Lost passport - can you get an extension on tourist visa pending new passport arriving?

[roath]

My passport has gone walkabouts. More likely lost than stolen but anyway.... I went to police (am currently on Koh Phangan) and they told me there was no lost and found there so I have to assume that passport wont reappear.

Police gave me lost report (100 baht) and told me to apply for new one. I am from UK so anyone who is familiar with the new process will know what a pain it is as the application can take up to 8 weeks according to the website.

I am on the 2nd entry of a 3 entry tourist visa and I have about 14 days left before the current entry expires. I was going to go to Koh Samui immigration to get an extension (hence my looking to dig out my passport) so my question is can I get an extension based on photocopies of my old passport and visa (I have copies of the visa and stamps and departure card) so that I can stay in Thailand pending receipt of new passport.

I understand that only 30 days is given but that and a further 7 day would pretty much take me up to the 8 weeks (less if I can get the expedited service).

If I can avoid having to get an emergency travel document I would prefer to do so as I am happy to stay in Thailand pending the passport coming and also avoid a trip to BKK just to get one.

If I have to get an ETD in order to get an extension then so be it but I would rather at least check if possible to get by without first.

I have Thai driving licenses so staying in hotels and getting around wont be a problem.

Anyway advice appreciated.

PS. I have spent 7 years travelling round much of the world and this is the first time that my PP has gone awol so I dont need any "take more care" comments cheers. I am as annoyed as can be as I normally keep my passport stashed away but here you need to rent bikes and stuff so my PP obviously decided to go on its own little adventure!!

[paz]

You cannot get any extension of stay with copies or ETD. Hate to break you bad the news to you but your only solid choice is to fly home with an ETD and return with a new passport urgently. The alternative is overstay and related fines.

[digitalchromakey]

Are you British?

If so you are not going to like this answer.

Firstly your passport is lost, your visa is lost and you will not be able to get that visa back or extend on that basis, what ever your nationality.

Secondly applications for replacement UK passports are currently taking between 8 -21 weeks.

If you are British and cannot prove your name at an address in Thailand then you won't be able to apply in Bangkok.

The only realistic option for a Briton in your situation is to buy an ETD and return to the UK to reapply.

Sorry to hear your news and welcome to the train wreck.

Edited October 15, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[roath]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

[digitalchromakey]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

Problem is getting a visa put in an ETD, not all countries accept ETDs and back to back visa exempts are no longer allowed.

Check with the British Consulate in BKK.

btw you will have to go there to get the ETD.

[paz]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

It's not an "advantage", is the only choice if you want to stay legal. ETD has much more limitations that just 5 countries.

[digitalchromakey]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

Returning to the UK is not an 'advantage' it may well be your only chance to get a passport and avoid overstay, given the current delays (also longer again due to the lost passport).

When you have a few hours to spare have a look at this thread which has all the information you may need in it.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713867-changes-to-british-passport-services-in-thailand/page-117

[ukrules]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

The advantage is that you will get a new passport within days instead of being made to wait for months while on overstay risking arrest.

[OJAS]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

The advantage is that you will get a new passport within days instead of being made to wait for months while on overstay risking arrest.

Might take him more than a few days even in the UK as he will be replacing a lost passport. But still definitely quicker than waiting here (in the IDC?) for a new passport to show up at With-It Tower.

[roath]

Does anyone have info on what nearby countries are OK with ETD w.g. Burma and Malaysia etc. I really would rather not go back unless there is no other option...

[paz]

Does anyone have info on what nearby countries are OK with ETD w.g. Burma and Malaysia etc. I really would rather not go back unless there is no other option...

I'm afraid you are not understanding that you have no other option. UK embassy will issue an ETD only for the purpose of returning to the UK or other country where you have legal residence. Not to stay in the region for an unknown amount of time waiting for a new passport. If you do not believe what you are reading here have a talk with the embassy and have the ETD regulations explained to you. If I'm wrong I will be glad to be corrected.

[digitalchromakey]

Does anyone have info on what nearby countries are OK with ETD w.g. Burma and Malaysia etc. I really would rather not go back unless there is no other option...

Within the last year there has been a sea change in the way British passports are issued to citizens when overseas.

On the grounds of 'security' and to prevent 'ID theft' they will no longer allow you to apply for a replacement passport whilst overseas unless you can supply proof that you are resident in that country.

As you have a Tourist Visa you are by definition not resident in Thailand.

In this case, unless you can provide evidence of your name at a Thai address, then a renewal/replacement application in Bangkok will not be possible.

Secondly if you cannot prove residence then the ETD will not be issued for a return journey to Thailand.

If you check, you will find that the ETD has a specific itinerary printed on the comments page and many immigration departments worldwide will not allow entry if that country is not on your specific itinerary.

What this means is that nowadays, back packers, itinerant travellers and business people have no option but to return to the UK to obtain a replacement UK passport.

Not saying I agree with this and I know this is not what you want to hear, but this is the reality of the way the British Government now treats its citizens whilst overseas.

Edited October 16, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[nealthewheel]

Whats the advantage if returning to the UK? An etd is valid for 5 countries according to Brit embassy website..

