thailand
Ask question

What should I do if my passport is damaged before traveling to Thailand with a student visa?

US PassportVisa IssuesThailand ImmigrationEmergency PassportStudent VisaNON-ED Education VisaPassport RenewalExpedited Passport Services
Jun 11, 2023
a year ago
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello — I have a USA Passport, University NON-ED Education Visa (One-Year), & Multiple Re-Entry Stamp. However, while back in the United States my passport unfortunately sustained significant water damage 😭 Visa & other stamps can be seen & recognized quickly, but some of the ink is completely washed out. The pen marks with expiration dates are still very clear. But, I know that it will not be accepted for international travel or by immigration. So I have a few questions:

1. What is the fastest way to get a new passport? Through a local post office or going to a consulate/embassy directly? My flight leaving the USA is on July 24.

2. Is it even possible to get my visa or any of those stamps back? Through contacting my university or the consolate/embassy?

All wisdom appreciated!! Thank you!
1,962
views
6
likes
57
all likes
28
replies
0
images
12
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on managing a damaged US passport with a NON-ED Education Visa while preparing for imminent travel to Thailand. Key concerns include: the fastest way to obtain a new passport, whether a damaged passport would be accepted at immigration, and the possibility of recovering visa stamps. Suggestions from the community highlight the importance of expediting passport renewal, presenting both the damaged and new passports at immigration, and the validity of emergency travel documents. Several users share personal experiences and additional tips about passport application processes and timelines.
Richard *********
in the US u can pay for expedited serivce. Other wise its 2-4 months

carry both passports

on arrival in Bangkok ( or anywhere ) immigration will transfer relevant stamps over to new passport and stamp u in on new one

******************************************************************
a year ago
Like
Reply
NaTasha ***************
If it helps, it doesn't take too long to get a new passport from inside Thailand, you can get all the paperwork done at Bangkok Bank (any location), and send it in yourself, with no meetings at the embassy. I did it from koh phangan, it took less than 3 weeks. But if youre in the US then maybe my answer doesn't help at all... Sorry to hear
a year ago
Like
Reply
Richard *********
@NaTasha **************
 NO idea what ur talking about Passport issued thru Bangkok Bank???

only thing u need is a Bank check issued thru a bank to pay for sending ur passport to you , otherwise its all handled by the US embassy

and as he is in the states WHY bother replying?
a year ago
Like
Reply
NaTasha ***************
@Richard ********
 ya the bank helped me organize all the documents to help me ship it to the embassy as i said. Anyways im sure its useful for someone out there to know for future reference so why bother being a jerk?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Richard *********
@NaTasha **************
 WHY: cause banks dont deal with passports an to suggest anyone to go to a bank seek help is crazy!

filing out info for a us passport is dam easy

*****************************************************************************
a year ago
Like
Reply
NaTasha ***************
@Richard ********
 i dunno call me crazy but they helped me at no cost, it was easy and not time consuming
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
NaTasha ***************
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@NaTasha **************
 Thanks so much, NaTasha. Yes, unfortunately I am still in the USA and will have to apply for a new passport here. But, thank you for taking the time to respond and offer suggestions ☺️
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paige ********
Reply
VaiAna **********
Good luck w that . My daughter from the US applied for a US passport . It showed up alright but a delivery truck ran over it . She paid $200 to expedite and then when she contacted them they asked her to pay again for the passport .
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@VaiAna *********
 Yikes! Passport things are so tricky!!
a year ago
Like
Reply
VaiAna **********
@Paige *******
 yes it is especially with the agents that work at the passport agency
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
VaiAna **********
Reply
A*
You are an American citizen? If so you apply for your passport with local passport office. Takes about 3 months. But some places may be faster you need to figure out what is faster. Once you get that, just enter Thailand with your old passport. They will have all data and will let you in.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mark *********
USA Emergency travel document? "Temporary passport / provisional passport/emergency passport of nationals exempted from the Visa Scheme for 30 days is accepted by the Immigration Bureau in Thailand. However, the passport must have a validity of not less than six months upon returning to the residence country". I would've thought you would likely get hit by the full-on carrying cash and return ticket things though. Why not check timescales re a full US passport, re Emergency Travel document, but also double check with Thai embassy.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bennett ********
@Mark ********
 The emergency passports work - they are valid for one year. After you travel you can apply for normal passport replacement at the US embassy in Thailand. I used one when moving to Thailand - I got it in one day from US embassy in Hong Kong where I lived at that time. Not sure where you would get the emergency passport in the US though.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mark *********
@Bennett *******
 That sounds great. Thai Embassy in Bern made it sound almost too easy. Back in USA the quote is 1-3 days, Form I-131, Application for a Travel Document, US Citizenship and Immigration Service. As best I see application might be online or attending a local office which you find by contacting the information centre. There is a long list of what events aren't covered as an emergency. It has to be stressed that missing first day attendance at Kasetsart WOULD wreck the ED Visa application. Definitely check how long to get a new passport the straightforward way, including does US have an "emergency" pay extra service. If it isn't going to happen then emergency travel document as a Plan B, perhaps later, including if a US passport has been ordered but it is failing to come in time.
@Paige *******
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bennett *******
 I just found the website — It looks like there are some offices to obtain an Emergency Passport in a few different major US Cities! Thanks so much for your help!!
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bennett ********
@Paige *******
 Mine was full, no room for my Thai visa. I was moving in a week. I emailed the US embassy in a panic & they told me to come the following day for emergency passport. I had never heard of it, but apparently it’s common to those in the travel industry - I carried my old passport along, no questions from airlines, hotels, immigration in Thailand.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bennett ********
Reply
Av **********
Please be aware that even expedited passports are taking 4 months to get...Also keep in mind that a damaged passport is not valid to confirm your identity. So make sure you have other documents to proove that as that passport is now null and void for that use as well.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Av *********
 Thank you so much!! That is really helpful information. Do you know what documents & how many are needed to do that? Do they have to be the original documents or can they be copies? Unfortunately, some of those original documents are in BKK currently 😬
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Paige ********
Reply
Kool *******
It takes an average of 3 months to get a new passport in the USA. If you haven't applied for it yet there is no way you'll get it before the end of July.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Nate ***********
@Kool ******
 be aware he's not getting a new passport he's renewing an old passport it does not take 4 months. Ask for expedition and pay for it.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
@Nate **********
 it takes an average of three months, as I mentioned, not four months as you misread.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Nate ***********
@Kool ******
 It took me less than 4 weeks, recently - as a reveal, expedited service, filled in application online and submitted it at the post office. What was odd was they sent me the new passport almost immediately, but it was 3 months before the old passport and passport ID card was returned to me.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Nate ***********
Reply
Nate ***********
@Kool ******
 - May be true for new passports but he's not getting a new passport -he's renewing an old one. Ask for expedited service and pay for it and you'll be fine. If I remember correctly there is a travel date question on a renewal form be sure to fill yours in, maybe even a week or so before your travel.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Nate ***********
Reply
Mikkel *******
Get a new passport as quickly as you can. Show both passports when you enter Thailand by air. Go to immigration after to get the stamps transfered.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mikkel ******
 Would you advise showing them my old passport first & telling them I’d go to immigration the next day to get them transferred over to my new passport? Then defaulting to visa exempt if that doesn’t work?
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paige ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you so much! Yes, truly studying Kasetsart University — Thail Language Program.

