Reader submission: New Dutch passport and visa transfer
Dear readers,
Recently applied for a new passport at the Dutch embassy in Bangkok. Friendly help from an English speaking lady. Asked for an original bill for passport payment, but she did not understand this properly, so a Dutchman had to be added. I could only obtain a simple receipt and nothing more.
I wanted to show with original invoice at immigration that passport was original and comes from or through the embassy. I had already heard many stories and people who were sent back to the embassy for consular clearance.
She did tell me that I could get a consular statement for that problem, but I didn't want that, and certainly not for 1060 baht. My visa expired after 18 days before applying for new passport. She told me that a new passport could take 3 to 4 weeks. Okay, I thought I'd put visas in the old passport, so don't leave it behind or have it destroyed.
Two days before I applied for a new visa, I called the embassy to see if my passport had arrived. It wasn't there yet, just explained the problem and a Dutch-speaking lady told me why I hadn't applied for a passport urgently, cost 50 euros more but certainly that passport was there within 1 week. That option was not mentioned to me on the application, even though I had properly informed them that my visa was about to expire.
So the application was incomplete, talking about consular declaration but not about an urgent procedure. Minus point for embassy.
Good, made a new visa on October 27, on November 1 the embassy called that I could collect my passport. After I got this new passport to immigration to transfer it, without consular declaration.
Transfer papers filled in for this and everything handed over, new passport with the old passport. No consular statement from embassy they asked, no. My girlfriend made it clear to immigration that my old passport number was in the new passport and that new passport was a continuation of the old passport. Also explained what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was, that was not a country they said. Both written down in English on the application form and spoken to the officer in Thai.
Then everything was accepted without consular declaration and obtained a number to collect the passport again the next day.
So fellow citizens, inform immigration that your old passport number is in your new state, also point them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, write it in English on the application form, it will save you 1060 baht for consular declaration and possibly a trip back to embassy.
I have had contact via via with the consumer association regarding non-issue of original invoice by embassy, it is mandatory in the Netherlands that when a consumer asks for an original itemized invoice that this must be provided, government services also fall under the same legal obligation.
I would like to point out that the embassy works according to rules drawn up by the government, so the embassy has not fallen short. In fact, I'm quite satisfied.
The embassy should therefore also advise the Dutch to refer to the old passport number when transferring a visa, and not to sell a consular statement in advance. In addition, I also have the maxim, I am not the owner of the passport, I am only allowed to use it, so the Dutch government must then prove that my passport is okay.
So for all the people who still get this with new passport, remember the information given here.
Regards,
Roel
It is not standard that the number of the old passport is stated in your new passport. If the official does not ask whether you have a valid visa during the application procedure, always mention this when applying for your new passport.
Roel, it has been said 1000 times that every Immigration Office has its own rules and (usually) also comply with them. When I was in Sri Racha with the same case, I also clearly pointed out the stamp of the Embassy stating that your new passport issued to replace old passport (Number).
Then you can jump high and low and get the whole Thai family involved but they just refuse to help you further without this Consular statement, can you tell me the smartest way to choose ???
Indeed a return ticket to Bangkok, no more and no less.
Hank,
They also asked us for the consular statement and we were not sent away to get it either. You know my girlfriend and she is not easily sent away in such cases, she also has too much knowledge for them, they even respect her. She had good instructions from me beforehand about that old passport number and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
But here in Jomtien they handle this story differently, some have consular certificate and they are not asked.
So receipt doesn't help what you tried with, that's why I asked for original bill, but that was refused by embassy.
A visa gives access to a country, nothing more, and is therefore never transferred (after all, you are already in the country). Your reason for staying here, your extension of stay, can be transferred.
The entire history from which date and year you have a retiremend visa is put in it, at least with me.
Wrong Steve. Your Visa WILL be transferred to your new passport. After all, the original visa must serve as the basis for obtaining further extensions. Without a visa: no extensions. And you can't do anything with your old passport afterwards because it has been declared invalid
Still quite a job: explaining to the Dutch embassy in Thailand what you need as a Dutch expat in Thailand to continue your stay there at the lowest possible cost and problems.
