WARNING - Multi-Entry visa and Loss of Passport

[Robert333]

Hello,

This is a warning to all those who obtain a Multi-Entry option for their Visa in their country of origin, before coming to Thailand:

Once you have entered Thailand, if you then unfortunately lose your passport, you may be aware that once you obtain a replacement passport, you can then attend Thai Immigration to have your Visa transferred to your new passport. What you may not be aware of is that not only must you transfer the Visa, but you should also now apply for a Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit !

Why? Because the Multi-Entry option you obtained for your visa is no longer considered valid if you lose your passport.

The "Multi-Entry" option is therefore NOT automatically transferred to your new passport. Thus if you leave Thailand (without first having obtained a Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit) from Immigration and then you return to Thailand, you will be surprised to receive only a one month Tourist visa! (Your previous visa is cancelled as soon as you leave the Kingdom!)

I am informed that the reason for this is that the Multi-Entry option is issued only by Thai Embassies and not (or not automatically) by Immigration. That, when you have your visa transferred to your new passport, you then need to attend the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok to seek their assistance in talking with Thai Immigration as to how Immigration should proceed regarding the Multi-Entry option you previously obtained for your visa.

In practice, I would suggest it may be simplier to apply for a Multi-Entry Re-Entry Permit for the visa you have transferred to your new passport.

(That being so, it appears that this situation seems to be dealt with only on a "case-by-case" basis (rather than on a "standing instructions" basis).

Note:

The application form for a Re-Entry Permit contains two boxes for either single or multiple entry. Ensure you tick the appropriate box.

What do you do if you obtained in your country of origin an "O-A" Long Stay Retirement" visa with Multi-Entry, but lost your passport while in Thailand, you transferred the visa to your replacement passport and then left Thailand and returned to Thailand, only to find that your visa is gone, and is replaced with a one month Tourist Visa stamp?

Apply for a three month visa stating that you wish to apply for Retirement visa. (You will need to have savings at the required amount and these savings will need to be in a Thai Savings bank account.) Towards the end of this visa period, you then apply for your new Retirement Visa.

I hope this helps anyone with this issue.

Regards,

Robert333

[mettech]

Very good info it help me to understand the procedure, since am coming into Thailand in January and did need a double entry visa but since it said that my passport had to had at list six months validity after my second entry it was short of 22 days so only got single entry than will need an extension i hope or will have to get a new passport wit another single entry).

[lopburi3]

Basically you can not transfer any visa into a new passport. You can only transfer your current permitted to stay or extension of stay into the new passport (and a notation of the original visa that allowed it to be issued). You have lost any multi entry visa.

Extensions of stay can be made up until the expiration date of a passport (if you can qualify for extension of stay). But remember any travel would be severely restricted with any passport having six months or less and as mentioned re-entry permits are required to keep current stay/extensions alive if you wish to travel.

[OMGImInPattaya]

No such thing as a 30 day tourist visa...you received 30-day visa exempt entry stamp.

[steve187]

what good would a multi-entry re-entry permit be, it would only preserve the last permission to stay stamp you received. it would not entitle you to a fresh 90 day stamp.

[steve187]

Very good info it help me to understand the procedure, since am coming into Thailand in January and did need a double entry visa but since it said that my passport had to had at list six months validity after my second entry it was short of 22 days so only got single entry than will need an extension i hope or will have to get a new passport wit another single entry).

You could get a 30 day extension at local immigration(1,900 baht) on the 60 day stamp received at airport, giving you 90 days here.

[ThailandRick]

If I understand this correctly, there is no such thing as "Transfer" of your visa to a new Passport be it lost/expired/damaged?

The only thing Immigration will do in the new passport is a "Single" entry based on your last Permission to Stay Date Stamp? (Based on the computer entry when you pass through Immigration last)

If you hold a Visa greater than the duration of the Permission to Stay Date Stamp (> 90 day or > 1 year), what would be the best practice to re-issuing the Visa if possible???

Edited December 23, 2014 by ThailandRick

[ubonjoe]

If you have a multiple entry visa issued by an embassy or consulate your visa is lost when you loose your passport. All immigration can do is reinstate your last entry/permit to stay stamp to your new passport.

