Tips and tricks for VISA and document problems

[kovaltech]

Based on some other posts i submit this

The moment i receive my passport with visa, stamp or any document, i do the following:

take a picture, with my smartphone, from any document, stamp, remark or whatsoever, store it on my smartphone AND sent a copy to my e-mailadres.

So at any time, in any circumstance, i am able to produce a copy from my documents.

Even in case of a lost or stolen smartphone, you can acces your email from any other computer

As also from a todays posting about a lost passport and the request for the receipt for the visa fee,

this receipt also contains your visa number...

I will make sure that i also have a picture of that receipt...

Being able to produce a police report, with exact data, will be helpful to acquire new documents and at the immigration office...

[KhunBENQ]

Email is one of many ways to store online (for the oldies).

The tech savyy youngsters will tell you to use the "cloud"

For enhanced security I put such data in a Truecrypt container and then upload it to some or more file hosters.

The container is on both of my computers and on the smartphone.

All synced old fashioned manually.

That should be enough.

[Gsxrnz]

I do pretty much the same, as well as carry a copy of my visa, last entry stamp, the passport photo page, as well as my medical insurance policy in my wallet.

I also have three local and three foreign phone numbers written on the back of the passport page with instructions in English and Thai to contact all/any of these numbers in case of emergency. The message also implies in Thai that anybody who looks after me in an emergency will be rewarded.

When I go to immigration/driver licensing/changing car or bike ownership, renewing car/bike insurance etc or anything similar, and knowing their whimsical desire for something you don't initially produce, I make sure I have multiple copies of everything they could conceivably ever want - never been caught out yet.

When I front up at immigration my little pack of documents looks like an encyclopedia.

[JLCrab]

For Yanks, an expired undamaged US passport is sufficient proof of identity should a new passport be required. A picture on a smart-phone is not sufficient proof of identity as can be altered .

[kovaltech]

Yep, i use Truecrypt for sensitive data to...

But... imagine yourself at a police station, without your own computers or smartphone...

Having a secondary e-mail, easy accesible from other computers is always handy

[joeyg]

Email is one of many ways to store online (for the oldies).

The tech savyy youngsters will tell you to use the "cloud"

For enhanced security I put such data in a Truecrypt container and then upload it to some or more file hosters.

The container is on both of my computers and on the smartphone.

All synced old fashioned manually.

That should be enough.

i've had some reservations about using the cloud because of previous and on going hacking.

I found whatI think is a pretty good article on this.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/2687089/cloud-security/sum-of-all-cloud-security-fears.html

[joeyg]

All the back up and storage ideas are a good reminder though...

[kovaltech]

For Yanks, an expired undamaged US passport is sufficient proof of identity should a new passport be required. A picture on a smart-phone is not sufficient proof of identity as can be altered .

I think you'r missing the point here...

"Tips and tricks for Visa and document problems"

Besides having an physical copy of your documents, having a digital copy on hand might be a good idea ;-)

[kovaltech]

All the back up and storage ideas are a good reminder though...

Yep, imagine you are somewhere and just "that" document you don't have a copy...

Or, your luggage has been left on the bus at the border and the bus drove off ( just seen it happened this week at Savannakhet border)

At the embassy gate there are mostly little offices with printers and internet acces ( as i did witness this week ) and for a small fee, this guy was able to have "that" document in less then 5 minutes...

[JLCrab]

For Yanks, an expired undamaged US passport is sufficient proof of identity should a new passport be required. A picture on a smart-phone is not sufficient proof of identity as can be altered .

I think you'r missing the point here...

"Tips and tricks for Visa and document problems"

Besides having an physical copy of your documents, having a digital copy on hand might be a good idea ;-)

I didn't say that having digital copies of important documents is not advisable. All I said was that they are not proof of identity. An expired passport -- at least for US citizens -- is acceptable proof of identity at a US Embassy or Consulate should a new passport be required.

[kovaltech]

For Yanks, an expired undamaged US passport is sufficient proof of identity should a new passport be required. A picture on a smart-phone is not sufficient proof of identity as can be altered .

I think you'r missing the point here...

"Tips and tricks for Visa and document problems"

Besides having an physical copy of your documents, having a digital copy on hand might be a good idea ;-)

I didn't say that having digital copies of important documents is not advisable. All I said was that they are not proof of identity. An expired passport -- at least for US citizens -- is acceptable proof of identity at a US Embassy or Consulate should a new passport be required.

