Scooby Snacks

Trip report update: Just back from immigration. Arrived just after 8 am with 8:30 appointment booked. At the entrance I filled out a covid questionnaire before document check and metal detector. Received pre-queue number and went into the main area after 8:15. There were just over 100 people there already (this is the quietest I've ever seen CW immigration.) I had already filled out the paperwork for the stamp transfer and extension of retirement visa, making as many copies as I thought I would need. Checked with the front desk and was told stamp transfer and extension could all be done at L-32, so I headed there. First in line with online appointment. Presented new passport, 12-month bank statement, bank books, applications and all signed copies. The IO made some folds in my old passport and I had my misses go down and make the copies and update the bank book as requested. I filled out and signed 3 or 4 additional documents, more signatures on the last copies. My misses had forgotten to copy updated bank book. The IO was very courteous, efficient and friendly. She made the copies on her copier instead of having us go back down to the lower level again. I think it's the best visit to CW immigration I've ever had. The entire process took just over one hour and we had time for a quick breakfast downstairs before heading back home. A real "Teddy Bear Picnic" indeed!

The other thing is the 12-month bank statement has to be ordered one week in advance so not really able to get that and then show updated balance on the same day until after I go in and can do it.

Dr. Jack my experience has been that once you are in the queue then they give you a few minutes to chase down any unfinished items like making copies. One year I had the bank statement but forgot the account letter so I had to go down and get that. You know the setup is that one officer checks all documents and points out any missing items and yanks your chain a bit to get a rise out of you. Then you come back10 minutes later with whatever they asked you to do and your passport goes to a senior officer who double checks and then either signs it herself or it goes to another senior officer who signs it. There wasn't a 10:30 appointment available on the next day they are open (lots of holidays) so I figure better to go early and should have it all sorted and be out of there before lunchtime. I'll let you know how it turns out when I get back....

not sure what is meant by "deposit into account". In past years they have asked me to withdraw money at the ATM and update the bank book accordingly. If that's the case with the 12-month statement I will go downstairs and do that and then make updated copy of the bank book.

I'm picking up the bank statement and letter tomorrow at my local branch and will go in later in the week. If they need me to do anything else I will go to the bank downstairs.

My appointment is for 8:30 so I think that is the time they open? Anyway I am aware about the need to transfer the stamps. Any ideas on copies needed for that part? I was told by an IO at my last 90 day report done in person that both new passport preparation and extension of stay could be done on the same day. I didn't see an appointment option for changing stamps, only the extension of stay. Hopefully can be processed at the same time.

This year will be interesting because I've just received a new passport and changed to a new bank book for the new passport. Also the bank book for the old passport had run out of space so I had to get an new bank book for that also. It means I will go there with two passports and three bank books this time! I expect to have to make many additional copies of stuff downstairs this time!

I've always been asked for the bank statement and account letter, in addition to the bank book, each and every year. However, I used to provide a 6-month statement from the bank which I would obtain on the same day as my trip to immigration. Last year they demanded a 12-month statement which I was unable to obtain without ordering it in advance. They accepted 6 months but this year I decided to just order the 12-month statement to avoid further hassles. Items like lease agreement, TM30, 90-day report, etc. I do bring in with me but do not show unless I'm asked. I will report back what happens next week.

Absolutely will report back to the board here regarding my experience at CW next week!

The annual trip to immigration is a pain, but I get to enjoy the other 364 days each year here so can't really complain. I just don't like to get caught out and be unprepared with any documents. Thanks to the advise I've received here, I can feel confident that I'm as prepared as possible this year.

Guys thanks. Yes Bangkok was a great place to live and work when I was younger but now I've been officially retired for awhile and want to move up to my lady's village to live the good life up there. Looking forward to the change of pace but of course BKK is not really that far away and will plan to visit sometime every year.

I think his comment was that 12-month bank statement is currently required at CW. Thanks for the heads up. I've ordered mine last week and will pick it up at the bank on Friday or next Monday.

Yes, Currently in BKK and moving upcountry next month.

Planning a move from Bangkok to Kalasin next month. Can anyone recommend a good reliable moving company for move with more than a few boxes but no heavy furniture?

