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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?
Non-O Retirement VisaPassport TheftUK Embassy ProcessesImmigrationEmergency Travel DocumentsVisa OverstayPolice ReportPassport Renewal ProceduresThailand Visa Help
Mar 20, 2023
3 years ago
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi. I am living in Thailand on a non O retirement visa.
I have just had my passport stolen and am waiting for an appointment at the UK embassy for a new passport.
As far as I know it takes 3 months to get a new passport and my visa runs out on the 7th of May which obviously means I will be in overstay.
Just looking for any advice really
I have just had my passport stolen and am waiting for an appointment at the UK embassy for a new passport.
As far as I know it takes 3 months to get a new passport and my visa runs out on the 7th of May which obviously means I will be in overstay.
Just looking for any advice really
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user living in Thailand on a Non-O retirement visa has encountered a challenge as their passport was stolen, and they are waiting for a new passport from the UK embassy. The current visa expires soon, risking overstay. Community members suggest expediting the passport processing, obtaining a police report, and exploring emergency travel documents while providing reassurance that the process may not take as long as expected. The conversation includes various personal experiences with passport services, advice on dealing with Thai immigration, and considerations for managing potential overstays.
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.
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Peter *******
You might need the help of an agent to smooth the way if the new passport is delayed due to the strike
Taz **********
Many years ago I ordered a new passport in similar circumstances, I did a police report, and attended immigration, immigration said they couldn’t do anything until my new passport arrived, by that time I was on overstay, went to immigration to sort it out, they said either I fly out of the country and pay the fine or they detain me until I did fly out, my booked flight was 4 months away, they got me to buy a ticket for the next day, flying out, using their computer, then offered assistance exiting Thailand with an immigration friend at bkk, for a donation, still got an overstay stamp, and 20,000 baht fine, my visa was a marriage visa issued in Australia.
Taz **********
Just wanted to Add, I was fortunate enough that my girl was very switched on, smart and new what to say, I went into immigration alone and she waited outside, immigration police said I had to leave Thailand and they needed to detain me until my flight, I asked her to come and talk to them, then all of a sudden there were options, first was go to Laos, then they said better if I can fly out, because everyone goes to Laos, so we booked a flight out to KL for the next day on my immigrations computer, let go, met an IO off duty in BKK, who escorted us through immigration to receive what I was told a good bad overstay stamp, 20,000 baht fine, then purchased 2 handbags duty free for someone on the top of the ladder, using our passports, plus a closed envelope to the one who escorted us, inside was at my discretion
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Taz *********
thanks for that. Can I come back in to Thailand on an emergency passport or do I have to wait somewhere for a replacement passportTaz **********
@Andy ***********
you will need to get a new pp as not sure about UK , but Aus emergency passport about 6 weeks (or 6 months) can’t recall, but I think 6 weeks, it’s designed to get you home quickly and I think it’s like supposed to be only 2-3 days to receive.Make sure you document everything you can, police reports, anything you can get on your visa ect.
Try to keep original letters & give copies to anyone who wants or needs a copy.
Not sure how you got your visa, I know when ppl get a new pp they take old one to get the visa transferred. If can be done without old passport but maybe papers from your embassy ect.. ok, but if a headache to do, maybe quicker to do again from home country or come back in on a new (full term 5 or 10 year po) & do in Thailand.
All the best with it, as unless your embassy can get you a new po with more than 6 months before you overstay, I would get the emergency one.
Maybe even if you get the emergency one if you have time, can try to get the visa out in it & then have it transferred again in a full po.
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Taz *********
thanks Taz. I will apply for a new passport here and go into overstay. My contact at immigration says that's fine as long as its below 90 days. I have an appointment in Bangkok next week for the new passport. My visa runs out in 6 weeks so hopefully I'll have the new one in time. Otherwise I will get a temporary passport to leave if I run out of timeReply to
Andy ************
Reply
Taz **********
This was just before they implemented the overstay bans.
