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Will renewing my passport affect my Non-O retirement visa application in Thailand?
Feb 24, 2026
2 months ago
Peter ******
ORIGINAL POSTERPassport question.
I am awaiting approval on my non-o retirement visa here in Australia. I have been wisely advised (by someone in this group), to renew my passport for 10 years even though I still have 16 months on it.
If I renew it before the non-o is approved, does that effect the visa at all?
And if I renew it AFTER I get the visa approved, does THAT effect the visa at all?
ps. (When the, seemingly inevitable abusive and idiotic reply posts start, I'll just take this down. I'm just after some ACTUAL knowledge).
I am awaiting approval on my non-o retirement visa here in Australia. I have been wisely advised (by someone in this group), to renew my passport for 10 years even though I still have 16 months on it.
If I renew it before the non-o is approved, does that effect the visa at all?
And if I renew it AFTER I get the visa approved, does THAT effect the visa at all?
ps. (When the, seemingly inevitable abusive and idiotic reply posts start, I'll just take this down. I'm just after some ACTUAL knowledge).
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking advice about renewing their passport while waiting for approval on a non-O retirement visa. The conversation discusses the implications of renewing the passport before and after visa approval, emphasizing that renewing it after approval typically does not cause issues, as long as both passports (old and new) are presented to immigration for stamp transfers. Many contributors advise the poster to wait until after arriving in Thailand to renew their passport and ensure they understand the renewal process, especially regarding the return of their old passport.
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.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Paul ***********
If you have 16 months left on your passport, what are worried about?
With amount of validity, you can easily achieve initial 3 month O visa plus 12 month extension of stay.
During the 12 months if granted you apply for a new passport. Simples
With amount of validity, you can easily achieve initial 3 month O visa plus 12 month extension of stay.
During the 12 months if granted you apply for a new passport. Simples
Jesper *******
I've the same situation like yours I have the 90days nonO with about 18mths validity came to thailand and do the 1yr extension and when its time to get a new passport I apply in the SG embassy in bkk ....after I gotten my new passport I bring both to the immigration office and they transfer my nonO stamp and re entry permit stamp to the new passport....simple transition....the time consuming part is to go to the banks and telco to update new passport particulars
Graeme *******
I'm from NZ and had to renew my passport last year all online and from when I pushed enter on my laptop, it took 6 days for my new passport to arrive here in Maha Sarakham , so I'm guessing Aus system for passport renewal maybe similar which if it is do it when you get here we'll 2-3 months before expiry. Then when done and received pretty simple process at Thai Immigration to get visa in new passport.
Paul ****************
If you decide to renew just make sure to carry your old passport as well
Peter ******
ORIGINAL POSTERPaul Paddy Moneley That makes sense, but to renew my passport, I have to send the old one in with the application forms. So I'm not 100 percent sure they send it back. I suspect they won't.
Graham ******
Peter Apps what country is your passport because renewals are mostly done online?
Peter ******
ORIGINAL POSTERGraham Seal Australia. We're still pretty backwards. Have to FILL IT OUT online, then print it, then go to a post office with two passport photos (or get them taken there) then pay at the post office (most expensive passport on Earth by the way $422), then post it all off with your old passport and wait
Apparently we're a first world country...
Apparently we're a first world country...
Paul ***********
Peter Apps
We are not backwards at all mate, just our passports are the most expensive in the world.
We are not backwards at all mate, just our passports are the most expensive in the world.
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Paul ***********
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Paul ****************
Peter Apps i always got my old passport back. They cut like an inch of the cover which renders it useless.
That's applying through australia post at the post office ( they also took the photos )
That's applying through australia post at the post office ( they also took the photos )
Peter ******
ORIGINAL POSTERPaul Paddy Moneley Oh! Righto. That's exactly what I intended to do.
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Peter ******
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Peter ********
I just renewed my Australian passport in Thailand and they just stamp the new passport with your visa and 90 day dates
Mark *******
Hey mate I had 16 months left on my passport but decided to renew it before I retired to Thailand and had a non o application in the process at the same time.alls good had no issues,that was 6 weeks ago.now happily living in Thailand 🇹ðŸ‡
Peter ******
ORIGINAL POSTERMark Heard awesome mate. Extremely helpful!
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Peter ******
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Vinson *******
Bring both is it doesn’t arrive in time. And then be worry free
Vinson *******
You are wise to have renewed your passport so that your future visas are in it ( for us it’s a hunfred bucks or so , way wourth the stress and being in line to update any visa
Graham ******
Vinson Dynes the renewal is online ;)
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Graham ******
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John **********
If you are planning to come to Thailand soon after you get the visa I would wait. As long as you have enough time left on your passport for the 90 days stamp plus the 12 month extension of stay your good. An extension will be given up to the expiry of your passport if you'll have less time
Vinson *******
@John *********
what 12 month extension are you referring to?John **********
@Vinson ******
the 12 months extension of stay based on retirementReply to
John **********
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Rob *********
I would wait and renew it in Thailand after you arrive.
Jean ************
No need to change your passport now, especially if many pages are still available. If you do it when you are in Thailand, the process with immigration is simple.
Sebastian ********
Did you put your passport number on the application? If so, I doubt you can get a new one before approval.
If you renew it after and have been admitted on the old passport then you will have no problems afterwards. Just a case of going to Immigration to get the stamps transferred to the new one.
If you renew it after and have been admitted on the old passport then you will have no problems afterwards. Just a case of going to Immigration to get the stamps transferred to the new one.
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Sebastian ********
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