November 2, 2025Nov 2 I've just got off a web chat with an advisor at HMPO, and they told me my passport renewal application is not in the system. I sent it through VFS on 26th September. I have a confirmation from VFS saying they have forwarded the application to HMPO, but apparently, HMPO doesn't have it. The web chat guy said I will get a response within 72 hours, and then cut me off - so I got back on the web chat to tell him not to cut me off and that 72 doesn't cut it. This is extremely urgent for me. I am not on overstay. I know I left the timing too short (my fault) but I would have had only (about) 4 days of overstay if it my application was processed as usual What do I do now? How sympathetic is Thai immigration likely to be, considering this is the fault of VFS/HMPO. Will I need an immigration lawyer?
November 2, 2025Nov 2 you haven't mentioned what permission to stay you are on, how long you are stamped in for, your visa type, or when the passport expires, you could fly back to the UK, a big pain in the a*se, but better than falling fowl of immigration
November 2, 2025Nov 2 I believe that VFS use DHL to ship passports from Thailand to England and back. Surely there's a record of where it is?
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Popular Post Overstay? Are you saying that you are leaving the country? Why not retrieve your old passport from VfS. You need to supply more details if you want to attract best advice. Immigration sympathetic ? Are you serious................
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Just now, brewsterbudgen said: I believe that VFS use DHL to ship passports from Thailand to England and back. Surely there's a record of where it is? No they don't - the old passport goes nowhere.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Just now, hotandsticky said: Why not retrieve your old passport from VfS. They don't keep it. They cancel it when the new one arrives.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 1 minute ago, Upnotover said: They don't keep it. They cancel it when the new one arrives. Correct - my apologies. Last month I left mine with the agents in the building so they could collect the new one and post it to me. The corner of the old passport is cut when collecting the new one.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 32 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: I am not on overstay Please excuse the typo - That was supposed to say I AM now on overtsay.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 9 minutes ago, Upnotover said: When does your passport expire? March nect year - hence the application for a new one.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 9 minutes ago, hotandsticky said: No they don't - the old passport goes nowhere. Ah yes, you're right. I wonder what the OP is on about then?
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 9 minutes ago, hotandsticky said: Overstay? Yes Are you saying that you are leaving the country? I have to Why not retrieve your old passport from VfS. It is useless for me now, except if I wanted to return to the UK - It expires in less than 6 months
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Just now, AsparrownamedJack said: March nect year - hence the application for a new one. You need to clear the overstay. Go to the UK.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said: Ah yes, you're right. I wonder what the OP is on about then? I should have mentioned in my OP. I have less than 6 months on my current passport - making it unusable except for a return to the UK
November 2, 2025Nov 2 7 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: I should have mentioned in my OP. I have less than 6 months on my current passport - making it unusable except for a return to the UK You can still get an extension for the remaining time left on your passport. But it is ridiculous if HMPO have really lost the application.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 24 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Please excuse the typo - That was supposed to say I AM now on overtsay. In that case I think that your only option is to return to the UK ASAP and get this mess sorted out there before contemplating a return to Thailand. Ensure that you take enough THB cash with you to pay the overstay fine at the airport (฿500 per day up to a max of ฿20,000). Please also be aware that you MAY be subject to a ban before you can return to Thailand, as explained in some detail in the following link: https://www.tratimmigration.com/thailand-visa-overstay-regulations/ Immigration here in Thailand won't cut you any slack on account of HMPO's bungling incompetence and ineptitude, I'm afraid.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 18 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Please excuse the typo - That was supposed to say I AM now on overstay. Why? Overstay of what......... is your permission to stay on a visa exempt entry - or a 12 month extension
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 6 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: But it is ridiculous if HMPO have really lost the application. It is. I'm wondering if I can sue them (or whoever else is at fault) VFS sent me an email confirming the application had been sent, which has now disappeared into the ether. I don't know who is at fault for it going missing -VFS, HMPO, or the courier. But you'd think HMPO would have a record of everything sent by VFS. Or maybe not
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author 11 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: You can still get an extension for the remaining time left on your passport. I can? Would that be through VFS / HMPO again?
