CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

[Sparkles]

1 hour ago, JohnMidnight said:

Hi,

I modified/posted that priority form.  

 

Went in yesterday (12th Dec)  to do my retirement extension.  Gave the Priority Lane form it to the clerk who was dishing out the queue numbers.  He read it, a uniformed lady appeared, she read it,  looked at me, laughed, said something to the clerk and moved off.  So, no priority, was given number R29, number R20 was on the screen.  (Obviously still the handsome fit young devil have always been????)

 

Rest went swimmingly.  Only gave a cursory glance at the Embassy letter (Irish).

 

He was satisfied with embassy letter, the completed TM7, scans of all stamped pages of my passport, plus scans of 1st Receipt of notification the latest 90 day report, the TM6 and 1900 Baht. 

 

He gave me two new forms to  sign,  re  knowing the consequences  of overstaying.  

 

After reading some of the stories on here I had also brought my documents proving income.  (Plus a completed new TM30, scans of house book, location of house on modified Google map,  etc etc. etc.  All unnecessary.)

 

 

 

 

Well done. As we all know what they require depends largely on the officer who you finish up with.I have a plastic file case with copies of everything and I mean everything even my moth eaten birth certificate.The whole process could be speeded up without the ridiculous amount of paperwork.Copying the yellow book is a perfect example as is passport page photocopies going back 10 yrs showing all the retirement extension stamps. I've given up asking why ? a long time ago.

 

Re ticket RE prefix must indicate Retirement Extension while a single R, like we both got must be for aged persons or special needs.        No where was there any signage or indication of an established Priority Lane and the staff seem perplexed at the question ,same happened last year at Promenada.

 

While processing appeared to be more fluid the size of the area is woefully inadequate for the future if the current flood of new arrivals is any indication.It will be sheer hell waiting in the queue outside during the hot months or when its pouring rain,even a covered walk way would help.

[Sparkles]

1 hour ago, JohnMidnight said:

Hi,

I modified/posted that priority form.  

 

Went in yesterday (12th Dec)  to do my retirement extension.  Gave the Priority Lane form it to the clerk who was dishing out the queue numbers.  He read it, a uniformed lady appeared, she read it,  looked at me, laughed, said something to the clerk and moved off.  So, no priority, was given number R29, number R20 was on the screen.  (Obviously still the handsome fit young devil have always been????)

 

Rest went swimmingly.  Only gave a cursory glance at the Embassy letter (Irish).

 

He was satisfied with embassy letter, the completed TM7, scans of all stamped pages of my passport, plus scans of 1st Receipt of notification the latest 90 day report, the TM6 and 1900 Baht. 

 

He gave me two new forms to  sign,  re  knowing the consequences  of overstaying.  

 

After reading some of the stories on here I had also brought my documents proving income.  (Plus a completed new TM30, scans of house book, location of house on modified Google map,  etc etc. etc.  All unnecessary.)

 

 

 

 

Well done. As we all know what they require depends largely on the officer who you finish up with.I have a plastic file case with copies of everything and I mean everything even my moth eaten birth certificate.The whole process could be speeded up without the ridiculous amount of paperwork.Copying the yellow book is a perfect example as is passport page photocopies going back 10 yrs showing all the retirement extension stamps. I've given up asking why ? a long time ago.

 

Re ticket RE prefix must indicate Retirement Extension while a single R, like we both got must be for aged persons or special needs.        No where was there any signage or indication of an established Priority Lane and the staff seem perplexed at the question ,same happened last year at Promenada.

 

While processing appeared to be more fluid the size of the area is woefully inadequate for the future if the current flood of new arrivals is any indication.It will be sheer hell waiting in the queue outside during the hot months or when its pouring rain,even a covered walk way would help.

[davehowden]

13 minutes ago, Sparkles said:

Well done. As we all know what they require depends largely on the officer who you finish up with.I have a plastic file case with copies of everything and I mean everything even my moth eaten birth certificate.The whole process could be speeded up without the ridiculous amount of paperwork.Copying the yellow book is a perfect example as is passport page photocopies going back 10 yrs showing all the retirement extension stamps. I've given up asking why ? a long time ago.

 

Re ticket RE prefix must indicate Retirement Extension while a single R, like we both got must be for aged persons or special needs.        No where was there any signage or indication of an established Priority Lane and the staff seem perplexed at the question ,same happened last year at Promenada.

 

While processing appeared to be more fluid the size of the area is woefully inadequate for the future if the current flood of new arrivals is any indication.It will be sheer hell waiting in the queue outside during the hot months or when its pouring rain,even a covered walk way would help.

RE is Re Entry, R is Retirement, T is Tourist Visa, N is Notify 90 Days .........

