Renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand (current details of the process once begun)

[Jingthing]

There have been a number of topics focused on preparing the application for renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand.

 

However, I think what happens AFTER you sent away your application has not been covered as well. Or at least I don't think there has been a DEDICATED topic about that.

 

So that's my purpose here.

 

So let's assume you've completed the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

 

So then what can you expect?

 

The embassy website says it can take 6 to 8 weeks.

However the consensus of recent reports appears to say closer to 4 weeks which would be great news if it's still true.

I have no idea if that's still the case so any very recent reports on timing of turnaround would be good to hear about.

 

So you send the package. Either by Thai Post or DHL.

 

I sent mine DHL and got the tracking saying it was successfully delivered.

I guess Thai Post tracks too.

 

So getting into some unknown areas.

 

I'm assuming the embassy does NOT send an acknowledgement that they got the package and there isn't a problem. Correct?

I'm also assuming (hoping) that they look at the package right away and contact you if you've made a mistake, need to fix something, send something more, etc. Fair assumption or not if you've had that unfortunate experience?

 

Then you wait.

 

It's my understanding from other reports that the embassy does send an email when they've mailed the new passport package back to you? Correct?

 

However, it's also my understanding that there is no tracking information with the required Thai Post courier package that we're required to purchase as part of the application process. Correct?

 

So in that case they've hopefully told you they've sent it, but you can't track the mailing. Certainly not ideal.

 

Have I missed something?

 

Are there other ways to get status updates from the embassy on the application or return mailing?

[jas007]

56 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There have been a number of topics focused on preparing the application for renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand.

 

However, I think what happens AFTER you sent away your application has not been covered as well. Or at least I don't think there has been a DEDICATED topic about that.

 

So that's my purpose here.

 

So let's assume you've completed the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

 

So then what can you expect?

 

The embassy website says it can take 6 to 8 weeks.

However the consensus of recent reports appears to say closer to 4 weeks which would be great news if it's still true.

I have no idea if that's still the case so any very recent reports on timing of turnaround would be good to hear about.

 

So you send the package. Either by Thai Post or DHL.

 

I sent mine DHL and got the tracking saying it was successfully delivered.

I guess Thai Post tracks too.

 

So getting into some unknown areas.

 

I'm assuming the embassy does NOT send an acknowledgement that they got the package and there isn't a problem. Correct?

I'm also assuming (hoping) that they look at the package right away and contact you if you've made a mistake, need to fix something, send something more, etc. Fair assumption or not if you've had that unfortunate experience?

 

Then you wait.

 

It's my understanding from other reports that the embassy does send an email when they've mailed the new passport package back to you? Correct?

 

However, it's also my understanding that there is no tracking information with the required Thai Post courier package that we're required to purchase as part of the application process. Correct?

 

So in that case they've hopefully told you they've sent it, but you can't track the mailing. Certainly not ideal.

 

Have I missed something?

 

Are there other ways to get status updates from the embassy on the application or return mailing?

I've never done the renewal process from Thailand, but when I did it in the USA, I not only sent the passport to the processing center by trackable US express mail, I sent inside that same package a trackable return US express mail envelope.   So the whole thing was trackable from the beginning.  

 

 

[Jingthing]

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

As someone who dislikes both pain and paperwork, I assigned the task to my visa agent, who called me when it was completed...  and I went to his office and picked it up

[Jingthing]

Just now, 1FinickyOne said:

As someone who dislikes both pain and paperwork, I assigned the task to my visa agent, who called me when it was completed...  and I went to his office and picked it up

Understood.

A good option for many.

However this topic isn't about that option. 

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

So, can you, or can you not arrange for tracking both ways, when renewing within Thailand?  And if not, why? 

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

I just did 30 seconds of research on Perplexity.  And if you had done that, you wouldn't have raised this issue in the first place.

 

What they say:

 

•    Use Thailand Post Express Mail, Registered Mail, or DHL courier service. Always obtain a tracking number for your outgoing package.

 

4. Provide a Prepaid Return Envelope
    •    Purchase a prepaid courier envelope online (e.g., via Thailand Post Mart) and include the order/receipt number with your application. This envelope will be used by the embassy to return your new passport to you.
    •    The embassy will use the provided prepaid envelope to mail your new passport back. This envelope will have its own tracking number, allowing you to track the return shipment as well.

 

5. Track Your Application and Passport
    •    Outbound (to the embassy): Use the courier or postal service’s tracking system to monitor delivery of your application package.
    •    Application status: Track the status of your renewal online at the U.S. Department of State’s passport status site: https://passportstatus.state.gov.
    •    Inbound (return to you): Use the tracking number from your prepaid return envelope (Thai Post or DHL) to monitor when your new passport is sent and delivered back to you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Reports I've read indicate that when the embassy mails the new passport using the required Thai courier by Thai  post from the embassy envelope that if the embassy emails that they are sending it that they don't include a tracking number.

I could be wrong.

Looklng for confirming or refuting reports on that detail here.

The Thai post courier item costs 100 baht and you must purchase it yourself online and indicate on a required checklist that you have done that with the application package. Thai post sends that to the embassy  You don't. It can't be purchased at physical post offices. The product is customized for the US embassy. 

[KhunLA]

The embassy website gives all the details one needs.  As far as delivery time, I got mine in less than 2 weeks.  11 days rings a bell, but definitely in about 2 weeks.  That was 2 years ago, but they also had the same advisory, 'may take 5 to 6 weeks', which from prior years, knew was way off, and think time prior to last, only took a week, amazingly.

 

Found my old post, and took < 2 weeks from mailed in to received, and advisory at the time ...

 

 

[bamnutsak]

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Reports I've read indicate that when the embassy mails the new passport using the required Thai courier by Thai  post from the embassy envelope that if the embassy emails that they are sending it that they don't include a tracking number.

 

I am under the impression that the Thai Post Courier Pass Back service includes a tracking number for the final leg from USEMBBKK to you.

 

NOTE: ThailandPost Mart is responsible for accepting return envelope payment and providing tracking number for your reference ONLY. 

 

https://www.thailandpostmart.com/product/1013460000929?srsltid=AfmBOoqC1m4yTYizcKxi9oXc4GkqfQzh5hiPbntRSt8GGYQiEhI0-Fkb

 

And I've seen that mentioned in first-hand reports here and on FB/reddit.

 

So I think you can track three legs 

 

you to EMB

U.S.A. passport processing center to EMB

EMB to you

 

 

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

I've only had to renew mine once from Thailand. I used this outfit:

 

https://thaivisa-express.com/

 

They caught a mistake made by the idiots at the photo shop - I had told them I needed US-sized photos, they gave me UK, and to the untrained eye they look very similar. That alone saved my months of wondering where in the world (literally) my passport was. They appear to do UK passports according to their website but they do US as well, maybe other countries. And the gals at the desk are very easy on the eyes. WELL worth the price.

[Jingthing]

Thanks for the feedback.

So at this point I think I will be able to track the Thai Post courier via information from the purchase.

There is also a general passport tracking system to use.

 

Remove space and copy to load link:

https: //passportstatus.state.gov

[1FinickyOne]

18 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Understood.

A good option for many.

However this topic isn't about that option. 

Renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand

 

my mistake?