Changes to Passports for US Citizens

[Jeffkp]

Just received this from US Embassy:

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and the U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai inform U.S. citizens that

· After December 31, 2015, the Department of State will no longer add extra visa pages to U.S. passports.

· U.S. citizens applying for passports outside of the United States will receive 52-page passport books. The 52-page passport book will cost the same as 28-page passport book would.

· Renew your passport early to make sure you have enough blank pages for visa stamps from other countries. Some countries require two blank pages for their entry and exit stamps.

· See travel.state.gov for more information on entry, exit, and foreign visa requirements.

The Department of State will discontinue the consular service of adding additional visa pages to U.S. passports beginning January 1, 2016. The determination to eliminate the visa page insert service was made to enhance the security of the passport and to abide by international passport standards.

As of October 2014, 52-page passport books are being issued at no extra cost to all applicants applying at overseas posts. This policy aims to lessen the burden that may be placed on frequent travelers who need more pages and those customers who may need to update residence permits or foreign entry/exit visas to comply with foreign country immigration practices.

We look forward to continue serving U. S. citizens in Thailand. Please be sure to renew your passport early if you are running low on passport pages for upcoming travel. To schedule a new appointment for a passport service, please visit the appointments page for;

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/acsappointment.html

The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai: http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service/appointments.html

[JLCrab]

You can also renew your passport at a Consular Outreach session and, if you use their return EMS service, you do not have to travel to Bangkok at all.

[IMA_FARANG]

I renewed my U.S. passport in June 2015 in Bangkok and received a 52 page passport then. at the same cost as a 28 page was.

I believe Bangkok has already started issuing 52 page passports as the standard.

Edited September 1, 2015 by IMA_FARANG

[NanLaew]

Lucky buggers! The fattest UK passport is stated as 48-pages but that includes all the data and endorsement and observation pages so actually only 42 pages are usable for visas. It fills up rapidly as an international gypsy. I haven't managed more than 5 years out of the 10 year validity on the past 3 passport issues. I think the Aussie's are blessed with a 60 or 64 page version which would last me closer to the full 10 years.

[Smokin Joe]

I had extra pages added a few weeks ago and the official put two sets of extra pages in my passport. I didn't ask for the extra set and it didn't cost any more.

Maybe they have boxes of them that will have to be destroyed if they are not used by the end of the year.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Joe

I'm sort of hoping that the ACS will come out with a "sale" on the extra pages in late December and just hand them out for free. Wouldn't that be nice, and charitable, since they're going to be trashed anyway.

Mac

[Soutpeel]

Lucky buggers! The fattest UK passport is stated as 48-pages but that includes all the data and endorsement and observation pages so actually only 42 pages are usable for visas. It fills up rapidly as an international gypsy. I haven't managed more than 5 years out of the 10 year validity on the past 3 passport issues. I think the Aussie's are blessed with a 60 or 64 page version which would last me closer to the full 10 years.

My average at one point in time was a new UK "jumbo" PP every 2.5 years, your right a 60 odd pager would be better

[CaptHaddock]

I have an upcoming appointment at the US Embassy to add pages. Can someone tell me how early I should arrive for the appointment to get through security, etc.? Also, do I have to leave the passport and come back later to pick it up or is it while-u-wait?

[skatewash]

I have an upcoming appointment at the US Embassy to add pages. Can someone tell me how early I should arrive for the appointment to get through security, etc.? Also, do I have to leave the passport and come back later to pick it up or is it while-u-wait?

It took me about 5 minutes to pass through security. The pages are added while you wait. Probably took about 1 hour total.

[CaptHaddock]

I have an upcoming appointment at the US Embassy to add pages. Can someone tell me how early I should arrive for the appointment to get through security, etc.? Also, do I have to leave the passport and come back later to pick it up or is it while-u-wait?

It took me about 5 minutes to pass through security. The pages are added while you wait. Probably took about 1 hour total.

That's what I was looking for. Thanks for the info.

[anotheruser]

Surprised they decided to do this after they began charging for pages awhile back. Oh well it really doesn't make the much of a difference in the long run.