Renewing British passport in Thailand on 60 day tourist visa

[Dug20]

I need a fresh passport for renewing my visa in Malaysia (passport expires Sep 10 2020), but unfortunately I wasn't able to renew it while here as was told the visa wouldn't transfer to new passport. So I'm looking at hopping over to Thailand to apply for a passport renewal there, then returning to Malaysia for stamping new passport. The passport renewal estimate is 4 weeks so I would have to apply for the 60 day Thai tourist visa before I go to be safe. From my understanding you have to have an exit flight before 6 months validity. I was thinking of arriving around Feb 1st, as long as I have an exit flight before March 10th (6 months to expiry) then there should be no problems? Upon exit would it be OK to simply present the new and invalid old passport? Any thoughts would be welcomed, if it's a dumb plan then may have to just go back to UK for renewal. 

 

Hopefully this sort of question allowed here and cheers in advance! 

Edited January 10, 2020 by Dug20

[ubonjoe]

Average time to get the new passport is about 2 weeks.

You could enter visa exempt to get 30 day entry and then if needed extend it for the 30 days. You would be able to apply for the extension using your old passport.

After getting the new passport you would show both passports on departure from the count and they would transfer your entry and/or the extension stamp to the new passport and then stamp you out of the country in it.

[Dug20]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Average time to get the new passport is about 2 weeks.

You could enter visa exempt to get 30 day entry and then if needed extend it for the 30 days. You would be able to apply for the extension using your old passport.

After getting the new passport you would show both passports on departure from the count and they would transfer your entry and/or the extension stamp to the new passport and then stamp you out of the country in it.

Thank you for your reply. Do you happen to know how long the embassy would need to hold onto my old passport? I seem to remember that UK passports need to be surrendered upon renewal application so I was just a little worried I might not get it back before 30 days. 

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, Dug20 said:

Thank you for your reply. Do you happen to know how long the embassy would need to hold onto my old passport? I seem to remember that UK passports need to be surrendered upon renewal application so I was just a little worried I might not get it back before 30 days. 

The don't keep your passport. They return it to you as soon as the application is accepted. You do not apply for it a the UK embassy. The application is handled by VFS.

Go through the steps here for more info. https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[jacko45k]

Do you intend being in the Pattaya area? 

I ask because if you don't mind the extra expense, you might use an agent to help get the passport, and give a location to submit and collect from. 

[Dug20]

41 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The don't keep your passport. They return it to you as soon as the application is accepted. You do not apply for it a the UK embassy. The application is handled by VFS.

Go through the steps here for more info. https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Perfect thank you so much for your help! I called a gov line earlier who told me that they would keep the old passport until the new one is returned. But from what you've said and

from your link it says "you will be able to keep your existing passport for ID purposes." so that will all work out well. I will probably go your suggested route then of arriving visa free then and extend if there's any delays. Again thank you for your kind help!

Edited January 10, 2020 by Dug20
wrong quote

[Dug20]

27 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Do you intend being in the Pattaya area? 

I ask because if you don't mind the extra expense, you might use an agent to help get the passport, and give a location to submit and collect from. 

Thank you for your reply/suggestion. Not sure yet, was thinking perhaps Chiang Mai as have been before and like the relaxed atmosphere. Pattaya does look like a lot of fun though! Will look into agents to see if it makes it any easier.

[BritTim]

You are going to tun into one complication with your plan. The UK officially wants proof of your residential address in Thailand, and you I assume will not have one. The requirement is stupid, as you will be applying for the passport and later picking it up in person. However, you might want to confirm with the authorities that they will waive this official requirement when you are applying in person at VFS in Thailand.

 

Although you may already have thought about this, you would make your appointment at VFS in advance, not wait until you arrive in Thailand to start the process.

[Dug20]

57 minutes ago, BritTim said:

You are going to tun into one complication with your plan. The UK officially wants proof of your residential address in Thailand, and you I assume will not have one. The requirement is stupid, as you will be applying for the passport and later picking it up in person. However, you might want to confirm with the authorities that they will waive this official requirement when you are applying in person at VFS in Thailand.

 

Although you may already have thought about this, you would make your appointment at VFS in advance, not wait until you arrive in Thailand to start the process.

Ah I didn't think of that as like you said I won't have a permanent residence in Thailand. I'll get in touch with them to get some clarification on this and book my appointment before arrival. Thank you! 

[recom273]

I was thinking something along the lines of BritTim - You need some kind of proof of address, this may be an issue, perhaps others will tell you what they used, it says immigration documents. I had a valid employment contract.
 

The info is all there on the site.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-passport-supporting-documents-group-2

[ubonjoe]

22 hours ago, Dug20 said:

Ah I didn't think of that as like you said I won't have a permanent residence in Thailand.

That is not required. You just basically need to prove you are here in Thailand.

This from the linked info posted in the previous post.

I can recall a person just showing his visa and entry stamp.

You could use a hotel's address as proof.

[Scott Tracy]

I'm in the process of renewing my passport. A passport is considered valid in Thailand as long as it has 6 months validity, if you see what I mean. I.e, used no later than 6 months before expiry. My understanding is:

in Thailand, an appointment is required to be made for the application, and the application has to be made in person, as does the collection of the new passport. Applications and collections are made from Trendy Building, Soi Sukhumwit 13, Bangkok. It costs £118.51, including £23.01 courier fee for your new passport to be delivered to Trendy. Your old passport has to be returned to Durham in UK to be cancelled and returned to Trendy. Visas are not transferred, not are stamps. If there is a current visa are active stamping the old passport, both passports must be carried and shown. The superseding stamp will be placed in the the new passport.

