Retaining still valid passport while renewing

[passingas]

From the limited information I've gleaned from various threads on this forum, is it true that you keep the old (USA), yet to expire passport (still has 6 months left on it) while a new one is being applied for? Then upon receiving of new one, they then punch the old one, give you a letter asking Thai Immigration for transfer of visas and such from the old one to the new one? Thanks for any input. pg

[pmarlin]

You it correct. I also renewed my USA passport here and what you outlined is what they do.

[lopburi3]

As long as there are no outstanding warrants that require them to keep your passport (mostly child support area) it is returned and when you obtain new passport it is cancelled but you retain it and any valid visas can still be used. The letter to immigration is to transfer your current entry/permitted to stay to new passport - visas are never transferred although reference to information from entry visa may be made.

[meatboy]

As long as there are no outstanding warrants that require them to keep your passport (mostly child support area) it is returned and when you obtain new passport it is cancelled but you retain it and any valid visas can still be used. The letter to immigration is to transfer your current entry/permitted to stay to new passport - visas are never transferred although reference to information from entry visa may be made.

i think the op means,when he say's transfer of visa's he means EXTENSION OF STAY.

[mahjongguy]

If you apply in person in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, and intend to pick up the new one in person, then you will retain your existing passport.

If you apply at an outreach, they will take your passport and return it with the new one.

[passingas]

No, it's not an extension of stay....that is a piece of paper that just stays with the passport. Visas are stamps. And this will be done at one of those outreach road shows and I am planning a trip to Angkor Wat before the end of the month, so will need my current, valid one for that. I intend to pick it up in person at the cons gen in Chiangmai when the new one arrives. Will I still be able to retain the current, almost expired one for traveling now?

[lopburi3]

Extensions of stay are stamps put into passport by immigration that allow a longer stay than original entry stamp put in passport at entry point - it is not a piece of paper and has nothing to do with any outreach program. You are talking about a Cambodian visa? Yes you will have passport and any visa available during time new passport is being made if submitted at Consulate (but only takes about a week to get new one).

[passingas]

I get a work visa, once a year (a stamp) and I have to do 90 day reporting that stays with the passport along with my departure card. I'm not talking about a visa for Cambodia...I'm talking about renewing my current valid (expires in Jan 2017) passport at an outreach thing and retaining that same passport for travel while the other is getting done. I apologize for any mis-understanding...just wondering about keeping my current passport while the other is being renewed and then having the old one punched when I pick up the new one. Can this be done at one of these outreach things? Thanks, pg

[lopburi3]

As you were told earlier if you use consular visit to obtain new passport it is done by mail and you must surrender your current passport when you make application. If if do at a Consulate you would keep current passport until you return to obtain replacement. Can you make arrangement to obtain in person? I do not know but expect they need to keep your passport in any case as it must be used for on-line clearance - done in office while you wait at Consulate but expect not done until return to Consulate on outside visits.

Those one year stamps from immigration or one stop are extensions of stay - they are not visas. Think of visa as an invitation to come - rather than a permission to stay. Very confusing I know but even more so when terms are not exact and trying to answer questions as the answers are different.

[passingas]

lb3, thanks for clearing that up, I appreciate it. pg

[passingas]

Just so everyone knows....you do indeed, get to keep your still valid passport and only surrender it to be punched, when you go and get the new one, whereupon they will give the old one back as well. This was done this morning at one of the outreach trips the Consulate General does and now you know. I still have my valid passport in hand, while I wait for the new one to be issued. I will pick the new one up, in person at the ConsGen office in CM in about 2 weeks. pg

[mahjongguy]

When you apply at an outreach to replace your U.S. passport, you can choose to receive it by mail or you can go to Consulate to pick it up. That choice determines whether or not you will spend those days with no passport at all.

This is from American Citizen Services:

IMPORTANT: There are two ways to receive your new passport:

1.) IN PERSON: Come to our office in Bangkok (or send a representative on your behalf) during our appointment hours (M-F from 7:30-11 AM, except holidays and the last Friday of every month), but no appointment is necessary. Present your old passport for cancelation and collect your new passport. If you select this option, please submit a copy of your current passport when you apply.

2.) BY MAIL: Purchase a prepaid Thai Post envelope at the outreach for 100 THB (exact change required). If you select this option, our staff will take your current passport to Bangkok, cancel it when the new passport arrives, and mail both passports to you at the same time.