Renewing UK Passport, Proof of Address

[Jaggg88]

On 12/20/2023 at 1:33 PM, prakhonchai nick said:

Last I heard from HMPO was that all required translations had to be done by a Translation company recognised by the British Embassy. Not many on their list!!!!!!!!

 

From an HMPO Letter

 

The translator must be:
- if overseas, employed by a translation company listed on the British Embassy/High Commission
or British Consulate website The translator can't be a family member or friend

You can get translations done at VFS now although I expect them to be pricey

[Doctor Tom]

On 12/19/2023 at 3:35 PM, Dmaxdan said:

I renewed my British passport earlier this year.

 

1. For proof of address I used my Thai driving license. If you are living in Thailand you have to use document with your registered Thai address and it has to be written in English.

 

2. I seem to remember having to sign some forms when I was there so I'm guessing he will need to go in person.

 

3. The staff should be able to assist him but I don't see it being a problem if he is accompanied by someone else. But that person should carry some sort of ID with them otherwise they may not be granted admission.

 

He will also need colour photocopies of every page of his old passport.  

Go use a reputable  agent.  30,000, plus the passport fee, where I live and it's money well spent.  They deal with all the paperwork and deal directly with VFS.  No visits to VFS are required.   The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

[Mike Teavee]

48 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Go use a reputable  agent.  30,000, plus the passport fee, where I live and it's money well spent.  They deal with all the paperwork and deal directly with VFS.  No visits to VFS are required.   The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

30,000 + Passport Fee!!!

 

Try 11,000 (12,000 if you want the "Jumbo" passport) which includes the passport fees, eg...

https://thaivisa-express.com/uk-passport-application-thailand/#:~:text=The cost of an adult,passport and our service fee.

 

For proof of address, just go into your Bank & ask them to print any letter in English with your address on it (Bank Statement should do the trick) 

Edited March 7 by Mike Teavee

[hotandsticky]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:14 PM, Doctor Tom said:

Go use a reputable  agent.  30,000, plus the passport fee, where I live and it's money well spent.  They deal with all the paperwork and deal directly with VFS.  No visits to VFS are required.   The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

 

Ridiculous fee.

 

 

You should pay no more than  5/6,000 Baht for the service on top of the UKPA fee.

[transam]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:14 PM, Doctor Tom said:

Go use a reputable  agent.  30,000, plus the passport fee, where I live and it's money well spent.  They deal with all the paperwork and deal directly with VFS.  No visits to VFS are required.   The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

You've been ripped off, 2 agents I know charge 5000bht with everything done for you, all done by post...........🤗...................🤭

[Madgee]

42 minutes ago, transam said:

You've been ripped off, 2 agents I know charge 5000bht with everything done for you, all done by post...........🤗...................🤭

The cost of a new UK 54-page passport is about 6250 baht if applying from Thailand.
I believe that the MyThaiVisa agency (used by many) charges 12000 baht incl, all done by post. I will be using this service later in the year. Considering it would cost me a flight to BKK, an overnight stay and travel in BKK, and then again to pick the passport up, far cheaper and much less hassle! 
  

[billd766]

On 3/7/2024 at 4:01 PM, Mike Teavee said:

30,000 + Passport Fee!!!

 

Try 11,000 (12,000 if you want the "Jumbo" passport) which includes the passport fees, eg...

https://thaivisa-express.com/uk-passport-application-thailand/#:~:text=The cost of an adult,passport and our service fee.

 

For proof of address, just go into your Bank & ask them to print any letter in English with your address on it (Bank Statement should do the trick) 

I live in rural Kamphaeng Phet and sent my passport off to Paul Aslett at Thai Visa Express on Monday 11th March.

 

It saves me having my wife to drive me to Bangkok, an overnight stay at my BIL in Samut Prakan, a visit the next day to VFS, wife to drive me there and hang around and then the 350 km trip back home. Then when VFS call me, we have to do the whole thing over again.

[transam]

10 minutes ago, Madgee said:

The cost of a new UK 54-page passport is about 6250 baht if applying from Thailand.
I believe that the MyThaiVisa agency (used by many) charges 12000 baht incl, all done by post. I will be using this service later in the year. Considering it would cost me a flight to BKK, an overnight stay and travel in BKK, and then again to pick the passport up, far cheaper and much less hassle! 
  

