UK Emergency Travel Document

[rajyindee]

A bit of background. I applied to renew my current UK passport (which is full of stamps) via VFS in Bangkok on 9 April and that application is currently being processed at HMPO Liverpool. I already have a trip to UK booked on 4 June, returning to Thailand on the 8 June. In anticipation of my new passport not being issued before I travel, I contacted the Brit Embassy in Bangkok and am reasonably happy that they will issue me an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) for the return trip to UK. No great worries there.

My concern is about the visa and permission to stay stamps in my current passport (I am on a Non-O Retirement Visa with permission to stay until October of this year). Do I get them transferred from my current passport (I am still in possession of that document) to the ETD (is that possible?) along with a re-entry permit for the trip to UK (and then transferred again into my new passport when I eventually receive it)? Or do I simply make the return trip to the UK on the ETD and not mention anything to immigration (and obviously don't obtain a re-entry permit) and then simply transfer the relevant stamps at immigration when I receive my new passport? My 90 day reports aren't an issue (next one due on 2 July) as I still have my current passport (valid ostensibly until 2018).

Hopefully I will receive my new passport in plenty of time to do the transfer of stamps and obtain a re-entry permit, but I need to be clear about my options if I don't.

[ubonjoe]

You would need to have the stamps transferred and a re-entry permit done in the ETD.

When you get the ETD you should get a letter form them to do the stamp transfer.

Then you would have to have the stamps transferred from the ETD to your new passport.

You would think the embassy could contact somebody to build a fire under somebodies back side to get your new passport done sooner..

[OJAS]

Absolutely outrageous that you're still awaiting your new passport from the UK more than 5 weeks after submitting your application, bearing in mind that the HMPO target turnaround time is 4 weeks maximum. I strongly suggest that you lodge a formal complaint with them about the delay when/if the relevant staff in their Liverpool office can be bothered to turf themselves out of the pub and deal with your application.

Attached is a template of the letter you'll need from the Embassy as referred to by ubonjoe. They shouldn't charge you for this.

[OJAS]

Of course, you won't be able to obtain this letter at the same time as any ETD since details of your yet-to-be-received new passport will need to be recorded in it!

[rajyindee]

Of course, you won't be able to obtain this letter at the same time as any ETD since details of your yet-to-be-received new passport will need to be recorded in it!

Presumably I'll need (may need) the letter to get my stamps transferred to the ETD ... and a second copy to get the stamps transferred from the ETD to my new passport.

I'd asked previously at my local immigration office about the need for the letter and they said no requirement. Better safe than sorry though since I'll have to visit the Embassy in any case.

[OJAS]

Of course, you won't be able to obtain this letter at the same time as any ETD since details of your yet-to-be-received new passport will need to be recorded in it!

Presumably I'll need (may need) the letter to get my stamps transferred to the ETD ... and a second copy to get the stamps transferred from the ETD to my new passport.

I'd asked previously at my local immigration office about the need for the letter and they said no requirement. Better safe than sorry though since I'll have to visit the Embassy in any case.

Has your local immigration office confirmed that a stamps transfer to an ETD will be possible - and, indeed, necessary? If so, then you will almost certainly need another letter in due course for your new passport.

And I very much agree with you that it is better to be safe than sorry as regards the need for this letter..

I only hope for your sake that your new passport doesn't finally arrive here during your time back in the UK!

[ubonjoe]

There have been reports of stamps being done in an ETD before (lost passport) along with a re-entry permit.

Immigration at the airport could possibly turn him a way unless he gets it done. He certainly does need a re-entry permit in it or he would loose his extension..