Batty

That would explain a lot. I my case, I was under the impression that Corby examiner looked at the document checklist and saw the box that says 'copies sent' before wrongly assuming that means a copy had been submitted at the point of application and not original ID. I remember saying to my wife "it's almost like they have never dealt with a Thai application before". Do you think it is safe to assume, given that I received an email a few days ago saying my application is now successful and my passport is being printed, that I should be good?

Bloody hell... Sorry to hear that. Did you at least get an email saying the application is successfull and your passport is being printed?

Well fingers crossed then mate. Glad it all worked out for us both in the end. It sounds like I dodged a bit of a bullet compared to the hassle you went through.

Tha Ka Andrew, appreciate it. I did actually try that number already but it relates to the Indians applying for a UK visa. In total I found three different numbers for VFS Global in BKK but none of them were related to the UK passport renewal process. I also emailed them a couple of times marked as urgent and have had no reply. I think I am sorted now though. I complained through .gov and was told my complaint would be revealed by a different examiner. Later that afternoon I got confirmation on email that my passport renewal had been approved.

I only hope that email wasnt sent in error and they are actually still waiting for me to send my ID to the UK...

Well, good news, I think. I sent a couple of complaints through .gov website. I explained that it is IMPOSSIBLE to apply for a passport renewal at VFS Global without submitting hard original ID. HMPOs claim that I submitted only copies is incorrect - they would not let me apply without handing over originals for inspection". I also said that "the examiner is clearly wrong and obviously does not understand the process fully. You are not allowed to apply for a renewal unless you present the hard copies so please can somebody explain to me why the examiner is delaying my application based on an error he or she is now unwilling to admit" I also said "essentialy, this is like an air stewardess hoofing you out of the emergency door as the plane is taxing down the runway, because she believes you do not have a valid ticket - despite the fact they would not let you board without a valid ticket." I got a reply saying "thank you for your complaint we will look into it and submit to a different examiner for a separate review". (Paraphrasing) Four hours later I get an email saying: "We have approved your passport application. What happens next We are now printing your new passport. Our local service partners will be in touch with you about how you can collect it."

Sausage

Whichever way you look at it, the the root of the issue lies with me - I left it too late. In my defense, I thought I was going back to England for some work related stuff that was constantly delayed and hanging in the balance. I was worried that if I applied for a new passport and then received word to travel back to the UK I wouldn't be able to. Eventually, 3 days after submitting my application, I did get confirmation that I need to go to the UK. Typical isn't it 😄 So now, as soon as my passport arrives I need to pretty much immediately fly back to the UK anyway...

Yes that literally must have changed right after I applied. I remember the .gov website saying (I am paraphrasing) "you will keep your passport while the applications going through, although you will not be able to travel on it" Also, if I was supposed to submit my passport, they wouldn't have let me leave with it, I suppose.

Does anyone happen to have a working phone number for these idiots? I have googled it but the number listed for UK passport renewals relate to Indians applying for a UK visa. I have an issue with my passport renewal - a mistake that was made on their side - but I can't find any way to contact them. I did find an email address but I'm getting auto replies about appointment booking. I am unable to find a general customer support email address.

On a side note, does anyone have a confirmed number for VFS Global Bangkok? The numbers I have tried seem relevant only to India, Malta, Austria citizens for some reason. I can't find a number for UK passport/visa queries.

Part of the problem with this is the lines of communication. The hotline is essentially just a call center with a bunch of Liverpudlians answering queries based on a scripted prompt sheet. They have no involvement with the passport application process - it's just bums on seats designed to take pressure away from HMPO. They seem like nice enough people - scousers usually are - but they are clueless, really, through no fault of their own. I mentioned VFS global to one of them last night and they said "who are they, like a courier company?". I explained who they are and they replied "well, I hate to say it, but I suppose that's the risk you take when you apply through a private agency - you might have been better applying at the Bangkok Consulate". Long and short is this: the examiner is refusing to accept that I supplied original ID at point of application. As far as he/she is concerned, I supplied copies of ID. He needs to see the originals. I made an official complaint and explained that VFS will not accept only copies, so even if I wanted to apply with copies of my ID - and not the originals to back them up - I wouldn't be able to. They are accusing me of doing something that simply can't be done. Now, I must send my original ID to Corby. God knows how long this will take now. It's probably 2 weeks just to arrive in the UK, then it has to find it's way to the examiner, then the process starts. My visa expires May 9th. I'm seriously doubting if my new passport will be back by then. Of course, all of this is my own doing. I had plenty of time to apply and shouldn't have left it so late. In my defence, for a few months it was looking like I might be returning to the UK for a month or two for some work related stuff, so I held back from applying, thinking I would just renew at HMPO directly. That fell through - so I applied from Thailand instead. I didn't forsee some jobs worth throwing a spanner in the works.

Yes, they are a private enterprise. In all fairness, they seem quite switched in and organized at VFS. That said, when you outsource stuff like this it leaves room for error, miscommunication etc.

