Hello. I missed my chance to book an appointment online for the renewal of my retirement visa. As a result, I will have to use a visa agent. I can no longer arrive at Immigration at 05.30 in the morning and wait all day to get a new stamp in my passport. An agent I spoke to many years ago wanted my to leave my passport with her for two days, which I was unwilling to do. The prospect of not possessing my passport for any period of time terrifies me due to the huge hassle I went through last year to get a new passport. As careful as the visa agent may be, the possibility of losing my passport still exists, which would mean I would have to go through the arduous process of getting a new passport after having my current one for such a short period of time. Can anybody recommend an honest, reputable visa agent located in Chiang Mai who can assist me in getting my visa renewed without having to leave my passport in his or her possession for any length of time? Cost is not really an issue in that I would be doing this only once per year, and maybe next year I will be more successful booking an appointment online and wouldn't need the agent. Thanks in advance for any information any readers can provide.

You cannot renew a visa, you mean extend your permission to stay with retirement as the reason. Are you saying the current extension has ran out and you are on overstay, If not why can't you book an appointment?

No, I am not on overstay. My visa expires on November 4th. I should have said that I want to extend my permission to stay with retirement as the reason. It was just a matter of not using the correct language. The reason I could not book an appointment is that the Immigration website showed that all the slots on the day I tried to book were taken. I went there exactly at midnight, so that could not have been the case. There seems to be a problem with the website, in that all the slots on every day are shown to be taken. This was not the case in years past, when I was always able to book a time slot by selecting the one I wanted at exactly midnight.

3 hours ago, acepredator said:

. I can no longer arrive at Immigration at 05.30 in the morning and wait all day to get a new stamp in my passport.

Seems years ago folk had to attend immigration very early in CM to apply for extension. 

My understanding is that is no longer the case. 

Prepare all your docs including banking days prior. 

Why is it necessary to attend immigration at 5.30am 

4 hours ago, acepredator said:

No, I am not on overstay. My visa expires on November 4th. I should have said that I want to extend my permission to stay with retirement as the reason. It was just a matter of not using the correct language. The reason I could not book an appointment is that the Immigration website showed that all the slots on the day I tried to book were taken. I went there exactly at midnight, so that could not have been the case. There seems to be a problem with the website, in that all the slots on every day are shown to be taken. This was not the case in years past, when I was always able to book a time slot by selecting the one I wanted at exactly midnight.

You can only book an appointment at immigration 30 days out.  You are just entering the point where appointments would be possible for your extension.  Just check for a few days and see if appointments open up for the new 30th day out.

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems years ago folk had to attend immigration very early in CM to apply for extension. 

My understanding is that is no longer the case. 

Prepare all your docs including banking days prior. 

Why is it necessary to attend immigration at 5.30am 

Prior to the online booking system, I would go to CM Immigration as early as 05.30 just to get a queue number low enough to be processed and homeward bound before 10.00 or 11.00. That was due to the sheer number of foreigners waiting to be processed. If anything, there are more applicants now. CM Immigration is an utter madhouse, with at least 50 people filling every seat inside the building and outside. I can't imagine what your understanding is based on. Try arriving at Immigration in the late morning, and you'll be lucky to be processed by closing time. More likely you'll be given a queue number to come back the following day. 

14 hours ago, acepredator said:

Can anybody recommend an honest, reputable visa agent located in Chiang Mai who can assist me in getting my visa renewed without having to leave my passport in his or her possession for any length of time?

A friend uses Best Friend Visa by Don Chan BigC in the thasala area and says they’re pretty good.

16 minutes ago, acepredator said:

CM Immigration is an utter madhouse, with at least 50 people filling every seat inside the building and outside. I can't imagine what your understanding is based on

My posts are based on doing extensions at CW. 

Which is an extremely busy office. 

Granted you are dealing with CM. 

 

I have not read (in recent times) need to arrive CM at 5.30am.

