Answered2 months ago
What should I do if my US passport is expiring and I risk overstaying my visa in Thailand?
advice needed. I thought I had time. but now I realize I am late.
my US passport runs out sept 18.
my one year was usually in Oct 12. but I am told that the one year now finishes when my passport finishes on Sept 18. I also have a 90 day on sept 26, but my concern is that renewal of passports can only be done by mail now. and they say 4 to 8 weeks. and after sept 18 I will be charged 500 baht a day that I am late on the one year visa. and if I send the mail off on Monday Aug 17. my passport probably won't be back by Sept 18. in four weeks. is there any solution to this problem. or I need to just send it off and expect to pay these fines. which could be up to 20.000 baht..
I was hoping with the name of this group being what it is. that I might actually get some answers from professionals who deal with this stuff everyday.
my US passport runs out sept 18.
my one year was usually in Oct 12. but I am told that the one year now finishes when my passport finishes on Sept 18. I also have a 90 day on sept 26, but my concern is that renewal of passports can only be done by mail now. and they say 4 to 8 weeks. and after sept 18 I will be charged 500 baht a day that I am late on the one year visa. and if I send the mail off on Monday Aug 17. my passport probably won't be back by Sept 18. in four weeks. is there any solution to this problem. or I need to just send it off and expect to pay these fines. which could be up to 20.000 baht..
I was hoping with the name of this group being what it is. that I might actually get some answers from professionals who deal with this stuff everyday.
Answer summary
The author is facing a pressing issue with an expiring US passport and the potential for visa overstay penalties in Thailand. Despite confusion about visa expiration dates relative to passport validity, commenters provided various suggestions for renewing the passport while in Thailand, emphasizing the possibility of quicker processing times than advertised. They advised contacting the US Embassy for tailored guidance and stressed the importance of acting quickly to avoid hefty fines. Options discussed included mailing the passport renewal application or potentially returning to the US to process it there.
23 repliesnewest first
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David *********
I got my renewal a few months ago in about two weeks
GreenPa*******
So why did you leave it so late!
Steve ********
What service company can I use to renew my US
Passport.
Passport.
Peter *********
Get a good agent! Maybe you have already done this.
Karen ****
I just renewed my US passport in July. Mailed it out July 8 from Hua Hin, notification of receipt July 14th from US State Dept, received notification on July 25th that the new book was already shipped to embassy in Bangkok on the 20th and then received my new passport back on July 31st (this is with a Thai holiday in between). The date of issue on my passport is July 17th which means they processed it within the same week of receiving my application. If you send it now, you may get it back early Sept. Good luck!
Karen ****
I also want to add that you should check if your visa qualifies you renewing it in Thailand vs having to renew it in the US. I’m on a retirement visa. You may need to contact the embassy to find out.
Luc ****************
For overstay think that you can be deported and come on the blacklist for a ban for 1 year, nowadays immigration is more active on this than a couple years ago. Get a good advice on this.
Wannikea *********
You can get your US passport renewed in Thailand in about 3 weeks.
Jonathan ********
OPWannikea Wanblee how is the question ? Is there some magical way of making it a three week process when the website says it takes 4 to 6 weeks. or even up to 8 weeks.
Wannikea *********
Jonathan Alfred the magical way of doing it in 3 weeks is doing everything carefully and properly the first time, including making the return envelope payment in advance.
Brandon ************
@Jonathan *******
of course they're going to quote the longest possible time, so people don't complain. Under promise and over deliver. But people who have done it recently have received theirs in about 3-4 weeks.
Alan **********
You NEED to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. They will tell you the best way to go about your expedited Passport renewal.
It is unlikely you would be able to just fill out forms and do it yourself by mailing it FROM Thailand to the U.S., expedited or not.
For some reason, the group wouldn't let me post the embassy's contact info (likely due to the phone #), but you can Google it easily enough. 👍
It is unlikely you would be able to just fill out forms and do it yourself by mailing it FROM Thailand to the U.S., expedited or not.
For some reason, the group wouldn't let me post the embassy's contact info (likely due to the phone #), but you can Google it easily enough. 👍
Brandon ************
@Alan *********
You don't mail it to the US. You mail it to the embassy. All passport renewals are done by mail now in Thailand.Alan **********
@Brandon ***********
Hence my saying it was unlikely. But, if I were he, I'd at least try to CALL the U.S. Embassy. If I were close to Bangkok, I might just go there.
While there's still a month to go, I'd rather not put anything I didn't need to in the Thai mail.
Producti********
you better find a service to help on with the renewal. they can help to make the process faster
John **********
@Jonathan *******
no way to avoid it, but also you'll need to be careful while on overstay. If you end up being checked by the police you can be arrested and deported for overstay, a bit of a nightmare if you don't have a valid passport. My passport is in the post isn't an excuse, if you don't think you're passport will be back in time I'd recommend leaving Thailand while still legal, even if that means returning to the US and starting over. I question the "I'm now being told" statement, when you last applied for a 12 month extension of stay the stamp in your passport should only run until the expiry date of your passport
Gregory ********
4 to 8 weeks at embassy? I got mine in a week in Saigon.
Jonathan ********
OPyou got a new US passport in a week ? how is that possible. they have to send the old passport to America, and it has to be sent back to Thailand.
Bob **********
Jonathan Alfred You got no choice mail it in now I know guys that got there’s back in 4 weeks you’ll be on overstay and yes it’s 500 a day and it’s a bad idea,it’s all on you your other choice is a emergency travel document and go home and start over
Graham ******
500B a day is the overstay fine, late or no 90 day report is a one-off fine of 2000B whether it's 8 days or 8 months late
Jonathan ********
OPGraham Seal yes I already get that. if it takes two months to get my passport back it will cost me over 15.000 baht. I am trying to find out if there is a way to avoid this.
Brandon ************
You have 2 options, apply now through the mail, or go back to the US and apply. It's ACTUALLY taking close to 8 weeks to renew in the US. In Thailand, it's actually taking 3-4 weeks based on recent reports.
I would recommend applying for your extension through the mail as soon as possible. It might come back in time, but even if not, you can just pay the 500 baht per day at the time you submit your extension application.
I would recommend applying for your extension through the mail as soon as possible. It might come back in time, but even if not, you can just pay the 500 baht per day at the time you submit your extension application.
Ken *******
@Brandon ***********
if they get while in USA and you have a current, not expired passport it only took me 8 days. I submitted the paperwork online and didn't send in the old passport. I received it in the mail. It was easy. It is new this yearActivity
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