Chiang Mai Immigration Q & A - Info and reports. (2020)

[NotEinstein]

59 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

According to immigration just now, this is only for existing online users.  So the video from that Phuket lawyer is ambiguous to say the least.

So are we required to obtain a new TM30 paper receipt from the new database, or is the old paper receipt still acceptable for extensions etc?

The alleged queue at the TM30 office suggests that they want a new printout.

[Raindancer]

10 minutes ago, NotEinstein said:

So are we required to obtain a new TM30 paper receipt from the new database, or is the old paper receipt still acceptable for extensions etc?

The alleged queue at the TM30 office suggests that they want a new printout.

You are only assuming that the queue suggests a new printout. 

I was there yesterday and did not see any such queues for TM 30.

 

Why not phone immigration and ask the question? 

 

053 -201755-6

 

As the article stated "existing online registrations" need to be re registered.  That has nothing to do with those who did not register on line and obtained their TM  30 by hand.

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by Raindancer
Added Tel Number

[NotEinstein]

5 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

You are only assuming that the queue suggests a new printout. 

I was there yesterday and did not see any such queues for TM 30.

 

Why not phone immigration and ask the question? 

 

053 -201755-6

 

As the article stated "existing online registrations" need to be re registered.  That has nothing to do with those who did not register on line and obtained their TM  30 by hand.

 

OK, but many of us did register online and have re-registered.

A friend went to CM Imm. yesterday specifically to preempt needing a new receipt for his extension renewal (he registered online) and gave up because of the queue he saw. He asked the information desk but didn't get an answer either way.

[Raindancer]

1 minute ago, NotEinstein said:

OK, but many of us did register online and have re-registered.

A friend went to CM Imm. yesterday specifically to preempt needing a new receipt for his extension renewal (he registered online) and gave up because of the queue he saw. He asked the information desk but didn't get an answer either way.

According to my neighbour  he re registered and received his updated TM 30 by email.

 

I will bow out of this conversation as online registration does not affect my manually obtained one.

 

Good luck.

[briley]

Just as a reminder for some people:

 

Done a visa conversion, visa free entry to Non O, you must have two copies of everything, that is:

 

Passport photo page

Last entry stamp

Yellow "tabian Ban"  Book or rental agreement etc

Letter from the bank

Bank statement (if money is new to the country)

Completed form TM87 (And photo, forgot mine!)

TM30

 

Arrived about 2pm, left around 4pm. Under consideration to return exactly 21 days later in the afternoon.

 

[NotEinstein]

Marriage extension today. Previously reception accepted paperwork when having an appointment, but now they insist that the paperwork is check outside first, which means queuing up with those trying to get an inside queue number, or, as we did, poke the paperwork at the officer that was luckily not doing anything. This year they wanted 2 sets of 2 photos outside and 2 photos inside the house - luckily I had 2 pages printed of last year's photos with us. Once accepted inside it took the advertised 20 minutes.

[Raindancer]

15 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

Marriage extension today. Previously reception accepted paperwork when having an appointment, but now they insist that the paperwork is check outside first, which means queuing up with those trying to get an inside queue number, or, as we did, poke the paperwork at the officer that was luckily not doing anything. This year they wanted 2 sets of 2 photos outside and 2 photos inside the house - luckily I had 2 pages printed of last year's photos with us. Once accepted inside it took the advertised 20 minutes.

So, any issues with your TM 30 as we discussed in an earlier post?

[NotEinstein]

5 hours ago, Raindancer said:

So, any issues with your TM 30 as we discussed in an earlier post?

No TM30 issues, probably because we had an online account and, as they requested in September, I made a new account and registered myself on it, along with the German volunteers staying in our residence, so over-riding my return from overseas at the end of August. Some are having issues and getting fined though >

 

[Raindancer]

4 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

No TM30 issues, probably because we had an online account and, as they requested in September, I made a new account and registered myself on it, along with the German volunteers staying in our residence, so over-riding my return from overseas at the end of August. Some are having issues and getting fined though >

 

I would imagine they are being fined for not reporting after a trip abroad.  Despite police order 2.2 stating no need.  Just doesn't make sense.