In any event grab an agent if you're that way inclined. 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

You can only book an appointment at immigration 30 days out.  You are just entering the point where appointments would be possible for your extension.  Just check for a few days and see if appointments open up for the new 30th day out.

Sorry, but your statement is completely inconsistent with my experience of last year. I booked a time slot for 2.30 on October 3rd to extend my permission to stay based on retirement. I made this booking at precisely 12.01 am of July 3rd, three months prior to the date I wanted, not thirty days. Last year the system worked flawlessly. Unfortunately, that is not the case this year. If you go to the Immigration website, you will see that the calendar goes all the way to the end of November, but no slots are available between now and then. You cannot access the December calendar yet. I will attach screenshots of September, October, and November, and you will see that there are no slots available on any days of those three months.

16 minutes ago, novacova said:

A friend uses Best Friend Visa by Don Chan BigC in the thasala area and says they’re pretty good.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check them out.

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My posts are based on doing extensions at CW. 

Which is an extremely busy office. 

Granted you are dealing with CM. 

 

I have not read (in recent times) need to arrive CM at 5.30am.

In any event grab an agent if you're that way inclined. 

 

 

 

No need to arrive early is you've booked an appointment in advance, which I have done every year I could. This year, unfortunately, the system didn't work. That is why I must use an agent, which I would not otherwise be inclined to do, but this year I feel it is my best option.

1 minute ago, acepredator said:

Sorry, but your statement is completely inconsistent with my experience of last year

Well clearly that's a CM thing or anomaly at that time. 

Most offices that have appointments  the window is only next 30 days. 

I checked the appointments for CM and yes none available. 

No need for the screenshots.. 

 

As for agents you can easily google "visa agent CM" 

Be aware that hand holding exercise comes at a cost that surprises me

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Well clearly that's a CM thing or anomaly at that time. 

Most offices that have appointments  the window is only next 30 days. 

I checked the appointments for CM and yes none available. 

No need for the screenshots.. 

 

As for agents you can easily google "visa agent CM" 

Be aware that hand holding exercise comes at a cost that surprises me

Yes, I'm sure it will be expensive, but this year I feel that my best option is to use an agent. Next year I hope the system works better than it did this year, and that I'll go back to booking a time slot, as I have done for many years until now.

5 minutes ago, acepredator said:

No need to arrive early is you've booked an appointment in advance, which I have done every year I could. This year, unfortunately, the system didn't work. That is why I must use an agent, which I would not otherwise be inclined to do, but this year I feel it is my best option.

Fine... Do whatever. 

I use appointments for CW and there have been times when forced to attend without an appointment. 

 

Would be nice for a recent first hand report from someone that did extension retirement without appointment at CM

 

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Fine... Do whatever. 

I use appointments for CW and there have been times when forced to attend without an appointment. 

 

Would be nice for a recent first hand report from someone that did extension retirement without appointment at CM

 

Okay. I won't go for my extension until early October, but I'll let you know how it went when I have returned from the CM insane asylum, also known as the Immigration Office.

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems years ago folk had to attend immigration very early in CM to apply for extension. 

My understanding is that is no longer the case. 

Prepare all your docs including banking days prior. 

Why is it necessary to attend immigration at 5.30am 

Yes especially since immigration doesn't open until 8:30.  Get there prior to that, get a queue ticket prepare any documents not already dones plus the couple of info sheets to fill in, have the officer walking around to check to see if you have all done properly and then wait for your number to be called.  This doesn't take that long, I did it when it did take all day and sometimes still couldn't get in until the next day but now it seems very easy to me even though I ceased having to do it now for 8+years.  If you need copies, that office is open already and tm 30 office if needed also usually opens a tad before the other windows.  Need a 90-day report, just walk up to the drive in window - 5 minutes max.  Now it is much easier than it used to be.  Of course if one waits until the office does open after 0830, of course one will have to wait for those that arrived there earlier.

