Hi. I have an extension of stay valid until July. My passport expires in August. I am planning a trip back to my home country sometime this spring. Do I have to apply for a new passport at my embassy in Bangkok before I leave, then have my extension of stay transferred to this new passport and subsequently get a reentry permit in it? Or can I do it the easy way (since I don't live in Bangkok) and get the reentry permit in my current passport, fly home, get a new passport there, and then get back into Thailand using new passport and reentry permit in the old passport? If so, do I need to transfer my extension of stay to my new passport upon my return, or can I leave it in my old passport until I renew my extension in July? Thanks for the info!

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by Gulfsailor

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

I only mentioned visa exempt entries in reference to passport validity. People from some countries must have 6 months remaining on their passport validity to enter the country. Most of those from countries that can get a visa exempt entry do not need 6 months validity. If you are not allowed a visa exempt entry you would need 6 months validity to enter the country.

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

I only mentioned visa exempt entries in reference to passport validity. People from some countries must have 6 months remaining on their passport validity to enter the country. Most of those from countries that can get a visa exempt entry do not need 6 months validity. If you are not allowed a visa exempt entry you would need 6 months validity to enter the country.

Still not quite following. But my home country is in the EU and I would qualify for visa exempt. But I want to re enter Thailand using a reentry permit on my extension of stay. So just so I am not misunderstanding, I can do the following;

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

Thank you!

Since you qualify for a visa exempt entry you will not have a problem entering the country with a passport that has less than 6 month validity remaining. But if you get somebody not familiar with the rules when you check in for your return flight you might have to get a supervisor involved.

There won't be less than 6 months left, it will be cancelled with holes in it. But they generally do look at old cancelled passports as still valid for visa/reentry stamps. As long as you have a valid new passport, and a valid unexpired reentry stamp with remaining permission to stay in the old passport you should be ok. I have travelled with the pair of passports many times.

There won't be less than 6 months left, it will be cancelled with holes in it. But they generally do look at old cancelled passports as still valid for visa/reentry stamps. As long as you have a valid new passport, and a valid unexpired reentry stamp with remaining permission to stay in the old passport you should be ok. I have travelled with the pair of passports many times.

Thank you. This is what I'd liked to hear. Still don't know what Ubonjoe is referring to though. I think he misunderstands my question. Anyways, I'll have to do my 90 day report next week, so will try to get confirmation of above from an immigration officer as well. Better save than sorry. Don't want to come back to Thailand only to find out my extension of stay and reentry permit can no longer be used. Then I would have to enter on visa exempt, then go back out to get a new nonB somewhere and then get a new extension again. Whooaaa, not looking forward to that.

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by Gulfsailor

Sorry got a little distracted and posted about entering on your old passport. New passport no problem.

No need to worry your re-entry permit will still be valid in your old passport. Just show both passports on entry and be sure you put your re-entry permit number on the arrival card in visa number space.

Sorry got a little distracted and posted about entering on your old passport. New passport no problem.

No need to worry your re-entry permit will still be valid in your old passport. Just show both passports on entry and be sure you put your re-entry permit number on the arrival card in visa number space.

Thank you!

When you return, take both passports to the immigration office and they'll transfer your visa, entry stamps and whatever's necessary to the new one, no problem.

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

I only mentioned visa exempt entries in reference to passport validity. People from some countries must have 6 months remaining on their passport validity to enter the country. Most of those from countries that can get a visa exempt entry do not need 6 months validity. If you are not allowed a visa exempt entry you would need 6 months validity to enter the country.

Still not quite following. But my home country is in the EU and I would qualify for visa exempt. But I want to re enter Thailand using a reentry permit on my extension of stay. So just so I am not misunderstanding, I can do the following;

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

Thank you!

yes thats the way to do it, i just did it in November:

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.Belgium

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

and when this done, look good at the date for your 89 days stamp, in my case , in the airport when arriving he stamped till the day i must renew my visa (6 months later than entry) in case he does same, just count approx 89 days and go to immigration.

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

I only mentioned visa exempt entries in reference to passport validity. People from some countries must have 6 months remaining on their passport validity to enter the country. Most of those from countries that can get a visa exempt entry do not need 6 months validity. If you are not allowed a visa exempt entry you would need 6 months validity to enter the country.

Still not quite following. But my home country is in the EU and I would qualify for visa exempt. But I want to re enter Thailand using a reentry permit on my extension of stay. So just so I am not misunderstanding, I can do the following;

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

Thank you!

yes thats the way to do it, i just did it in November:

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.Belgium

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

and when this done, look good at the date for your 89 days stamp, in my case , in the airport when arriving he stamped till the day i must renew my visa (6 months later than entry) in case he does same, just count approx 89 days and go to immigration.

Thanks for the confirmation!

You could get the re-entry permit in your current passport and and then make your trip as you wrote.

The only problem you could have is with the airline when you return insisting you need 6 months remaining on your passport to enter the country. Most citizens of the countries that are on the visa exempt entry list only need a passport for their length of stay while others need 6 months.

You should have your stamps transferred as soon as possible after you return.

Thank you Ubonjoe. But I don't follow your info about the visa exempt bit. I would return to Thailand with both passports of which the then cancelled one would hold the reentry permit and extension of stay. The new passport, albeit without any visa would be valid for 5 years. You think the airline would not accept the 'visa' in the 'cancelled' passport?

I only mentioned visa exempt entries in reference to passport validity. People from some countries must have 6 months remaining on their passport validity to enter the country. Most of those from countries that can get a visa exempt entry do not need 6 months validity. If you are not allowed a visa exempt entry you would need 6 months validity to enter the country.