Is there a way to get an emergency travel passport? Or is that only for specific purposes? I will need to begin my semester right away when I get back to BKK. Which I am worried about missing; especially since it is attached to my ED Visa.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Mikkel *******
@Paige *******
 if you have a valid extension, supported by attending a real uni here, don't worry. Just get a new passport, as you said, even if readable, when water damaged it's no good. Then just show both the old, invalidated passport (snipped/holed/whatever they do to an American passport to mark that), and the new passport at passport control. Just explain its new and old passports. Hand over showing the page with the reentry stamp maybe. They will see it in their system too and just stamp your new passport with a "stay until" date, that will be the expiry date of your current one year stamp. After that, after arriving in Thailand, you go to the immigration office that gave you that stamp, and get it transferred to the new passport.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mikkel *******
Reply
Tim *******
The immigration office has copies of everything.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tim *******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What should I do if my passport with Thai stamps gets washed out?
106 comments
3 months ago
Can I be denied entry to Thailand after multiple visa-exempt entries, and how do I handle my damaged passport?
17 comments
4 months ago
Can I re-enter Thailand with two passports and get my Non-O Visa and Multiple Entry Permit transferred?
6 comments
6 months ago
How can I re-enter Thailand with a new passport if my old passport with my visa is damaged?
24 comments
6 months ago
What should I do if my passport and visa stamps got damaged at Songkran?
71 comments
7 months ago
What can I do if Thai immigration has deemed my passport damaged due to water exposure?
45 comments
a year ago
What are the options for moving a tourist visa stamp to a new passport in Thailand?
34 comments
a year ago
What should I do about my damaged passport while trying to travel from Thailand to Malaysia?
36 comments
a year ago
How do I renew my US passport and transfer my visa while in Thailand?
12 comments
a year ago
What should I do if my passport was stolen while on a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand and my visa is about to expire?
59 comments
2 years ago
How can I renew my US passport and transfer my Thai visa stamp when my current visa is about to expire?
18 comments
2 years ago
What should I do if my passport with valid Thai visas was damaged in the washing machine?
5 comments
2 years ago
Will a wet passport impact my marriage visa application in Thailand?
5 comments
3 years ago
What Should I Do to Obtain a New Passport While on a Muay Thai ED Visa in Thailand?
5 comments
5 years ago
Can I replace my stolen passport with a 1-year ED visa while in Thailand?
20 comments
5 years ago
How Can I Transfer My Visa Stamps to a New Passport After My Current One Was Damaged?
15 comments
5 years ago
What should I do about my ED visa and new passport situation in Thailand?
5 comments
5 years ago
What can I do about getting an education visa when I need a new passport and have a tight timeline?
7 comments
5 years ago
What is the best approach for handling visa and passport issues when my current US passport is expiring and I am in Thailand?
17 comments
6 years ago
What should my boyfriend do about his damaged ed visa stamp before our flight back to the UK?
14 comments
6 years ago
Should I visit the USA embassy or Immigration first for a damaged passport due to washing machine incident?
0 comments
6 years ago
Will a water-damaged passport affect visa extension or exit from Thailand?
9 comments
6 years ago
What should I do about my damaged passport and visa when traveling from Thailand?
23 comments
7 years ago
What should I do about my Thai immigration stamp and applying for a new US passport in Chiang Mai?
7 comments
7 years ago
What should I do if I can't get an education visa due to a full passport in Thailand?
28 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.