likerdup1

There is something like that service at Chonburi Jomtien too. It's not one lady in a corner of the office though. It is a document copy and assistance shop with several staff including a few Filipino English speakers (at least several years ago when lived in Jomtien). That shop appears to be on the same property as Immigration and may even lease the land space from the Govt of Thailand. I've never used it but they seem to be very helpful and how you describe sounds a lot better than using an agent to accomplish the business and who, in many cases, will ask you to collect a bunch of documents FOR THEM anyway. How many agents will actually put in the foot work to collect all your documents for you. Most who use an agent still have to collect all the documentation and give it to the agent. I just skip the middle man and give everything direct to Immigration. Until I finally get tired of doing that and can find an agent who actually charges reasonable for what they do I'll be DIY all the way.

That's the way I look at it. Although some of the agents that I spoke to wanted considerably more. I was getting quotes well above 20,000 just to "fix" my problem with my retirement extension and NOT ONE of them would describe to me exactly how they were gonna fix it. (those who say it's a "payment" to the immigration officials need not respond)

I might consider, like yourself, using a well regarded legitimate agent whom I am paying to do most all the foot work. This I would consider for all the reasons you've mentioned. Especially after the run around I had a CW this past week. I enjoy knowing exactly how the process works but as I get older, a bit richer with my time being worth more to me I would do some research and find a good, legitimate, well regarded, well established agent to do the foot work.

Yes, although there were additional things that were needed that I didn't anticipate and required two trips down stairs to the copy/print shop. As I said I needed a print out of my eVisa and also a clearer copy of the Tabien baan which was sent to me via LINE by the apartment manager.

I've done my immigration business for the last 11 years myself. I am on my fourth Non-O Visa with a 1 year extension of stay. Three times before in Chonburi (first time in 2012) and this last time in Bangkok done at Chang Wattana Division 1 completed yesterday. Why do others do immigration business themselves? I do it because I don't want to be involved in graft, be attached to an agent and pay a lot of extra money for what amounts to about $100 an hour for my time if I paid an agent. Why do you do your immigration business yourself?

First visit to CW was for an appointment LAST TUESDAY. No queue number was needed. I was sent to desk 27 document check by one of the "helper" trainee galls and then sent to desk 35 for the official application review. My app was denied. I was denied because I only provided a TM.30 and was told I must have a 1 year lease. Second visit to CW yesterday. I walked in and needed a queue number and got one. My queue number was called for desk 27. Documents checked and then sent to desk 32 for official check of my app and documents. (this is the short version of what happened, I actually needed to make two print outs of docs downstairs too and bring them back to the official IO at desk 32 / she was very helpful and patient with me) This is in stark contrast to the abrupt manner of the IO at desk 35. Application was approved at desk 32 and I received an extension of stay stamp yesterday.

They are a very powerful political organization. Don't mess with them!

As I shared before. A TM47 is not needed for a first extension of a Non-O for purpose of retirement because a Non-O for purpose of retirment does not give permission to stay in excess of 90 days. Added "scrutiny" was absolutely not due to absence of a TM.47 because it is NOT required to submit one. On both of my visits to CW last week and yesterday I was never asked for one either. Nobody, ever needs to submit a TM.47 when on a Non-O 90 days permission to stay for the purpose of retirement because it does not give MORE THAN 90 days permission to stay. Please reread this thread. You had already made a similar suggestion. If I have some time I'll post a complete list of the docs I submitted.

It's deeply rooted in Thai tradition. The first Italian explorer to Thailand a one "Guisepee Whoramongera" loved Thailand but could not find any pizza shops anywhere. In a desperate attempt for his favorite food, not being a chef himself shopped for the closest ingredients possible to make himself a pizza. On entering a 7-11 he saw a bottle of Philippine ketchup on display and jumped at the chance to purchase what he thought was tomato sauce. He then found himself the rest of the ingredients by searching the land far and wide. After some attempts at making his pizza it finally worked, but sadly he was so over worked by his efforts passed away in his small apartment on Sukumvit Soi 6. He was found later by police and his Thai neighbors who were curious about this flat bread food that was strewn all about his apartment and the many bottles of ketchup found. It was from this small beginning that Thai people came to know pizza as flat bread and ketchup. It's a truly heart warming anecdote.

This always happens when using the appointment system for extensions. All appointments go to desk L1-35 for the official application review. But first must go through cursory document check and THEN get sent to a particular desk. They have not yet figured out how to automatically send the appointments to go to the the "document check" desk first. I showed up for an appointment last week and was directed by one of the "helper gals" to desk 27 first then sent to L1-35 same as you. ALL WALK-INS get a queue ticket and automatically are called to desk 27 first for a cursory "document check" and then sent to A PARTICULAR DESK for the official review.

