Renewing my UK Passport

[Pumpuynarak]

44 minutes ago, karon steve said:

I can never understand this witnessed or countersigned thing.
How do they check?

They don't, its just a bullshit exercise lol

[KWA]

46 minutes ago, karon steve said:

I can never understand this witnessed or countersigned thing.
How do they check?

I used to countersign passport photos in the UK for work colleagues and once I think the passport office called me with a couple of questions out of maybe 15 to 20 times doing it.

[Pumpuynarak]

6 minutes ago, KWA said:

I used to countersign passport photos in the UK for work colleagues and once I think the passport office called me with a couple of questions out of maybe 15 to 20 times doing it.

My post was of course relating to this agent specific Mythaivisa process for my passport renewal. I do appreciate that at times the process and checking is genuine. As a magistrate in the UK mates of mine used my position to sign off their shotgun licence applications and like you i would get phone calls from the police checking i had witnessed their applications.

Edited May 3, 2024 by Pumpuynarak

[Derek Dangleberries]

On 4/30/2024 at 10:59 AM, Pumpuynarak said:

Sent all the required signed forms and current passport/driving licence/(for proof of address) 2 mugshots off to Mythaivisa yesterday. Advised them by email, got an immediate reply requesting the EMS tracking number so they could track.

They do everything

Any updates mate?

I will be sending mine off tomorrow  ....

[Pumpuynarak]

20 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

Any updates mate?

I will be sending mine off tomorrow  ....

All done and sent to Som on 29th April, she confirmed receipt and i'm now just waiting for it, i'm expecting a 4-6 week wait.

I'll let ya know when i receive.

[Pumpuynarak]

 

On 5/19/2024 at 9:36 AM, Derek Dangleberries said:

Any updates mate?

I will be sending mine off tomorrow  ....

Well today 3rd June back comes my old passport and driving licence together with my new passport, thats 5 weeks from when i sent off the paperwork. I have to say that the service i've received from MyThaiVisa has been excellent and i would not hesitate to recommend them.

Now i wonder if they can renew mine and wifey's driving licences ? lol

Edited June 3, 2024 by Pumpuynarak

[Derek Dangleberries]

37 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

 

Well today 3rd June back comes my old passport and driving licence together with my new passport, thats 5 weeks from when i sent off the paperwork. I have to say that the service i've received from MyThaiVisa has been excellent and i would not hesitate to recommend them.

Now i wonder if they can renew mine and wifey's driving licences ? lol

Hahahaha!!!! I just logged in to ask if you had an update and here it is waiting for me!!!

Mine should be back by beginning July then. Plenty of time for them to do my retirement visa renewal ...Due in September but no idea how early they can do it ...

[thegrogmonster]

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

 

Well today 3rd June back comes my old passport and driving licence together with my new passport, thats 5 weeks from when i sent off the paperwork. I have to say that the service i've received from MyThaiVisa has been excellent and i would not hesitate to recommend them.

Now i wonder if they can renew mine and wifey's driving licences ? lol

Can you please let me know how you go with the licences.

[Pumpuynarak]

17 minutes ago, thegrogmonster said:

Can you please let me know how you go with the licences.

I don't think for one minute they will be able to do our licences but i'm going to ask, i'll let you know.

[Derek Dangleberries]

On 6/3/2024 at 11:06 AM, Pumpuynarak said:

Well today 3rd June back comes my old passport and driving licence together with my new passport, thats 5 weeks from when i sent off the paperwork. I have to say that the service i've received from MyThaiVisa has been excellent and i would not hesitate to recommend them.

Yep. I've got mine back this afternoon.

It really is a lovely new black passport in a plastic cover. Very sturdy front page!! Issued until 12 June 2034

I, too, am very pleased with the service from MyThaiVisa. Any delays were caused by my dillying and dallying.

Next task for them is to do my Annual Retirement extension next Month.

 

[Pumpuynarak]

On 6/3/2024 at 12:31 PM, Pumpuynarak said:

I don't think for one minute they will be able to do our licences but i'm going to ask, i'll let you know.

To date i have'nt had a reply to my email lol

[Derek Dangleberries]

On 7/2/2024 at 3:00 PM, Derek Dangleberries said:

Next task for them is to do my Annual Retirement extension next Month.

 

On 6/3/2024 at 11:06 AM, Pumpuynarak said:

I have to say that the service i've received from MyThaiVisa has been excellent and i would not hesitate to recommend them.

A very bigly big shout out to @Pumpuynarak for starting this thread and for recommending MyThaiVisa !

I owe you two bottles of your favourite wine filled to the brim with my pomegranate homebrew!!

- Monday I sent them my passport for 90 days and annual Retirement Visa Renewal.