Either information can be found at:

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/filter/overseas?_ga=2.182846182.1320754918.1578753844-448671768.1578753844

 

[darrendsd]

1 hour ago, Scott Tracy said:

Your old passport has to be returned to Durham in UK to be cancelled and returned to Trendy

No it doesn't

 

You keep hold of your old PP whilst your new one is being processed

 

When you go to pick up your new PP you have to take your old one with you - they cut the corner off the old one and hand it straight back to you

[OJAS]

On 1/10/2020 at 3:19 PM, Dug20 said:

I need a fresh passport for renewing my visa in Malaysia (passport expires Sep 10 2020), but unfortunately I wasn't able to renew it while here as was told the visa wouldn't transfer to new passport. So I'm looking at hopping over to Thailand to apply for a passport renewal there, then returning to Malaysia for stamping new passport.

Beats me as to why you would wish to submit yourself to the cumbersomely antediluvian procedures involved in renewing your passport from Thailand, when there is a much more efficient way of achieving the same ends from Malaysia with HMPO's online facility (the use of which is denied to those renewing from Thailand for some ridiculous reason)!

 

Is there any good reason why you can't renew your passport from Malaysia, and then do a border run to Thailand in order to get your new passport suitably stamped in Malaysia upon your return there?

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by OJAS

[ubonjoe]

12 hours ago, Scott Tracy said:

Either information can be found at:

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/filter/overseas?_ga=2.182846182.1320754918.1578753844-448671768.1578753844

 

That is for a online application that you cannot do while in Thailand.

Best to start out doing it by clicking this link. https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

[ubonjoe]

16 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Beats me as to why you would wish to submit yourself to the cumbersomely antediluvian procedures involved in renewing your passport from Thailand, when there is a much more efficient way of achieving the same ends from Malaysia with HMPO's online facility (the use of which is denied to those renewing from Thailand for some ridiculous reason)!

The reason for not allowing online application here was explained when the VFS applications first started. They are doing it that way due to you needing it have your old passport here at all times. Online applications require you to mail in your old passport when doing it.

[edwardandtubs]

Please let us know the colour of your new passport when you get it. I'm renewing mine as soon as the blue ones are being sent out.

[Dug20]

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

Beats me as to why you would wish to submit yourself to the cumbersomely antediluvian procedures involved in renewing your passport from Thailand, when there is a much more efficient way of achieving the same ends from Malaysia with HMPO's online facility (the use of which is denied to those renewing from Thailand for some ridiculous reason)!

 

Is there any good reason why you can't renew your passport from Malaysia, and then do a border run to Thailand in order to get your new passport suitably stamped in Malaysia upon your return there?

 

Unfortunately I was told that were I to apply for a fresh passport, my current Malaysian visa might be immediately invalid (though it's a pretty new visa type and there appears to be a lot of conflicting info). So my options are to either return home to the UK or have a little holiday and renew there.

 

Thanks again to all for the clarifications on the renewal process in Thailand. I'll reply here if I do end up getting my passport renewed in Thailand to let you know what I used for the residency proof, how long it took, etc.

[Dug20]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

Please let us know the colour of your new passport when you get it. I'm renewing mine as soon as the blue ones are being sent out.

I've heard they're rolling them out now but a lot of people are getting the old colour just with references to the EU omitted. Will let you know though!

[Alan1203]

@Dug20 Did you end up renewing your UK passport in Thailand on a tourist visa? If so, updates? Thanks. 

[fishtank]

On 1/12/2020 at 2:43 PM, edwardandtubs said:

Please let us know the colour of your new passport when you get it. I'm renewing mine as soon as the blue ones are being sent out.

What difference does it make?

[Mr Smithy]

11 minutes ago, fishtank said:

What difference does it make?

None - It is a travel document but the "Brexit" mob prefer a blue 'British" passport which is manufactured by a French company! ????

[Bell1234]

On 1/10/2020 at 4:46 PM, Dug20 said:

Thank you for your reply/suggestion. Not sure yet, was thinking perhaps Chiang Mai as have been before and like the relaxed atmosphere. Pattaya does look like a lot of fun though! Will look into agents to see if it makes it any easier.

Just used Key visa to do mine.. This is my 2nd Renewal with them.. They charge 5000 baht for the service and they go to Bangkok for you to drop it off and pick it up.. Would cost me more than 5k if i did it myself with fuel and a Hotel stay over.

[Mr Smithy]

4 minutes ago, Bell1234 said:

Just used Key visa to do mine.. This is my 2nd Renewal with them.. They charge 5000 baht for the service and they go to Bangkok for you to drop it off and pick it up.. Would cost me more than 5k if i did it myself with fuel and a Hotel stay over.

Agree -That company provide a good service at a reasonable cost.

[jacko45k]

15 hours ago, Mr Smithy said:

None - It is a travel document but the "Brexit" mob prefer a blue 'British" passport which is manufactured by a French company! ????

And paid for in our own currency....!

[Alan1203]

After successfully renewing a (British) passport while on a tourist visa, do we need to transfer our tourist visa from the old passport to the new passport? Or can we simply present airport immigration with both passports and the departure card when leaving the country? Thanks in advance. 

[ubonjoe]

26 minutes ago, Alan1203 said:

Or can we simply present airport immigration with both passports and the departure card when leaving the country?

That is what you can do.