Active Visa On Expiring Passport Clarification

[comproez]

Hi guys,

I have a multiple entry non immigration O visa from Singapore which allows me to enter Thailand before Feb 2009.

However my passport is expiring soon and it will have less than 6 months validity on Nov 20 this year.

From what i have read so far, it is not advisable to try to enter Thailand with an expiring passport.

Either the airlines will not allow you on board or i can be deported at the thai immigration.

Thus, i am going to renew my passport while i am in Thailand.

After i have received my new passport, i understand i should be going to the immigration office to get my permitted to stay stamp transferred

to my new passport.

And finally, i will be able to use my active visa on my old passport for my incoming trip to Thailand by carrying both passports.

Let me know if i got it right.

Thanks so much

[lopburi3]

Correct.

[comproez]

Thanks, lopburi

Your reply is always as prompt.

[comproez]

Hi Lopburi,

I need to call on your expertise again on the above matter.

My case is a different because i am a Mauritian. My country is Mauritius.

There is no Mauritian embassy in Thailand. It is possible for me to get a new passport from a nearly embassy which in my case is KL.

But i also understand it is illegal to send my old passport out of Thailand to the KL embassy while i am in the Thailand

Could you please advise on this? Will i be committing an offence by sending my old passport out of Thailand to get a new one?

Thanks..

[Maestro]

You should call or email the Mauritius High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and ask them how to get a new passport. Each country has its own rules and there may not be many Mauritians here to tell you from their own experience.

See here for contact details:

http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/mfasite/menu...h_Commission,_2

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Maestro

[comproez]

Thanks Maestro for your reply.

My main question though is

Is it an offence to send your passport overseas for renewal? Because then i'll be without a passport in a foreign country.

As this is pertaining to thai laws, mauritius high commission will not be able to advise me.

[Maestro]

Is it an offence to send your passport overseas for renewal? Because then i'll be without a passport in a foreign country.

As this is pertaining to thai laws, mauritius high commission will not be able to advise me.

It is my understanding that it is not an offence under Thai law to send your passport abroad temporarily but if you might run into trouble if you were asked by a police officer or other government official to show your passport and unable to produce it as proof that you are not illegally in Thailand. At worst, you could be detained until somebody could bring your passport to the police station.

You should ask the Mauritian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur if the consulate of another country represents the interests of Mauritius in Thailand and is authorized to issue Mauritian passports. If this is not the case you should ask what Mauritian foreign mission in the neighbourhood can issue you a new passport and how long it will take, then book flights accordingly and go there to get your new passport. It will possibly be the electronic type of passport for which your personal presence is required.

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Maestro