Answered4 years ago
Will a smudged passport stamp cause issues with immigration in Thailand?
My passport arrival stamp got smudged by the rain. Dates are still legible. Will I have any issues with this?
Answer summary
The user concerns about a smudged passport arrival stamp, questioning if it will cause issues with immigration. Comments reflect mixed experiences: many users suggest that as long as the dates are legible and immigration systems have the entry recorded, there should be no significant problems. However, they also caution that damaged passports can be at the discretion of immigration officers, who may refuse entry based on their interpretation of damage. Some shared similar experiences, affirming that minor damage has not led to issues, while others highlighted that significant damage could complicate travel or re-entry into other countries.
43 repliesnewest first
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Sri ***
They will have entry in their system, not to be worried
Nick *********
Don't worry. I washed my passport once in the laundry by mistake . Totally wiped out the first 8 pages of stamps . No one ever said a thing about it .
Jae *****
@Nick ********
This passport is considered damaged. Won't be a problem for you to exit. But you likely get denied to entry your next destination, unless you're going back to home country.Nick *********
@Tonpalm ****************
no thanks . I'll keep the paper passport.
Jesse *********
OP@Tonpalm ****************
what about for extending my visa at immigration?Jae *****
@Jesse ********
Not sure about extension, you may consult your embassy to change your passport.
Jo **********
@Nick ********
your very lucky 🍀Nick *********
@Jo *********
I used it for 7 years like that . I even got extra pages added at the embassy in Bangkok and no one said anything. That was in 2007 , so things might have changed .
Sven *******
Getting out should be ok with this. But getting back in (to any other country) on this passport: questionable.
Taz **********
It can be any damage including fudged pages, you say by rain they say why only 1 page. Have to understand there are ppl who also deliberately do things to passports & immigration sees a lot of things, so it is up to the individual officer to decide if they will not accept your passport, for any type of damage. I'm just trying to say be mindful that regardless of what others say they have gotten away with, there is always a risk that entry some country at some stage may be refused due to passport being declared invalid. A lot of immigration officers just stamp you in, however some have a power trip with the authority they have to decides one fate while on holidays.
Jesse *********
OP@Taz *********
yeah always a risk. i understand its also recorded in their computers now though and I have the arrival card so not much else can be done. unless i visited the embassy and asked for a new stamp.Taz **********
@Jesse ********
found it, very small tear at the top of the page, this would have been caused by an immigration officer at some point changing pages as I am not rough with my passport, this damage is on an old passportTaz **********
Ii can't remember the exact damage to my passport at the time, however it was a very minor damage to one of my pages, where it was like a rip, I had applied for a visa, six months tourist visa, which was approved. However the Thai consulate officer advised me that due to the damage although very minor, I could be denied entry and that it was up to the immigration processing my entry.
Jesse *********
OP@Sven ******
why it's just one page?Taz **********
@Jesse ********
Damaged Passport: A passport where the physical appearance or composition has been changed through ordinary wear or tear, carelessness, or by accidental happenstance (e.g., having been washed, torn, burned in a fire by the applicant or a third party, or mauled by an animal).Taz **********
@Jesse ********
So I have got a flight booked to Thailand for August 2nd. I sent the passport to the Thai consulate in my country yesterday to get a tourist visa, and to my surprise, they called me up today and told me I'd be taking a huge risk because the bio-information/photo page on it is cracked slightly at the top. I have previously traveled to Thailand without an issue on what is a well-worn passport, but I'm not 100% sure if the cracked photo page was apparent on my last visit. The cost to renew quickly is quite high, however, the cost of denied entry to the country would be worse. What I'm wondering is how strict are Thai immigration on stuff like this? Is it worth the risk?
Jesse *********
OP@Taz *********
yeah im assuming you mean the electronic section of the passport? that could cause issues if they are unable to identify you properlyTaz **********
@Jesse ********
Your passport could be refused if it is damaged - here’s whyAfter the former Miss Universe was stranded in Bali because her passport was considered too water damaged to be accepted, do you know if your passport is in good enough condition to fly?
Jesse *********
OP@Taz *********
ive already been accepted into the country its just that one page is water damaged.Taz **********
@Jesse ********
it’s up to officials at the time, they have the right to not accept your passport as not being a valid passport this is for any damage to a passport
Pascal *****
No rain in January 🤣
Jo **********
@Pascal ****
i thought the did ate it
Graham ******
@Pascal ****
There was last nightJesse *********
OP@Pascal ****
it was perfectly sunny until the malaysia border
Robert ************
Obviously, dates will still be in the Immigration Computers.
Robert ************
@Jesse ********
When you pass thru Immig. Control on arrival, and the Immig. Officer Stamps your Passport with Permitted Stay Until " .....", he enters it into his computer.Jesse *********
OP@Robert ***********
OK so when they scan the e passport arrival dates are stored?Gordon ************
Not that old gag 😂😂😂
Otis ************
@Gordon ***********
happened to me when I was in Cambodia about 12 years ago,can't exactly remember the ins and outs but ended up going to BKK,to British embassy to be issued with a new one,remember saying sawasdee Krup to the guard there on the way in and realising he was a Gurka,whilst inside the embassy,namaskared him on the way out and we both laughed..
Gorgon *****
yes ..still used at border crossings ..by Immigration officials ..I had no agent. though that part should be blank since it is your departure card
Gordon ************
@Jesse ********
The arrival card
Bonnie *********
@Jon ****
Neither did I. I was surprised. The only consistent thing in Thailand is inconsistency.
Jon *****
@Bonnie ********
OK, I had nothing to fill in at SuvarnabhumiBonnie *********
@Jon ****
Nope. I just got one at Chiang Khong on 27 December. Depends on arrival location.Jon *****
@Jesse ********
Not sure it was necessary but anyway...Jesse *********
OP@Jon ****
Visa run outfit made us fill it outJon *****
@Jesse ********
Why did you even fill in an arrival card ? It's been scrapped since the month of juneJesse *********
OP@Gordon ***********
OK cheers just don't want to spend the next 6 weeks worrying lolGordon ************
@Jesse ********
There’s no problem with thatJesse *********
OP@Gordon ***********
what about it?Activity
15 joined15
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