If you had a OA visa you could get a re-entry permit form immigration to keep your current permit to stay valid if you wanted to travel. You do not have to get multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) unless you plan on making several entries during that period. You could get a single re-entry permit (1000 baht).

[ThailandRick]

If you have a multiple entry visa issued by an embassy or consulate your visa is lost when you loose your passport. All immigration can do is reinstate your last entry/permit to stay stamp to your new passport.

If you had a OA visa you could get a re-entry permit form immigration to keep your current permit to stay valid if you wanted to travel. You do not have to get multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) unless you plan on making several entries during that period. You could get a single re-entry permit (1000 baht).

Morning Ubonjoe,

Would this apply to other reasons like expired/damaged/new passport(no more pages in old) as well?

Seems if the prior visa use date is great than the Entry/Permit Stamp, it kind of sucks...

Edited December 23, 2014 by ThailandRick

[Lite Beer]

In that case you would carry both Passports when traveling.

[ubonjoe]

If you have a multiple entry visa issued by an embassy or consulate your visa is lost when you loose your passport. All immigration can do is reinstate your last entry/permit to stay stamp to your new passport.

If you had a OA visa you could get a re-entry permit form immigration to keep your current permit to stay valid if you wanted to travel. You do not have to get multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) unless you plan on making several entries during that period. You could get a single re-entry permit (1000 baht).

Morning Ubonjoe,

Would this apply to other reasons like expired/damaged/new passport(no more pages in old) as well?

Seems if the prior visa use date is great than the Entry/Permit Stamp, it kind of sucks...

If you still have your old passport then your visa will remain valid in it and can be used by showing both passports on entry to the country. If the photo page and visa was still legible you could use a damaged passport also.

[ThailandRick]

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In that case you would carry both Passports when traveling.

If you have a multiple entry visa issued by an embassy or consulate your visa is lost when you loose your passport. All immigration can do is reinstate your last entry/permit to stay stamp to your new passport.

If you had a OA visa you could get a re-entry permit form immigration to keep your current permit to stay valid if you wanted to travel. You do not have to get multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) unless you plan on making several entries during that period. You could get a single re-entry permit (1000 baht).

Morning Ubonjoe, alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

Would this apply to other reasons like expired/damaged/new passport(no more pages in old) as well?

Seems if the prior visa use date is great than the Entry/Permit Stamp, it kind of sucks... alt=facepalm.gif>

If you still have your old passport then your visa will remain valid in it and can be used by showing both passports on entry to the country. If the photo page and visa was still legible you could use a damaged passport also.

Great, thank you both... Makes perfect sense...

Moral is don't lose your passport...

Example: (does this jive)

Lost Passport > New Passport... go to Thai Immigration:

Double or Triple 60 day Tourist (Becomes) Single Entry/Permit Stay Date Stamp based on Arrival Date

1 year/6 month Education (Becomes) 90 day Entry/Permit Stay Date Stamp based on Arrival Date

Business not activated to 1 year (Becomes) 90 day Entry/Permit Stay Date Stamp based on Arrival Date

PE (Becomes) 1 year Entry/Permit Stay Date Stamp based on Arrival Date

Because Immigration will not make a VISA for your new Passport... Only Entry/Permit STAMP based on above...

Edited December 23, 2014 by ThailandRick

[muluc]

hello,

i really want to know if there is an official registration of visa on which the immigration can rely if you loose your passport

and do they also registrare the visa on arrival?

[Mario2008]

Immigration has its records about your entry and extension of stay and will check that when you lose your passport.

Once you have anew passport they will stamp your passport with all the details and prmisison to stay. You cna extend any entry you had, but they will not issue a new visa. Meaning that if you had a dual entry tourist visa and during your first entry you lose your passport you can extend your first entry but after that you will need to get a new visa, as the visa itself is not replaced.

[billd766]

What you ought to do is to scan all the pages of your passport anyway and bring hard/soft copies with you.