So, for Yanks, having your passport stolen or lost, would mean that having only a copy of your passport and a police report would be unacceptable proof of your identity to obtain a new passport at a US Embassy or Consulate ?

[JLCrab]

For Yanks, an expired undamaged US passport is sufficient proof of identity should a new passport be required. A picture on a smart-phone is not sufficient proof of identity as can be altered .

I think you'r missing the point here...

"Tips and tricks for Visa and document problems"

Besides having an physical copy of your documents, having a digital copy on hand might be a good idea ;-)

I didn't say that having digital copies of important documents is not advisable. All I said was that they are not proof of identity. An expired passport -- at least for US citizens -- is acceptable proof of identity at a US Embassy or Consulate should a new passport be required.

So, for Yanks, having your passport stolen or lost, would mean that having only a copy of your passport and a police report would be unacceptable proof of your identity to obtain a new passport at a US Embassy or Consulate ?

Correct. Not acceptable.

To replace the passport, you must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy during regular office hours, with the police report. A photocopy of the face page of the lost passport is helpful, as is photographic identification and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship are:

• an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate,
• an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth,
• a Naturalization Certificate,
• a previous or expired passport.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/lost_stolen_passports.html

[kovaltech]

Correct. Not acceptable.

To replace the passport, you must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy during regular office hours, with the police report. A photocopy of the face page of the lost passport is helpful, as is photographic identification and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship are:

• an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate,
• an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth,
• a Naturalization Certificate,
• a previous or expired passport.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/lost_stolen_passports.html

So, you'r proving you'r wrong ?

The only thing what is required, as per your own link and text, is a police report....

Also that a photocopy of the face page of the passport is helpful....

Now, that is nothing special, thats about the same in every embassy from any country i know of... and as stated in header of this topic....

But, to get back to the topic, in the hope we can stay on topic,...

This topic is about Tips and Tricks for VISA and document problems...

[JLCrab]

and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship are:

• an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate,
• an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth,
• a Naturalization Certificate,
• a previous or expired passport.

I posted on here so that Americans and possibly other nationalities may realize just how valuable is an expired passport if the current passport is lost or stolen. If your US passport is lost or stolen, you will not get a new one without presenting one of the four items listed above.

[JLCrab]

What would someone otherwise do, if he needs a replacement passport if he does not have :

• an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate,
  
• an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth,
  
• a Naturalization Certificate,
  
• a previous or expired passport.
  

They would have a big document problem. As per the linked above US Embassy Bangkok website:

The loss of a valid U.S. passport is a serious matter.

[JLCrab]

This is from Travel.state.gov -- it is different from the US Embassy - Bangkok but still requires hard copy ID

Lost or Stolen Passports Abroad

The following list identifies a number of documents/items you should take with you to the embassy/consulate. Even if you are unable to present all of the documents, the consular staff will do their best to assist you to replace your passport quickly. Please provide:

A Passport Photo (one photo is required; get it in advance to speed the process of replacing your passport)

Identification (driver's license, expired passport etc.)

Evidence of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, photocopy of your missing passport)

... and I will revert to my Post #10.

BTW No one would be stuck forever in Thailand if -- for whatever reason -- they were unable to supply documentation sufficient for the issuance of a new passport at the US Embassy - Bangkok after one is lost or stolen:

EMERGENCY PASSPORTS

Emergency passports are issued on a case by case basis, and are valid for three months up to one year, depending on circumstances. Presentation of evidence, such as a flight itinerary will be required for proof of genuine need for an emergency passport. Emergency passports require a minimum of 24 hours to process. We are prohibited from adding additional visa pages to an emergency passport.

BTW2 in addition to having all the relevant pages of my new 2015 US passport scanned and in a ZIP file available as an email attachment, I have 3 expired US Passports and 2 certified (embossed) copies of my birth certificate with me here in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

Abusive, inflammatory and bickering posts removed.

[JLCrab]

Again, My original post was to point out how valuable is the expired passport. While a total electronic file of your passport "will go a long way", on the State Department 'Lost or Stolen Passport' page it still says that you have to show some hard copy ID i.e. driver's license.

[kovaltech]

So again, referring to post 12,

"

So, for Yanks, having your passport stolen or lost, would mean that having only a copy of your passport and a police report would be unacceptable proof of your identity to obtain a new passport at a US Embassy or Consulate ?