I used Key Visa Services, the total cost for a jumbo passport, using their UK credit card, not mine, cost me 12,000bht, with one visit to the post office where I live..........😉

[Foxx]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:07 PM, Jaggg88 said:

We are pleased to inform you that effective from 18 March 2024, the UK Visa Application Centre and the HMPO address in Bangkok, Thailand will be relocated to the new address below:

 

That is the Visa Application Centre - not the passport office. 

[Upnotover]

6 minutes ago, Foxx said:

 

That is the Visa Application Centre - not the passport office. 

 

Nope, it's both.  GOV.UK could do with updating their site.

[transam]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

 

Nope, it's both.  GOV.UK could do with updating their site.

Has PP's moved from Trendy as well...?

[Upnotover]

1 minute ago, transam said:

Has PP's moved from Trendy as well...?

Yes, the quote in the post above is taken from the VFS announcement.

[Doctor Tom]

3 hours ago, transam said:

You've been ripped off, 2 agents I know charge 5000bht with everything done for you, all done by post...........🤗...................🤭

You are only ripped off if you care; I don't. My agent is excellent, trustworthy, fast and efficient.  I have no problem paying for that level of service, just as I use an international Law firm for my legal issues.  

[transam]

14 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

You are only ripped off if you care; I don't. My agent is excellent, trustworthy, fast and efficient.  I have no problem paying for that level of service, just as I use an international Law firm for my legal issues.  

OK................🤣

[billd766]

2 hours ago, transam said:

I used Key Visa Services, the total cost for a jumbo passport, using their UK credit card, not mine, cost me 12,000bht, with one visit to the post office where I live..........😉

Mine cost 11,000 thb for a normal size passport from Thai Visa Express plus 42 thb for the EMS postage with one visit to the post office.

[daveAustin]

Copy of TM-30 should be accepted as proof of address, since 'immigration documents' are listed in Table A. Others have also reported this works.

[Jaggg88]

On 3/13/2024 at 2:25 PM, Foxx said:

 

That is the Visa Application Centre - not the passport office. 

The Visa Application Centre and His Majesty's Passport Office HMPO - both are moving!

[GroveHillWanderer]

On 12/20/2023 at 7:25 AM, sandyf said:

He would have to attend unless the photo had been countersigned. If no countersignature the VFS staff have to confirm appearance has not changed.

That's not the case. I renewed my passport last year and what the instructions say is that a countersignature is only required for a passport renewal if you are not recognizable from your previous passport photo. 

 

So all they need to confirm your appearance has not changed is to compare your old passport photo with the new photos.

 

Since my appearance was still similar enough to my last passport, I did not get anyone to countersign and I did not need to attend in person (did it through an agent).

 

 

Edited March 21 by GroveHillWanderer

[sandyf]

18 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

countersignature is only required for a passport renewal if you are not recognizable from your previous passport photo. 

Exactly, and as I said the applicant would need to be present for recognition to be established by VFS staff, unless the application had been countersigned.

Applications via an agent may well be seen by VFS as having been verified if the agents details are recorded in leu of countersignature.

Edited March 22 by sandyf

[Madgee]

On 3/13/2024 at 2:07 PM, Madgee said:

The cost of a new UK 54-page passport is about 6250 baht if applying from Thailand.
I believe that the MyThaiVisa agency (used by many) charges 12000 baht incl, all done by post. I will be using this service later in the year. Considering it would cost me a flight to BKK, an overnight stay and travel in BKK, and then again to pick the passport up, far cheaper and much less hassle! 
  

Update:
I delivered my passport to the MyThaiVisa agency (office not far away) on the 1st of April.  It can all be done by post.
Expiring passport
2 passport photos
I.D. Card (Thai driving licence will be accepted as well)
I signed a 'power of attorney' form allowing them to renew my passport on my behalf and a blank passport application form, they completed it.  
Paid 12,000 Baht.

I got a message via 'Line' this morning 26th of April that my new passport is ready to be picked up (or posted to me). According to them the passport office no longer issues a letter for immigration asking them to transfer my visa details and extension of stay to my new passport. 

Only 26 days to renew a UK passport from Thailand with no hassle, can't be bad! 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 3/13/2024 at 2:25 PM, Foxx said:

On 3/7/2024 at 3:07 PM, Jaggg88 said:

We are pleased to inform you that effective from 18 March 2024, the UK Visa Application Centre and the HMPO address in Bangkok, Thailand will be relocated to the new address below:

 

That is the Visa Application Centre - not the passport office. 