How long has it been since you've been to CW to do an extension? Your description of the application review process is inaccurate. At CW it goes like this. 1) queue number is called and ALL and ANY type of extension applications go to Desk 27 first for a cursory review of the docs (signatures, copys clear etc) I know this since this first desk 27 MISSED a good 3 docs that were requested by the actual I/O who does the "official" review. In fact the first go around last week where I had no Tabien Baan, she let me through to the 2nd desk. First review of the docs at desk 27 is a simple cursory review. It is NOT an official review of the docs. If everything passes this first cursory look at your application Desk 27 IO takes your queue ticket and sends you to a particular desk. In my case desk 32 yesterday. Desk 27 is THE document check desk for all types of extension applications. It IS NOT an official review. It is a simple once over looking for missing signatures, unclear copies, some new docs that might be missed. (In most cases she was handing out this new "statement" document that everyone was filling out and signing) and perhaps a missing doc or two. IT IS NOT AN OFFICIAL REVIEW. By the way. This new statement document is brand new and not even available on the Immigration website yet. 2) Your queue number is called then a senior IO at one of the desks 31-37 does an official review of the application AFTER the cursory review. This IO thoroughly goes through the application making many multitudes of stamps on all the documentation and signs off on EVERTHING in the set. This IO will often ask for more documentation, ask questions etc etc. This IO also takes the fee and issues a receipt. confirming your application is approved. 3) A 3rd IO is given your completed application (which has already been approved) and stamps your passport. He/She may be the most senior and do a final quick review of the docs but do you know of anyone, who's reported an application kicked back by this IO? I highly doubt it. This IO does the actual Passport stamp. My opinion is this IO does a only a quick review of the previous I/O's work and does the stamping. In fact she is the one who handed me my passport yesterday where most of the time her trainees do it. Regarding the treatment of applications by different IO's. How is that so hard to understand? Read through this thread carefully and you'll see I'm not the only one who, when faced with the IO at 35 had problems. The new appointment system looks to have been rolled out about Nov 1. I know because I tried to make an appointment for my first Non-O application for Oct 15 and the old system kept giving a browser 404 code (I"m a systems engineer so look it up for yourself) until they updated the official Immigration website with the new URL. This was around Nov 1. Why so aggressive there buddy? You don't trust me? Worst advice ever? LOL! Calling my observations flawed when you have NOT been to CW in how many months? Things change fast my friend. Either that or you are just looking to ask questions by criticizing and looking for response. I don't mind. I'm here to help. Are you?

In the spirit of why this forum exists for here are my observations up to this day. Today I was given a 1 year permission extension to stay of my Non-O retirement visa which I obtained, mid October 2023 at Division 1 CW Bangkok. This is for other expats who wish to DIY their immigration business. I never use an agent and always do my immigration business in Thailand myself. 1) ALL online appointments for Non-O extensions go to desk L1-35 at Chang Wattana 2) The IO's at that section are strict in my experience last week where I was denied as previously mentioned in my OP. 3) I was asked to provide a print out of my eVisa which is how I first entered Thailand back in Sept. Had the PDF on my phone and printed it out at the copy shop downstairs. 4) Was asked to draw a map showing the location of my residence in Bangkok Personally I would avoid doing business with the IO at L1-35 which is where all appointments go. That desk looks to be busy doing mostly appointments and is the ONLY desk that processes applications for online appointments. Today I walked in and took a number early in the morning, around 8am. My number was called for the document check desk (27) and my docs were checked. My que ticket was taken and I was told I'd be seen at desk L1-32. Once called to 32, on reviewing my docs the IO asked that I draw a map of my residence location (rough map in relation to nearest main street). I also was asked to get a better copy of the Tabien Baan as it was a bit hazy, so I did that and returned. I entered Thailand on a 60 day tourist eVisa. I was also asked to print that out as it's to be included from NOW ON for any extensions done in the future on the most current Non-O. (went downstairs a 2nd time to print it out) and supplied a copy to the IO to include with my application set. The IO was a polite woman and was very helpful to me. I am grateful that I was lucky enough to do business with her. I dressed well, spoke some Thai with her and kept my cool when asked to comply with her requirements. After a lot of stamping and signatures on her part she asked for the fee and I was given a receipt and asked to wait. I waited about a hour (pretty busy there after lunch) and was given my passport back with the 1 year extension stamp. All in all it was about a 5 hour day at CW. But I was able to do my business without paying an agent and be tied to an agent for any future business. I hope this helps other immigration DIY expats here. yours, Likerdup1

It looks as though, the new online appointment system (rolled out about 6 weeks ago) directs all retirement extension appointments to L1-35. I've made a few appointments, cancelled and rescheduled. It looks as though all online appointments for retirement extensions using this new system go to L1-35 now. (the desk where I was denied). One could verify this by making an appointment as a test then cancelling. It can be done quite easily with the new system.