Problem is getting a visa put in an ETD, not all countries accept ETDs and back to back visa exempts are no longer allowed.

Check with the British Consulate in BKK.

btw you will have to go there to get the ETD.

When I collected my new passport end of August I met a guy at Trendy House who had a tourist visa in his ETD from Cambodia - he lives in Thailand so he had no need to return to the UK. He was collecting his new passport as I was.

He was lucky because his passport had been put through the wash but he could still use it as a proof of ID but it was a wreck. Suggestions are right - UK embassy for ETD and they will confirm the process for Cambodia for the TV. That man lived in Issan so he said he just went over the border for his visa - I am sure some of the more experienced members will tell you where that is. So when you come back to Thailand you will have 60 days plus 30 day extension on that new visa. My passport application took just under the 9 weeks! And there is no "quick service" from outside the UK unless you send the passport application back to the UK. You will need a proof of address for your application at Trendy Ho translated into English if it is in Thai. Good luck it is a headache - and I was able to extend my visa on the basis of waiting for a new passport (my passport was full so I still could use it for ID at immigration).

[ubonjoe]

Does anyone have info on what nearby countries are OK with ETD w.g. Burma and Malaysia etc. I really would rather not go back unless there is no other option...

I'm afraid you are not understanding that you have no other option. UK embassy will issue an ETD only for the purpose of returning to the UK or other country where you have legal residence. Not to stay in the region for an unknown amount of time waiting for a new passport. If you do not believe what you are reading here have a talk with the embassy and have the ETD regulations explained to you. If I'm wrong I will be glad to be corrected.

A ETD from the UK embassy can be issued and used to travel. It is not restricted to only a trip to the UK.

Info here. https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document

The OP will be able to get a 30 day extension for his current entry if he gets the ETD but the 3rd entry of his visa is gone with the passport.

If I recall correctly Malaysia and Cambodia are the only neighboring countries that allows entry with an ETD. If he is lucky the 30 day extension and a single entry tourist visa will give him enough time to get a new passport.

[digitalchromakey]

A ETD from the UK embassy can be issued and used to travel. It is not restricted to only a trip to the UK.

Info here. https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document

The OP will be able to get a 30 day extension for his current entry if he gets the ETD but the 3rd entry of his visa is gone with the passport.

If I recall correctly Malaysia and Cambodia are the only neighboring countries that allows entry with an ETD. If he is lucky the 30 day extension and a single entry tourist visa will give him enough time to get a new passport.

Correct the ETD can be issued for travel via other countries (up to five), but the UK FCO states that the ETD travel is intended to be to the ETD holder's country of residence.

HMPO Web site: What an emergency travel document does

An emergency travel document allows you to leave the country you’re in and travel to your destination via a maximum of 5 countries.

The emergency travel document can also cover a return journey if you’re resident in the country you’re applying from.

British Embassy Check List for ETD application:

a. There is no appointment for Emergency Travel Document (ETD).

b. Kindly to confirm which country you plan to travel to as an ETD doesn’t allow using in some countries and requiring for a visa.

c. ETD Requirement:

1. A completed ETD application form which you can download from www.gov.uk/world/thailand.

2. 2 recent identical photographs

3. Flight itinerary/ e-ticket confirmation

4. Fee THB 5,320

5. Receipt to proof for renewal passport

6. Proof of address in Thailand in case that you use the ETD as two ways documents and return to Thailand

Problem is if the OP cannot prove residence in Thailand, however I note the OP has a Thai driving license so the British Embassy may consider the OP as a resident of Thailand, despite holding a Tourist visa entry.

Good point re the 30 day extension on the 60 day entry, that should certainly be possible in an ETD with evidence of the original entry.

Only problem is getting the ETD with correct itinerary.

Edited October 16, 2014 by digitalchromakey

[maccraw]

The proof of address matter--I recently applied for replacement passport and was advised to include confirmation of my Thai address in the form of letters to that address from Uk senders such as banks,credit card people or similar known UK establishments--i.e not a hand written note from your mothrer in law.

[nealthewheel]

The proof of address matter--I recently applied for replacement passport and was advised to include confirmation of my Thai address in the form of letters to that address from Uk senders such as banks,credit card people or similar known UK establishments--i.e not a hand written note from your mothrer in law.

I used a rental agreement and was told a bill from "True-Vision" was acceptable as well hence the translation requirement.

[roath]

I thought that I would post an update on this, although am not sure if I should start a new thread as a "Report" but perhaps can advise.

I went to the British Embassy to issue an Emergency Passport (confusingly, this is referred to as an "Emergency Travel Document", although the actual document itself has on the cover "Emergency Passport") who weren't at all phased by a loss of passport and didn't cause any fuss or drama over the issue. They accepted my Thai Driving Licence as proof of residency and were quite accommodating about the dates that I wanted to travel on.