November 2, 2025Nov 2 2 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: I can? Would that be through VFS / HMPO again? Not if a 12 month extension has expired, you will need to start from scratch.................unless Immigration are REALLY sympathetic.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 8 minutes ago, AsparrownamedJack said: I can? Would that be through VFS / HMPO again? Of course not. It would have been immigration but you seem to have missed that boat.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Popular Post 5 minutes ago, Upnotover said: Of course not. It would have been immigration but you seem to have missed that boat. This adds a bit of clarity. AsparrownamedJack Member 28 Posted September 22 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. I would wait for an opinion by @DrJack54 but I would have thought the way forward is to go to Immigration with the old passport, clear the overstay and request a further extension.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Author Above everything, and accepting my own carelessness. (I knew my passport was expiring months ago, but for some reason, I forgot all about the 6-month rule). HMPO and VFS have, between them, managed to lose a passport application. It's actually quite alarming considering how important these documents are to people. As things stand. it looks like I will be spending some time (weeks/months?) in the UK without my family. That should never happen because of a cock-up at a government department. And the repercussions would no doubt be much worse for many people. At least I can avoid time in IDC and a Persona Non Grata.
November 2, 2025Nov 2 Nightmare for you. I applied last week, Passport office emailed within 2 days and money taken around same time. VFS give you a receipt. You'd think the application would be emailed to HMPO but maybe not
November 2, 2025Nov 2 6 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: Above everything, and accepting my own carelessness. (I knew my passport was expiring months ago, but for some reason, I forgot all about the 6-month rule). HMPO and VFS have, between them, managed to lose a passport application. It's actually quite alarming considering how important these documents are to people. As things stand. it looks like I will be spending some time (weeks/months?) in the UK without my family. That should never happen because of a cock-up at a government department. And the repercussions would no doubt be much worse for many people. At least I can avoid time in IDC and a Persona Non Grata. You still have your passport presumably so as a last resort you could fly to UK and do the same day passport application
November 2, 2025Nov 2 10 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: VFS sent me an email confirming the application had been sent, which has now disappeared into the ether. You need to contact VFS then, they must have tracking when sent to UK
November 3, 2025Nov 3 10 hours ago, AsparrownamedJack said: As things stand. it looks like I will be spending some time (weeks/months?) in the UK without my family OP, if I'm following correctly (and from your previous thread) seems that most recent entry was visa exempt 60 day stamp and you obtained 30 day extension which has now expired? Putting you into overstay situation. Very unfortunate. Very uncommon. This isn't of much help however in your situation I would endeavor to retrieve current pp from VFS and return to UK. The overstay fine taken care of at airport upon departure.
November 3, 2025Nov 3 Popular Post 2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: This isn't of much help however in your situation I would endeavor to retrieve current pp from VFS and return to UK VFS don't/shouldn't have the old/current passport, he should have it. And it won't have been physically cancelled so no issue to travel to the UK.
November 3, 2025Nov 3 14 minutes ago, Upnotover said: VFS don't/shouldn't have the old/current passport, he should have it. And it won't have been physically cancelled so no issue to travel to the UK. Whilst I agree with the above, the passport application guidelines state that:- Making your application You must apply in person. If you’re unable to, someone else can go on your behalf. You must bring photo ID with you. Bring original supporting documents and a colour photocopy of each one. The original documents will be returned to you. You must also bring your current passport with you when you apply, and a full colour photocopy of the entire passport (every page including blank pages). You can’t travel with it after you’ve applied for a new one - but you will be able to keep your existing passport for ID purposes. https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/thailand/renew/adult
November 3, 2025Nov 3 Author I have my passport and it is still valid for a flight to the UK. The next couple of days are key. I get some cash Friday which will allow me to fly to the UK. Things are currently tight for me financially though and I do not fancy my chances of having 26k available within the next two months. (which would be the cost of the full fine + border run agency; I can't risk a DIY run) I need to hear from HMPO that they can get my passport to me quickly - I can manage early/mid next week before it becomes too expensive for me. I'm not confident. The web chat guy cut the convo short and gave me a boilerplate (will get back to you within 72 hours) response. I got back on the chat and made it clear this was urgent. But he could tell me nothing and had no advice. That's a precious day wasted I will be making calls tomorrow. They messed up so they should help me fix it but I can't help but feel that I will be on a flight to the UK in the next few days or so. Cheers HMPO. Really appreciated
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