Can't see why else people would be fined.  

 

 

[roo860]

Is it a blue background photo for a 1yr extension at Chiang Mai immigration, used up my last one last year.

[CMBob]

15 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Is it a blue background photo for a 1yr extension at Chiang Mai immigration, used up my last one last year.

I remember having some of those a few years back as I remember that may have been a rule then; however, I don't believe it is any more (I've done a couple extensions and couple re-entry permits here in CM in the last 13 months and photos I provided just had a white background and there were no questions/issues).

[roo860]

13 minutes ago, CMBob said:

I remember having some of those a few years back as I remember that may have been a rule then; however, I don't believe it is any more (I've done a couple extensions and couple re-entry permits here in CM in the last 13 months and photos I provided just had a white background and there were no questions/issues).

Cheers Bob!

[rumak]

On 12/18/2023 at 12:43 PM, CMBob said:

I remember having some of those a few years back as I remember that may have been a rule then; however, I don't believe it is any more (I've done a couple extensions and couple re-entry permits here in CM in the last 13 months and photos I provided just had a white background and there were no questions/issues).

Hi Bob ..... the last post i see on Retirement extension requirements is from last April.   I am about to do my umpteenth extension , but never sure if there are any "recent" changes .   Would you be good enough to put up a current list ?

(letter from bank, photo and form,  tm30, adress ( i use yellow book) , copies of passport ( i do all pages ) , tm7 90 day, ... am i leaving out anything ?    TIA    Rumak

[CMBob]

1 hour ago, rumak said:

(letter from bank, photo and form,  tm30, adress ( i use yellow book) , copies of passport ( i do all pages ) , tm7 90 day, ... am i leaving out anything ?    TIA    Rumak

Looks like your list is fairly complete and would only note:

(1) For bank stuff, you need the standard bank letter (one that simply recites what account you own and what the balance is as of that date) AND the one-year statement (at SCB you can get both at the same time although I keep reading that you have to order something 5-7 days ahead at Bangkok Bank).  I remain puzzled as to whether CM requires one to show a bank transaction the same day as your bank letter date but I do it (add 100 baht or so) as I've read several posts where other immigration offices have required same. Make sure the amount on your bank letter and one-year deal state the exact same amount.  I always get the bank stuff the day before application and that's been fine (although I've read that one can do that up to 5 or so days ahead here in CM).

(2) For passport copies, all I used to need was a photocopy of the photo/info page, the current extension, and the page showing the last entry date; however, this time (Dec 2022), they also required a photocopy of one's latest Non-O (in my case, that meant a copy of the transfer stamps in my new passport as that shows the latest Non-O info).

I tend to take the kitchen sink with me as I never know what they might ask for.  For example, about 4 years ago, the lady immigration officer demanded a photocopy of every filled-out page of my passport (including stamps from other countries) and she seemed to make that request with the hope I'd go away (however, after politely questioning her as to why same was required - given she was the same officer I used the prior year and didn't need it then - it seemed to disappoint her when I reached into my folder and produced the copies she requested).

Remember, neatly print your telephone number below your signature on the TM7 and sign everything in blue ink.

[rumak]

48 minutes ago, CMBob said:

Looks like your list is fairly complete and would only note:

(1) For bank stuff, you need the standard bank letter (one that simply recites what account you own and what the balance is as of that date) AND the one-year statement (at SCB you can get both at the same time although I keep reading that you have to order something 5-7 days ahead at Bangkok Bank).  I remain puzzled as to whether CM requires one to show a bank transaction the same day as your bank letter date but I do it (add 100 baht or so) as I've read several posts where other immigration offices have required same. Make sure the amount on your bank letter and one-year deal state the exact same amount.  I always get the bank stuff the day before application and that's been fine (although I've read that one can do that up to 5 or so days ahead here in CM).

(2) For passport copies, all I used to need was a photocopy of the photo/info page, the current extension, and the page showing the last entry date; however, this time (Dec 2022), they also required a photocopy of one's latest Non-O (in my case, that meant a copy of the transfer stamps in my new passport as that shows the latest Non-O info).