[moe666]

Did my extension of stay today or I might say my agent did it. Gave them all of the information on Monday she sid Thursday would be good because of holiday, she ask me what time I say 1630 ah very good time. Arrived at 1627 walked in my agent says have a seat ok. about 3 or 4 min. ok take photo. Took photo signed a new tm 7 printed out, she picked up passport and checked it together every thing done including tm30 renewal. Out the door and off to see a friend 15 min total from arrival and back to my friends shop. I used the income method with last letter from US Consulate and copies of my credit union statement showing pension money same as letter. Also furnished copy of Banl Book showing funds transfer of some 200000b.

All for the grand total of 4000 bhat. and yes I know I could do it for almost free but I can afford to pay someone 2000b to do all of the work for me. I use to do it mydelf and now just do not have the need to see how the system.

[amexpat]

9 minutes ago, moe666 said:

I can afford to pay someone 2000b to do all of the work for me.

All what work? 

[JohnMidnight]

On 12/5/2018 at 5:17 AM, wgdanson said:

When you TRY to do your extension. Keep us all posted please.

 

On 12/5/2018 at 5:15 AM, JohnMidnight said:

Hi

 

Will ask next week when I do my extension

Hi,

Did extension yesterday 12th.  No problem whatsoever,  quick glance at Irish embassy letter, then was satisfied with the TM7,  scans of all stamped pages of passport, original notice of notification, latest 90 day report and finally the TM6 - all signed in blue.  No further information requested

 

[wgdanson]

4 minutes ago, JohnMidnight said:

 

Hi,

Did extension yesterday 12th.  No problem whatsoever,  quick glance at Irish embassy letter, then was satisfied with the TM7,  scans of all stamped pages of passport, original notice of notification, latest 90 day report and finally the TM6 - all signed in blue.  No further information requested

 

Thanks John. I, and I am sure many others, did their extensions this month with letters from their respective embassies. So what's next?

[JohnMidnight]

17 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Thanks John. I, and I am sure many others, did their extensions this month with letters from their respective embassies. So what's next?

Hi,

 

Queried immigration officer,  what about next year ?

 

His reply, 800,000 bank

[Mapguy]

Well, that cryptic reply will stir up some interest around here !!!!  People should seek confirmation during their visits to the office and be careful in their reporting.

 

The best source in the Chiang Mai office at this point is probably Senior Sergeant Major Nicky who has been familiar with retirement visas and extension applications for many years.

 

Stay tuned!

[cusanus]

18 minutes ago, Mapguy said:

Well, that cryptic reply will stir up some interest around here !!!!  People should seek confirmation during their visits to the office and be careful in their reporting. 

To be on the safe side I keep 800,000 baht plus in the bank. Anyone of retirement age who really wants to be in Thailand should be able to do that, but circumstances can get you into a bind, so I wish everyone well.  

[Hugh Jarse]

On 12/12/2018 at 12:58 AM, scorecard said:

Just curiosity because I need to go soon for a new multiple exit re-entry stamp.

 

A few weeks back it was announced that the chief at CM had been moved elsewhere.

 

Since that happened is there any noticeable change in the way things are organized, has processing become more smooth and faster? 

In my view a vast improvement. Read some of the aforementioned comments.

Edited December 14, 2018 by Hugh Jarse
typo.

[Thailand]

3 reports of people going for extensions of stay based on retirement in the last few days, not having to arrive early, not having to pay an agent and done within a reasonable time scale.

 

Encouraging.

[eyecatcher]

I dropped in today just to get some TM7 forms.

The place was absolutely heaving and the outside verandah was also full.

It looks ominously like as before.

 

However what caught my attention was a lady officer actually asking everyone outside how long they have waited and bringing a couple back inside.

I was very surprised to see what I hope is the new face of immigration....smiles, empathy, genuine assistance and pleasantries.

 

Just hope hope they can keep it up for another week when I go back for real

[YogaVeg]

On 12/18/2018 at 2:05 AM, eyecatcher said:

However what caught my attention was a lady officer actually asking everyone outside how long they have waited and bringing a couple back inside.

I was very surprised to see what I hope is the new face of immigration....smiles, empathy, genuine assistance and pleasantries.

 

Just hope hope they can keep it up for another week when I go back for real

That lady was there a month ago too. ????

[YogaVeg]

On 12/18/2018 at 2:05 AM, eyecatcher said:

However what caught my attention was a lady officer actually asking everyone outside how long they have waited and bringing a couple back inside.

I was very surprised to see what I hope is the new face of immigration....smiles, empathy, genuine assistance and pleasantries.

 

Just hope hope they can keep it up for another week when I go back for real

That lady was there a month ago too. ????

[EricTh]

On 12/12/2018 at 5:51 PM, Sparkles said:

Priority Lane.