"...the UK Visa Application Centre and the HMPO address in Bangkok, Thailand will be relocated.."

[Foxx]

46 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"...the UK Visa Application Centre and the HMPO address in Bangkok, Thailand will be relocated.."

 

That assumes that one knows that HMPO stands for.  I'd assumed it was something to do with the Post Office.  Still, my mistake.

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, Madgee said:

Update:
I delivered my passport to the MyThaiVisa agency (office not far away) on the 1st of April.  It can all be done by post.
Expiring passport
2 passport photos
I.D. Card (Thai driving licence will be accepted as well)
I signed a 'power of attorney' form allowing them to renew my passport on my behalf and a blank passport application form, they completed it.  
Paid 12,000 Baht.

I got a message via 'Line' this morning 26th of April that my new passport is ready to be picked up (or posted to me). According to them the passport office no longer issues a letter for immigration asking them to transfer my visa details and extension of stay to my new passport. 

Only 26 days to renew a UK passport from Thailand with no hassle, can't be bad! 

I'd be very pleased with the service and price too! Thanks for your report.

[OJAS]

On 4/26/2024 at 9:38 AM, Foxx said:

 

That assumes that one knows that HMPO stands for.

Bungling incompetence and ineptitude. I thought that was common knowledge!

[GroveHillWanderer]

On 3/22/2024 at 3:56 PM, sandyf said:

Exactly, and as I said the applicant would need to be present for recognition to be established by VFS staff, unless the application had been countersigned.

Applications via an agent may well be seen by VFS as having been verified if the agents details are recorded in leu of countersignature.

Not sure where you're getting that idea from. The instructions on the UK government website make it clear that the only thing required to check your appearance when there's no countersignature are the photos in your old passport and your new passport. 

 

It doesn't make any sense for VFS to need to assume anything regarding the agent, in relation to appearance verification, when the instructions are clear that a comparison of your old and new passport photos is all that is involved.

 

There is no hint anywhere in the passport application instructions, of the applicant having to appear in person when there is no countersignature. 

Edited May 12 by GroveHillWanderer

[Bangkok Barry]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:23 PM, ukrules said:

I did it a few years back using an agent as there's no way I was going to Bangkok twice just to get a new passport.

 

We have to provide proof of address, which they then refuse to EMS the new passport to. Bizarre. There are things in this world Thailand we are not meant to understand.

[Bangkok Barry]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:14 PM, Doctor Tom said:

Go use a reputable  agent.  30,000, plus the passport fee, where I live and it's money well spent.  They deal with all the paperwork and deal directly with VFS.  No visits to VFS are required.   The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

 

I can't believe that you post on here that you pay about 3x more than everyone else who has said on this thread they do, and then state you are happy to do so.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Not sure where you're getting that idea from. The instructions on the UK government website make it clear that the only thing required to check your appearance when there's no countersignature are the photos in your old passport and your new passport. 

 

It doesn't make any sense for VFS to need to assume anything regarding the agent, in relation to appearance verification, when the instructions are clear that a comparison of your old and new passport photos is all that is involved.

 

There is no hint anywhere in the passport application instructions, of the applicant having to appear in person when there is no countersignature. 

The text actually says " if 'you' cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current British passport,"

I can assure you that when VFS started processing passport applications in April 2014 that was taken as a physical "you", you had to stand in front of the staff while they compared your face to the current passport and the new photo. Certainly not a case of just comparing photos of the applicant.

I am perfectly aware that applications in the UK are done by post but overseas applications were always seen as being more susceptible to fraud.

If you are saying that VFS no longer carry out a physical check then I will stand corrected.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

We have to provide proof of address, which they then refuse to EMS the new passport to. Bizarre. There are things in this world Thailand we are not meant to understand.

When VFS first started up the plan was to deliver the passports by courier but it never came about, never bothered to remove the proof of address requirement. It was a global change from FCO to HMPO and other countries could be in the same boat.

It was total chaos in the beginning, after about 10 weeks I had to get the embassy to intervene and surprisingly they did step to the plate.

[sandyf]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:14 PM, Doctor Tom said:

The Agent will also get all the visa/extension/TM30 info transferred to the new passport. 

I recently had a new passport and as far as TM30 was concerned all I did was take the slip, dated 2015  out of the old passport and stick it in the new. No problem with extension or online 90 day.