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What happens to a non-O retirement visa when a British expat renews their passport?

NON-O visa Thailand visa regulations Visa transfer Expat passport renewal Immigration process in Thailand

May 24, 2018

8 years ago

Adam ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. A British friend of mine living here on a non-O retirement visa is back in the UK next week. He's picking up a new passport while he's there. 

1) When he re-enters Thailand will he be stamped in for 90 days (based on the non-O) or 30 days visa  exempt only? 

2) Any idea how he'd get the visa transfer letter that VFS provide when you get a new UK passport locally - can't see any way of requesting this on the consular services site without actually applying for a new passport. 

Thanks in advance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When a British expat on a non-O retirement visa re-enters Thailand with a new passport, they will typically receive a 90-day stamp as long as they present both the old and new passports at the airport. It's important to show both passports for immigration to transfer the visa. If they are on a multiple re-entry permit, they can continue to use both passports until the visa expiration. No letter is needed from VFS for renewing the passport, but maintaining the pages with valid visa and permits in the old passport is crucial.

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Bruce *****

Show both passports at the airport i believe they will stamp them both then go to immigration and they will transfer visa to new passport

8 years ago

Robert *******

If he gets a new passport in his home country no letters are needed. Just show up with two passports and he will be fine.

8 years ago

Adam ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Many thanks!

8 years ago

Robert *******

You can not transfer a Visa, it's a sticker. He keep using both passports till the end of validity of the Visa.

8 years ago

Adam ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Cheers Robert - it's the non-O based on being over 50. He's got a multiple re-entry permit. Any idea how he'd get the letter VFS usually provide to give to Immigration re transferring the visa into the new passport?

8 years ago

Robert *******

If he is on the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 year he will get stamped in 90 days OR if he is on the Non Immigrant O-A visa he will get stamped in 1 year OR when he is on an Extension of Stay he got from local Immigration Office and making 90 days reports he will get stamped in IF he bought a re-entry permit till till the same day as the last day of the Extension of Stay. Long story but all these visa and Extension of Stay are called retirement visa, hard to choose the one he has. If he arrive back in Thailand, he uses both passports till the last day of the visa IF he is on Extension of Stay the will transfer the stamp for him. At application of a new passport don't forget there are pages inside the old passport with valid Visa, Extension of Stay and Re-entry permit which has to be in tact, so no cutting off corners or putting holes in these pages.

8 years ago

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Robert *******

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