It may not help much but it won't hurt either.

[ThailandRick]

If your passport is damaged or expired, can pages be transferred (ie Visa Page) to the new passport by our Embassy? I know mine charges ~2,500b to add blank pages... but never thought if they can add why not transfer them too... Possible?

Edited December 23, 2014 by ThailandRick

[JDGRUEN]

Robert - as there is no way for me to know your home country or your exact prior Visa Status from your OP - So, I give this generic advice...

For a U.S. Citizen - Worst possible case would be to get back to your multi-entry status for a Tourist Visa (Not an 'O-A'), you could fly to Honolulu, Hawaii and visit the Royal Thai Honorary Consul General there and get you a new multi-entry tourist visa quickly.

The contact info for that office is here on TVF and I have it too. Just ask. The round trip airfare from Honolulu hovers around $100.00 plus or minus. Good news for some but for others perhaps not so good ... but as we say in Texas 'It is better than a sharp stick in the eye'...

I am not sure if there are Thai Consulates / Embassies in the region that will issue multi-entry Tourist Visas .... perhaps others with know and post. Maybe Vientiane ?? Not sure.

[ubonjoe]

If your passport is damaged or expired, can pages be transferred (ie Visa Page) to the new passport by our Embassy? I know mine charges ~2,500b to add blank pages... but never thought about if they can add why not transfer... Possible?

That is not possible.

[ThailandRick]

If your passport is damaged or expired, can pages be transferred (ie Visa Page) to the new passport by our Embassy? I know mine charges ~2,500b to add blank pages... but never thought about if they can add why not transfer... Possible?

That is not possible.

I really guess that is why Passports are considered GOLD in these parts as it's very difficult to clean up staying without a lot of expense/flying/time... Really fortifies keeping a copy on me all times vs carrying... Thank you...

[Si Thea01]

This must only apply to lost passports. About 17 months ago I put my passport through the wash and had to obtain a new passport.. Being on an extension of stay ( retirement) and having a multiple re-entry permit, expiring in March 2014, I had to front Udon Thani immigration after obtaining a new passport. Following a check of their records, my passport was stamped with all relevant stamps going back to 2013 and nothing was lost except the 500 baht they charged me. Quite reasonable for the amount of work they had to undertake to make me legal again.

[lopburi3]

It is for visas - extensions of stay is your current permitted to stay stamp and that is recorded in immigration records and can be made into a new passport when required. But this does not allow any new entry and is not a visa. Multi entry visas are only issued by Thai Consulate Officers in foreign countries and they can not be changed into a new passport by anyone but the Consulate providing the original and even then it would not be a normal occurrence. If you lose a passport you are expected to obtain a new visa if that is what you want. If you damage a passport but visa page is still OK you can show both new and old to use the visa until expiration date of the visa itself.

[Robert333]

Hello,

Further to my original message, please add the following to the end of that message:

For both the 3 month visa and the subsequent (new) retirement visa, if you intend to leave Thailand and return, be sure to also apply for a Re-Entry Permit for each visa, and also choose the Multi-Entry option when applying for the Re-Entry Permit if you wish to leave Thailand and re-enter Thailand a number of times.

What does a Re-Entry Permit do?

It means your visa will not be cancelled when you leave Thailand.

I hope this also helps.

Regards,

Robert333

[lopburi3]

A re-entry permit has nothing to do with visas - it only keeps your current permitted to stay in Thailand alive for the same date that it is when you obtain the re-entry permit - so you can leave and return and get that same date entered as your new permitted to stay.

[davidstipek]

If you choose the option in U.S.A. to get a Passport Card...

1st question: How would you use that here? I think if you go to Post Office that deals with Passports in U.S. they give you an option.

2nd Question: If you have the Passport Card Option... where do all your Visa's Stamps... go?

I had thought about using this option as safe to carry! Because as of December 22nd @ Immigration Office in Chiang Mai, Sgt. Major was asked while renewing my Retirement Visa if we still needed to carry Passport everyday on our Person.