I tend to take the kitchen sink with me as I never know what they might ask for.  For example, about 4 years ago, the lady immigration officer demanded a photocopy of every filled-out page of my passport (including stamps from other countries) and she seemed to make that request with the hope I'd go away (however, after politely questioning her as to why same was required - given she was the same officer I used the prior year and didn't need it then - it seemed to disappoint her when I reached into my folder and produced the copies she requested).

Remember, neatly print your telephone number below your signature on the TM7 and sign everything in blue ink.

i follow pretty much the same procedure .  i keep a one year term acct every year so i don't ever need any additional info, just  the letter and update the balance at that time. (bring copies of all pages of passbook , not many since i do not make withdrawels) .  They want to see them, but give them back to me.  Same with copy of yellow tabien bahn.  ( and i bring the kitchen sink in a seperate folder ) .  I have a new passport, so only a few pages to copy..... with the transfer stamps and current extension.      

Thanks for the input ...... we are getting to be real "oldtimers"  , lol ,  but i do still manage to get it together for the "big event"  every year.   The online appt is a blessing  .

[amexpat]

Here's one for fun.
I presented the one year statement from Bangkok bank. It showed 12 transactions marked
"foreign T/T".  I had to go back and get at letter from Bangkok bank stating that the 

items marked foreign transfer were, uh, foreign transfers. 

Years ago the bank official added a handwritten note stating the FTT items in my book were foreign transfers.
He said "immigration knows this but they will pretend they don't".
 

[0james0]

On 1/24/2024 at 10:34 AM, amexpat said:

Here's one for fun.
I presented the one year statement from Bangkok bank. It showed 12 transactions marked
"foreign T/T".  I had to go back and get at letter from Bangkok bank stating that the 

items marked foreign transfer were, uh, foreign transfers. 

Years ago the bank official added a handwritten note stating the FTT items in my book were foreign transfers.
He said "immigration knows this but they will pretend they don't".
 

What bank office? The chotana office puts some writings on my statement 

[amexpat]

13 hours ago, 0james0 said:

What bank office? The chotana office puts some writings on my statement 

Edited January 25 by amexpat

[stament]

Have any members recently been to immigration. Wondering what the current waiting times are for spouse visa renewals without an appointment. It seems spouse visa holders with a permanent residence documents cannot use the VFS online service sadly.  Thanks in advance

[sqwakvfr]

[CMMCB]

While at CM Immigration today for a last minute 90-day report, we thought we’d just double-check that we didn’t need to update our TM30 after a smog-escape trip down to the beach, as we’d been told (by IOS) was the case after a few recent trips inside and outside the country.
 

Turns out an update IS necessary and only needed our passports and the old TM30 slips. 

 

And just in case anyone needs a heads up on the 90-days report, it can’t be done online if you’re away from home in another province. Or at the IO in that other province. 

[CMBob]

25 minutes ago, CMMCB said:

Turns out an update IS necessary and only needed our passports and the old TM30 slips. 

 

And just in case anyone needs a heads up on the 90-days report, it can’t be done online if you’re away from home in another province. Or at the IO in that other province. 

With respect to the TM30 update issue, last week I did the 90-day report via the drive-up window and nothing was said/needed with respect to updating my TM30 Receipt of Notification (although I've been out of the country for a few days a couple months ago.....and last November stayed in a hotel in Hua Hin which in fact filed the usual TM30 for me as a guest there).  Under the police regulations issued in June of 2020, it specifically says that there's no need to refile anything if you've stayed elsewhere in Thailand or if you re-entered Thailand with a re-entry permit....so long as you return to your TM30 registered address; however, as you've experienced, whether a given officer (or office?) follows the latest TM30 rules is a hit or miss experience.

 

With respect to TM47 (90-day) filings, one can do that online or by mail from just about anywhere; however, some Immigration offices won't let you do it in person in a province in which your TM30 address is not registered.

