Stay out of trouble, avoid nightclubs & bars. You'll be fine.

6 hours ago, SpaceKadet said:

 EU passport validity of only 5 years 

 

totally incorrect statement

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

And with your extensive experience you could not foresee that... 

= poor planning. 

 

Bit judgemental there.

 

My UK passport was one of those that had the 10 year + 9 months 'credit' for early renewal due to the previous being full before its expiration date. Thailand and every other country including Australia, accepted the stamped passport expiration date. I even got a 5-year Surinam work visa when it still had 10 months stamped validity. Unfortunately, I had to transit through an EU country where EU law says all passports can only have 10-year validity from date of issue regardless of the expiration date it has. Luckily, Schiphol has airside transit (and hotels) and on a trip originating at BKK, I had no issues. However, three months later, the UK check-in for the same airline for the same final destination had a minor cow about it until the third level of supervision reluctantly allowed me to check in.

 

Subsequently, I found out their reluctance was based on the infrequent, random passport checks done by Dutch immigration on international arriving passengers disembarking at the jetway and still airside, where "expired" passports resulted in passengers being detained and returned at airline cost.

 

I also had some of our Nigerian crew denied airside transit through Schiphol last April despite having been allowed to do so only 3 months previously. This was due to a little-known rule change in the interim. Ended up flying them Business Class via Trinidad & Tobago and the UK to Lagos.

 

Things do change and "poor planning" isn't a universal.

2 hours ago, rwilem said:

Interesting. I was under the impression that an emergency passport was good only for travel to back to your own country.  And also assumed that immigration here would be, 'reluctant' let's say, to stamp an extension in an 'emergency/temporary' passport. So they did issue the stamp in your emergency passport, if I understand what you're saying. And then transferred that stamp to the new regular passport after you got it. And if so, I'm guessing you perhaps 'lost' at least a few days from any previously-held 'until date' pattern for annual extensions. Not that that's a biggie. You got the issue resolved.

 

They issued the extension in the emergency passport, and I didn't lose a day, because an extension always runs 365 days starting from the date the previous one expires, regardless of which date you apply.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Things do change and "poor planning" isn't a universal.

My most recent pp renewal (last year) , my pp had several unused pages + 18 months validity but opted to renew as no planned travel abroad. 

Fortunately Oz pp can be renewed via mail and you retain existing pp. 

= good planning. 

 

On AseanNow there is revolving door threads regarding expiring passports i.e current thread. 

(every other week) 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1373865-expiring-visa/

 

20 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My most recent pp renewal (last year) , my pp had several unused pages + 18 months validity but opted to renew as no planned travel abroad. 

Fortunately Oz pp can be renewed via mail and you retain existing pp. 

= good planning. 

 

On AseanNow there is revolving door threads regarding expiring passports i.e current thread. 

(every other week) 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1373865-expiring-visa/

 

 

Yeah, my mate replaced his Aussie passport and I was amazed how easy it was compared with some, especially the UK. I ended up stopping in the UK on the way back from Suriname and renewing both of mine as a same-day walk-in. Spendy but quick.

 

Back on topic, the OP would be best served going home to renew the passport. As much as it looks like his local embassy's consular service is vague, Thai immigration is unforgiving.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Back on topic, the OP would be best served going home to renew the passport. As much as it looks like his local embassy's consular service is vague, Thai immigration is unforgiving.

That's the fall back option, as expensive as it would be. 

Not clear what extension (?) he is on. 

Would also mean starting over. 

No idea why he is bothering with local immigration. 

If he had a new pp and eg few days on overstay then immigration most likely would allow him to pay overstay and apply for extension. 

 

For me, in his shoes I would already be back in EU applying for new pp

 

 

5 hours ago, CallumWK said:

...because an extension always runs 365 days starting from the date the previous one expires, regardless of which date you apply.

Really? Wouldn't the extension's 'until date', stamped in the emergency/temp passport, be up until the date the temp PP expires? 

And assuming you got the temporary passport (one year validity, right?) ahead of your current one's expiration date, that would automatically make its one year expiration date slightly shorter, eariler, than advancing 365 days from the end of the current, close-to-expiring passport. Just what I'm trying to get at. Unless you were given a temp PP with an expiration date matching a year ahead of the one that was about to 'die'? Could be? 

