UK passport renewal

[mikek]

Have to renew passport and thinking of using TMT Visa Service. Has anyone had experience using this company for UK passport renewal and could they share their experience. Thank you.

[oxo1947]

They seem to tell you everything except the price----Key Visa is 5,000 , how does match up with TMT.

[Dmaxdan]

I believe that Phuket has a VFS Global office.

I renewed my UK passport office at the VFS office in Chiang Mai earlier this year with no problems apart from the 10 weeks processing time...

All you pay for is your new passport plus delivery to Thailand.

There should be no reason to use an agent.

 

[Moonlover]

According to your profile @mikek you're staying in Bangkok. If that is correct, why waste your money on an agent when the renewal service, VFS, is right there on your doorstep?

 

Ah, I've just spotted that you used the Phuket forum, so I'm guessing your profile is out of date. However same comment applies, providing the Phuket office handle UK passport renewals.

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Moonlover

[IvorBiggun2]

I got my missus to renew my passport in Bangkok. She also did a fellow farang's as well. Cost nothing except bus fare. 

[Lite Beer]

2 hours ago, mikek said:

Have to renew passport and thinking of using TMT Visa Service. Has anyone had experience using this company for UK passport renewal and could they share their experience. Thank you.

Thai Visa Express have a good reputation.

11,000 Baht including Passport and their fees.

[chickenslegs]

10 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I got my missus to renew my passport in Bangkok. She also did a fellow farang's as well. Cost nothing except bus fare. 

You only gave her the bus fare?

Someone should tell her that agents are charging 5,000 baht.????

[IvorBiggun2]

9 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

You only gave her the bus fare?

Indeed. My wife when traveling falls asleep at the drop of a hat. So a 4 hour ride, each way, is a good enough reward.

[KannikaP]

10 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I got my missus to renew my passport in Bangkok. She also did a fellow farang's as well. Cost nothing except bus fare. 

I do not think this is possible......but if you & your Mrs did it, then who am I to argue.

Did you mean that your Mrs went to VFS and handed in the paperwork, AND paid the fee?

[mikek]

@Dmaxdan Many thanks, I didn't know VFS had office in Phuket.

[brewsterbudgen]

53 minutes ago, mikek said:

@Dmaxdan Many thanks, I didn't know VFS had office in Phuket.

VFS have an office in Phuket but you'll need to check that it can be used for UK passport renewals and that it isn't just for UK visas.  Passport renewals are dealt with by HMPO while visas are dealt with by UKVI.  

 

The UK.gov website only lists two offices in Thailand for passport renewals (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), although it could be out of date!

 

Making your application

You must apply in person. If you’re unable to, someone else can go on your behalf. You must bring photo ID with you.

Bring original supporting documents and a colour photocopy of each one. The original documents will be returned to you.

You must also bring your current passport with you when you apply, and a full colour photocopy of the entire passport (every page including blank pages).

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.

You’ll need to book an appointment by email. Include your first name and last name and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment.

 

UK Visa Application Centre
The Trendy Office Building,
8th Floor,
Sukhumvit Soi13,
Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana
Bangkok
Thailand
10110

Email: [email protected]

 

UK Visa Application Centre
191 Siripanich Building,
6th Floor,
Huay Kaew Road,
Suthep, Mueng
Chiang Mai
Thailand
50200

Email: [email protected]

[IvorBiggun2]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

I do not think this is possible......but if you & your Mrs did it, then who am I to argue.

Did you mean that your Mrs went to VFS and handed in the paperwork, AND paid the fee?

I filled out the application and signed it along with the required documents needed. My wife then handed it in at VFS along with the fee.  Can't remember how long that my passport took to do but my missus went and collected it. I never left the house.

 

13 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

There should be no reason to use an agent.

I absolutely agree. Somchai Bloggs, who lives down the road, could have done it and got 500-1,000 Baht for his troubles. But lucky for me my missus enjoyed her day out and did it for luv.

As I've said before she also did a farang neighbour's passport at the same time as she did mine. Nay bother.

Edited September 7, 2023 by IvorBiggun2

[NanLaew]

4 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

I filled out the application and signed it along with the required documents needed. My wife then handed it in at VFS along with the fee.  Can't remember how long that my passport took to do but my missus went and collected it. I never left the house.