[CMMCB]

Yes, exactly, CMBob, seems very inconsistent. Nothing was said at the drive-through 90-day report window this morning either, but when we popped into the TM 30 office just behind, they said we needed to update. 
 

Re the 90 days, the online app rejected the application and said we couldn’t do online after registering at a hotel in another province away from home, then the Samui IO wouldn’t let us do it there. Said we had to do in our home province. 
 

I blame the smoke and dust, or is it mirrors? 

[CMBob]

2 hours ago, CMMCB said:

Re the 90 days, the online app rejected the application and said we couldn’t do online after registering at a hotel in another province away from home, then the Samui IO wouldn’t let us do it there. Said we had to do in our home province. 

The only reason I did the drive-up window deal last week is that the online TM 47 system rejected my online filing.  But the email rejection specifically said that it was rejected because "Incorrect entry date upon entry into the kingdom/Incorrect visa expiration date."  Neither case was true and I used the very TM47 form they send you when acknowledging your filing(with the same "incorrect" entry date and/or "incorrect" visa expiration date) at the drive-up window without a question or problem.  I have no clue who reads (miss-reads?) the online filings.

 

A year or two ago they also rejected a TM47 online filing due to a hotel outside of Chiangmai Province filing a TM30 for me (again, as stated before, they aren't following their own rules) but I then just filed the TM47 in person then without a problem or question; however, before I could use the TM47 online filing system again, I had to go to the back TM30 building and have them "update" my filing (which, like you, meant simply handing them only my passport and telling them what happened.....and they quickly played with their computer and inserted a new TM30 Receipt of Notification in my passport). After that, I had no problem using the online TM47 filing....well, until the bogus rejection last week mentioned above.

Edited April 1 by CMBob

[scottiejohn]

Re TM30;

Did my annual retirement extension renewal at CM recently where I had to provide, for the first time an annual statement from my fixed deposit account, along with the usual updated pass book and letter, they also demanded an update TM30 as mine was too old as it did not show my address, just the fact that it had been recorded!  Cost was 50Baht!

 

Redacted copies of both old and new attached!

Edited April 1 by scottiejohn

[JimGant]

2 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

they also demanded an update TM30 as mine was too old as it did not show my address, just the fact that it had been recorded! 

Yeah, my dog-eared Receipt of Notification is from 2016, and doesn't have my address on it. I guess I could update it online, with the online TM30 system. Is that system now working ok?

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

Yeah, my dog-eared Receipt of Notification is from 2016, and doesn't have my address on it. I guess I could update it online, with the online TM30 system. Is that system now working ok?

Sorry I have never done a TM30 online only face to face!

[Raindancer]

Renewed my passport in Jan, transferred the stamps and asked the TM 30 clerk, if I need to renew my TM 30 because of my new passport.

 

The answer was no, not unless you have left the country, since last TM30 report, which for me was 2019.

 

Did my 90 day drive through on Monday and no questions on TM 30.

[stament]

Renewed my one-year visa yesterday. Now they require photos from two different angles outside your home - not sure why. So, we had to go home and take more photos but the lady was very nice and said she would process it provided we dropped the photos off later which we did. She could have easily said come back and wait in line again - a refreshing change. We arrived at 0715 and were 5th in the queue and finished around 1045.

 

Go back on May 17th.

 

Also, she told us not to sign original documents like the bank statement/certificate and the proof of marriage certificate - only required on copies apparently.

 

[Yorkshire Tea]

14 minutes ago, stament said:

Renewed my one-year visa yesterday. Now they require photos from two different angles outside your home - not sure why. So, we had to go home and take more photos but the lady was very nice and said she would process it provided we dropped the photos off later which we did. She could have easily said come back and wait in line again - a refreshing change. We arrived at 0715 and were 5th in the queue and finished around 1045.

 

Go back on May 17th.

 

Also, she told us not to sign original documents like the bank statement/certificate and the proof of marriage certificate - only required on copies apparently.

 

 

I normally do one outside the gate & one in the garden with house in both shots.  Do you think that would that satisfy their "2 angles"?