Information about Hat Yai immigration

[Stocky]

Popped in to do my 90 day report and noticed that they do have a tent again, this time outside the old Immigration Office (the building to the right), but it appears to be where they make the poor Burmese labourers wait when attending immigration. I went into the main office and was out again in ten minutes just a handful of people in there.

[Stocky]

Went for my 1 year extension based on marriage today, appointment made using the LINE app. 

 

We seem to have a new Police Captain, a pleasant young man rather than the grumpy lady we had previously. However he does seem to go through everything with a fine tooth comb, maybe this is fallout from the recent Chinese illegals. We got caught out on two issues, and had a lucky escape on a third. 

 

Firstly my TM30 wasn't up to date, the wife hadn't registered my return from a trip to Bangkok, I thought the rules had changed, they insisted maybe in Bangkok but not in Songkhla. That was easily fixed with trip to the office next door.

 

Second issue was despite the guidance sheet saying 2 photos, one outside the house with the house number and one inside showing how you live, the new guy wanted another two photos taken inside the house, though he was happy for us to drop them in later in the week. 

 

Lastly the lucky escape was my bank passbook. We went to the bank this morning for the letter and statement, I asked they update the passbook and I saw the clerk do it, but she missed the latest term of the timed deposit. I should have paid closer attention. The wife rescued the situation by saying she'd heard the clerk say there was an issue with the computer. The letter was correct as was the statement, and I pulled up the balance on the bank app. So he let it go, he could have made me go back to the bank.

 

Took 2.5 hrs, the office wasn't busy, and it would have been 2hrs but for the time to do a new TM30. Masks seem optional, and it was pleasant sitting in the air conditioned office rather than outside in the tent.

[Stocky]

Immigration called to arrange a home visit this morning. Just the one IO, a couple of pictures inside and outside, signed the form, all done.

[Stocky]

On 5/10/2023 at 4:44 PM, Stocky said:

Lastly the lucky escape was my bank passbook. We went to the bank this morning for the letter and statement, I asked they update the passbook and I saw the clerk do it, but she missed the latest term of the timed deposit. I should have paid closer attention. The wife rescued the situation by saying she'd heard the clerk say there was an issue with the computer. The letter was correct as was the statement, and I pulled up the balance on the bank app. So he let it go, he could have made me go back to the bank.

The IO was happy to accept it but Bangkok wasn't, the IO phoned me yesterday afternoon and asked me to get the passbook updated and bring it to the office. Did that this morning, got another bank statement just in case. He was happy, hopefully Bangkok are too.

[swissbie]

On 6/1/2023 at 10:47 AM, Stocky said:

The IO was happy to accept it but Bangkok wasn't, the IO phoned me yesterday afternoon and asked me to get the passbook updated and bring it to the office. Did that this morning, got another bank statement just in case. He was happy, hopefully Bangkok are too.

I hope, you will be luckier this year. Last year went very well for me, 30min. for extension and 90-days-report, this year they also accepted everything, but it took them about 90 minutes from the time of the appointment (I didn't ask why..). I always insist on a manual update for the bank letter with the actual date and check for stamp and signature. They made me run extra rounds too many times because of such little details. Good luck for your next extension.

[Stocky]

1 hour ago, swissbie said:

I hope, you will be luckier this year.

It's never that much drama at Hat Yai Immigration, sure they want to dot the i's and cross the t's, and occasionally the other way around, but it's only once a year.

[Stocky]

Extension renewal coming up, wife popped in to immigration today to pick up the forms just to check if there was anything new. Paperwork remains the same, the list of documents now states 4 photos required (up from 2), and the bank letter has gone back to within 7 days, from the previous same day requirement.

 

[Stocky]

Did my 1 year extension (marriage) today, appointment made via Line for 1pm, got there on time. We were the only customers, all documents as per the latest check list; everything done, signed, and the under consideration stamp given in record time - 50 minutes start to finish.

 

Thank you Hat Yai immigration.

[swissbie]

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

Did my 1 year extension (marriage) today, appointment made via Line for 1pm, got there on time. We were the only customers, all documents as per the latest check list; everything done, signed, and the under consideration stamp given in record time - 50 minutes start to finish.

 

Thank you Hat Yai immigration.

Missed you by a few hours.. i went this morning, doing my 90-days report (they finally use a barcode now) and a re-entry. Took about 20 minutes and i left very satisfied.

[Stocky]

Home visit this morning, that's 4 times out of 5 extensions. Phoned half an hour in advance, said they required a witness this time with a copy of their ID. Easy enough to do but something new, previously they've been happy with a couple of signatures and a photo of neighbours. Arrived on time and all done in ten minutes. 

[swissbie]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:33 PM, Stocky said:

Home visit this morning, that's 4 times out of 5 extensions. Phoned half an hour in advance, said they required a witness this time with a copy of their ID. Easy enough to do but something new, previously they've been happy with a couple of signatures and a photo of neighbours. Arrived on time and all done in ten minutes. 

Sounds interesting. I only got one home visit (on retirement extensions), 6 years ago, after moving here from BKK. They called me a day before and it was no problem at all. If they came now, well; my wife is in BKK for two months and, we don't have neighbours..

[Stocky]

1 minute ago, swissbie said:

I only got one home visit (on retirement extensions)

I think it's more an issue with extension based on marriage, they want to be sure you're really married and living together.

[swissbie]

7 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I think it's more an issue with extension based on marriage, they want to be sure you're really married and living together.

Most likely yes, they just told me that they will come visit every year, but they never came. Would be interesting to hear from others..

[Stocky]

I'm only just round the corner from immigration, so if they need to hit a quota I'm an easy win.

[Stocky]

We had a second visit from immigration, this time from the office in Sadao. This I was told had nothing to do with my extension, which I collected a couple weeks before, rather their task is to check on the validity of marriages - checking for fake marriages. All very polite, a few photographs, some questions, sign a document saying we're married witnessed by someone not from the same household or family. No idea if this is to be a regular thing or not.

 

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Edited July 1 by Stocky