Popular Post vibration Posted July 23, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 23, 2023 The British Passport Office are quoting 11 weeks to renew a British Passport for somebody living in Thailand like myself. I have some good news regarding the renewal of my British Passport as it only took 4 weeks with the chain of events listed below: I booked an appointment at VFS Bangkok on 23.06 2023 and my application was sent to the UK the same day My Thai Credit Card was charged on 27.06.2023 My new Passport arrived back at VFS Bangkok on 21.07.2023 and will be collected shortly I experienced very good service at VFS Bangkok and am very grateful for a speedy process. I hope all other relevant Members have similar very good service. 11 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJack54 Posted July 23, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 23, 2023 (edited) 40 minutes ago, vibration said: I hope all other relevant Members have similar very good service Nice update. Ta Edited July 23, 2023 by DrJack54 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lite Beer Posted July 23, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 23, 2023 A shame we have to make 2 expensive trips to Bangkok to do it. Rather a pathetic service in my view. Used to be able to do it all by mail. 5 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubascuba3 Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 8 hours ago, vibration said: The British Passport Office are quoting 11 weeks to renew a British Passport for somebody living in Thailand like myself. I have some good news regarding the renewal of my British Passport as it only took 4 weeks with the chain of events listed below: I booked an appointment at VFS Bangkok on 23.06 2023 and my application was sent to the UK the same day My Thai Credit Card was charged on 27.06.2023 My new Passport arrived back at VFS Bangkok on 21.07.2023 and will be collected shortly I experienced very good service at VFS Bangkok and am very grateful for a speedy process. I hope all other relevant Members have similar very good service. Presumably you didn't get the letter to give to Immigration? apparently not issued anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vibration Posted July 24, 2023 Author Share Posted July 24, 2023 (edited) Fully agree; however we made the most of it by having a short holiday in Bangkok in our favourite Hotel. Edited July 24, 2023 by vibration 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vibration Posted July 24, 2023 Author Share Posted July 24, 2023 This is no longer required by Immigration please see attachment. Information_Note_Visa_transfer_to_new_passport.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scubascuba3 Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 1 hour ago, vibration said: This is no longer required by Immigration please see attachment. Information_Note_Visa_transfer_to_new_passport.pdf 505.92 kB · 3 downloads That's right, Immigration transferred the visa with no issues without the letter? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChipButty Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 It was best when you could go to the embassy in Bangkok done and dusted in 4 days 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 7 minutes ago, ChipButty said: It was best when you could go to the embassy in Bangkok done and dusted in 4 days When was that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said: When was that? Long time ago, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 13 hours ago, vibration said: The British Passport Office are quoting 11 weeks to renew a British Passport for somebody living in Thailand like myself. I have some good news regarding the renewal of my British Passport as it only took 4 weeks with the chain of events listed below: I booked an appointment at VFS Bangkok on 23.06 2023 and my application was sent to the UK the same day My Thai Credit Card was charged on 27.06.2023 My new Passport arrived back at VFS Bangkok on 21.07.2023 and will be collected shortly I experienced very good service at VFS Bangkok and am very grateful for a speedy process. I hope all other relevant Members have similar very good service. Very similar, but 5 weeks in my case. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 12 hours ago, Lite Beer said: A shame we have to make 2 expensive trips to Bangkok to do it. Rather a pathetic service in my view. Used to be able to do it all by mail. I thought there were agents that do it for 5k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mutt Daeng Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 (edited) 15 minutes ago, brianthainess said: I thought there were agents that do it for 5k. Yes. I used an agent for my last passport renewal. Cost was 11K, but that includes the cost of a "large" UK passport. The agent also used their credit card to pay for the passport. Saved me the cost and inconvenience of 2 trips to Bangkok from Buriram plus associated expenses. Edited July 24, 2023 by Mutt Daeng 1 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritTim Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 32 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: When was that? It was over a decade ago. They spent lots of money upgrading all the embassies in the region to ensure photos suitable for facial recognition, then introduced a system where, for a few years, you applied by courier to Hong Kong. Finally, to make the process more convoluted, they started using a third party where you apply in person in Bangkok, but still need to pay a courier fee as I suppose sending all the applications to the UK in a single bundle would be too complicated compared with sending them all individually (assuming they do). Of course, just allowing you to send the application directly to HMPO in the UK (cutting out the middleman and trips to Bangkok) is not an option. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 13 hours ago, Lite Beer said: A shame we have to make 2 expensive trips to Bangkok to do it. Rather a pathetic service in my view. Used to be able to do it all by mail. It's only every 10 years, cant be that much of a bind can it? 1 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 13 minutes ago, BritTim said: It was over a decade ago. They spent lots of money upgrading all the embassies in the region to ensure photos suitable for facial recognition, then introduced a system where, for a few years, you applied by courier to Hong Kong. Finally, to make the process more convoluted, they started using a third party where you apply in person in Bangkok, but still need to pay a courier fee as I suppose sending all the applications to the UK in a single bundle would be too complicated compared with sending them all individually (assuming they do). Of course, just allowing you to send the application directly to HMPO in the UK (cutting out the middleman and trips to Bangkok) is not an option. Agreed, the individual courier fee is so unnecessary, the only advantage with going to VFS first is that at least they check your application before sending it off, less of a chance of getting it wrong. It would be preferable just going to the Embassy of course. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bob smith Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 VFS are fantastic. Nuff said. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herfiehandbag Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 (edited) As I write this, sitting in a noodle shop next to VFS Chiang Mai office as I wait for my appointment I am most encouraged. Only down side was the 3 ¹/² hour trundle over from Chiang Rai on the "Green Bus" vomit comet! Dogs were not impressed with the O5.00 reveille back home either! As the VFS building is near the university the passing scenery at lunchtime is very pleasant! ???? Edited July 24, 2023 by herfiehandbag 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isaanistical Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 1 hour ago, ChipButty said: It was best when you could go to the embassy in Bangkok done and dusted in 4 days Ah, the good old days – takes me back. I remember once taking the pink slip for collecting the new one and shouting to the girl behind the grille (whom I happened to know a little) “I demand you give me a passport”. Should have seen the looks on the faces of all the asylum seekers in the room! Of course, that was when UK had an embassy here…….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritTim Posted July 24, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted July 24, 2023 38 minutes ago, bob smith said: VFS are fantastic. Nuff said. My experiences with VFS have been positive. That does not change the fact that two trips to their office, and an 11-week wait for your new passport with extra courier costs is not an improvement over a three-day application process at the British Embassy. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 4 minutes ago, isaanistical said: Of course, that was when UK had an embassy here…….. It is rumoured that they still do, though unclear what its purpose is these days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isaanistical Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 3 minutes ago, BritTim said: It is rumoured that they still do, though unclear what its purpose is these days. whatever its purpose, they can't flog it off this time to help pay the rent back home........... who wants an office in a US insurance company block? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipButty Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 28 minutes ago, isaanistical said: Ah, the good old days – takes me back. I remember once taking the pink slip for collecting the new one and shouting to the girl behind the grille (whom I happened to know a little) “I demand you give me a passport”. Should have seen the looks on the faces of all the asylum seekers in the room! Of course, that was when UK had an embassy here…….. That was a nice bit of real estate, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 16 hours ago, vibration said: The British Passport Office are quoting 11 weeks to renew a British Passport for somebody living in Thailand like myself... I suspect that the British Passport Office did not quote you 11 weeks, but up to 11 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 3 hours ago, ChipButty said: It was best when you could go to the embassy in Bangkok done and dusted in 4 days Those were the days when the embassy in Bangkok had passport blanks in stock and printed the necessary personal details on their premises. Safety concerns and the addition of electronic features put an end to that. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 2 hours ago, sungod said: It's only every 10 years, cant be that much of a bind can it? It is actually nearer to 9 years. Not so easy when you are over 70 . 80 next time if I aint kicked the bucket. Looks like I am going to have to fork out 13,000 Baht including the agent fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotandsticky Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 15 minutes ago, Maestro said: I suspect that the British Passport Office did not quote you 11 weeks, but up to 11 weeks. I suspect that it is VfS quoting 11 weeks.... It is 'up to'....as per the attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sungod Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 Just now, Lite Beer said: It is actually nearer to 9 years. Not so easy when you are over 70 . 80 next time if I aint kicked the bucket. Looks like I am going to have to fork out 13,000 Baht including the agent fee. Not got anyone who can do it for you? Doesn't have to be an agent. I've helped out a couple of elderly gents over the years and submitted on their behalf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereolab Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 2 hours ago, sungod said: It's only every 10 years, cant be that much of a bind can it? Next time he could visit a hotel in Chiang Mai to use the VFS Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 Removed a troll post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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