The one note of discord was that the lady dealing with my application had no idea whether or not I could get an extension based on my previous visa, and I did have to re-assure her that this was possible in order for her to endorse a date in the passport 30 days beyond my original visa validity. She thought that I should be able to get a new Tourist Visa in Cambodia (my country of departure, there being few options locally as neither Myanmar nor Laos permit entry on an Emergency passport, and oddly, India permit entry but not exit!!) but she wasn't sure. Whilst I don't expect the staff to be experts on matters of Thai Immigration, I would have thought that they should now the basics of whether you can get an extension of stay on an EP and indeed a new Tourist Visa in order to re-enter. Perhaps the assumption is that if one is on a Tourist Visa, one should exit Thailand and go straight back to Blighty.

She was a little insistent that I go "immediately" to Chaeng Wattana to get my visa stamp transferred, but I told her that I would get it done in Jomtien Immigration (not least as my residency was based in Chonburi, as well as the fact that Jomtien is much easier to get to and more amenable as an office generally).

One point I would mention is that although I was told that the entry/exit dates have to be precise, the endorsement on the EP is that I can re-enter Thailand "on or before....."

I applied for my replacement passport at the new Visa centre in the Trendy building in Sukhumvit Soi 13 which wasn't a particularly encouraging experience. I was told that as I had lost my passport, I needed to get my identity validated by someone. I pointed out that this information is not apparent from either the form or the website, and after some discussion, she accepted that there were flaws with the website. I pointed out that I had photo ID from both the UK and Thailand and my old passport as well as my new Emergency Passport which all verified my identity, and whilst we was going to submit the documentation without the verification, she wasn't sure whether it would be accepted or not. Fortunately, I knew of someone in Bangkok who was suitably professional who could verify my identity as apparently (and contrary to what the passport application consultant advised), it couldn't just be anyone, so I decided to err on the sake of caution, and in fairness, I didn't need to re-schedule an appointment to come back to complete the application.

I asked how long applications were taking and she couldn't tell me. She simply quoted the 8 weeks given on the website. I pointed out that they should know as all applications come through them, but I just guessed that their training and/or involvement in the process doesn't go beyond checking the documentation for the application.

Interestingly enough, I needed to provide more proof of residency in Thailand to get my Passport sent back to Thailand than I did for the EP itself. Someone in the queue behind me had the same problem and had had to have his driving licence translated (as the address on the reverse is endorsed in Thai and not English). Considering that the application has to be collected from their offices rather than posted to me (and considering that the British Embassy had accepted my residency based solely on my Thai Driving Licence), I was grateful I was already been prepared for this.

As for the Visa extension, I had no problem at Jomtien. I had to pay an extra 500 baht over the 1900 for the 30 days extension, but otherwise as good as gold. Although there were a number of stamps covering the transfer, it does appear that my third entry on my original triple entry has gone for a burton, but the changes to the rules offering 30 day extensions to normal 30 day visa-exempt entries does take away some of the pain on that front, I was told also that I could apply for a new Visa in Cambodia anyway, but that would only be a double-entry visa.

Anyway, I hope that this information is of some use to someone else. As always, it is better to be somewhat over-prepared than under. Ultimately though, this forum has assisted me significantly by helping me get my story and documentation in order before going to the Embassy and the Passport application centre so thanks. It also establishes that even on a Tourist Visa, it is not a requirement or even a necessity to return to the UK. With my extensions (and a longer than usual sojourn in Cambodia than I might otherwise make), I should have plenty of time to get my passport back in Thailand on my next entry, even with a delay of several weeks.

[paz]

I thought that I would post an update on this, although am not sure if I should start a new thread as a "Report" but perhaps can advise.

I went to the British Embassy to issue an Emergency Passport (confusingly, this is referred to as an "Emergency Travel Document", although the actual document itself has on the cover "Emergency Passport") who weren't at all phased by a loss of passport and didn't cause any fuss or drama over the issue. They accepted my Thai Driving Licence as proof of residency and were quite accommodating about the dates that I wanted to travel on.

The one note of discord was that the lady dealing with my application had no idea whether or not I could get an extension based on my previous visa, and I did have to re-assure her that this was possible in order for her to endorse a date in the passport 30 days beyond my original visa validity.

So what is the total ETD validity in your case ?

As for the Visa extension, I had no problem at Jomtien. I had to pay an extra 500 baht over the 1900 for the 30 days extension, but otherwise as good as gold.

You've been lucky, Jomtien is now "charging" 3,000 for 30 days extensions.

Edited October 30, 2014 by paz

[roath]

The EP is valid until July 2015 so 9 months

[OJAS]

The EP is valid until July 2015 so 9 months

By which time your replacement passport will, hopefully, have shown up at the Trendy/Trembly/With-It Building!

Seriously,though, you should bear in mind that the 8-week processing period mentioned to you probably only applies to routine renewals. In which case you will be in for a longer wait since you are replacing a lost/stolen passport, which is not considered by the powers-that-be to be routine. And with the upcoming Christmas/New Year festive period (during which,as we Brits well know, zilch gets done in the UK) thrown into the mix as well, I doubt whether your new passport will be ready for collection much before mid-January.

Edited October 30, 2014 by OJAS

[roath]

FURTHER UPDATE...just had an email from passport office in BKK that my new passport is ready so that has been 19 days...just short of 3 weeks!! Passport office in UK are obviously getting their groove back.