1 minute ago, Presnock said:

Yes especially since immigration doesn't open until 8:30.  Get there prior to that, get a queue ticket prepare any documents not already dones plus the couple of info sheets to fill in, have the officer walking around to check to see if you have all done properly and then wait for your number to be called.  This doesn't take that long, I did it when it did take all day and sometimes still couldn't get in until the next day but now it seems very easy to me even though I ceased having to do it now for 8+years.  If you need copies, that office is open already and tm 30 office if needed also usually opens a tad before the other windows.  Need a 90-day report, just walk up to the drive in window - 5 minutes max.  Now it is much easier than it used to be.  Of course if one waits until the office does open after 0830, of course one will have to wait for those that arrived there earlier.

Yes, I will be well-prepared, as I have been every year. I've never had any complications getting my visa extended. It's just a matter of having to take the time to do it and to do it properly. If I'm able to find a suitable visa agent, the process will be much more bearable, albeit a lot more expensive. 

From various sites ... You see many replies here is one example.... 

Suggest you bite the bullet and arrive ~ 8am 

"I went into Chiang Mai Immigration a week before I was planning to renew. Had some questions and the very helpful guy at the desk added it was a waste of time making an appointment. I didn't ask why but ..... just get there at 7.30am, get a number and it shouldn't take too long.

Last week it was something of a circus at document checking so don't be much after 7.30! It only took 50 minutes once I was inside to be on my way!

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

From various sites ... You see many replies here is one example.... 

Suggest you bite the bullet and arrive ~ 8am 

"I went into Chiang Mai Immigration a week before I was planning to renew. Had some questions and the very helpful guy at the desk added it was a waste of time making an appointment. I didn't ask why but ..... just get there at 7.30am, get a number and it shouldn't take too long.

Last week it was something of a circus at document checking so don't be much after 7.30! It only took 50 minutes once I was inside to be on my way!

Well, that is certainly an extremely surprising post. The last few years I've been able to book a time slot in advance, usually in the afternoon. With an appointment I was able to get processed and be on my way from about an hour to 90 minutes. It's shocking to learn that someone could arrive as late as 07.30, without an appointment, and still be out the door within an hour. I have a lot of time to decide if I want to pay the visa agent or just take my chances and arrive early, as your post suggests. Thanks for the very helpful and informative information you provided.

6 minutes ago, acepredator said:

Well, that is certainly an extremely surprising post. The last few years I've been able to book a time slot in advance, usually in the afternoon.

If you fail to obtain an appointment and end up doing a walk in... please do a report of experience after approval. 

Would be very helpful to others. 

 

One issue I'm not sure of is that some offices insist on bank book update on day of application. 

Difficult if you're at immigration at 8am 

I've used Best Friend Visa for some years, ever since they and Immigration were in Promenada.

Without them you had to queue up before 6am.

They do all the necessaries - photo, photocopies, fill in forms, etc. and meet you at immigration at a set time the next day.

Charge now 3,500 baht plus 1,900 for immigration.

Now getting old and it saves me all the running around and the costs of Grab taxis.

27 minutes ago, Ginkas said:

I've used Best Friend Visa for some years, ever since they and Immigration were in Promenada.

Without them you had to queue up before 6am

So agent for some years. 

No actually knowledge of current extension process re que timeframe

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If you fail to obtain an appointment and end up doing a walk in... please do a report of experience after approval. 

Would be very helpful to others. 

 

One issue I'm not sure of is that some offices insist on bank book update on day of application. 

Difficult if you're at immigration at 8am 

yeah, previously, I would go to immigration and my wife would go off to the bank and update the bankbook and then bring it to me at immigration.  The yearly immigration extension of stay now is a pleasant memory with the LTR as well as that 90-day report.

