New Passport? Transfer the Migrant Worker Visa Stamp (2026)

When a migrant worker changes their passport to a new one, there are 2 steps involving different agencies: (1) transferring the immigration stamp (permission to stay in the Kingdom) from the old passport to the new one at the Immigration Bureau, and (2) correcting the passport information appearing in the work permit at the Department of Employment. Both must be done; it is not a single-step process.

The Immigration Bureau officially calls the first step "Passport Change and Transfer of Stamp to New Passport". It uses the form "Application for Transfer of Stamp to New Passport", which does not have an Immigration Bureau (TM) number (the Immigration Bureau's download table lists the Form No. as a dash) — it is not TM.13 as some websites state, because TM.13 is an application for re-entry permit (Endorsement), which is a different matter.

The most frequently asked question is, "If I don't transfer the stamp, will I become an overstayer?" The answer is no. However, what will definitely be affected is that if you change your passport and do not report it, you will not be able to submit your 90-day report online.

Clarify First: Which Situation Are You In?

(a) Transferring old stamp to new passport — You are still within the period of permitted stay according to the original stamp, but have just received a new passport because the old one expired, ran out of stamp pages, or was lost. In this case, submit an application to transfer the stamp at the Immigration Bureau.

(b) Received new passport and must apply for a new visa in the renewal cycle — It is time for the renewal of the work permit and permission to stay. In this case, follow the visa and renewal procedures for that cycle using the new passport from the start.

In 2569, most cases for migrant workers of 4 nationalities fall under (b). If unsure, compare the expiry date of the latest stamp with the renewal cycle first — see the overview at Work Permit and Visa Renewal according to Cabinet Resolution July 2569.

Required Documents, Separated into 2 Cases as Announced by the Immigration Bureau

The documents for the two cases are different. Mixing them up is the most common reason for rejection.

Case 1: Old Passport Expired or Ran Out of Pages for Stamps

• Application for Transfer of Stamp to New Passport
• Letter of certification from the embassy
• Old passport with copy
• New passport with copy
• Copy of the latest entry stamp
• Copy of passport page with visa (if any)
• Copy of the latest permission to stay stamp
• Immigration card TM.6 (departure card) with copy

Case 2: Old Passport Lost

• Application for Transfer of Stamp to New Passport
• Copy of police report
• Copy of old passport with photo (if any)
• Copy of new passport
• Letter from the embassy to the Immigration Bureau requesting cooperation to copy the entry stamp into the new passport

In case of loss, officials will first check the evidence of entry into the Kingdom. Once confirmed as correct, the entry stamp will be copied. If there is a pending application for extension of stay, the visa section must be contacted to copy the permission to stay stamp as well.

Note: The Immigration Bureau's published documents do not separate procedures by migrant worker groups (this page is written for general foreigners). Therefore, each area may request different supporting documents. You should check the list with the local Immigration Bureau before submitting.

Where to Submit

The Immigration Bureau states that if an application for extension of stay in the Kingdom has been submitted before, it can be submitted at the immigration checkpoint where the last application for extension of stay was submitted. Migrant workers working in other provinces should contact their provincial Immigration Bureau first. No online submission channel for stamp transfer has been found.

Step 2: Correct Passport Information in the Work Permit

Transferring the stamp is a matter for the Immigration Bureau, while correcting passport information in the work permit is a matter for the Department of Employment, which uses a different application form: WP.44 Application for Change of Particulars in Work Permit (FORM WP.44). The attached documents as specified in the form are: copy of the migrant worker's official identification document · copy of evidence showing the actual change of particulars · and the work permit. For details and fees, inquire at the Provincial Employment Office or hotline 1694.

If the two sides are not aligned, the result is that the information in the work permit will not match the passport actually held by the migrant worker, which will still need to be resolved when it's time for renewal. See the steps at Work Permit Renewal Services.

What Actually Happens If the Stamp Is Not Transferred?

Not transferring the stamp does not automatically result in becoming an overstayer — The offense of overstaying under Section 81 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) occurs only when one stays without permission, or when permission expires or is revoked (punishment of imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both). The element is the status of permission to stay, not which passport the stamp is in.

However, what will definitely be affected is that if you change your passport and do not report it, you will not be able to submit your 90-day report online. The Immigration Bureau's 90-day reporting page (updated August 14, 2569) states that you must report to an immigration officer in your residential area, either in person or by assigning someone else to do so. Then, in the next cycle, you can return to submitting online.

