Can I renew my US passport in Thailand ?

Is there a way to get a an additional 30 day extension on a 30 day exemption upon arrival? My situation is that I have to send my passport out for renewal to US embassy from Thailand, and it will take 6-8 weeks. Currently in Thailand, and my 90 TR visa expires in a few weeks, so was planning to do border run or quick flight to KL and back.

So, American passport just about full, so need a new one. Any insights or words of wisdom from past experience to streamline the process, or just go to embassy in BKK, and follow process? Also, would it be easier to do in Vietnam 🇻🇳?

Hi Thailand Friends - I’m new here and hoping someone can help. I‘m an American traveling on USA passport. I just realized I’m dangerously low on blank passport pages (down to 3) and have travel plans in the next 6 months that will fill those pages completely.

I know that I need to apply for a passport renewal and that I can do this at Bangkok USA Embassy, but my question is about timeline (how long it takes) steps to the process, can I still travel while I’m waiting, etc.

I’ve reached out via email and phone to Embassy trying to find the specifics and have had zero luck. Thinking someone here might’ve been through this and can help?

Thank you 🙏🏽🇹🇭🇺🇸❤️

Has anyone renewed their US passport through the Thai consulate? Mine is expiring soon and I am looking at alternatives to making a trip to America.

This is the conclusion of US passport renewal by mail post rant I made about 5 weeks ago:

8/17 mailed passport and all forms via EMS to US embassy in BKK.

8/21 arrived at US embassy gate.

Website [members only]/ indicates “Current Processing Times (applied on or after March 24, 2023) Routine 10 to 13 weeks”. Signed up for E-mail notification

9/8 “no status avail”

9/14 Application Status: Not Available

9/16 Application Status: Mailed

9/18 Application Status: “The U.S. Department of State has mailed your passport book on 09/12/2023. We sent your passport book to you using Prepaid Delivery. Your application locator number is xxxxxx…” (this does not make much sense)

9/20 Notification E-mail received, “[members only]/, EQxxxxxxxxTH”, but upon tracking, "Data not found" is returned (post office strikes again).

9/21 Postman delivers EMS package containing new and old passports. Whole process took 5 weeks.

Immediately proceeded to local IO to transfer old visa extension to new passport.

Will need both passports, signed photocopies of bio page of old passport plus all pages containing stamps, signed photocopy of new passport bio page, and filled and signed application form requesting transfer to new passport. No pics or fee required. Takes 10-15 min. While no longer valid, IO suggests to bring old cancelled passport to next extension “just in case”.

I’d suggest updating local bank accounts with new passport. Not sure what to do about the driver’s license, but will check as well.

Still can’t get over why the US embassy sends American citizens on a wild goose chase to a foreign website, not in English, to buy 100 Baht ($3 USD equiv.) return postage. One-way public bus fare in San Francisco is $3… Anyway, end of rant. Will have a new story in 2033.

This is for Americans who are required to renew their passports by mail.

This is what I used:

1. Smart phone or device with a camera to read QR code.

2. Internet service.

3. Local bank account with the bank app to allow payment via QR code scan. Need to download the bank app and get it set up at a bank branch (Phone must be on “Mobile Data” mode for this one time setup as the bank must recognize the phone number and send an OTP). After that, one can use WiFi, and pay for goods/services using the merchant QR code. Many already use this.

4. An account on “Thailand Post Mart” to buy “Courier Pass Back” service. Pay with the above bank app by scanning the Thailand Post QR code. Receipt will be E-mailed to user. The embassy no longer accepts self-addressed self-stamped return envelopes. Navigate to the Thailand Post Mart using the QR code on the checklist provided on the US embassy passport renewal page. The LINE app QR code reader will take you there. You will need to apply for a log in account with name, address, E-mail, etc. A verification link will be sent to the given E-mail. Once the account is set up, log in and choose to buy the Courier Pass Back service. You can then go to the “shopping cart” page and pay. There are various pay methods including by credit/ATM card. I tried AMEX as well as ATM from Bank of Ayutthaya to no avail. Eventually tried the Siam Commercial icon and was able to sync with my SCB QR code reader in the app. Once paid, a receipt was sent to the E-mail I used in the sign up process. The E-mail arrived quickly. This is the postage payment receipt required by the US embassy to mail the old and new passport back. The cost is 100 Baht.

5. You also need to log on to the given US gov website to pay for the passport fee. There they take AMEX cards. Once payment accepted, an E-mail is sent to the E-mail used in the sign up process. That E-mail took seconds too.

6. Need a Printer to print the passport application request checklist, the US government receipt of $130 US, and the Thailand Post receipt of 100 Baht. You may be able to save all of the above and have it printed at a local print shop.

7. The passport renewal form can be filled on-line, and needs to be printed (and signed) as well.

8. The usual 2x2 inch passport size photos. Two of them.

9. A photocopy of the passport bio page

10. EMS cost of mailing above docs is ~40-50 Baht.

Number 3 above, going to the bank to set up the phone app was easy, as an employee did all the work, and this pay-by-phone app is used often by many.

Number 4 was the worst nightmare. The Thailand Post Mart website is in Thai, and even the Thai people who live with me could not figure it out. The website has a Google applet that translates the page but misses on pop op message boxes and the translation is not accurate at times. Went to the Post Office downtown but they could neither understand nor help. Went to the Post Office main distribution center and they could not help either. They had never seen the Thailand Post Mart website. I finally was able to set up the account (they send a verification link to the E-mail given on registration but that was not clear as most of these pop-up messages are in Thai) Still could not pay the 100 Baht. I called the help line but the operator who spoke some English, had never heard of “Thailand Post Mart” or “Courier Pass Back” service. Went back to both Post offices, and again, with no result. Four times now. Finally was able to pay by using the SCB icon on the shopping cart webpage with my newly acquired SCB bank app.

All this running around over 100 Baht. Then the next time one needs “Thailand Post Mart” or “Courier Pass Back” service, is quite possibly for the next renewal, ten years from now.

It really appears that some bright clock in the US government decided to do an intelligence test on passport renewal applicants. Did they themselves really pass the IT test? For Goodness’ sakes, all that over 100 Baht?

Oh, and as a bonus, a few minutes after signing up for the account at the “Thailand Post Mart”, I received messages both on my phone and in my E-mail, in Thai but with the “Thailand Post Mart” heading. When I asked the people at the Post Office the meaning of these messages, they said it was “spam” and that this happened often.

Once the new passport arrives, I’ll advise how long it took. Cheers

My US passport is nearly full, time to get a new one. Following all online instructions down to the part where I purchase a courier pass back envelope through the Thailand Post website...but to pay for the items in my cart, I must first set up an account (subscribe). It asks for a 13 digit ID number and tax ID number...our US passports are only 9 digits....Im very confused as to how to set up an account to get this envelope required. Anyone else successfully navigated this part of the process?

What is the fastest time anyone has gotten their US passport back after renewing it recently? Have been told by embassy that the 5 to 6 week published time frame might be more like 7 to 8 weeks or even 9. Been asked many times by others as I am the CVL here in Tak and Embassy/ Consulate seems to hedge on the question. Anyone know more or less?

Hello all. My current (and first) 45-day visa expires on Jan. 2. I plan to extend 30 days. However, my future travel plans have changed, which means I will also need to renew my US passport at the embassy before I travel in late January. My plan now is to renew visa then renew passport immediately after (I do not want to renew passport now in case it takes longer than my visa expiration date -- so visa first). My questions are: 1. Will I receive my old passport back along with my new one. 2. Will I be able to transfer my 30-day visa stamp onto my new passport. Thanks.