Hi

My passport expires in 5 months. I just noticed today. You don't need to tell me I'm a fool - I know I've ballsed up. 

I also have 1 month remaining on my visa. I got an extension today, which is when I noticed the expiry problem.

So, I have a couple of questions: I've read that Thailand doesn't apply the 6-month expiry rule, but that's no good to me if I can't leave the country for a visa run.
 

Does anybody know how long it will likely take to get a new (British) passport (I have approximately 1 month from nowʔ)

Failing that, are there any countries in the region that don't stick to the 6-month expiry rule strictlyʔ I'd really prefer not to have to return to the UK if possible.
Any other suggestionsʔ

Thanks in advance

Feel free to make yourself feel better by gloating over my idiocy. This is far from the stupidest thing I've done anyway, so it's water off a duck's back.

11 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said:

Failing that, are there any countries in the region that don't stick to the 6-month expiry rule strictlyʔ I'd really prefer not to have to return to the UK if possible.

 

This is the problem. Thailand does not have a 6 month rule, but all of the other countries you could easily do a bounce to, do in fact have a 6 month entry rule.

 

Which visa are you currently on / which extension would you be applying for?

Based on that, it might be better to apply for the passport ASAP and just go on overstay if it takes longer.  Then you will just have to pay the overstay fine during your extension application as part of the process. But it depends on which extension you are applying for as to whether that's an acceptable option or not.

6 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

 

This is the problem. Thailand does not have a 6 month rule, but all of the other countries you could easily do a bounce to, do in fact have a 6 month entry rule.

 

Which visa are you currently on / which extension would you be applying for?

Based on that, it might be better to apply for the passport ASAP and just go on overstay if it takes longer.  Then you will just have to pay the overstay fine during your extension application as part of the process. But it depends on which extension you are applying for as to whether that's an acceptable option or not.

I'm currently on a border crossing stamp. Have been for a while now.

I have considered the overstay route. I might not have much choice but to take the risk.

And thank you for a genuine reply.

I recently renewed my British passport. From filing to receipt was four weeks.

7 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said:

I'm currently on a border crossing stamp. Have been for a while now.

I have considered the overstay route. I might not have much choice but to take the risk.

And thank you for a genuine reply.

I assume you mean visa exempt in that case.  The 60-day stamp you receive if you enter with no visa.

Visa exempt can apply for a 30-day extension up until you would only receive 10 days on your extension.  So that means you can apply up to 20 days late.  After that your application would be rejected.  If you apply within the allowed window, you would pay overstay, get the overstay stamp in your passport, and then your extension would be backdated to when your original entry stamp expired.

8 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Visa exempt can apply for a 30-day extension

That's what I got today

 

Quote

up until you would only receive 10 days on your extension.  

Sorry, I don't follow. Do you mean I can extend for another 10 days once the current extension expires.

 

17 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

I recently renewed my British passport. From filing to receipt was four weeks.

Thank you

1 minute ago, AsparrownamedJack said:

That's what I got today

Okay. You're already on the 30-day extension. That means you're out of options.  If you apply for the passport now and it takes longer than the 30 days, you'll go on overstay and have to pay when you leave Thailand.

OP, despite some creative suggestions... I suggest you do not go into overstay

Just one opinion.. Thinking best option is return to UK and obtain a new pp there. 

If indeed you opt to go into overstay then you receive your new pp exit Thailand via air. Pay overstay fine and reenter Thailand with new 60 day visa exempt stamp 

A couple years ago I was able to get a new US passport in less than 2 weeks in Phnom Penh at the embassy.   Could be a option without returning to UK.  I'm sure Vietnam would also be a good place for that as well.

11 minutes ago, LukeCastle said:

A couple years ago I was able to get a new US passport in less than 2 weeks in Phnom Penh at the embassy.   Could be a option without returning to UK.  I'm sure Vietnam would also be a good place for that as well.

US passport in 2 weeks, at an Embassy in Cambodia....just doesn't happen🤨

24 minutes ago, LukeCastle said:

I'm sure Vietnam would also be a good place for that as well.

Most nearby countries require 6 month validity of pp. 

Including Vietnam. 

9 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said:

You don't need to tell me I'm a fool

Good that saves a lot of keystrokes 😛 

There are several border bounce companies that CAN take people to the border, bounce them out and back on a passport with less than a 6 month validity to get a new 60 day entry stamp. 

If you're in bangkok contact SWD Transport, (www.thaivisaservice.com)

If you can "grease the wheel" so you get out/back and on a new 60 day stamp you'll have plenty of time to apply for a new brit passport thru VFS Global here in Thailand before that stamp runs out (and you could get a 30 day extension on that entry if you needed to as well)  

11 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

Good that saves a lot of keystrokes 😛 
 

Lol

 

Quote

There are several border bounce companies that CAN take people to the border, bounce them out and back on a passport with less than a 6 month validity to get a new 60 day entry stamp. 

If you're in bangkok contact SWD Transport, (www.thaivisaservice.com)

If you can "grease the wheel" so you get out/back and on a new 60 day stamp you'll have plenty of time to apply for a new brit passport thru VFS Global here in Thailand before that stamp runs out (and you could get a 30 day extension on that entry if you needed to as well)  

Thanks.

This had crossed my mind. I will look into it. 

15 hours ago, couchpotato said:

US passport in 2 weeks, at an Embassy in Cambodia....just doesn't happen

Not happening. Anyway, for U.S. passport renewals in Bangkok, in the best of turnarounds you're looking at three weeks and change. Four weeks seems more usual. From reports here, UK renewals take at least that long, and many reports suggest they take longer, so it's best to get a renewal going ASAP.

 

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Most nearby countries require 6 month validity of pp. 

Including Vietnam. 

People really seem to overlook this. Maybe for a return to one's country, or a return to Thailand on a valid extension (and perhaps visa, too?) the 6-month requirement doesn't come into play. Any other travel it will. (Though from Tod's advice above it appears that a "border hop' with the right outfit can get one out-and-back OK.)

 

As a general approach the latest for starting the renewal process would be with about 8 months remaining on the current passport's validity. That gives a good two-month cushion for the renewal to be completed.