She went to Col. in charge of Chiang Mai Immigration and he personally told me verbally... "Yes" in must be on person whenever we are outside home. You can carry copies of Photo page, entry stamp/Visa, entry card and if 90 day page is attached a copy of it also.... But you must report to Police Office that requested to see, within 24 hrs!!!! Only thing carrying does is saves you from leaving the location you are at when stopped and having to be escorted to Police Office and be detained for an undetermed amount of time.

As a time saver, I would Carry mine. I donot know how this would work with a Passport Card though....

I was suggested the Passport Card at U.S. Embassy when I got my Income Verification Certified... So I guess they are aware that it can be used here.

Just another item... If you go to Bangkok Bank and request a Bank Book plastic sleave... Passports fit inside nicely! Giving them a waterproof cover. I am sure other Banks sleaves will do same as all our bank Books are about the same size. They are tight! bend book and insert they will stretch with the heat in your back pocket... and are free! Just tell them your need new vinyl cover... yours is torn!

Edited December 23, 2014 by davidstipek

[mahjongguy]

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

They are of no use for entering or leaving Thailand. As a photo ID, they are no more "powerful" than a Thai Driver's License.

Edited December 23, 2014 by mahjongguy

[davidstipek]

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

They are of no use for entering or leaving Thailand. As a photo ID, they are no more "powerful" than a Thai Driver's License.

Hmmm

I wonder why Embassy Staff suggested it to use here? As an option to carrying real thing???

[lopburi3]

Are you sure they were not advising you to obtain a card size copy of your passport/entry stamp? That is normal advise to avoid carry of passport in home city. Or just make a copy and fold up and put in wallet. Just be sure to have passport available within a reasonable time if required.

[davidstipek]

Are you sure they were not advising you to obtain a card size copy of your passport/entry stamp? That is normal advise to avoid carry of passport in home city. Or just make a copy and fold up and put in wallet. Just be sure to have passport available within a reasonable time if required.

No...

He said $50 and get a Passportcard.....

???

[ubonjoe]

Are you sure they were not advising you to obtain a card size copy of your passport/entry stamp? That is normal advise to avoid carry of passport in home city. Or just make a copy and fold up and put in wallet. Just be sure to have passport available within a reasonable time if required.

No...

He said $50 and get a Passportcard.....

???

That would serve as a ID but would not replace your passport if asked for.

I considered getting one when I renewed my passport last year. Two for one price adding $30 to cost of passport alone.

I was wondering if it would be the same number as the passport but never found an answer.

[ThailandRick]

Are you sure they were not advising you to obtain a card size copy of your passport/entry stamp? That is normal advise to avoid carry of passport in home city. Or just make a copy and fold up and put in wallet. Just be sure to have passport available within a reasonable time if required.

Are you sure they were not advising you to obtain a card size copy of your passport/entry stamp? That is normal advise to avoid carry of passport in home city. Or just make a copy and fold up and put in wallet. Just be sure to have passport available within a reasonable time if required.

No...

He said $50 and get a Passportcard.....

???

I agree the passport card will not work... You need a regular passport... A ways ago I thought to do the same and ease of carry, but you are correct, no place for visa and stamps... Best advice also to make a photo copy of your Main/Visa/Entry Stamp in a normal passport to carry around daily while in Thailand... Many go to a photo shop and have it made into a small laminated card for about 100b--YMMV... This way you can keep your real passport locked up and protected but readily available is required to show to authorities upon request.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html

"The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air."

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Many have been confused on VISA & Entry/Permit Stamp... I was one of them for a long time until this year They work hand-in-hand but are two different animals... Here is a simple way to remember:

-A VISA is like a Keycard to a door allowing you access to a House(Thailand). When the VISA expires your Keycard will no longer work--you will be denied access until you get a new one. A VISA only allows Entry into Thailand by passing through Immigration by Land/Air...

-Entry/Permit stamp is how long you are authorized to Stay in the House(Thailand). This stamp in your passport dictates when you are required to leave Thailand. You can "Extend" this by different means but the stamp is your "Permission to Stay" timeline...

I hope this helps the OP...

Edited December 24, 2014 by ThailandRick