Let me always have thought that that is why NL maintains an embassy there, among other things.
My case pretty identical:
* urgent procedure for 50 euros extra to get the passport within 1 week was not mentioned, despite the fact that I explicitly stated that I still had 15 days before my visa expired.
* consular statement was sold to me as a matter of course
* need to apply for visa with old passport
* I will receive a new passport next week
I have now received a visa until the end of the validity of my old passport: in 5 months I can apply for a new visa.
For how long has Roel received a visa? Also until the end of validity old passport?
Why do you only apply for that passport two weeks before the visa expires? This is asking for trouble though. Inform yourself better. It remains your own responsibility.
I had been to embassy before, Oct 6, but on Oct 3, embassy stated on website that embassy would be closed on Oct 5,6, 7 and 4, the doormen told me. There were many Dutch people there. Yes, I should have looked on October 5 or 1, then I would have known, but I would have done so on October XNUMX.
In addition, my friends also recently received new passports and they already had them back by mail in 2 weeks.
Kees,
Passport was valid until February 23, so visa until that date and make a new one again before February 23, 2017
You can never get an extension of a visa that exceeds the expiry date of the passport.
My new passport from the Netherlands does not contain the number of the old one either. But otherwise had no problems with the transfer of the year extension in Korat.
Normally, it is standard for a passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not by a municipality, to include a statement on the first visa page stating that the new passport replaces the old passport. Of course with the necessary passport numbers. In three languages.
Also ask if your social security number will appear on the personalization page. Normally that number is in the numbers and letters at the bottom of that page. But that social security number has its own space in the middle right of the personalization page. It may be that the latest models lack that space. That number is still in my passport.
If you have your passport renewed in the Netherlands, this is not a standard procedure. But just to be sure, ask after it, because the application form that goes to the Netherlands via an encrypted digital connection must have that code that will include a statement in that passport. Production is largely automated.
If you look at the Embassy's site and you sound about rates, you will come across the costs of passports. An ordinary passport, a business passport and also the costs of an “urgent”.
Immigration offices in Thailand have their own rules. One wants this, the other wants that and transferring stamps is in principle free, but people charge a fee at various offices.
At that time, I had my Dutch passport renewed in the Netherlands and indicated to the relevant official that my Thai visa should remain intact and that the new passport will be given a reference with reference to the old passport with number, etc. I saw in my new passport that they had provided my Thai visa with a number of holes in my old passport. Thank you please. My passport also contained a visa for Cambodia (already used) and it was beautifully kept intact. Astonishment already about and had apologies and a whole sentence placed in the passport, in which the municipality acknowledged and apologized for the error. Written in Dutch of course. At immigration in Jomtien Pattaya, however, this was no problem and a visa was neatly stuck in my new passport.
So it can go that way.
Bought a new passport last week, 131 euros, Netherlands 64, and the form of authenticity was included without notice, why did I have to pay 1160 baht again and others 1060?, I must say that I was helped correctly but it's just as everywhere in Thailand, they all have their own rules, unfortunately this will not change in the Dutch embassy either. We can take another 9 years for a new application, then you will not have any problems with writing your visa over and you will certainly not be too late, and if you divide these amounts by 9 or 10, 500 baht per year will fall again along.
If you have the passport or certificate sent by post, there will be an additional 100THB shipping costs for registered mail. Normal extra costs.
Roel, enough has already been said about the rest, but not yet this.
The inside of the cover of the passport states: This passport is the property of the State of the Netherlands, the holder is …. etc.
You are only the holder and therefore never become the owner of the passport.
Regards,
Nico B
Just a correction regarding the certificate issued by the embassy upon renewal of passport:
This letter not only declares that it is a new passport, but also confirms and guarantees the “authenticity” and legal delivery of the passport through Foreign Affairs. Mentioning the number of the old passport in the new one or a receipt of payment does not guarantee that it is a "genuinely legal" passport. In many immigration offices they “demand” such a document because of the frequent fraud of passports. After all, this is their full right. They follow the guidelines prescribed by the government. That they don't do it yet at some immigration offices: TIT.
