Will I receive my new UK passport in time before my visa expires if I apply in Bangkok?

Dec 6, 2017
7 years ago
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there, I need to apply for a new UK passport as my current one has run out of pages; therefore there is no space for any more visas. I am currently in Chiang Mai and have a non-immigrant O visa which expires on the 10th January. I understand that I need to travel to Bangkok for my application. If I apply for my new passport ASAP (I believe early next week would be the soonest for the appointment) would I get it back in time before my visa expires and if not, would this then be a problem? Any advice you have would be very helpful!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user in Chiang Mai is seeking advice on applying for a new UK passport due to a full passport, with their non-immigrant O visa expiring soon. Comments suggest that applying ASAP in Bangkok is crucial, as it typically takes around 10-14 days for processing, especially with potential delays nearing the holiday season. Suggestions include checking for emergency passport options and contacting VFS for guidance, as well as ensuring the appointment is made promptly.
Korn ***********
Try do online using gov.uk: easy and simple/ then keep tracking, my step dad received his passport in 10days just follow what Tod posted
Kenny *******
Great help and advise . My British Passport is nearly full too, but Visa O, is OK until April, done a renewal using old system.

Great help on here, cheers Guys.

I will apply in time. ( I hope)
Charlie *********
This is nothing to do with the Bangkok consulate. Visas are only issued in Britain, and the process is amazingly easy, follow the website Tod posted and you should have a new passport very soon. I did it in 2015, and it was a great and very efficient service. Good luck.
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod! :)
Tod *********
Work thru this website and it tells you exactly how to get a new passport.

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Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cheers everybody for your advice! I'll check the PM Declan.
Declan *****************
sent you as PM
@Martin ********
David ********
I had to do this once before when the UKPA lost my passport
Declan *****************
current turn around time is 10 days
Noel *************
This is probably outdated but it says they can add pages to your passport on the same day:
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Teresa *********
No tryed that too
David ********
I second that is no longer an option
Adam ***********
That's no longer possible - you cant add pages to a British passport.
David ********
Emergency passports are expensive and they won't issue it while you have your passport. Send off passport as soon as possible and if it doesn't get back in time, you can then apply for an emergency passport to exit and re-enter. You need to leave Thailand and travel to a country that accepts emergency passport.... Not all do. I think Hong Kong is still the nearest one
David ********
Exactly, they are very strict about it
Teresa *********
I didn't lose my passport just run out of pages. So depends on your situation
David ********
I still have the pretty little white thing now. The emergency passport is valid for pre-booked travel and for essential travel only
David ********
Yes you can, I did it. But you may have a valid reason to re-enter. My passport was lost by UKPA, the new passport was on its way to Thailand. The embassy gives a letter explaining the situation and you can re-enter. You are correct that you can't use it for normal travel, but you can come back on it.
Teresa *********
You can't leave and then come back into Thailand on an emergency passport. Only one way, I tryed
Robert *******
Apply early next week, info is it take three weeks, but there are some holidays due to Christmas and New Year, but you do not have an alternative. You need the passport, when the new one comes after 10 Jan, face the fines of waiting till last moment.
Adam ***********
You should contact VFS - the British Consular services (including new passports) have been predominately outsourced to them now) - they should be able to advise you about getting an emergency / temporary passport. The turnaround time for new passports seems to be a around a fortnight.
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Tim ********
Ahhh... what the heck... take your time... you noticed you were out of pages when?
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A while back...that's me all over though! :)
Yaniv ********
Look on the website and scroll down till you see trendy office building on sukhumvit soi 13 which is where the British passports are actually done now and not the embassy.
Yaniv ********
Make sure you book an appointment as they can be really naive about things even though we are British citizens
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh right, I didn't know they did emergency passports. Thanks! Shall I just apply as usual and then ask them about that at my appointment in Bangkok? It is really hard to get any info over the phone as they just refer you to their website which doesn't usually answer your specific question!
Steve *******
Teresa Kennard. Good to know. A friend of mine was told to apply for a new passport as the current one was still valid to travel to the UK with.
Teresa *********
They gave me an emergency passport because I run out of pages ? But from my experience better to wait for new passport even if it takes longer
Steve *******
@Teresa ********
. Mine took 2 weeks, plenty of reports people getting them in 10 days. They wont issue an emergency passport just because you've run out of pages, that's usually for lost/stolen/expired or damaged passports.
Teresa *********
Passport renewal takes longer than 2 weeks. I got an emergency password for £100 but you can only go one way with it and some countries (India) won't let you leave on it, so I ended up buying 2 emergency passports. Google it and read the small print on what country your going too x
Steve *******
Apply at VFS. The British embassy dont do the passport renewal. It usually takes about 2 weeks, however its the xmas period and a busy time for post.
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