I could have ordered an emergency passport, this would have allowed me to leave an not occur an overstay, however I opted for replacement passport which by the time I received it was in overstay.
I recommend getting an emergency passport, leaving an coming back, better to pay associated cost with that then to risk overstaying
I could have ordered an emergency passport, this would have allowed me to leave an not occur an overstay, however I opted for replacement passport which by the time I received it was in overstay.
I recommend getting an emergency passport, leaving an coming back, better to pay associated cost with that then to risk overstaying
Reply to
Taz **********
Reply
Karim ****
that's why i hide our passports in odd places, preferably high up since i'm 6ft2 and most asians won't reach there by accident.
hope you get it sorted, major headache
hope you get it sorted, major headache
Dennis ***********
Always make a copy of your current passport,leave original plus extra copy at hotel reception desk safe.I would recommend that you visit nearest Immigration office and explain your situation.
Josette ****************
I don't quite understand why you would need to do a Visa run if you're on a Non-O long term visa 🤔 In any case, if you do police report and forward this to your embassy and to Thai immigration, they will resolve it for you. Very important to report it to Thai immigration as well as your visa stamp/# is inside that passport.
Nick ******
I made a replacement passport here in Bangkok. It took me 9 weeks to get this from the UK. Through the embassy and then trendy. If you can wait that long great. If not have a emergency document made to get you home. Go to the passport office and have it back in 24 hours.
Anthony ***********
A few years ago we had all our passports stolen from our car in Malta (I know it’s a different country) we went to the embassy and they made us 4 new passports the same day, we had to go and get passport photos taken and the passports were not cheap
Scott *******
You will get your new passport way before May.
Bob *******
Sadly the Passport staff are going on strike for 5 weeks starting at the beginning of April.
Abbie ********
This happened to me a few years ago during COVID, my passport was stolen and I had to over stay and got a new one sent out from the UK to Thailand, it was very stressful and the overstay fine was very expensive but it all worked out well in the end
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Abbie *******
thanks Abbie. Nice to have a bit of reassuranceReply to
Andy ************
Reply
Phil ******
@Andy ***********
uk embassy will arrange temporary docs. You did police report? Why how did you get your pp stolen? Mines under lock and keyDella ********
@Phil *****
ours were under lock and key. He ripped the safe out the wall...Phil ******
@Della *******
asking Andy sorryDella ********
@Phil *****
Yes I know. Was just saying, you think everythings safe locked away but theze days nothing is.... Luckily for us 12 months later they got the guy and brought him to our bungalow. He got 5yrs jailReply to
Della ********
Reply
Steve *******
VFS Global at the Trendy building Bangkok for UK passport renewal NOT the British Embassy
Bob **********
It won’t take that long but you better do it now
Richard ********
@Bob *********
They are saying anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks and that's if you have your existing one to turn in.Reply to
Richard ********
Reply
Ron *******
Why are you making an appointment at the UK embassy?
The UK embassy has absolutely zero to do with issuing new passports.
They only issue emergency travel documents. You cannot stay here on one of those.
You need to make an appointment at Trendy building.
There is no fast issuing of passports outside of the UK, no matter if you're heading for overstay or not.
The UK embassy has absolutely zero to do with issuing new passports.
They only issue emergency travel documents. You cannot stay here on one of those.
You need to make an appointment at Trendy building.
There is no fast issuing of passports outside of the UK, no matter if you're heading for overstay or not.
Ron *******
@Andy ***********
10 days for an appointment is pretty quick.They did start a walk-in service but for some reason that's been suspended.
I need a new passport but am going back to the UK to get it.
It's taken me 3 days to get an appointment in the UK for a same day service. The earliest appointment in the UK near where I am staying is the 8th of April.
I can't wait 10 and 12 weeks for a passport.
The UK appears to be flooded with passport applications
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron ******
I have emailed HMPO at the trendy buildingAndy ************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for all your help Ron. I have just received an email reply from HMPO and have asked for an appointment on the 30th of March which is the earliest available date.