Still not quite following. But my home country is in the EU and I would qualify for visa exempt. But I want to re enter Thailand using a reentry permit on my extension of stay. So just so I am not misunderstanding, I can do the following;

1) get a reentry permit in my current passport

2) fly to my EU home country.

3) in my home country I get a new passport and they cancel my old passport by punching some holes in it

4) I return to Thailand and am allowed entry using the reentry permit in the cancelled passport thus keeping my extension alive.

5) I visit my local immigration office to transfer my extension to my new passport?

Thank you!

I don't see any problem with that as long as you are in home country long enough to get a new passport, and within the time limit of your re-entry permit.

It is only Feb...and based on your trip what is the reason for the wait? Is going back home and doing it something special? Back home is it cheaper? Are the passport better there? What are you waiting for?

It is only Feb...and based on your trip what is the reason for the wait? Is going back home and doing it something special? Back home is it cheaper? Are the passport better there? What are you waiting for?

Please reread the initial post. It very clearly explains what you are asking. Please take more time to read carefully.

It is only Feb...and based on your trip what is the reason for the wait? Is going back home and doing it something special? Back home is it cheaper? Are the passport better there? What are you waiting for?

Please reread the initial post. It very clearly explains what you are asking. Please take more time to read carefully.

O.K. based on your suggestion. Time frame somewhat off,, he says he has a extension until July, his passport expires in August, he is planning a trip home "sometime" in Spring, so it is not five month away but he still has more than enough time to go to the Embassy, ( Two weeks ) to get a new Passport, once obtain, go to Immigration and have his stamps transferred for FREE, one day! Again why wait? end of story?

My old passport expired in August 2015, In 2014, December I took a ride from Pattaya to Bangkok and renewed my passport, two weeks later got a call to pick it up. I do this because I like to do a field trip and stay overnight like a holiday? Next day pick it up return to Pattaya, next morning went down to Immigration handed them the book told to return tomorrow which I did... End of story! It only becomes a problem if you make it one!

My comment was for him to just get a new passport, First he says his Embassy in Bangkok then says a moment later say he doesn't live in Bangkok? Between now and Spring just renewal it!

Edited January 31, 201610 yr by thailand49

It is only Feb...and based on your trip what is the reason for the wait? Is going back home and doing it something special? Back home is it cheaper? Are the passport better there? What are you waiting for?

Please reread the initial post. It very clearly explains what you are asking. Please take more time to read carefully.

O.K. based on your suggestion. Time frame somewhat off,, he says he has a extension until July, his passport expires in August, he is planning a trip home "sometime" in Spring, so it is not five month away but he still has more than enough time to go to the Embassy, ( Two weeks ) to get a new Passport, once obtain, go to Immigration and have his stamps transferred for FREE, one day! Again why wait? end of story?

My old passport expired in August 2015, In 2014, December I took a ride from Pattaya to Bangkok and renewed my passport, two weeks later got a call to pick it up. I do this because I like to do a field trip and stay overnight like a holiday? Next day pick it up return to Pattaya, next morning went down to Immigration handed them the book told to return tomorrow which I did... End of story! It only becomes a problem if you make it one!

My comment was for him to just get a new passport, First he says his Embassy in Bangkok then says a moment later say he doesn't live in Bangkok? Between now and Spring just renewal it!

Fair comment if I were in or near Bangkok. Unfortunately I am not. The return trip to Bangkok would make me lose a full day and is 10,000+ Baht excluding local taxi cost, plus it'll take a minimum of three weeks until it's ready. They do send it via EMS to me though, so no need for a second trip. I haven't event checked actual price difference of the passport yet between getting it at home country or in Bangkok.

It is only Feb...and based on your trip what is the reason for the wait? Is going back home and doing it something special? Back home is it cheaper? Are the passport better there? What are you waiting for?

Please reread the initial post. It very clearly explains what you are asking. Please take more time to read carefully.

O.K. based on your suggestion. Time frame somewhat off,, he says he has a extension until July, his passport expires in August, he is planning a trip home "sometime" in Spring, so it is not five month away but he still has more than enough time to go to the Embassy, ( Two weeks ) to get a new Passport, once obtain, go to Immigration and have his stamps transferred for FREE, one day! Again why wait? end of story?

My old passport expired in August 2015, In 2014, December I took a ride from Pattaya to Bangkok and renewed my passport, two weeks later got a call to pick it up. I do this because I like to do a field trip and stay overnight like a holiday? Next day pick it up return to Pattaya, next morning went down to Immigration handed them the book told to return tomorrow which I did... End of story! It only becomes a problem if you make it one!

My comment was for him to just get a new passport, First he says his Embassy in Bangkok then says a moment later say he doesn't live in Bangkok? Between now and Spring just renewal it!

Fair comment if I were in or near Bangkok. Unfortunately I am not. The return trip to Bangkok would make me lose a full day and is 10,000+ Baht excluding local taxi cost, plus it'll take a minimum of three weeks until it's ready. They do send it via EMS to me though, so no need for a second trip. I haven't event checked actual price difference of the passport yet between getting it at home country or in Bangkok.

Ok just checked; passport in Bangkok is THB 5050. In my home country it's Euro 64,40 or just under THB 2500.

I understand the need to balance things to get the best bang out of your baht.. here it is just me... I do things early to avoided the unexpected and living here there is plenty of unexpected.

I found it easy and fast to do it here... took the bus in, met my appointment.. pay the fee... and two weeks later although I was told 2-3 due to holiday to pick it up anytime. I did have the choice to have it sent. The major reason was at home I had to make a appointment too and there it took a number of weeks, then if you want one or two day service they charge you much more.

The choice based on your clarification is completely yours!

Good luck whatever you do?