Failing to get an appointment through the online system has been an ongoing problem for two years. However, turning up at 5 30 AM is a ancient pre–Wuhan Flu stuff.  Turn up at 130 in the afternoon midweek – The outside kiosk will check your documents, mark & initial with date, so you do not have to get a new bankbook copy of a deposit/withdrawal (but ask them about that to make sure!) You may or may not get a slot that afternoon. That afternoon kiosk check is relatively fast and should not take more than 30 minutes, If nothing is available that afternoon, you will have to be there, at the outside kiosk, the next day by 830 and put docs in the pile which will then call your name and give you a ticket. Then you go to the inside desk and they recheck docs and give you a number. Basically, two and a half to three and a half hours. Bring things to keep you entertained. 

Note you could go to outside kiosk at 8 or 730 or ... but all you do is put your papers in a stack. You will have people putting theirs lower in the stack etc & agents who just come in and get served first so no real advantage to queuing up early. It is a mob but not the early morning madness of times past

BTW, It is widely assumed that visa agents are the ones making online appointments and choking out the system for everyone else. As people, when they do not give get an online appointment, will likely go through an agent. They’re just making business for themselves. What could be more Thai?! 

If you do go by agent, post up your experience.  Hope it all works out..

 

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If you fail to obtain an appointment and end up doing a walk in... please do a report of experience after approval. 

Would be very helpful to others. 

 

One issue I'm not sure of is that some offices insist on bank book update on day of application. 

Difficult if you're at immigration at 8am 

The outside bank book machines work all night.

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If you fail to obtain an appointment and end up doing a walk in... please do a report of experience after approval. 

Would be very helpful to others. 

 

One issue I'm not sure of is that some offices insist on bank book update on day of application. 

Difficult if you're at immigration at 8am 

No problem at all. I wait until after midnight, then I drive to a nearby Bangkok Bank ATM and update my bankbook. Then I drive back home. The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. People seem to have the mistaken notion that the update has to be done inside an actual bank branch. I've updated my bank book at the ATM for as long as the same-day updates were required, and I've never had the slightest issue with Immigration.

11 hours ago, Dcheech said:

Failing to get an appointment through the online system has been an ongoing problem for two years. However, turning up at 5 30 AM is a ancient pre–Wuhan Flu stuff.  Turn up at 130 in the afternoon midweek – The outside kiosk will check your documents, mark & initial with date, so you do not have to get a new bankbook copy of a deposit/withdrawal (but ask them about that to make sure!) You may or may not get a slot that afternoon. That afternoon kiosk check is relatively fast and should not take more than 30 minutes, If nothing is available that afternoon, you will have to be there, at the outside kiosk, the next day by 830 and put docs in the pile which will then call your name and give you a ticket. Then you go to the inside desk and they recheck docs and give you a number. Basically, two and a half to three and a half hours. Bring things to keep you entertained. 

Note you could go to outside kiosk at 8 or 730 or ... but all you do is put your papers in a stack. You will have people putting theirs lower in the stack etc & agents who just come in and get served first so no real advantage to queuing up early. It is a mob but not the early morning madness of times past

BTW, It is widely assumed that visa agents are the ones making online appointments and choking out the system for everyone else. As people, when they do not give get an online appointment, will likely go through an agent. They’re just making business for themselves. What could be more Thai?! 

If you do go by agent, post up your experience.  Hope it all works out..

 

Thanks very much for your detailed and highly informative post. I will keep you and other interested parties updated on what is happening with CM Immigration. It will be some time as I won't be going for my extension until the first week of October. 

18 minutes ago, acepredator said:

I've updated my bank book at the ATM for as long as the same-day updates were required, and I've never had the slightest issue with Immigration

Fine. I stated "some offices" require activity in account same day as application.

Good news that CM accept ATM update.

I'm aware BBL provides that.

Do all banks? 

46 minutes ago, acepredator said:

I've updated my bank book at the ATM for as long as the same-day updates were required, and I've never had the slightest issue with Immigration.

In cm I update the bank book the day before going to the io, done at the bank while getting the statements after making a small transaction right before walking into the bank. Then off to the io the next morning with full copies of everything including all pp pages that have stamps/stickers/markings. Bring everything, copies and all because it seems they want some new additional every year.