Hi

I need to get a new UK passport. I know I have to take it to Thai immigration to stamp the new passport with my current visa but can I go to any immigration office eg Chiang Mai or does it have to be in Bangkok? Thanks

Any immigration office can do that for you. But a visa (issued by embassy/consulate) will not be transferred; only extension of stay stamp/permission to stay stamp/re-entry permit stamp (as appropriate) issued by Thai immigration will be transferred. If you are using visa entry you will need to present both passports until the visa expires.

Edited October 5, 200916 yr by thaiphoon

Thanks alot. I didn't want to traipse out to the new BKK immigration so brilliant news

Hi

I need to get a new UK passport. I know I have to take it to Thai immigration to stamp the new passport with my current visa but can I go to any immigration office eg Chiang Mai or does it have to be in Bangkok? Thanks

Guess you will get your new pass port from the Uk Embassy in Bangkok. Just make a photocopy of all relevant pages of your all passport (including actual visa and stamp of last entry), - I cannot remember if photos were needed, take a couple with you - go to the Immigration Office, and they will transfer your "old" visa to your new passport in no matter of time.

Guess you will get your new pass port from the Uk Embassy in Bangkok. Just make a photocopy of all relevant pages of your all passport (including actual visa and stamp of last entry), - I cannot remember if photos were needed, take a couple with you - go to the Immigration Office, and they will transfer your "old" visa to your new passport in no matter of time.

As said in my earlier post, a visa will not be transferred; only extension of stay stamp/permission to stay stamp/re-entry permit stamp (as appropriate) issued by Thai immigration will be transferred.

As said in my earlier post, a visa will not be transferred; only extension of stay stamp/permission to stay stamp/re-entry permit stamp (as appropriate) issued by Thai immigration will be transferred.

@thaiphoon

I am in a similar situation. I will get a new passport soon, but my old one holds the permission to stay stamp (15 days).

May I ask you this :

Is it absolutely required for me to go to the Thai immigration office and transfer this stamp ?

Or can I not just present the old and new passport together when leaving Thailand after the end of the 15 day period ?

Many thanks,

YB

Your permission to stay must be transferred prior to departure as your old passport is not valid for any new stamps.

Agree with Lop. You can't get stamped out of the country with your entry stamp in an expired passport.

Agree with Lop. You can't get stamped out of the country with your entry stamp in an expired passport.

Thank you thaiphoon and Lop.

One more question please:

Can a 15 day permission to stay stamp be extended, because/while I wait for my new passport ? For example extend it at the Mae Sai immigration office ? My old passport is almost full, so with just the extension stamp I would save space in my old passport. An additional 15 day "visa run" while waiting for the new passport amounts to 4 stamps in total.

Alternatively, I could fly out and come back with a 30 day visa on arrival, which would give me enough time to wait. But an extension, if possible, would be quicker and cheaper.

Many thanks,

YB

You can extend visa exempt entry for 7 days at any immigration office with a ticket out of the country, fee 1900 baht. You need to check with your embassy whether they will retain your passport during the renewal period as that may affect your plans. Some do, some don't. You may need to fly out/in, obtain 30 day visa exempt entry and then renew your passport.

You might get a 7 day under review for 1,900 baht but it would probably require you show a ticket out of Thailand at the end of that time (as if you stay here that application is marked as denied and you must immediately leave).

A discount trip to Malaysia might be your best option as no visa needed so only the small entry/exit stamps to put in passport. You don't need any more space once the new passport is issued.

Many thanks again.

Now I understand my options and think about which is best for me.