Non-Imm B Visa In Old Passport, Left The County, Forgot The Passport

[merscher]

I have 1-year (Non-Imm visa in my old passport, i.e. passport was full and is now invalid, but the Thai visa is still valid. Normally I travel with both passports, and there are no problems. But now I left Thailand and forgot the old passport. When leaving, there was also no problem as they only “chopped out”. But how can I go back now without losing my visa.

Can I show them a copy of the visa, and tell the story? Or can I come back (quietly) with a 30-days visa exemption, and next time with the old visa again (then still valid?)? Or is there a possibility that somebody from my /friends family provides me my old passport at the airport BEFORE I go through the customs? (BTW: I cannot receive my old passport now while staying in the other country… traveling in remote area)

What to do? I don’t want to “lose” my visa….

[beano2274]

If when you got your new passport you did not go to Immigration to have the details entered into your new passport, then if you had a single entry visa, it is now invalid as you have left the country.

If you had a multi entry visa, then in reality you have lost that too as you will return with a new passport with no stamps in it pertaining to the old visa.

[lopburi3]

You do not lose a multi entry visa in old passport - it is still valid for use until expired. So you can enter visa exempt and then exit/enter at a border again to use it for a new such entry.

But how you could have departed Thailand without old passport and blank new passport is beyond me.

Did you by any chance extend your stay? Did you have a re-entry permit? What exactly do you have stamped in your new passport?

On second read believe you have used passport for exit prior to current trip so had original entry information transferred from old passport for that trip? In that case you can enter visa exempt as I stated above and use for next entry.

[ubonjoe]

Entering and getting 30 day entry and leaving again with your old passport in hand may be the only option. I am quite sure that immigration would not accept a copy.

I don't know how you could arrange to get your passport to the airport arrivals side before immigration.

[MAN2SIN2BKK]

How did you get past immigration without your departure card?

[merscher]

Thanks for your replies. Following:

But how you could have departed Thailand without old passport and blank new passport is beyond me.

The new is not "blank new", i.e. the Thai immigration previously "transfered" my last "arrival shop" to my new passport (but not the visa itself, because it was issued outside Thailand)

Did you by any chance extend your stay?

No

Did you have a re-entry permit?

no need, the visa was issued outside Thailand, and I have multiple entry

What exactly do you have stamped in your new passport?

- transfered "arrival stamp"

- 2-3 come and go stamps

- departure stamp (this time)

How did you get past immigration without your departure card?

I had a card in my new passport.... I forgot to say, that I used the new passport (in connection with the old one) 2-3 time before

@lopburi3

So I think I can enter with my old passport and 90 days visa excemption, and then next time use my Non-Imm Visa again? Right?

[visarunner]

You can enter on 30day stamp n after that do a border run with old n new passport. As long as the visa in your old passport in valid they will give you 90days.

You could also go to Thai immigration and try to adjust after you came in on a 30day stamp.

[IMA_FARANG]

In your old now expired passport....did you make a copy of that visa. Because that visa should have a visa number on it...and iI believe that immigration has computer records of that visa number. So using that visa number they probably can look up on their computer records.

1. Where issued

2. When issued

3. And verify it was issued to you.

Also when you entered before with that visa you had an arrival card with a number on it. If you listed that visa number on that arrival card on entry...you have proof in the records of your visa being used with your old passport number.

So immigration CAN check and verify you old visa...if the computer records are still there and most importantly IF they want to help you.

Did you make a copy of that visa in your old passport and your arrival stamp and/or your arrival and departure card?

Most people don't I admit.

And finally....in your new passport....what does it say on that transfer stamp? Is the visa number of the visa in your old passport written there?

I'm sure that immigration can find evidence of your old visa in their records....but I'm NOT sure they will want to take the effort to do that. And I very much doubt that anyone at the airport immigration will make that check anyhow.

So you'll probably have to enter on the 30 day stamp on entry.

Then you'll after you enter you'll just have to try to find records of your old multi-enry visa through your local immigration office.

You'll just have to hope they are willing to help you.

[beano2274]

if they transferred the stamps as you suggested, then you do not need your old passport as all the information is contained in your new one. A VISA cannot be transferred only the information regarding it.

Look at the stamps immigration stamped and you should see a reference to the old original visa, I know mine has in the first rectangular stamp and the second one next to it is the last time I entered.

[visarunner]

Thai Immigration will only accept the visa if the visa presented to them, that's why you have to carry both passport with you.

[lopburi3]

@lopburi3

So I think I can enter with my old passport and 90 days visa excemption, and then next time use my Non-Imm Visa again? Right?

Right except the visa exempt will be 30 days by air or 15 days by land rather than 90.