UK Passport Renewal Chiang Mai VFS

[Raindancer]

Just to inform anyone needing to renew their passports through VFS Chiang Mai.

 

I submitted my passport  application on 16th January and it arrived back today 25th.

 

Excellent service at application point and amazingly quick return.

 

Staff were very friendly, professional and helpful. 

[Isan Farang]

43 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

Just to inform anyone needing to renew their passports through VFS Chiang Mai.

 

I submitted my passport  application on 16th January and it arrived back today 25th.

 

Excellent service at application point and amazingly quick return.

 

Staff were very friendly, professional and helpful. 

 

Thanks for the info, i am in Chiang Rai. How many trips to CM would i need to make to get a new passport.

[Raindancer]

13 minutes ago, Isan Farang said:

 

Thanks for the info, i am in Chiang Rai. How many trips to CM would i need to make to get a new passport.

Book online appointment. 

 

One trip to attend appointment.  And a second trip to collect your passport.

 

Hope that helps.

[Dmaxdan]

Last year I had to wait 13 weeks...

[Raindancer]

13 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Last year I had to wait 13 weeks...

Understood.  I was extremely surprised to get the phone call after 9 days of submission.  I had been told it would take 3/4 weeks.

 

[Raindancer]

36 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

Book online appointment. 

 

One trip to attend appointment.  And a second trip to collect your passport.

 

Hope that helps.

@Isan FarangJust a couple of tips that you may or not be aware of:

 

1.   Make sure that the document you provide with proof of address shows exactly the same address as your home address in Thailand.

2.  If you are using a Thai debit/ credit card to pay, make sure that it is authorised by the bank for overseas payments.  Payments are debited in UK.

My neighbour had his payment declined by the bank and was informed by VFS.   Fortunately he visited VFS to resubmit payment, after speaking with the bank to authorise payment, and all was well in the end.

Edited January 25 by Raindancer
Spelling

[jippytum]

i used this service and agree first class service. Avoids the hassle of Bangkok

Edited January 26 by jippytum

[brianthainess]

At least the Ozzy PP can now be done by post, and no need to go personally anymore, so I have been told, when I did mine last year I had to travel to BKK a 7hr drive for me and attend the embassy at  10am, So stay in Hotel overnight. it took weeks for the appointment on line, and 7 weeks 4 days for it to be sent EMS to me.

[siftasam]

I looked at this site last year when I renewed my UK passport. There were several criticisms of VFS in CM then, so I went to Thai Visa Assist in Changmailand. Smooth, efficient service there. 

[Raindancer]

48 minutes ago, siftasam said:

I looked at this site last year when I renewed my UK passport. There were several criticisms of VFS in CM then, so I went to Thai Visa Assist in Changmailand. Smooth, efficient service there. 

I read those criticisms as well.  But I focused on the positive reviews.  There are always two sides to reviews.  

And anyway, that was last year.  

 

I posted this to let people know that the service was excellent.  

 

 

Edited January 26 by Raindancer
Amendment

[herfiehandbag]

56 minutes ago, siftasam said:

I looked at this site last year when I renewed my UK passport. There were several criticisms of VFS in CM then, so I went to Thai Visa Assist in Changmailand. Smooth, efficient service there. 

Who took all the paperwork etc, popped down the road to VFS and did it there!

[NanLaew]

On 1/25/2024 at 5:25 PM, Dmaxdan said:

Last year I had to wait 13 weeks...

 

Hope it's a lot less when you have to renew again in 9 years time.

[NanLaew]

13 hours ago, jippytum said:

i used this service and agree first class service. Avoids the hassle of Bangkok

 

I have my oldest lad's passport renewal and the youngest lad's first time passport application to do in March. We're in Isaan and this does sound like a better alternative to the Bangkok trip. What's the weather like in March?

[jippytum]

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

I have my oldest lad's passport renewal and the youngest lad's first time passport application to do in March. We're in Isaan and this does sound like a better alternative to the Bangkok trip. What's the weather like in March?

Chances are the air quality will not be good but neither will Bangkok

[Hugh Jarse]

On 1/25/2024 at 4:25 PM, Dmaxdan said:

Last year I had to wait 13 weeks...

Good to heat the staff are back at work in the passport office.

[CNXBKKMAN]

I renewed my passport in June and it took about 3 weeks and cost £147.  Yes the staff are friendly and at least there is an office in Chiang Mai. It could be worse. 

 

It's 2024 and if I was renewing a UK passport neighbouring Malaysia its an online process with no agents(VFS) involved and the cost is £101. I didn't go through every step with the online form, there may be some other charges but it's a good £30 cheaper to renew in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong etc. £30 must be VFS's cut. 

 

I renewed my passport in Hong Kong in the past and it took about 2 days. I renewed in Taiwan which was covered by the Hong Kong office and that took 5 days. So from  my perspective things have not improved.  The cost is higher, its slower and the passport is now made in Poland! UK production has been shut down.