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What should I do about my limited UK passport space and visa situation in Thailand?

Visa Extension Non-B Visa UK Passport Application Visa Run Immigration Police Clearance Check

Aug 7, 2018

8 years ago

Alastair *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I work as an English teacher in Bangkok and have just changed schools. As my old school cancelled my Non-B, I did a Visa run to the Kanchanaburi/ Burma border last week and now have a standard one month visa on arrival (ending 1 September 2018). My current school will apply for a new Non-B but cannot do this until the results of my police clearance check comes through (should be 1-2 weeks), which means I will most likely have to extend my visa again at the start of next month. 

The problem is that I am now very limited on space in my UK passport (down to a couple of half pages + quarter pages) meaning if I do another visa run then I may not have space for the Non-B stamp. 

I want to apply for a new UK passport but understand that I will not be able to travel on my current passport during the application process. Seeing as it can take up to a month to receive the new passport then this makes it impractical if I need to leave the country by 1st September.

I would really appreciate any sensible advice anyone may have on how best to handle this situation.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is facing a visa situation after changing schools in Bangkok, which has left them with limited space in their UK passport and a need to apply for a new Non-B visa. They seek advice on handling their upcoming visa expiration on September 1, 2018, while their new passport application is in process. Commenters suggest applying for a visa extension, waiting for the new passport before doing the police clearance check, and clarifying the process for extending their current visa.

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Tod *********

Just a hint. You might want to go apply for the extension of stay, then apply for the new passport, BUT wait until you get the new passport back to do the police clearance <- I say that because IF you do it on the old passport when you try to switch passports to get the Non-B the passport numbers will not match. It might not be a problem BUT it's something to thin about

8 years ago

Liam *****

You can also keep your existing passport if you just insist on doing so because you need to travel

8 years ago

Liam *****

@Tod ********

Yeah, it requires letter writing, but it can be done (I'm a dual British national (though British is very much my second nationality) and I enjoy frustrating (and complaining about) their bureaucracy because I'm sick and twisted like that. So again, possible, though perhaps not even necessary in this case. Apologies for digressing...

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Liam ****

, I'm only quoting what it says on the UK website as far as passport renewals, VFS global has no dog in this fight, because you don't surrender your passport to them when you apply for a new one, you keep it.

8 years ago

Liam *****

@Tod ********

I have done it ;). If you write them a stiffly worded letter saying you need to travel, and insist firmly enough with the 'cannot' people at VFS, it can be done, despite what it says in their rules....

8 years ago

Tod *********

You cannot travel outside the country on a UK passport once you apply for a new one.

8 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Alastair *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

That's great news. I had heard that I could extend a month at immigration but wanted to check. Thanks very much!

8 years ago

Tod *********

I agree with what

@Pa**

said. You can extend your 30 day visa exempt entry stamp by 30 days at the immigration office. That will give you almost 2 months.

During that time you need to apply for a new UK passport from VFS Global in the Trendy Building on Sukhumvit Soi 13. And as paul said it takes about 2 weeks right now.

getting the extension will get you stamped in long enough to get the new passport..

8 years ago

Paul *********

A new UK passport takes about 2 weeks to be processed and returned.

8 years ago

Paul *********

You have a 30 day visa exempt stamp, that can be extended by another 30 days at the immigration office at Changwattana.

8 years ago

Reply to

Paul *********

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