- Wednesday I sent them 23k Baht (Which is 10k Baht cheaper than the agent in Ubon quoted M'Lady)

- This morning I received it back all stamped up until Sept 2025 !!

I'm ecstatic!!

Another recommendation for MyThaiVisa if you live in Isaan !!!

 

[Pumpuynarak]

16 hours ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

 

A very bigly big shout out to @Pumpuynarak for starting this thread and for recommending MyThaiVisa !

I owe you two bottles of your favourite wine filled to the brim with my pomegranate homebrew!!

- Monday I sent them my passport for 90 days and annual Retirement Visa Renewal.

- Wednesday I sent them 23k Baht (Which is 10k Baht cheaper than the agent in Ubon quoted M'Lady)

- This morning I received it back all stamped up until Sept 2025 !!

I'm ecstatic!!

Another recommendation for MyThaiVisa if you live in Isaan !!!

 

Many thanks for your kind words, great to hear that mate. Now you've got me thinking about using them for my Retirement visa renewal, i'm getting pissed off with Korat IO and their ridiculously painful requirements. I qualify in every respect for the 65K income method so its no problem obtaining the visa extension each year but i'm getting to the stage where i just can't be asked anymore to deal with these people, money is not an issue, i'm happy to pay for an agent to take away all the hassles. Your recco is all i need to put my mind at rest.

Tell me did they use the income or 800K method and what about your TM30/TM47 ?

I'm not in need of any illegal methods as i qualify for the income method in every respect.

 

[Derek Dangleberries]

3 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I'm not in need of any illegal methods as i qualify for the income method in every respect

I think you'd need to speak directly with Som then.... In my case I didn't have the funds but neither did they put 800,000 in/out my bank book like all other agents have done since I started using them about 12 years ago when I become an impoverished wastrel !

[Pumpuynarak]

5 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

I think you'd need to speak directly with Som then.... In my case I didn't have the funds but neither did they put 800,000 in/out my bank book like all other agents have done since I started using them about 12 years ago when I become an impoverished wastrel !

Thanks, i'll have a chat with her.

[Pumpuynarak]

On 8/11/2024 at 6:16 AM, Derek Dangleberries said:

I think you'd need to speak directly with Som then.... In my case I didn't have the funds but neither did they put 800,000 in/out my bank book like all other agents have done since I started using them about 12 years ago when I become an impoverished wastrel !

 

On 8/11/2024 at 6:23 AM, Pumpuynarak said:

Thanks, i'll have a chat with her.

Contacted Som by email and i'm impressed, they even do your 90 day for you

I just love the fact that they do EVERYTHING, i don't need to appear at any IO just supply them with my passport, bank book and a photo, job done.

I'll deffo be using them for my renewal in January 2025, i can see why you were happy with their service.

I will continue depositing monthly income minimum 65K to ensure i am still complying with the income method in the event of any future problems. Thanks for your heads up mate. 

[Horizondave]

Rather than a new Topic, thought I would add my experience of getting a passport for my daughter in the UK.

Thursday 23 Jan - I applied for her passport via the government online portal. I needed also to give the name and email of someone who could identify her. 

Called my mate, asked him if he would oblige, no problem. My mate just needed to confirm the info, likeness etc and how long he had known me (at least 2 years minimum). The person who identifies them can't be a relative and is meant to be a professional worker or retiree.

Got a message from Passport Office to confirm my mate had been successful in his identity requirement and that my application had been submitted.

I was advised that I now needed to send in her old passport and, either her Thai passport, or a copy of every single page of the passport even if pages are blank.

Friday 24 January - sent her old passport plus copies of every page of her Thai passport, by guaranteed signed delivery before 1300 on the Monday (27 Jan). You get asked if she has any other passport from a different country.

27 Jan - Royal mail tracking confirmed documents received and signed at 1028.

28 Jan - Passport office confirmed receipt of documents and they will be checked.

30 Jan - Passport office confirm documents in order and I will get a message when passport is being created 

31 Jan - Passport office confirm passport is being printed.

01 Feb - Passport office confirm passport has been created and it will be handed to their delivery company for delivery

03 Feb - Royal Mail confirm they have the passport, offer tracking number and confirm delivery will be on Tuesday, 04 Feb between 1042 and 1442.

Pretty good service. I paid £57 for the standard service. I paid £9 for the signed document delivery and I have paid £5 (not mandatory) for the return of the supporting documents. The supporting documents will come separately later. There is no charge for her passport delivery.

Pretty good service, 12 days from submitting to receipt of passport for my 9 year old daughter.

There may be different turn around for first passport, lost or stolen. This was a renewal.

Edited February 3 by Horizondave