Got it working now Joe, thanks. The day I had originally selected is a public holiday. I was able to make an appointment for the following day. Cheers.

The online appointment systems seems to be down last few days. Is that because of holidays?

Thanks for all the replies. I've got the 90 day report issue taken care of already. For the extension of stay, I'll book a mid-morning appointment and go a bit earlier to take care of transferring the stamps into the new passport.

Just filled out the 90 day report online and it seems to have gone through. I had filled out all the information requested and got an e-mail response which had attached an autofilled TM 47 form but some of the information is missing like the TM6 number (it asked only arrival date and permitted to stay until date). Have I done it correctly and will they send me the approval in a few days like used to happen before?

Thanks Joe. That's really good news and I will give it a try. Is the online reporting window same as before (from 14 days to 7 days before the stamped date)?

In that case I'm wondering if I might not be better off doing the 90 day report online using the old passport number first (I'm almost in the 14 day window as of today). Then I can deal with the stamp transfer and extension of stay issues only when I go in. I just had such a difficult time when the 90 day online reports kept getting screwed up after I had done the extension of stay last year with the system showing me on overstay. I'm wondering if the new online system will be able to accept the new passport number from the next time on or if I'm better off waiting and having them sync everything at CW at the same time.

Joe, thanks for the update. Does it mean I will need to queue in three separate lines then: One to change stamps from old to new passport, one for extension of stay and the other for 90 day reports? Any idea how it works with the appointment system? Or should I just go very early in the morning and plan to spend all day getting it done?

Thanks for the input. I am thinking that would work best unless anyone else has any different experience they would like to share. In that case I will go to the bank tomorrow to change my passport and order the 12-month statement and get the account letter on the same day I pick up the statement. Then I'll go to immigration the same week with the rest of the documents. Much appreciated.

OK so does it mean that I will make an appointment to do the annual extension as usual and during the process they will take the new passport, do the stamp transfer first and then put the new extension of stay stamp in the new passport at the same counter? Did you use the online appointment system or just go there early?

Yes TM30 was never required until a few years ago when I went in and it was their new thing to catch people out and they were fining everyone that didn't have it. Since it was set up and I'm in their system they have never requested it again. Good to hear they still offer to do the 90-day report so that I can sync with my new passport number and it will save me a trip to the separate immigration office. I'm using money in the bank method but just have that one account. Last year when I showed the bank book the IO couldn't see exactly the balance for the three months after the last extension so demanded a 12-month bank statement which the bank branch at CW could not provide immediately. I took better care to regularly update the bank book this time so may not have the same problem. I'm wondering if anyone else can comment about this issue whether the 12-month statement is being required recently or not. For passport copies, I think you mean just ID page of the new passport but same for old passport, copy of last transfer of stamps? and most recent visa extension (last year) as well as TM 6 front and back w/entry stamp, which I will plan to take with me. Did they require any other photocopies? How many prior visa extension stamps in old passport? Noted regarding the map and if you think of anything else please let me know. I will go to the bank tomorrow and change to the new passport. Cheers.

I'll be making the annual trip to renew my non imm O retirement visa at CW in the next couple of weeks. Would appreciate any feedback from folks who have been to do the same recently, particularly any news about what they are doing this year to throw people off (TM30, full year bank statement, etc.) as each time it appears to be something new. Specifically, I would like to know if they have been requiring the full 12 month bank statement which I was told must be ordered in advance from the head branch office. In past years I had provided a 3 or 6 month statement with letter from the bank on the same day as I applied for the extension. Will they still accept the statement if it is provided a few days later? Also, I just obtained a new passport so I will need to go and transfer the stamps. I was told by an IO that I could do both on the same day at CW. Any advice on how to proceed and with regards to setting up the appointment in the system? Lastly, my 90-day report is due around the same time I plan to go in. I had read that CW was allowing people to do the 90 day report there with the extension of stay. Not sure if I should wait for that or do the online system with the old passport two weeks in advance before I officially change over to the new passport. I certainly appreciate any feedback and advice based on the experience of my fellow expats. Thanks in advance.