Hello. I need to renew UK passport (only about five blank pages left and I travel frequently for work).

I think the new passport will take a few weeks to arrive following submission of documents in Bangkok.

 

My question is: Once I apply for the new passport, can I use the existing one while waiting for the new passport?

 

Does anyone know the official rule?

 

Thanks. C

The official line from UKPA is 'no you can't use it to travel'. However a number of people have reported, on this forum that they have, in fact used it.

 

Personally, I would not like to take that risk. Imagine the scenario where you are stopped at a border somewhere outside of Thailand and can't get back to pick up your new one!

 

Passport renewals seem to be pretty quick nowadays. Mine only took 2 weeks. It might be wiser to plan your trips around that and leave as much leeway as can.

 

Good luck with that.

 

ML

 

 

Once you apply for a new passport, do UK passport office cancel your old one immediately and put that information worldwide....I doubt it. So if you leave Thailand, or any country, while waiting for your new one, you can still re-enter...I know, I have done it. Got a new one to replace one which i 'thought' I have lost but found again. Re-entered Thailand on old one, which had my re-entry permit & Visa, then transferred all my stamps at Immigration. No worries.

13 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Once you apply for a new passport, do UK passport office cancel your old one immediately and put that information worldwide....I doubt it. So if you leave Thailand, or any country, while waiting for your new one, you can still re-enter...I know, I have done it. Got a new one to replace one which i 'thought' I have lost but found again. Re-entered Thailand on old one, which had my re-entry permit & Visa, then transferred all my stamps at Immigration. No worries.

 

 

By air or by land WGD ?

 

I crossed a land border (twice) on an old passport (VfS did not cut the  corners) whilst having the new one in my possession. I think until immigration have 'swiped' your new passport you are OK.

 

I am not so sure about air travel but my best guess is that you are OK until you get the old passport back with the corner cut off.

The advice from HMPO is that "You can’t travel with it after you’ve applied for a new one - but you will be able to keep your existing passport for ID purposes". Passport service/information/Thailand/renew

 

I understand that they cancel the passport electronically, but a number of members have said they've used their passport for international travel, so maybe the passport is cancelled electronically by the issuing authority when the new passport is processed rather than VFS when the application is submitted. 

2 hours ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

By air or by land WGD ?

 

I crossed a land border (twice) on an old passport (VfS did not cut the  corners) whilst having the new one in my possession. I think until immigration have 'swiped' your new passport you are OK.

 

I am not so sure about air travel but my best guess is that you are OK until you get the old passport back with the corner cut off.

By EVA Air at Swampy. If you apply for a new passport in Thailand, you do not have to send your old one back as it is 'the law' that you carry a passport all the time. You are advised to cut your own corner off when the new one arrives. In my case, I thought I had lost it, got a new one, and then found the old one (doooh). Expensive mistake as I had to get emergency passport in Rome (£100) and a new one at Liverpool (£170).

5 hours ago, wgdanson said:

You are advised to cut your own corner off when the new one arrives.

When you go to VFS to collect your new passport you must take the old one and they will cut the corner off.