Reentry application - Chiang Mai Immigrations

[howlee101]

Alibi up front - this is my first experience (today) for getting a reentry stamp at Chiang Mai immigrations...it may be different at your local immigration office.  My post is a bit long but wanted to possibly help the next person from getting frustrated while trying to navigate the maze which is called Thai Immigrations.

 

- Upon arrival, I walked through the Covid temperature set up (I honestly don't think it's even on anymore), tell the person at the window "I here to get a reentry stamp".  She points for me to get the little sticker to put on my shirt (guessing it means I successfully cleared the temperature detection) and tells me to proceed to window #3.  BTW, it's window #1 but I'll get to that later.

 

- The lady at window #3 tells me I have to get a queue number and directs me to get in another line (actually, it's the unnumbered windows as you enter the facility).  So as I was waiting in line, a gentleman wearing an Immigration Police vest is checking everyone and says we need a "pink card" from the volunteer check station outside (my guess is the pink card suggest a immigrations volunteer has looked over your paperwork).  I stated I have all my paperwork but he was adamant I needed the pink card before getting my queue number.

 

- Outside I went.  The gentleman volunteer asked if I had all the paperwork and pointed to a placard.  I stated I had those documents (I'll list those later), looks at my paperwork and says "you don't have a copy of your visa stamp".  I pointed out the placard doesn't list that document....so he escorts me to the front of the building and points to a bigger sign at the entrance (photo below).  I mention to the volunteer the sign differed from the placard...he mumbled something then suggested I follow the sign at the entrance.  Fortunately I only needed to a copy of my visa.  He rechecked my paperwork and was given the much needed "pink card".

 

- Back inside I proceeded to the front windows, the person looked over my paperwork and gave me a queue number.  There were 3 people ahead of my number and probably waited 15-20 before I was called up to "window #1", gave all the documents, along with 1000 baht (single reentry), and sat down to wait.  Maybe another 10 minutes and the person called my name, and I took my passport and was on my way.  

 

Here's what I submitted:

 

- completed TM-8

- photo

- copy of my passport information page

- copy of my visa stamp, the Non-O, one year stamp (note: I didn't provide a copy of my entry stamp, 90-day visa, and was not asked for it)

- copy of latest 90-day report (I do this online and had to print out the file/receipt)

- copy of the TM-30 (I, actually my wife, did this online but Chiang Mai immigrations requires you to get the hard copy receipt from the TM-30 desk which is currently in the back of the building next to the copier ladies).

- 1000 baht (single reentry)

- NOTE: a copy of the TM-6 arrival card is listed but I did not submit nor did they ask for it.

 

I understand "This is Thailand" (and this is a rhetorical question) but why make this so painful when a traveler can quickly get this done at the airport for a fee of a few hundred baht.  I would have like to get this done at the airport but I'm leaving from Chiang Mai and not sure if they have this service.  I previously read it was a hit/miss if someone was actually manning the desk at CM airport so I didn't want to take the chance.  

 

[Mahseer]

Likely less painful at Festival and yes you can get a reentry at the airport.

[howlee101]

2 minutes ago, Mahseer said:

Likely less painful at Festival and yes you can get a reentry at the airport.

At Chiang Mai International airport?

 

[ChristianBlessing]

Just now, howlee101 said:

At Chiang Mai International airport?

 

Yes

[Mahseer]

1 minute ago, howlee101 said:

At Chiang Mai International airport?

 

On departure yes.

[howlee101]

4 minutes ago, ChristianBlessing said:

Yes

Great to know, I'll check it out when I depart next month.  I read somewhere on this forum it was a hit/miss if they are open and didn't want to chance it.

[MikaQ5]

How much space does the re entry permit take up in a passport 

half a page etc or more 

single/ multiple similar space required ?

[Yorkshire Tea]

2 minutes ago, MikaQ5 said:

How much space does the re entry permit take up in a passport 

half a page etc or more 

single/ multiple similar space required ?

About 1/3

[MikaQ5]

6 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

About 1/3

Ah ok thanks 

(I had seen photos before that looked like a reentry permit was taking up a full passport page ) 

[DrJoy]

[DrJoy]

4 hours ago, howlee101 said:

I previously read it was a hit/miss if someone was actually manning the desk at CM airport so I didn't want to take the chance.  

Wrong info.

 

When an International flight is departing, there is always someone at re entry.

 

At the airport-

 

Filled TM8 form with photo affixed

Copy of Photo Page of PP

Copy of Last entry stamp

Copy of the latest extension of stay

Fee 1000 baht for single, 3800 for multiple.

[DrJoy]

TM 8 form here

TM8_Re_entry_permit.pdf

[howlee101]

25 minutes ago, MikaQ5 said:

Ah ok thanks 

(I had seen photos before that looked like a reentry permit was taking up a full passport page ) 

They stamped my single entry  right under my one year visa stamp, so on the same page but it was sideways????

 

[Yorkshire Tea]

Reentry permits also issued at the office at Central Festival.  Took me about 5 minutes total when I got mine ????

 

[howlee101]

20 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Reentry permits also issued at the office at Central Festival.  Took me about 5 minutes total when I got mine ????

 

Where are they located at Central Festival.  I go there a few times per month but never saw it...granted I wasn't looking for it either.

[Tracyb]

17 hours ago, ChristianBlessing said:

Yes

When boarding an international flight that will first land outside of Thailand.  There are no immigration facilities in the domestic departure terminal.

[Yorkshire Tea]

14 hours ago, howlee101 said:

Where are they located at Central Festival.  I go there a few times per month but never saw it...granted I wasn't looking for it either.

I think on 3rd floor (not 100% sure).  At the end furthest away from Central Dept store.  There's a passageway that leads round to the lifts & post office.  Immigration is at the end of the passageway.  There should be a sign where you leave the shops area.

[scorecard]

16 hours ago, howlee101 said:

Where are they located at Central Festival.  I go there a few times per month but never saw it...granted I wasn't looking for it either.

Interesting ... what services do they offer?

[Thalueng]

The easiest way I found is go to immigration, at the welcome desk tell them what you are here for. They will give you the required documents to fill out and check other documents such as photo or house book for completeness. Then head over to the copying machine service (every IO has it) where there is someone who makes the copies for you. This someone knows exactly what needs to be copied for which application, and the copies are really not expensive (2 Baht per page in HH). Then pass by the welcome desk again, get a queue number and wait for your turn. Same procedure for reentry permit, extension of stay, 90 days, etc. 

[Tracyb]

On 9/20/2022 at 6:53 PM, howlee101 said:

Where are they located at Central Festival.  I go there a few times per month but never saw it...granted I wasn't looking for it either.

On the second floor, at the Supersports end, in the area next to the elevators.