The Belgian embassy provides such a certificate free of charge and without your own request when renewing a passport. They know you might need it. It is their business that the Dutch embassy does not do that. It will become a general standard in the future and will therefore be applied everywhere.
If the immigration keeps the image stiff demands such a certificate, you better make sure you have it. Pointing out to the immigration officer that your old number is in the new passport does not provide him / her with any legal proof and can therefore refuse to transfer your visa ... their full right and we foreigners do not have to tell Thai immigration how it should be must.
“an original invoice for passport payment” normal that the officer did not understand this. After all, it is a completely wrong Dutch term and if you also translate it into English in this way, it is also wrong.
What you needed was in correct Dutch: a proof of payment or a receipt.
If you ask for an “original account or an original count” in English you are wrong and someone whose native language is not English will not understand…. next time you ask for an original “receit” and that will be understood. Finally, it is also a wrong idea that this could prove the authenticity of your passport. It only proves that you may have paid something at the embassy, but nothing else.
Nico B I think Roel already writes this ::, I don't own the passport, I can only use it, so the Dutch government has to prove that my passport is okay.
Absolutely right Henk, mistake on my part.
Nico B
It is a strange thing that with a new passport you would have to prove that it is genuine by means of a consular statement. And how do you declare that the consular statement is genuine?
I think this is a result of passports no longer being made by an embassy. That used to be the case and that was also stated in the passport.
Billing a holder of a new passport another 30 Euros for a simple statement is not correct. I advise those who paid that to inquire at the ministry in The Hague whether they acted correctly. After all, it is the government (in this case through an embassy) that must be able to prove that a passport is genuine.
It is also the task of the embassy to find a solution for this in consultation with the immigration authorities.
It's just a money grab by the Embassy because I had my passport renewed last year in May (2015) and my old passport was still valid until February 2016, but I applied for a new one because I don't want any hassle because your passport must be valid for 6 months from now on and you never know what will happen, whether you suddenly have to return to the Netherlands or go on holiday elsewhere in Asia.
When you leave Thailand, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
And in these countries too”
Passport valid: Valid for at least six months upon departure
However, some countries require that your passport is valid for at least six months upon departure. The main countries requiring this are:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Surinam,
Algeria, Belarus, Chad,
Angola, Kirzigstan, Thailand,
Azerbaijan, Russia, Zambia.
look at this site: http://www.meenemen.nl/voorbereiding/overige/geldigheid-paspoort/
But now it comes in my previous passport it said "Ambassador to Bangkok" at the bottom right
now the new passport says "Minister of Foreign Affairs"
I think if the Immigration sees "Ambassador to Bangkok" they will definitely believe the passport is genuine.
So all passports issued in 2015 or after are labeled "Minister of Foreign Affairs".
I think De Ambassade wants to receive more money because the passports are now valid for 10 years because why have they changed that, the "Ambassador in Bangkok" gives it to us and I know it is made in The Hague and then sent back to Bangkok.
So people, take a look at your old passport and see what you say Ambassador to Bangkok or Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I think that's why Immigration is difficult in some cities/towns
Fortunately, I don't have to worry about my passport for the time being, because it only expires in May 2025.
Greetings Pekasu
Everyone can write about this until the next Visa or Passport blog, but as I said in an earlier response, that is different for EVERY Immigration. Even at our own Dutch Embassy there are differences as can be read in the comments above, what do you want how it is in Thailand is all arranged ?? The transfer of the remaining visa time also differs from office to office and some simply refuse to transfer from the old to the new. gets the short end of the stick..
What is written somewhere in Thailand about the validity period to and from Thailand has been the case for 30 years, you have always needed a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and I don't understand the money grab at all, after all, it is Thai Immigration that the laws prescribe. Only the information provided at the Embassy could have been a little better.
We close this topic. Thanks everyone for the comments.