Uk Passport Renewal, Improved Service.

[euca]

Luckily I started scouting this early. It all has to be done via HK from forms/info sourced online & sent/returned,preferably, via DHL. Costs have risen.

Has anyone in Issan done it yet?

My queries arising so far are:

With little change in appearance, one needs NO countersignature? Yes/No? Can't find the reference in the online notes again of course but I think that's right.

Pretty sure DHL does not operate out here [e.g. I live in Buri Ram, many other members on farms] so how would send/return work?

They are most particular about passport photo quality. Any info about reliable photographer shops in Issan towns would be helpful.

There will be other matters arising; what perplexes one of us will do so for others so please add queries.

Many thanks for useful replies.

[terak]

I did mine from Phuket 2 Xmas's ago - I sent the application by EMS to Hong Kong as you do not have to send old passport & they returned it by DHL/Fedex 3 weeks later.

Mine I believe was processed at Hong Kong, but I think they send them back to the uk now as there are more cheaper immigrant workers there now. They also refused to justify the price which is about double compared to the price in uk for the same passport

Cannot remember about the counter signing but also not remember asking anyone

[euca]

Yes, found the bit about countersignature - under Countersignature (!), under "C", in alphabetical notes section. Thought I"d looked there.

They say:

"This is not normally necessary for anyone over 16 renewing a passport unless your appearance has changed significantly since your previous passport was issued. But we reserve the right to ask for a counter signature for security reasons in any application."

Tks, Terak. How did you get it returned? Did they DHL it to your door or did you have to go & collect it? Not sure they'd give a passport to EMS as too much goes astray with the post office.

[terak]

The new passport was returned DHL or Fedex to my address in Phuket

Edited November 7, 2012 by terak

[Tatsujin]

I was looking at this myself as my passport is nearly full now whilst still having years to run. As far as I can tell, I have to apply for a completely new passport now thru HK/UK rather than getting new pages added in. Does that sound correct?

[puchooay]

The system is very easy.

For the poster that is in Buriram......The best photo shop is the fuji one diagonally across the road from Bangkok Bank( that is the one on the corner, near all the hardware stores.) They know exactly what you need.

Download the forms from the Internet. Get someone to countersign. Better safe than sorry. Pay by credit card as the counter cheques are unavailable in Buriram. Send the application, only a copy of passport needs to be sent and not the original, by EMS from Buriram post office. The cost is 400baht. No problems and secure. On the application form tick the box that says "return by DHL". It will be delivered to your door.

Usual time frame is 3 weeks.

[beano2274]

I was looking at this myself as my passport is nearly full now whilst still having years to run. As far as I can tell, I have to apply for a completely new passport now thru HK/UK rather than getting new pages added in. Does that sound correct?

You cannot have pages added to a UK Passport, this has never been the case. You apply through Hong Kong the documentation is checked there and the passport sent from IPS in the UK.

[Tatsujin]

I was looking at this myself as my passport is nearly full now whilst still having years to run. As far as I can tell, I have to apply for a completely new passport now thru HK/UK rather than getting new pages added in. Does that sound correct?

You cannot have pages added to a UK Passport, this has never been the case. You apply through Hong Kong the documentation is checked there and the passport sent from IPS in the UK.

What happens to all the current Thai visas and stamps that are in the "old" passport that will then be replaced by the "new" passport . . . do HK/UK add them into the new passport?

[terak]

I was looking at this myself as my passport is nearly full now whilst still having years to run. As far as I can tell, I have to apply for a completely new passport now thru HK/UK rather than getting new pages added in. Does that sound correct?

You cannot have pages added to a UK Passport, this has never been the case. You apply through Hong Kong the documentation is checked there and the passport sent from IPS in the UK.

What happens to all the current Thai visas and stamps that are in the "old" passport that will then be replaced by the "new" passport . . . do HK/UK add them into the new passport?