 

I absolutely agree. Somchai Bloggs, who lives down the road, could have done it and got 500-1,000 Baht for his troubles. But lucky for me my missus enjoyed her day out and did it for luv.

I recall you need to provide some sort of affidavit for a third party to collect it, no matter how much she luvs you.

[IvorBiggun2]

23 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I recall you need to provide some sort of affidavit for a third party to collect it, no matter how much she luvs you.

It's been a couple of years since my renewal but no affidavit was needed as far as I recall. And as a reminder to others. When changing your stamps into your new passport there is no charge for doing so at immigration even if they ask for one. 

 

 

Quote

 

Can someone else pick up my passport?

 

 

If you cannot come in person due to some special reason, you can entrust someone else to pick up your passport as long as he or she brings your notarized power attorney as well as his or her and your own identity card.

 

 

Quote

 

How do I write an authorization letter to collect my passport on my behalf?

 

 

I hereby authorise Mr/Mrs. _______________________________ my __________________________ (please mention relation and name) to submit my passport application and other documents/collect my new passport on my behalf.

 

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by IvorBiggun2

[mikek]

Vfs phuket only does visas for Germany and Italy, they DO NOT handle passport renewal. 

[NanLaew]

On 9/7/2023 at 10:17 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

It's been a couple of years since my renewal but no affidavit was needed as far as I recall. And as a reminder to others. When changing your stamps into your new passport there is no charge for doing so at immigration even if they ask for one. 

 

 

 

 

I guess your missus wrote and signed the affidavit for you. She does luv you. Keeper!

[transam]

On 9/7/2023 at 9:04 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

I filled out the application and signed it along with the required documents needed. My wife then handed it in at VFS along with the fee.  Can't remember how long that my passport took to do but my missus went and collected it. I never left the house.

 

I absolutely agree. Somchai Bloggs, who lives down the road, could have done it and got 500-1,000 Baht for his troubles. But lucky for me my missus enjoyed her day out and did it for luv.

As I've said before she also did a farang neighbour's passport at the same time as she did mine. Nay bother.

You do not pay the fee at VHS................????

[IvorBiggun2]

15 minutes ago, transam said:

You do not pay the fee at VHS

Can't remember as to  how I paid it. Thanks for informing me though.

[transam]

Way back I went to VHS, walked into the Trendy to see a photo shop, hmmm, I thought, think I will get another PP photo done here, just in case they don't like the ones I got done up country.

Handed over all my stuff together with my new photos, there was a conflab going on, they didn't like my photos, hmmm, rummaged around for my old photos, smiles all round............????

 

Next time I used an agent, they check the photos up against the pp one, if a problem they get back to you to get another done. VHS trust the agent regarding the photos.

Used Key Visa twice now with no issues, no flights, no taxi's, all good...????

[IvorBiggun2]

1 hour ago, transam said:

Handed over all my stuff together with my new photos, there was a conflab going on, they didn't like my photos,

Strange that.

 

Quote

Two recent passport photos. They are fussy about this and so make sure you follow their guidelines. There’s a shop on the ground floor of Trendy that does this for 200 Baht. More expensive than elsewhere but as they ask you for your nationality, you will know for sure it will be correct for a British passport.

https://www.richardbarrow.com/2019/06/a-quick-guide-to-renewing-your-british-passport-in-bangkok/

[IvorBiggun2]

Quote

Way back I went to VHS, walked into the Trendy to see a photo shop, hmmm, I thought, think I will get another PP photo done here, just in case they don't like the ones I got done up country.

Quote

Sorry I forgot to include the above in original reply.

 

[NanLaew]

FWIW, a friend of mine did a no-appointment, walk-in UK passport renewal at VFS Trendy last week. They can do it for a fee. He declined their suggestion for him to use a cheaper copying shop elsewhere, as he wanted it done as quickly as possible without leaving their office. His costs:

 

"127.51p pounds sterling for the passport .. will be taken off my Kasikorn Visa card circa 5,600 bt within the next few days.

Add to that cash payment as below totaling 2000 bt
walk in fee 1560 bt
copying 440 bt ..(colour copies of every page of passport being renewed and Thai drivers license both sides.)

7,600 bt total"

 

The scans of his TDL was for the proof of address requirement.