Hi all,

A few questions, especially for anyone who’s done this recently:

1. Will they take my old passport during processing, or can I keep it while waiting for the new one?

2. I’m currently on a 60-day visa exemption + 30-day extension (so a 90-day stay overall).
   – Is this visa status enough to apply for a passport renewal?
   – Has anyone done it with just a 60+30 setup?

3. How do I prove residency in Thailand for the passport application?
   – Are the immigration entry and extension stamps enough?
   – Or do I need to get a residency confirmation letter from immigration?

Appreciate any first-hand experiences or recent info. Thanks!

1. You keep your old passport while the new one is being issued.

2. The UK don't care about your visa status in Thailand. But it might take time to get the new passport, anything from 4 to 8 weeks.

3. Any bill with your address, or a Thai DL that shows your address, or a bank statement, or get a residency certificate.  All documents must be in English.

57 minutes ago, falangUK said:

I’m currently on a 60-day visa exemption + 30-day extension (so a 90-day stay overall).
   – Is this visa status enough to apply for a passport renewal?
   – Has anyone done it with just a 60+30 setup?

When does current pp expire? 

When do you plan to return to UK? 

If prior to expiry why do it now.

 

For proof of residency they also accept a copy of a lease.

 

I sent an agent to do it for me as I couldn't be bothered and they drew up a lease especially for this purpose.

It's nonsense - however you can also get a bank statement with an English address on it - just pop along to the bank and get them to alter your address into English then tell them to print a statement - they will do it for a small fee - then you have a bank document with your address on it - and that's very useful for lots of other things as well.

On the other threads there was an issue with the new Corby office with not giving the old passport, maybe that's a non issue now

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

On the other threads there was an issue with the new Corby office with not giving the old passport, maybe that's a non issue now

That was in a case where the old passport has to be sent to the UK. That is not normal and should not affect the OP.

3 hours ago, Upnotover said:

That was in a case where the old passport has to be sent to the UK. That is not normal and should not affect the OP.

why would that be the only time of that requirement? I think I read it 2+ times coming up

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

why would that be the only time of that requirement? I think I read it 2+ times coming up

It is not the normal process.  Only if there is some problem does the old passport have to be sent to the UK. 

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

It is not the normal process.  Only if there is some problem does the old passport have to be sent to the UK. 

Corby process seems different, easy to see when you read the issues being encountered 

I have the same question but a different city - ie Pattaya.  Is there a place here or do I need to go to Bangkok?

19 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

I have the same question but a different city - ie Pattaya.  Is there a place here or do I need to go to Bangkok?

You have to submit the application at VFS in Bangkok (or use an agent).

17 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

When does current pp expire? 

When do you plan to return to UK? 

If prior to expiry why do it now.

Current passport expires in 2029.
I plan to return to the UK next year.
I’m renewing now because I’ve run out of pages — many countries require at least two empty pages for entry stamps and visas, and I’d like to travel a bit more before heading back.
 

17 hours ago, ukrules said:

For proof of residency they also accept a copy of a lease.

 

I sent an agent to do it for me as I couldn't be bothered and they drew up a lease especially for this purpose.

It's nonsense - however you can also get a bank statement with an English address on it - just pop along to the bank and get them to alter your address into English then tell them to print a statement - they will do it for a small fee - then you have a bank document with your address on it - and that's very useful for lots of other things as well.

Ta, very useful. So just to confirm — a lease with the owner's house registration and ID is enough, right?

20 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

1. You keep your old passport while the new one is being issued.

2. The UK don't care about your visa status in Thailand. But it might take time to get the new passport, anything from 4 to 8 weeks.

3. Any bill with your address, or a Thai DL that shows your address, or a bank statement, or get a residency certificate.  All documents must be in English.

Thank you very much 

7 minutes ago, falangUK said:

Ta, very useful. So just to confirm — a lease with the owner's house registration and ID is enough, right?

 

It worked for me but that was a few years ago.

In fact this lease was drawn up on the spot and my Mrs leased the rented house that she rents to me - they may have attached a copy of her id - she certainly didn't own it and nothing more was required.

I believe that for Thailand they know there is no easy proof of address in English for many people so they do things a little differently - like returning your passport to you while it's being processed - that's not normal but they do it in Thailand.

 

I went to a law company who did this, they knew what they were doing - I just signed the documents but yeah a lease in my name  showing the address was sufficient. Even though it's just a worthless piece of paper when it comes down to it.

 

You have to go in person into Bangkok to the passport office to hand in your application and you have to return to Bangkok to the passport office to collect your passport in person nothing is done anywhere else in the country or by post. The process takes over 4 weeks.

1 hour ago, Magictoad said:

I have the same question but a different city - ie Pattaya.  Is there a place here or do I need to go to Bangkok?

Suggest use an agent. 