 

S

We did however get it done in 2 hours ,pretty good.

 

 

 

2 hours is short. I went to renew my retirement visa last month and it was at least 3 hours.

Edited December 20, 2018 by EricTh

[EricTh]

On 12/13/2018 at 3:46 AM, davehowden said:

Did my retirement extension based on income letter from BE yesterday (12/12/18).

 

 

You won't be able to use the British Embassy letter from 1st Jan 2019 I believe.

[CharlieH]

8 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

You won't be able to use the British Embassy letter from 1st Jan 2019 I believe.

Incorrect, upto 6 months from date of issue.

[Sparkles]

11 hours ago, YogaVeg said:

That lady was there a month ago too. ????

Probably the same lady that got me a chair from inside the office last week ,good for her,hope she stays.

 

Seems the PRORITY LANE has gone the way of online appointments and a bar code in our passport but in office efficiency has improved

 

While Imm crowding maybe peaking my 90 day mail in posted 10am Monday morning from Mae Hia PO receipt was handed to me by our postie at 2pm today.Registered in, 3 baht stamp back. 

 

[eyecatcher]

3 hours ago, Sparkles said:

Probably the same lady that got me a chair from inside the office last week ,good for her,hope she stays.

 

Seems the PRORITY LANE has gone the way of online appointments and a bar code in our passport but in office efficiency has improved

 

While Imm crowding maybe peaking my 90 day mail in posted 10am Monday morning from Mae Hia PO receipt was handed to me by our postie at 2pm today.Registered in, 3 baht stamp back. 

 

You both are now making me think its a punishment and she is not allowed back inside.

[Pesky]

My 90 Day online report was "Approved" the same day as I submitted it, earlier this week. That was my 4th time using the online service, & each time the Approval has been received within 24hrs. Couldn't be better!

[Sparkles]

17 hours ago, eyecatcher said:

You both are now making me think its a punishment and she is not allowed back inside.

Fear not she was buzzing around inside too,chased a spare chair for me and asking people if she could help them.

As an aside a couple of Japanese or Korean males did not have a clue what they need,she directed them to the photo copy shop and told them to see her on their return

[beachbuggy]

Popped into Immigration at 13.00 today 21 Dec 2018 for retirement extension renewal using 800k method.

got number 29 and 25 was on the screen

got called up and spent a pleasant time socialising with the IO. All paperwork in order, paid the 1900b and was away by 13.50.

A rather unusual but pleasant experience I must say.

docs I presented were:

TM7 with blue background pic 4x6 size.

Usual passport pages plus all earlier visa pages, all signed. Everything in blue ink btw

Letter from bank and copy of book pages.

all in all, a very pleasant experience

seasons greetings TV people

[EricTh]

27 minutes ago, ragabob said:

Popped into Immigration at 13.00 today 21 Dec 2018 for retirement extension renewal using 800k method.

r, paid the 1900b and was away by 13.50.

 

 

Less than one hour! I never had that luxury.

 

I still remember queuing up in the dreadful early morning at Promenada for hours sometimes sitting on the floor.

 

Edited December 21, 2018 by EricTh

[The Theory]

What documents will be asked for “retirement extension” base on 800,000 by Chiang Mai immigration office?

Any unique photo different than bkk Imm.  ? 

 

[cusanus]

22 hours ago, The Theory said:

What documents will be asked for “retirement extension” base on 800,000 by Chiang Mai immigration office?

Any unique photo different than bkk Imm.  ? 

What I've done and what I think is all that's required for that is a bank book with a balance of 800,000 baht continuous for THREE months prior, also with some transaction that same day, a 200 baht withdrawal or whatever. Anybody else if there's a different way?

[Lizard2010]

I can not believe that it is soooo quiet in Chiang Mai Immigration at lunch time today

I waited a few minutes as a customer as being served at the information desk inside the building

I was given a number for my 90 Day Report

As i was walking to counter 2

My number was called out

This would have been the fastest 90 day report in 3 years

Hopefully 2019 will be better

It seems that things have changed since my last visit

[roo860]

I can not believe that it is soooo quiet in Chiang Mai Immigration at lunch time today
I waited a few minutes as a customer as being served at the information desk inside the building
I was given a number for my 90 Day Report
As i was walking to counter 2
My number was called out
This would have been the fastest 90 day report in 3 years
Hopefully 2019 will be better
It seems that things have changed since my last visit

Think it could be something to do with the time of year.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Lizard2010]

Just now, roo860 said:

Think it could be something to do with the time of year.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Yes it was

I thought i would give it a try

As i dont live to far from Immigration

[roo860]

Yes it was
I thought i would give it a try
As i dont live to far from Immigration

Best 2 days of the year to go .

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