Hi Andrew I read your post - it was indeed a nightmare! I am glad you got it sorted. I may be facing a similar fate. After speaking to them, I received a follow-up email that said they no longer needed my original passport but now needed to see identification. Apparently, they believe I submitted copies and not originals of the ID. That is not true. I took originals and copies to VFS Global, as instructed. For some reason, they believe I submitted only copies and not originals. As a result, they now want me to send hard copies to the HMPO in Corby. I called again and explained that I had taken the originals to VFS Global. They have passed this information on to the 'examiner' and I must now await an email. I am just looking at the receipt that VFS Global gave me. There is a document receipt checklist that confirms the type of ID submitted. I have two rows ticked for driving licence and house registration book (which was actually a letter, signed and date by Amphur, confirming I live at that address). Next to each of these are two columns: one that says 'tick if copy' and one that says 'tick if translation'. VFS global have ticked the copy column. Now, this obviously means that they have submitted a copy of the original - and not a translation. I suspect that HMPO are assuming this means I provided only copies. It's a case of incompetence. The fact is, VFS Global will not accept mere copies - they need to see originals PLUS a copy. For some reason, HMPO is assuming this means ONLY A COPY. What a joke. This is going to take weeks, and my passport expires in May.... Plus, I need to apply for my extension end of April. I didn't imagine it would take longer than 6 weeks and I assumed that a renewal would be simple and easy with no dramas.

Yup. The woman checked everything (very carefully). I also gave them a Thai driving licence with my address on the back in English, and a confirmation letter from the Amphur, dated and signed, confirming my address. She checked everything, gave me the OK, and said it would be ready in a few weeks. The issue here is why on earth do they want me to go back, again, and give them my passport - which they will then send to the UK - leaving me without a passport in Thailand for like, one month, probably.

I spoke to HMPO on the hotline. We went around in circles for a while, like this: Them: You have to surrender your passport when you apply. Didnt you give them your passport when you applied? Me: No you don't have to give it to them for them to keep. They inspect the passport, and you give them copies of every page. They then give you your passport back. Them: No they don't. They need the old passport. You need to go back and give it to them. Me: Well then why did they give it me back in the first place, when I applied? WHy didn't they keep it then? Them: Thats a fair point. Them: Hmm... Me: I mean, literally everyone who applies for a passport in Bangkok is given the passport back. Otherwise, you would be in a foreign country without a passport, wouldn't you? SO why do they want me to give them my passport? Them: Again, fair point. Ill contact the examiner for clarification. Please look out for an email.

No mate, im afraid thats not the case 🙂 I probably didn't explain it very well in my original post but basically, I have applied, handed over everything they require, and payment has been made. Now, they want me to visit VFS to hand over my passport so they can send it back to the UK. It's strange, because that's not how it works (as you know). You don't surrender your passport, you keep it while the new application is being processed. For some reason they want meto go back - even though I have been once - just to give them my passport.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "this is exactly how it works". It isn't how it works. Yes there are two journeys involved - the first one to submit your application and then the second one, weeks later, to collect your new passport. I understand that. But why would I need to go back and submit my passport once again, after it has already been submitted once? Are you implying it is standard to submit your passport with your application - and then return a couple of weeks later to submit it again - before coming back a third time to collect the new passport?

Hi there. So, I applied at VFS Global a couple of weeks ago to renew my passport, which expires in May. I made an appointment and successfully submitted all the documents. They said it would take 3 or 4 weeks and that they would call me when it arrived. Payment was taken one week later. Today, I received an email from the UK passport office saying I need to send them my passport. To do so, I need to revisit VFS global and hand it over. I also need to submit a form of ID from a list they provided. Is this an error, do you think? The lady at VFS checked all my documents and handed my passport back to me. Everything was in perfect order. I had official ID from the Amphur and a Thai driving licence with my Thai address on it. I can't think of a reason why they would need me to fly back to Bangkok and hand it over again? Moreover, I don't have any 'new' form of ID to give them, other than what I already have. This feels like some kind of auto-email error, but I can't be sure. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Is there such a thing? I'm sure I once read about an agency that will handle all aspects of the passport renewal process for you at VFS Global, for around 5000 Baht if I remember correctly. Flights from Udon to BKK return are around the same price, so I figure it makes sense to use an agent, if they exist. Can they be trusted? Any recommendations? Thanks!

Thanks, good to know 🙏

My doctor scheduled a blood test 4 weeks ago, for tomorrow. Spur of the moment I decided it would be a good idea to go and get my own blood test last week at a local lab which is 1/3 of the price. Will it be okay to just turn up at the appointment tomorrow and say "no need for the test, I have it already" is that considered poor form in some way? I know the doctor quite well and I have seen him a few times over the previous months. In December I spent 30,000 baht with this hospital. I don't have insurance - and business isn't great at the moment - so I was just trying to save a bit of money. Now that I think about it, I'm not even sure if they will acknowledge a third party blood test, or if it may cause a offfence in some way?

I just called the Dtac call center and asked them how I would go about recording my own personalized voicemail greeting. The lady told me she didn't think it was possible to do that - my only option would be the standard default Thai voicemail greeting. The only reason I am posting in here is because she sounded a little unsure of herself. Especially the bit where she said "I don't THINK you can do that". Is it possible, does anyone know? I might have some inbound work related calls coming in from potential customers back home I need to divert my Skype number to my Thai number for hours where I may be asleep. It doesn't sound too great, I don't think, if the voicemail is in Thai. The other problem is that I tried to access my voicemail and was asked to enter a PIN number that I was never previously given - but I can figure that out but calling dtac again, I guess. Thanks!

Hi there. Would someone be kind enough to confirm if I have the following information correct in terms of what is required for passport renewal in BKK? 2 passport photographs. Copy of Birth certificate (really?). Proof of address, translated into English from an official translation authority (again, really?). Copy of every page of the current passport. Again, that's every page. Completed application form. Did I miss anything? Do they really need a copy of my birth certificate? I am utterly clueless how to get a copy of that without flying back to England and applying for one?

Thanks, appreciate it - I should have done the same research, in hindsight.