The legal basis for the 90-day report is Section 37(5). Failure to comply carries a penalty under Section 76: a fine not exceeding 5,000 baht and an additional fine not exceeding 200 baht per day. The comparative fine rate announced by the Immigration Bureau is 2,000 baht. See how to report at 90-Day Report Guide.

As for the notification of residence using form TM.30, it is the duty of the house owner or landlord when accommodating a foreigner. It is not tied to the passport number, and no requirement has been found that a new TM.30 must be submitted after changing passports — see the employer's duties at Notification of Foreigner's Residence TM.30.

Timeline and Fees

Immigration law does not specifically stipulate the number of days within which the stamp must be transferred. However, it should be done immediately upon receiving the new passport, as the information in the Immigration Bureau's system is still linked to the old passport, which will affect subsequent procedures such as the 90-day report. The figure "within 15 days" found on general websites has not been traced to any official document.

The Immigration Bureau's fee rates are in accordance with Ministerial Regulation No. 27 (B.E. 2546) issued under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). For actual costs in each case, inquire with the local Immigration Bureau before proceeding.

Context for 2569 that Employers Must Know

The Cabinet Resolution of July 14, 2569 directly covers two groups related to passports: those who did not obtain a passport by July 31, 2569 and those who had a visa but their passport expired before December 11, 2569. They are granted an extension to stay and work until December 11, 2570, provided they submit their application by December 11, 2569. This is why many cases this year fall under (b).

Cambodian migrant workers do not yet have a new Cabinet Resolution in 2569 that extends or reinstates rights for the lenient group, so there is no clear guideline yet. As for the draft Immigration Act (No. ..) approved by the Cabinet on June 23, 2569, which would amend the criteria for residence notification and 90-day reporting, it is currently only a draft; the existing rules remain in effect.

Myanmar migrant workers who use a Certificate of Identity (CI) instead of a passport have their own specific conditions when they get a new one. See Myanmar Migrant Worker CI Document Services. If the worker is also changing employers during the same period, the new passport issue should be resolved first.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the stamp is not transferred to the new passport, is it considered overstaying?

No. The offense of overstaying under Section 81 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) occurs only when one stays without permission, or when permission expires or is revoked. The element is the status of permission to stay, not which passport the stamp is in. However, the actual impact is that you will not be able to submit your 90-day report online until you report the passport change to the local Immigration Bureau.

Within how many days after getting a new passport must the stamp be transferred?

Immigration law does not specifically stipulate the number of days. However, it should be done immediately upon receiving the new passport, as the information in the Immigration Bureau's system is still linked to the old passport, which will affect other procedures such as the 90-day report. The figure "within 15 days" found on general websites has no origin from official documents.

Which form should be used? Is it TM.13?

No. The form used is "Application for Transfer of Stamp to New Passport," which does not have an Immigration Bureau (TM) number. TM.13 is an application for re-entry permit (Endorsement), and there is also a similarly named form for permanent residency applicants, which is not the form used by migrant workers.

After transferring the stamp at the Immigration Bureau, must the work permit also be corrected?

Both sides must be done. Transferring the stamp is a matter for the Immigration Bureau, while correcting passport information in the work permit is a matter for the Department of Employment, which uses form WP.44 Application for Change of Particulars in Work Permit. For details and fees, inquire at the Provincial Employment Office or hotline 1694.

After changing to a new passport, can the 90-day report be submitted online?

Not in that cycle. The Immigration Bureau states that in the case of changing to a new passport, you must report to an immigration officer in your residential area, either in person or by assigning someone else to do so. Then, in the next cycle, you can submit online. If the reporting deadline is missed, there is a penalty under Section 76: a fine not exceeding 5,000 baht and an additional fine not exceeding 200 baht per day. The comparative fine rate announced by the Immigration Bureau is 2,000 baht.

Let Exworker Handle It

The most common case encountered by Exworker Co., Ltd., a company that brings migrant workers to work in the country, in 2569 is employers only handling one side, realizing it when the 90-day online report fails or when renewing and the information on both sides doesn't match. We check from the start whether your case is a stamp transfer or a new visa application, then proceed with both agencies. Consult us at LINE @exworker or call 098-648-6488 · See services Work Permit Renewal · Change Employer.

References

• Immigration Bureau — Other Services page (Passport Change and Stamp Transfer) and Forms Download table
• Immigration Bureau — 90-Day Report page (updated August 14, 2569) and Fee Rates page
• Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) Sections 37(5), 76, 81 · Ministerial Regulation No. 27 (B.E. 2546)
• Department of Employment — Form WP.44 · Cabinet Resolution July 14, 2569

Last updated August 23, 2569 · Regulations change frequently, always confirm with local authorities before proceeding.