Ron *******
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ron ******
thanks a lotRon *******
@Andy ***********
just be aware that replacing a stolen passport can take longer.It's also 2 trips to Bangkok.
One to lodge the application and one to collect the new passport.
They do not post out passports.
Reply to
Ron *******
Reply
Chang *****
Why not call immigration??
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chang ****
I have spoken to Thai immigration and until I have a replacement passport I cannot do anythingReply to
Andy ************
Reply
Eric *******
It doesn't take 3 months to get a new passport, but closer to 3 or 4 weeks FOR AN EXPAT (it can be longer in your home country, depending on the region you apply for it), cause as so you have priority.
If you go pick it up in Bkk, it will take around 3 weeks to the Embassy to receive it from England. If they send it to your address here in Thailand, it will take close to an additional week for you to have it.
When you'll go to the embassy to apply, they will see your visa issue and take it into consideration too.
BUT, you will keep your old passport during the whole process anyway (cause you live abroad and always need one at any time ). You will only have to give them your former passport back once you go back to pick up the new one.
If you go pick it up in Bkk, it will take around 3 weeks to the Embassy to receive it from England. If they send it to your address here in Thailand, it will take close to an additional week for you to have it.
When you'll go to the embassy to apply, they will see your visa issue and take it into consideration too.
BUT, you will keep your old passport during the whole process anyway (cause you live abroad and always need one at any time ). You will only have to give them your former passport back once you go back to pick up the new one.
Bill *********
@Eric ******
you have to pick it up in bkk. They will not post a passportGordon *********
@Eric ******
how much do they charge at the embassy and do you half to make an appointmentEric *******
@Gordon ********
It should be £82,50 and yes, you always need an appointment.Gordon *********
@Eric ******
thank you for your informationEric *******
@Gordon ********
You're welcome.Gordon *********
@Eric ******
everything can be done one day andEric *******
@Gordon ********
No, it can't.Gordon *********
@Eric ******
would l better getting a agent to do it as l would have to get to BKK stay over haveGordon *********
@Eric ******
so one day thanks again for the informationReply to
Gordon *********
Reply
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Eric ******
thanks EricEric *******
@Andy ***********
You're welcome.I edited my 1st message and added a very important paragraph (information):
BUT, you will keep your old passport during the whole process anyway (cause you live abroad and always need one at any time). You will only have to give them your former passport back once you go back to pick up the new one.
Paweł ***********
@Eric ******
how can he bring stolen passport? 🤣😂🤣Reply to
Paweł ***********
Reply
Della ********
When our where stolen we got a police statement then went to Trendy Buildings in Bangkok where they processed it within 10 days...
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Della *******
thanks. I'm hoping it will be quite fast but my friends passport just took 3 monthsDella ********
@Andy ***********
Yes fingers crossed.Reply to
Della ********
Reply
Carl ********
I got my passport back in January in 2 weeks
AxMdob *******
How did it happen to you ?
Chriscee **********
@Frnc *******
he ask a question and needed an answer/solution and your response was to ask another question,are you sure you read his post?I suggest you revisit the post pleaseReply to
Chriscee **********
Reply
Mike *******
Uk passport office is on strike for 5 weeks soon, government is estimating 10 weeks waiting time.
Stefan ****
Go to the police and get a paper report from it , you may need it.
And bring (printed) pictures of your first passport page or even stamps , if you had them on your phone.
And bring (printed) pictures of your first passport page or even stamps , if you had them on your phone.
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stefan ***
I have already reported it stolenReply to
Andy ************
Reply
Andrea ********
My passport (renewal not loss) took less than 4 weeks at Christmas time.
Andy ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrea *******
fingers crossed then 😀เจสัน ******
@Andy ***********
HMPO on Strike for 5 weeks April-May 2023...*****************************************************************************************
Reply to
เจสัน ******
Reply
Paul *******
Your embassy should be able to provide you with a temporary emergency document until you receive your new passport.
Frank **********
Ask them to expedite it and get documentation from them to take to Thai Immigration. Also was it reported to the police?
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
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