Plenty of good ones in Pattaya

 

5 minutes ago, arick said:

You have to go in person into Bangkok to the passport office to hand in your application and you have to return to Bangkok to the passport office to collect your passport in person nothing is done anywhere else in the country or by post. The process takes over 4 weeks.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353860-agent-for-renewing-uk-passport-in-bangkok/

 

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

You have to submit the application at VFS in Bangkok (or use an agent).

Thanks 

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Suggest use an agent. 

Plenty of good ones in Pattaya

 

Can you suggest any, thank you.

14 minutes ago, arick said:

You have to go in person into Bangkok to the passport office to hand in your application and you have to return to Bangkok to the passport office to collect your passport in person nothing is done anywhere else in the country or by post. The process takes over 4 weeks.

An agent can do both for you.

You have to sign the form giving them the authorisation.

And in my experience yes  allow 4 weeks.

2 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Can you suggest any, thank you.

Some in this thread I posted earlier. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353860-agent-for-renewing-uk-passport-in-bangkok/

 

Key Visa previously was go to agent as the owner Darren (passed) was a UK guy. 

Plenty of others

On 5/21/2025 at 4:18 PM, jojothai said:

An agent can do both for you.

You have to sign the form giving them the authorisation.

And in my experience yes  allow 4 weeks.

You don't need an agent it can be a friend. 

The point is why don't you do this in the UK online much easier just because you're in Thailand for 2 months why didn't you do it before or why don't you wait until you leave surely you don't need any more passport pages you're leaving in 2 months

11 minutes ago, arick said:

You don't need an agent it can be a friend. 

Agent in this instance means anyone eg friend relative or agent. 

The latter is best option if involves trip to Bangkok or CM. 

10 minutes ago, arick said:

why don't you wait until you leave surely you don't need any more passport pages you're leaving in 2 months

You didn't read the thread. From the OP..... "Current passport expires in 2029.
I plan to return to the UK next year" 

He only has couple of spare pages and wishing to travel to other countries

 

On 5/21/2025 at 4:04 PM, arick said:

You have to go in person into Bangkok to the passport office to hand in your application and you have to return to Bangkok to...... 

Incorrect. As has been pointed out OP can use an agent if that's best option. Especially if it involves trip to Bangkok. 

26 minutes ago, arick said:

The point is why don't you do this in the UK online much easier just because you're in Thailand for 2 months why didn't you do it before or why don't you wait until you leave surely you don't need any more passport pages you're leaving in 2 months

 

In any event it strikes me that he could experience big, big problems in proving his residency status in Thailand to VFS's and then HMPO's satisfaction if he is leading a nomadic existence throughout his 90-day stay here.

 

However, he can obtain the official lowdown on renewing UK passports from Thailand through a single click on the following link (which will then spare him the need to drill down through several layers of the GOV.UK website):

 

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/thailand/renew/adult

 

Got my new UK passport in 18 days. About 14 working days from submission to collection in Chiang Mai. Very grateful.

Lessons learned:

1. No need to take it too seriously. Another guy came with only his passport, black and white photocopies, and a wrong-sized photo. Staff just told him to get colour copies and a bill from a Thai mobile provider to prove address. Next time I’ll use a mobile bill too. It’s in English and shows the address clearly.

2. It took a couple of days for the application to reach the UK. Sent directly from Chiang Mai VFS to the UK by DHL. But the return was slower. HM Passport Office gave it to Royal Mail. Then Royal Mail handed it to DHL. Not sure why DHL can’t collect it directly from the passport office.
 

On 5/21/2025 at 4:03 PM, ukrules said:

 

It worked for me but that was a few years ago.

In fact this lease was drawn up on the spot and my Mrs leased the rented house that she rents to me - they may have attached a copy of her id - she certainly didn't own it and nothing more was required.

I believe that for Thailand they know there is no easy proof of address in English for many people so they do things a little differently - like returning your passport to you while it's being processed - that's not normal but they do it in Thailand.

 

I went to a law company who did this, they knew what they were doing - I just signed the documents but yeah a lease in my name  showing the address was sufficient. Even though it's just a worthless piece of paper when it comes down to it.

 

Thank you, this was really useful and effective. Appreciate it again.
 

RE: Renewing a British Passport (with no changes) : Supporting Documents: "Name and address and/or residency evidence"

 

I last renewed my passport in Bangkok with relative ease, and the time has come to repeat the exercise. I am unable to recall what evidence I provided ten years ago showing my name and address in Thailand.

 

Will either or both of the following suffice:

 

: Thai bank Statement
: Thai driving licence 

22 minutes ago, a269652 said:

RE: Renewing a British Passport (with no changes) : Supporting Documents: "Name and address and/or residency evidence"

 

I last renewed my passport in Bangkok with relative ease, and the time has come to repeat the exercise. I am unable to recall what evidence I provided ten years ago showing my name and address in Thailand.

 

Will either or both of the following suffice:

 

: Thai bank Statement
: Thai driving licence 

Yes, as long as it's written in English.