Why does Thai Immigration require all previous visa stamps to be transferred to a new passport?

Thai immigration Visa extension Multi re-entry permit Passport stamping Retirement visa Visa processes in Thailand Expats in Thailand Digitalization of immigration processes

Dec 11, 2024

7 days ago

Brook ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm really a bit disappointed with Thai Immigration. 

I travel a lot, and my passport book was full.  I asked the Chiang Mai Immigration office to move my Visa Extension (based on Retirement), and my Multi Re-entry permit to a new passport book. 

In the new passport, officials painstakingly recreated many, of not all of the previous visa entries, and then proceeded to add "correct copy" signature stamps below each catagory.

Now, three pages are already consumed.

Why couldn't they just put the visa and the re-entry stamp on the first page and use the computer records at every desk to review the prior stamps if necessary? Why do they have to be recreated in my passport?

I realize begpackers and visa abusers' histories needs to be reviewed at the borders, but isn't that what the computers are for? Cant annual visa holders be exempted from copying all the stamps

This is going to get ridiculous if I stay here for 10+ years. Not to mention the time it will take to review and re-stamp 20+ annual visas and then add "correct copy" stamps into a new passport in 2034.

MY other hope is that one day much of this application and renewal process can be automated and moved online. Cheaper and more efficient.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post expresses disappointment with Thai Immigration for requiring the recreation of previous visa stamps in a new passport instead of using computer records for verification. The author highlights the inefficiency of the process, noting that many pages are consumed unnecessarily. They suggest that this system may become cumbersome over years of residency and hope for a more automated and efficient online process in the future.

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.
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Dave *********

@Graham *****

Well it's already here? Everything is already held digitally. 😉

6 days ago

Ralph *******

So, how many pages have you got left and how many years will it take to fill them?

6 days ago

Brook ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ralph ******

I estimate the book will be full in 2-3 years.

I’m learning to optimize space by things like using Laos eVisas, instead of Visa on arrival, and other strategies.

The whole point of a new passport is empty pages. It negates the purpose when Thailand moves the stamps into the new passport, and then add stamps attesting to the true copy.

6 days ago

Ralph *******

@Brook *******

You are obviously very busy flitting in and out of Thailand. My passport after visiting Thailand and many other countries over the last six years still has many empty pages.

6 days ago

Todd *********

@Ralph ******

I filled a Canada 10 year passport in 35 months of full time travel. Annoying, but it’s easy to do

4 days ago

Ralph *******

@Todd ********

Yes. Full time travel will do that! But, you must admit it’s a very unusual circumstance.

4 days ago

Reply to

Ralph *******

Khun ******