I hold both Australian and UK citizenships and passports as does my daughter.

I recently lodged applications to renew both passports which has to be done through VFS.

I have a brother who lives in Australia who also holds dual citizenship and passports.

Last week he lodged an application to renew his UK passport in Sydney which he was able to lodge online with the UK passport office at a lower cost and no need to attend the VFS office for lodgment and collection.

Any idea why two different requirements ?

In many countries you can apply online, then send your passport to the UK for renewal. The story in Thailand is that as it is a legal requirement to have your passport accessible at all times they accept a copy instead of the original passport. Presumably the copy has to be verified as such by VFS otherwise there would be no reason why you couldn't send it yourself. VFS also perform the cancellation of the old passport on collection of the new one.

Thanks for that response in my case I use my Australian passport in Thailand for the retirement extension but obviously I am in the minority.

To save starting another Topic ....my wife, who is a Thai national, needs to renew her UK Passport. Her new PP photo looks somewhat different to that in her UK Passport (10 years ago) so should get Section 10 completed ..I read that the person counter signing should live in the UK ...that's not really possible ...have I read the wrong guidelines ....

10 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

To save starting another Topic ....my wife, who is a Thai national, needs to renew her UK Passport. Her new PP photo looks somewhat different to that in her UK Passport (10 years ago) so should get Section 10 completed ..I read that the person counter signing should live in the UK ...that's not really possible ...have I read the wrong guidelines ....

AI says:

If applying from within the UK, your countersignatory must have a current British or Irish passport. If you are applying from outside the UK, they can have a current British, Irish, EU, US, or Commonwealth passport. They must also be professional, over 18, and have known you for over 2 years. 

Key Requirements for Countersignatories:

• Location: If you are in the UK, they must live in the UK and have a UK/Irish passport.

• Overseas: If you are abroad, they can hold a British, Irish, EU, US, or Commonwealth passport.

• Restrictions: They cannot be related to you by birth or marriage, in a relationship with you, or live at your address.

• Profession: They must be working in (or retired from) a recognized profession or be a person of good standing in their community.

• Alternative Passports: If they have a non-British/non-Irish passport (e.g., US or EU) and you are applying from abroad, you must include a colour copy of their photo page. 

8 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

AI says:

If applying from within the UK, your countersignatory must have a current British or Irish passport. If you are applying from outside the UK, they can have a current British, Irish, EU, US, or Commonwealth passport. They must also be professional, over 18, and have known you for over 2 years. 

Key Requirements for Countersignatories:

• Location: If you are in the UK, they must live in the UK and have a UK/Irish passport.

• Overseas: If you are abroad, they can hold a British, Irish, EU, US, or Commonwealth passport.

• Restrictions: They cannot be related to you by birth or marriage, in a relationship with you, or live at your address.

• Profession: They must be working in (or retired from) a recognized profession or be a person of good standing in their community.

• Alternative Passports: If they have a non-British/non-Irish passport (e.g., US or EU) and you are applying from abroad, you must include a colour copy of their photo page. 

That's the information that I did not see ... "Oversees" so they can live here ... tks

2 hours ago, JAS21 said:

To save starting another Topic ....my wife, who is a Thai national, needs to renew her UK Passport. Her new PP photo looks somewhat different to that in her UK Passport (10 years ago) so should get Section 10 completed ..I read that the person counter signing should live in the UK ...that's not really possible ...have I read the wrong guidelines ....

My son has just gone through this.

He doesn't look like his photo at 16 yrs old now he's renewing his expired passport at VFS BKK so his renewal comes under CHANGES.

On the form page 1 there is a box to tick for 'CHANGES' (to name, photo). He provided his two photos for countersigning and Section 10 filling in by a uk friend in BKK.