Great, good to know!

Anybody ever get a multiple re-entry permit there? Obviously singles can be obtained but it would be interesting to know if the multiple could be gotten. Save a trip to Chang Wattana or standing in line at the local immigration office.

Thank you for providing this list. It is exactly the sort of information that is very very useful to be posted on this board. If more of us would make posts like this it would go a long way in helping people navigate the ever changing immigration requirements. Thank you very kindly.

How would the agent acquire these things (The Tabien Baan and Land Title Deed copies) from the owner of the property? Didn't he/she ask you for them? I don't want to ask too much but since the owner of my residence is hesitant to give out a copy of the land title deed I'm trying to find out if this might be a definite requirement.. especially for this very strict IO at CW. I am getting a copy of the Tabien Baan but for security they don't want to give me a copy of the Land Title Deed.

Thanks for your replies and help. question: Did the particular "cubicle" have 2 immigration officers? One female in front and and one male in back? Was it on the far left in front of the waiting area seating? did the I/O want copies of both the Tabien Baan AND Land Title Deed of your residence? thanks for your help and relaying your experience. I'm faced with going again next week and being rattled after being denied basically forgot to ask the IO exactly what was required or / what he wanted.. He certainly didn't offer me a detailed list either.

I had no problems in the past at CW. This is a recent occurrence at this particular desk. AND I BELIEVE A TREND. It looks as though that all appointments specifically for a retirement Non-O 1 year extension made online go to this desk. I made another appointment and again,was directed to L1 35. So, if this is the case, (and it certainly looks to be) anyone making an appointment online for a retirement visa extension will face the two IO's at this desk. The female and senior male I/O behind her. Any expats applying at that desk will more than likely face the same scrutiny of their housing/residency documents as I and Des1 had. Despite what has worked in the past for many on this board, it looks to be that things have changed. Where just a TM.30 and lease were enough (I was told that just the TM.30 and receipts of monthly payment should be sufficient) Now this desk is asking for a 1 year lease, Tabien Baan, House Deed and ID of owner . All copied and signed by owner. It's wonderful we have reports of past fair treatment, but as they say in the finance world. Past performance does not guarantee future performance :-) This appears to be a trend and in the spirit of helpfulness anyone with an appointment at that desk would do well to be prepared. IMHO.

This receipt looks to be from the old system. An new system came online recently. I made another appointment and the desk is again L1 35. The receipts look totally different and are given in PDF form. It looks like every new appointment that is made is sent to desk L1 35 I am fairly sure anyone that has made an appointment in the last 1 month or so will also be sent to L1 35. This of course means, same IO and probably same treatment. Curious about this though. Has anyone done a walk in and been sent to a desk OTHER than L1 35? Anyone that has any experience differently would help to alert us.

This is helpful, but if you don't mind, please reply with some detail. What Immigration office? CW? Do you recall the number of the desk where you submitted the application? (if at CW). Who told you to bring the Land Title Deed and Lease etc? Agent? The offered alternative was from IO?

That's the last resort solution. I will leave, come back on a visa exempt, get another Non-O (visiting CW twice) and then again try for the 1 year extension. By then the I/O will have forgotten about me I hope. I will also again come armed with endless piles of documents. I talked to a few agents. They want 20k and say vague things like "we will supply some additional documents to support your application" whatever that means. Also one proposed using an address he provides. I would not want to use an address that is not mine and become tethered to an agency for all my immigration business. No way. Inevitably if this younger senior IO is doing extensions then there is a chance any of us who do extensions ourselves will meet him. That is why, even though CW customer service, like Dr. Jack, says that the TM.30 and a lease should be more than sufficient, I would urge others to be prepared with extra documents so as to not go through the burden of multiple visits to CW for a 1 year extension.

I have fortunately have been able to put together a bunch of documentation that this particular IO wants. I will not be using an agent because the fees they want are not fair. They are also very vague about what they will do to help me and one just basically refused to help me. I'm busy I have other people to help blah blah. So my problem he did not want to deal with. I will simply provide what the IO asked for, and more, just in case I land on his desk again. Yes, the other expat who was "knocked back" visited the same IO at the same desk L1 35 How exactly can you choose to deal with L1 32?

Meeting the financial requirements AND at CW showing a lot of documentation for residency. TM30, Lease, Tabien Baan and also possibly the Land Title Deed for the domicile. Dr. Jack. check my latest thread for the latest documentation being asked for by at least one IO at the L desks at CW. At least one other expat has reported the same difficulties with retirement extensions at CW.

Question. In the case someone can't get the first 1 year extension for some reason (can't provide all the necessary paper work for a very strict IO for instance) is it possible to get a 1 month? or 60 day extension on a 90 day Non-O retirement visa?