Nobody will transfer Visa's so you carry 2 passports - old one with live Visa/Extensions & new passport. The only problem I have heard with this is re-entry permits - you need to seek advice on this first. It will be Ok if you not have one, but farangs with multi - re-entry have had problems & had purchase a new one in some instances

[Tatsujin]

Nobody will transfer Visa's so you carry 2 passports - old one with live Visa/Extensions & new passport. The only problem I have heard with this is re-entry permits - you need to seek advice on this first. It will be Ok if you not have one, but farangs with multi - re-entry have had problems & had purchase a new one in some instances

Yeah, just had the 1 year extension and multiple entry done, and they've used up 2 extra pages on stupid stamps so I'm left now with only 1 page. I know dam_n well that if I take both passports they'll find a problem with this because the 1 year visa + multiple entry will be in the "old" invalid passport, not the "new".

[puchooay]

I was looking at this myself as my passport is nearly full now whilst still having years to run. As far as I can tell, I have to apply for a completely new passport now thru HK/UK rather than getting new pages added in. Does that sound correct?

You cannot have pages added to a UK Passport, this has never been the case. You apply through Hong Kong the documentation is checked there and the passport sent from IPS in the UK.

What happens to all the current Thai visas and stamps that are in the "old" passport that will then be replaced by the "new" passport . . . do HK/UK add them into the new passport?

Nobody will transfer Visa's so you carry 2 passports - old one with live Visa/Extensions & new passport. The only problem I have heard with this is re-entry permits - you need to seek advice on this first. It will be Ok if you not have one, but farangs with multi - re-entry have had problems & had purchase a new one in some instances

If you are on an extension of stay you must go to Immigration to have the latest details transferred to your new passport.

[Tatsujin]

If you are on an extension of stay you must go to Immigration to have the latest details transferred to your new passport.

OK, so I get the new passport, then go back to Immigration yet again to get them to transfer the stamps. Thanks!

[puchooay]

If you are on an extension of stay you must go to Immigration to have the latest details transferred to your new passport.

OK, so I get the new passport, then go back to Immigration yet again to get them to transfer the stamps. Thanks!

Yes,and there is a form that needs to be filled out.

[elwood]

Yes, found the bit about countersignature - under Countersignature (!), under "C", in alphabetical notes section. Thought I"d looked there.

They say:

"This is not normally necessary for anyone over 16 renewing a passport unless your appearance has changed significantly since your previous passport was issued. But we reserve the right to ask for a counter signature for security reasons in any application."

Tks, Terak. How did you get it returned? Did they DHL it to your door or did you have to go & collect it? Not sure they'd give a passport to EMS as too much goes astray with the post office.

Just to let you know that my passport was sent to Bangkok with DHL who then sent it to me in Ubon via EMS.

[puchooay]

Yes, found the bit about countersignature - under Countersignature (!), under "C", in alphabetical notes section. Thought I"d looked there.

They say:

"This is not normally necessary for anyone over 16 renewing a passport unless your appearance has changed significantly since your previous passport was issued. But we reserve the right to ask for a counter signature for security reasons in any application."

Tks, Terak. How did you get it returned? Did they DHL it to your door or did you have to go & collect it? Not sure they'd give a passport to EMS as too much goes astray with the post office.

Just to let you know that my passport was sent to Bangkok with DHL who then sent it to me in Ubon via EMS.

A bit unusual. Mine came by DHL via Korat and then on to Buriram by the local services, but as long as it arrives I suppose it doesn't matter what direction it takes.

[meatboy]

wf.renewed hers,bankers draft plus couriers fee[hk-uk-korat] sent to hk.by post ems 400bht,dhl called less than a month later to deliver to the door.she did get hers counter signed.easy.

[ubonjoe]

We unfortunately do not have DHL service to Ubon. Our only choice for sending anything out of country is international EMS. Just had one take 8 days for delivery to US. Great service not very poor service yes.