 

Anyway, just spitballing 'inside immigration matters'. The situation worked out good for you, and in the end that's all that matters. 

On 9/26/2025 at 1:04 AM, NanLaew said:

Things do change and "poor planning" isn't a universal.

Surely just renewing your passport before it reaches 9 years 6 months old covers all scenarios inc risk in EU with 10 yr rule.

1 hour ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Surely just renewing your passport before it reaches 9 years 6 months old covers all scenarios inc risk in EU with 10 yr rule.

Plus factor in your one year extension date!

Four months left in passport and due annual extension then you will only get four months.

An application for an annual extension in a passport of less than one year will only go the the expiry date!

They do not carry it forward to the new passport but will "copy" a current expiry date from old to new passport!

4 hours ago, DezLez said:

Plus factor in your one year extension date!

Four months left in passport and due annual extension then you will only get four months

Thinking you misunderstood the guy you quoted

He advised renew pp prior to apply for new extension

 

 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Thinking you misunderstood the guy you quoted

He advised renew pp prior to apply for new extension

 

 

It was meant as a general comment regarding ALL passport/annual extension renewals!

8 minutes ago, DezLez said:

It was meant as a general comment regarding ALL passport/annual extension renewals!

It's a given that anyone applying for annual extension will only be granted permission of stay till expiry of pp. 

Hence overwhelming advice is to obtain a pp renewal if pp validity is running on empty

On 9/25/2025 at 6:40 AM, SpaceKadet said:

This is the reason I renew my passport at least 6 months before it expires. But nowadays, with EU passport validity of only 5 years it can be a bother.

Ouch, only 5 years validity.  USA still is 10.  Darn I got my last one in 2020 and haven't used or traveled with it yet.  Been so busy.  Hate seeing 5 years of it already used up and I had paid a little extra for the extra pages as I was planning to travel. But COVID hit in 2020 and travel was quite a bother and I luckily was busy with decent work here at home.  

On 9/25/2025 at 2:34 PM, DrJack54 said:

Bit off topic. I just checked specific countries eg German pp validity 10 yr. 

Leave it there

The validity of German passports depends on the age of the applicant:

 

10 years for persons aged 24 and over and 6 years for persons under 24.

On 9/25/2025 at 5:03 PM, WorriedNoodle said:

Not me, but I know an American acquaintance who due to aging/mobility issues relied on Thai agent to renew his expiring in 2 months US passport. He got the passport 9 months later and after the Non O expired, the last I heard he was waiting on agent to sort the overstay out next and update his immigration status! Money not an issue by all accounts and he's parted with well over a 100K with the agent to date. Moral of story to me was avoid agents!

I am an American and I know one can renew the passport without having to wait close to any expiration, as for me, I renew mine at least 6 months prior to the expirtion as one never knows what could happen to delay receipt of new one.  I believe the US state dept recommends one renew a passport at least 9 months prior to any overseas travel and some airlines I have read will not approve flight if passport has less than 6 months validity remaining.

On 9/25/2025 at 11:25 AM, VinnieK said:

Obscure EU country

Sorry..can't disclose the name.

Passport and non-O (ret) expire late Dec.

 

I was delayed by some personal issues...

Tried to book an appointment with the embassy today and the earliest slot is in 50 days😱

Normally no more than a few days.

 

My only worry is immigration...overstay fine, no problem 

Btw...could I get busted/deported in the interim period?

 

 

 

 

Is it possible to get an appointment with your Embassy in a neighbouring country?

On 9/25/2025 at 5:03 PM, WorriedNoodle said:

Not me, but I know an American acquaintance who due to aging/mobility issues relied on Thai agent to renew his expiring in 2 months US passport. He got the passport 9 months later and after the Non O expired, the last I heard he was waiting on agent to sort the overstay out next and update his immigration status! Money not an issue by all accounts and he's parted with well over a 100K with the agent to date. Moral of story to me was avoid agents!

