What should I do regarding my passport and visa extension in Thailand?

Visa Extension Marriage Visa Re-Entry Permit Passport Validity Thailand Immigration Rules

Oct 4, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

[Bangkok] Seeking advice.

I'm on a 1-year extension based on marriage. I have to extend it in February 2024. My passport expires in July 2024.

1. Should I get a new passport now or after I've done my extension?

1. Is there some kind of rule that there must be at least 6 months of validity of my passport for a new extension?

1. If I get a new passport after the extension, I think it will be valid only until the expiry of my passport. So just a few months instead of one year. Will I be able to transfer the extension to the new passport and continue for the full validity or do I have to apply for a new extension again?

1. I will travel abroad in January 2024 and will obtain a re-entry permit. Does my passport need to have at least 6 months of validity to get the re-rentry permit and return to Thailand a week later?

Thanks in advance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user seeks advice on how to handle a visa extension while their passport is expiring soon. Key points discussed include: 1. It is generally advisable to get a new passport before applying for an extension to avoid the hassle of renewing it shortly after. 2. There is no requirement for a passport to have six months of validity for an extension; however, extensions will only be valid until the current passport's expiration. 3. If a new passport is obtained after the extension, a new application will be needed for the extension. 4. For obtaining a re-entry permit, the user does not need a passport with six months of validity as long as the re-entry permit is valid for their return to Thailand.

Wylie *******

Get the new passport first or you just waste time to get a 5 month extension, and have to go thru the entire process again in July.

a year ago

Lynn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay, thanks!

a year ago

Reply to

Lynn *********

Ellie *******

Should I get a new passport now or after I've done my extension?

-> Generally, getting a new passport would make many things easier. Still, it's totally your decision.

Is there some kind of rule that there must be at least 6 months of validity of my passport for a new extension?

-> No. But your extension will be until passport validity only. In your case, only until July 2024.

Will I be able to transfer the extension to the new passport and continue for the full validity or do I have to apply for a new extension again?

-> There is no "compensate" for that. You will apply for a whole new 1-year extension. So the timing of the yearly extension application will be changed to July after.

I will travel abroad in January 2024 and will obtain a re-entry permit. Does my passport need to have at least 6 months of validity to get the re-rentry permit and return to Thailand a week later?

-> No problem as long as you have a valid re-entry permit (means with a valid extension) and will be back within the validity. Thailand doesn't have 6-month passport validity rule anyway. You better check with your airline.

a year ago

Lynn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

"There is no "compensate" for that. You will apply for a whole new 1-year extension. So the timing of the yearly extension application will be changed to July after."

Let's say I go apply for and get the new 1-year extension in February 2024. It will be valid until July 2024 first. Then let's say I get a new passport in April 2024, transfer the extension to my new passport, and they'll change the extension validity to February 2025?

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Lynn ********

, no. You will transfer the stamp to a new passport and the extension on a new passport stays until July 2024. You have to apply for a new yearly extension in July 2024, it will be until July 2025.

a year ago

Lynn *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thanks!

a year ago

Dave ***********

@Lynn ********

If you are a UK citizen, my advice, start your application for your new passport with alot of time to spare. It took me 3 months this year to get my new passport via the Thailand passport office in Bangkok, from HM Passport Office in Liverpool.

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Dave **********

recent reports are down to 10 days but YMMV

a year ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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