Correct. Not acceptable."

and posting 14

" and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship are:

• an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate,
• an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth,
• a Naturalization Certificate,
• a previous or expired passport.

I posted on here so that Americans and possibly other nationalities may realize just how valuable is an expired passport if the current passport is lost or stolen. If your US passport is lost or stolen, you will not get a new one without presenting one of the four items listed above."

Meaning that a photocopy or a printed scan isn't proof of citizenship ?

as where

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/lost-or-stolen-passports-abroad.html

clearly state that it is ?

So, in case of, someone has nothing else then: a police report and some scanned documents on his e-mail or digital carrier ( which seems to be plausible for any normal tourist who's man's bag has been stolen or lost )

Can he , or can't he get a new passport at the embassy ?

Since topics as this one, intends to give people the utmost correct and helpfull information, i would like to find the correctness of this information by related links towards the official websites.

Having scanned copy's of your documents, is as stated above, always helpful, even in Thailand if dealing with official bureau's.

[Mudcrab]

All my stuff is in the top drawer of the dressing table in the bedroom. Never had a problem.

[JLCrab]

Here are the 2 links I referenced:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/lost-or-stolen-passports-abroad.html#ReplaceLostStln

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/lost_stolen_passports.html

-- the rest is up-to-you

[Guest]

Here are the 2 links I referenced:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/lost-or-stolen-passports-abroad.html#ReplaceLostStln

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/lost_stolen_passports.html

-- the rest is up-to-you

All this guy was saying was "Do your best, scan it all, back it up ... it is a lot better than nothing."

[kovaltech]

To all readers,

Having copy's available, digital , is a viable way to identify yourself in case of...

This is applicable everywhere

As long as your digital copy's are verifiable, there will be no problem what so ever.

Yes, there may be some delay for checking, but bottom line, digital copy as backup, always is helpful.

I have seen many cases, also experienced a few times, that where being able to produce a print from a digital document, things where smooth as silk...

This especially in Thailand and seen this week in Savannakhet Thai embassy.

Thanks all for reading and looking forward to your helpful reply's

[JLCrab]

From reading these pages and not just for the US Embassy in Bangkok but for all embassies in Thailand, there are many persons who, upon having their passports lost or stolen, are issued emergency passports that allow them to return directly to their home country because they were not able to provide sufficient documentation to obtain a new passport.

[Guest]

From reading these pages and not just for the US Embassy in Bangkok but for all embassies in Thailand, there are many persons who, upon having their passports lost or stolen, are issued emergency passports that allow them to return directly to their home country because they were not able to provide sufficient documentation to obtain a new passport.

OK, lets take a leap of faith and say that is true ...

Now the topic we are discussing is whether it is prudent to scan and keep electronic backup of our valuable documents .. IE: Passport.

So, since I have shown you that a photocopy will do .. in a moment of pure irony .. could it be that those people unable to furnish ANY record .. photocopy. electronic version, ...are the ones you are referring to ??

Here, let me post it again.

[ubonjoe]

It is time to end the bickering. Further posts will be removed.

[JLCrab]

Actually, I first posted that link to the State.gov site which says that you still need some hard-copy form of ID beyond the photocopy namely a driver's license or an expired passport ... and I posted way back when about the expired passport because I do not think most people realize just how valuable they are should a current passport be lost or stolen.

[Guest]

Dear ubonjoe,

555 Looks like you beat me to it !

[JLCrab]

The reason I have the back-up for US passport namely the expired passports and certified birth certificates is that I was pick-pocketed in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia in the the mid-1990's. They got my wallet with credit cards (which were canceled and a new one mailed), some travelers checks (which were replaced in Jakarta), and a $100 dollar bill. However my passport and paper-ticket were in my camera bag so I realized just how fortunate I was having not lost the passport.

[kovaltech]

Additional info for obtaining a new passport:

In this era of all being "biometric"

FYI, passports are now issued with a biometric chip, containing all your biometric data inclusive your fingerprints. ( this is valid for all country's it even might be true for US citizens )

Since nowhere is stated that you will not receive a new passport based on the absence of any mentioned above documents and that the only real requirement is to present yourself in person, i see no reason to believe that you will be refused a new passport based solely on the absence of any document.

It is however clearly stated , everywhere, that providing documentation, verifiable, be it a copy, is helpful.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/lost-or-stolen-passports-abroad.html

is also very clear:

Fill in the needed forms and or give a sworn testimony, supply them with verifiable information and they will help you