Your acquaintance is not JM by any chance. I have an online friend who fits your friend's description and was having problems with a late passport and Immigration. I've been unable to contact him and am wondering whether he has had to leave the country

On 9/25/2025 at 5:59 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Just curious...    How long did you give it to allow for the renewal of your passport.

 

I personally believe three months is plenty - but I have had delays in the past so would be inclined to go for at least 4 month.

 

In another thread people were argueing that 4 weeks was plenty because they had received their passport within 3 weeks !!...

Well, so have I... but another time it too 8 weeks....    There is no consistency...  

 

With such an important document there is no harm in allowing for 6 months to renews - no downside, but plenty of downside if leaving it 'slightly' later as this thread and a couple of others recently have shown.

Remember the backlog when Covid raised it's nasty little head? Three months was a minimum. Not sure if that is still a fair yardstick. Hey, I do mine 1 year in advance, not fussed about losing 1/10 years. But yes....mobility issues & being doddery in future years may well be another thing.🙃🙃

Most unlikely unless you left the new application until the last minute. 

European passport is valid for 10 years , why not renew at 9 year to avoid all the trouble that might happen with Immigration?

Rambling misinformation post removed

On 9/25/2025 at 5:47 PM, DrJack54 said:

Serious. Was not aware of that. 

Thought it was 10 years

 

 

For a passport of The Netherlands (which happens to be in the EU 😁) it is 10 years.

 

Source (in Dutch) https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/paspoort-en-identiteitskaart/vraag-en-antwoord/duur-geldigheid-paspoort-of-nederlandse-identiteitskaart

On 9/25/2025 at 12:05 AM, scubascuba3 said:

What's the delay?

It's taking American Passports 9-13 weeks to issue now, took me a long time to get mine, and had to fight to get the old one back, my banks needed to see my old passport first, in order to change to the new one.  FYI keep your old passport with you and a copy of your new arrival card and visa stamp, this way your actual passport is safe from loss or stolen.  Been doing this for decades, Thai Police only want to see a  real passport, doesn’t matter if it is expired or not.  Worked for me several times.

23 hours ago, Presnock said:

I am an American and I know one can renew the passport without having to wait close to any expiration, as for me, I renew mine at least 6 months prior to the expirtion as one never knows what could happen to delay receipt of new one.  I believe the US state dept recommends one renew a passport at least 9 months prior to any overseas travel and some airlines I have read will not approve flight if passport has less than 6 months validity remaining.

Mine was a year from expiration and I renewed it no problem, good for ten more years noiw

On 9/27/2025 at 5:39 AM, gk10012001 said:

Ouch, only 5 years validity.  USA still is 10.  Darn I got my last one in 2020 and haven't used or traveled with it yet.  Been so busy.  Hate seeing 5 years of it already used up and I had paid a little extra for the extra pages as I was planning to travel. But COVID hit in 2020 and travel was quite a bother and I luckily was busy with decent work here at home.  

Your new passport will have 50 pages in it, no extra charge.  They are quite sturdy now as well, heavy plastic plating over your info/picture page, pops right open when held.

On 9/29/2025 at 1:09 PM, 10000Baht said:

The validity of German passports depends on the age of the applicant:

 

10 years for persons aged 24 and over and 6 years for persons under 24.

It seems that this is different within the EU. Dutch passports are valid for:

 

10 years for persons aged 18 and over and 5 years for persons under 18. 

 

So it seems that, even in the EU, every country has it's own rules!

On 9/25/2025 at 5:39 PM, OJAS said:

@sandyf has reported on here of having experienced this problem with a British passport back in 2011, if I recall correctly.

 

Good memory. It was 2014, I applied early April unaware that the government in their wisdom had transferred overseas passports from the FCO to Home Office on 1st April. The changeover and bringing VFS into the picture caused absolute chaos.

I had been on ME visas for several years and after about 8 weeks had to find out where immigration was and go and see about a marriage extension to get the extra 30 days. Immigration were very helpfull and just said that if I did not have a new passport by the end of the 30 days I would have to make a new application. There was no indication of any repercussions regarding overstay.

About the same time I went to immigration, I contacted the UK  Embassy. Despite what I had heard, they also were very helpful and intervened regarding the passport, which then came about 2 days before the immigration deadline.