats emphasize the importance of having at least six months' validity on your passport upon entry to Thailand and when applying for a Non-O retirement visa. A new passport will avoid complications with visa durations and travel requirements. While some shared experiences indicated that renewing a passport in Thailand could be faster, the general recommendation is to manage this renewal while in the United States to minimize any potential issues abroad.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Jim ********
If you don't want to wait 4 months Pay extra and get expedited processing
4 years ago
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Eric *******
Definitely get a new passport now and in the US (otherwise, any visa that you'd get would only be valid till the expiry date of your current passport in December max).

Furthermore, you definitely NEED to get your Non -O visa in the US before coming to Thailand, it indeed will be wayyyyy easier, way cheaper (cause you won't need any agency assistance) and headaches free compared to what could be the procedure for it here in Thailand (where you'll need the assistance of a local agency, with the current situation and being your first Non -O and not just an extension of it).

Plus, you can't even travel any country with less than 6 month of remaining validity on your passport.

Take care.
4 years ago
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Joe *********
Mine took 3 weeks in US but I paid the expidate fee.
4 years ago
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Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe ********
 I did that 9
***
years ago. 13 trips to Thailand and 4 to Costa Rica I decided it's Thailand for me
4 years ago
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Gary *******
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Paul ********
Really Cupcake
4 years ago
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Dave *********
Renew now in your home country then you get all the visas new in your passport..you know what theye like over here getting visas tranfered.. more just time wasting for you ..so I would get a new passport and visas unless you like going to immigration 😂🤣
4 years ago
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Johanna ********
Renew now you need 6 months on it
4 years ago
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Bruce *********
Renew your passport while in the States. Due to Covid in Thailand, you may find it challenging at the American Embassy. Plus you are expected to have six months validity before you travel abroad.
4 years ago
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Billy *********
Use Washington DC embassy
4 years ago
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Lurcho ********
What do you reckon ?

You already know the answer.
4 years ago
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Mark ******
Do it now - any visa or extension you get will expire when your passport expires.
4 years ago
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Otto *********
Avoid hassle, get your new passport at home.
4 years ago
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Terary **********
I found it easier to renew my passport in Thailand than in USA. I thought it came quicker and may have been a little cheaper. However, my experience is from pre-covid era.
4 years ago
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George *************
@Terary *********
 Yes, interestingly renewing your passport is quicker outside the US than inside (at least it is in Thailand). I think this is because when renewing your passport in Thailand you basically get expedited service without having to pay extra on the assumption that passport holders in Thailand are using or potentially needing to use their passports all the time. It's taking about 10 days for applicants in Thailand, which is really quick when you realize that passports are only created in the US and must be mailed or couriered to US Embassy Bangkok.

However, I wouldn't be running around with a passport with less than six-months validity, especially if I lived outside the US and especially during a pandemic during which no one has a clear idea of what's going to happen from one month to the next. Not to mention the overriding concern that Thai Immigration won't give you a permission to stay that exceeds your passport validity. I think getting it now in the US is the sensible thing to do.
4 years ago
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George *************
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George *************
There is no special rule about "fresh" passports. Your passport can do anything from the moment it is born. I can't imagine what you've heard to the contrary.

You definitely need a new passport and that's easier to get in the US now. If you think there's something in your current passport that's still useful to you then take it with you when you travel, but you definitely need a new passport.
4 years ago
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Kool *******
The embassy will only give you a visa for as long as the passport is valid. If you apply for a one year visa, then immigration will set the expire date the day your passport expires, much less than one year, so get it renewed before you return.
4 years ago
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Kevin ***********
Definitely now.
4 years ago
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Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
 I've been getting conflicting info. I can travel to Thailand with freshly renewed passport?
4 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Gary ******
 Seriously, have some of these people ever left their parents basement bedroom?
4 years ago
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Frédéric ******************
@Gary ******
 of course you can. Fresh teenage travelers have all blank passports.
4 years ago
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Kevin ***********
@Gary ******
 Yes I've done it. Not a single stamp in it, absolutely brand new.
4 years ago
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Kevin ***********
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Bob **********
Re new now
4 years ago
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Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 so I will be ok with a freshly renewed passport? I've been getting conflicting info
4 years ago
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Mark ******
@Gary ******
 no problem at all. You can always carry your old passport too if you have any doubts.
4 years ago
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Bob **********
@Gary ******
 yes
4 years ago
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Bob **********
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David *********
Travel to any country you need a passport valid for at least six months. If your passport is valid for less than one year than when you apply for a retirement visa it will only be valid to the date your passport expires. Thus you will not have a retirement visa valid for one year.
4 years ago
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Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 even a passport renewal? Aren't they identified somehow to show renewed? Seems odd that having a passport all those years and a renewed passport is like starting over. Rules are rules tho. Kinda puts me in a bind.
4 years ago
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David *********
@Gary ******
 you do not renew your passport. Just before your expiry date you need to apply for a brand new passport which has a new number. No passport is identified as renewed. In fact when you pick up your new passport your old passport is stamped canceled
4 years ago
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David *********
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James *********
I may be wrong but - I think you need a passport that is valid at least another six months upon entry.
4 years ago
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Jason ********
@James ********
 I think to travel to any foreign destination a passport must be valid for another 6 months 🤷‍♂️
4 years ago
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Jason ********
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Peter *********
Renew now before go
4 years ago
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Gary *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
It's ok then for a passport to be new ? I thought I remember reading it has to be at least 2 months old.
4 years ago
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Roland ****
@Gary ******
 I believe the rule in most countries is that you must 6 months validity left. In European countries for sure...
4 years ago
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Eric *******
@Gary ******
 , No, a new passport is ready for any Thai visa right away.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Gary ******
 No such rules about new passports. Good advice from other. Get new one in USA now and save hassle of applying overseas and transferring visas
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Mike ************
Yep got to have six month and enough pages left for all the stamps
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
If you can get it done in the U.S. before your planned flight, that would be best.
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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