Hi,

 

May I ask what the exact steps would be and what documents are needed to obtain a certificate of residence for renewing two driver's licenses (car and motorcycle) at Chachoengsao? 

 

I stay with my girlfriend in her apartment (which she owns herself), in this province.

 

I'm on a 60 days tourist visa (not exemption), and I've been in Thailand for about two weeks.

 

Thanks.

14 minutes ago, MindfulPresence said:

May I ask what the exact steps would be and what documents are needed to obtain a certificate of residence for renewing two driver's licenses (car and motorcycle) at Chachoengsao? 

You would require a TM30. 

Also have gf Thai ID and blue book copy. 

Some basic pages of your pp. 

 

Note: The transport office should accept one COR + photocopy for the other licence. 

Some offices use a form for application for COR. 

Being on tourist visa you should be given a 2 year TDL not 5yr.

 

https://aseannow.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=439173

 

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You would require a TM30. 

Also have gf Thai ID and blue book copy. 

Some basic pages of your pp. 

 

Note: The transport office should accept one COR + photocopy for the other licence. 

Some offices use a form for application for COR. 

Being on tourist visa you should be given a 2 year TDL not 5yr.

 

https://aseannow.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=439173 48.26 kB · 2,170 downloads

 

Thank you.

I recall from a while ago that obtaining a COR on tourist visa now should be no problem, unlike it was before.

 

But I know rules are changing quickly.

Reading online today various sources state that a 90 day report must be done before applying for a COR, another source claim that one must be a taxpayer to apply, and thus must reside for minimum 180 days before applying for such certificate.

Are these claims above untrue, and can I easily go and apply for a COR myself in person with all the required documents?

12 minutes ago, MindfulPresence said:

Reading online today various sources state that a 90 day report must be done before applying for a COR, another source claim that one must be a taxpayer to apply, and thus must reside for minimum 180 days before applying for such certificate.

The first one of those you mention: 

Requirement to have done a 90 report in order to obtain COR was previously the case for CW (only) 

That requirement has been removed. 

 

The second claim regarding "being a tax payer" is a straight up nonsense. 

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The first one of those you mention: 

Requirement to have done a 90 report in order to obtain COR was previously the case for CW (only) 

That requirement has been removed. 

 

The second claim regarding "being a tax payer" is a straight up nonsense. 

 

Thanks a lot.

 

I'll gather the necessary documents and go and apply myself.

 

Hopefully it will be a smooth process.

13 minutes ago, MindfulPresence said:

I'll gather the necessary documents and go and apply myself.

Chachoengsao should be similar to CW. 

You will need a TM30 and basic photocopies of pp. 

Have dosh on you. 

Immigration offices vary on what they charge. 

For example at CW is 200b and mailed to your address. 

Takes 5 days.  Express service unavailable. 

Some offices you can pay "service charge" and obtain on the spot

 

@MindfulPresence I obtained a COR from the Chachoensao Immigration office. You will need your GF/ landlord to sign a form. No 90 day report needed. If i remember correctly, i was on a non o, but he said a tourist visa (not exempt) was sufficient.

 

FYI- The licence renew at the Chachoengsao DLT includes a peripheral vision color test on a home-made testing machine. (a woden chair with some plastic bits stuck onto it) The tester on the days i have been there, had poor social skills and low emotional intelligence. She was delighted when somebody failed the test and made them feel very uncomfortable (me included). Only 1 try alowed, but a retest is offered for the next morning at 8am with a much nicer member of staff.

1 hour ago, stubuzz said:

@MindfulPresence I obtained a COR from the Chachoensao Immigration office. You will need your GF/ landlord to sign a form. No 90 day report needed. If i remember correctly, i was on a non o, but he said a tourist visa (not exempt) was sufficient.

 

FYI- The licence renew at the Chachoengsao DLT includes a peripheral vision color test on a home-made testing machine. (a woden chair with some plastic bits stuck onto it) The tester on the days i have been there, had poor social skills and low emotional intelligence. She was delighted when somebody failed the test and made them feel very uncomfortable (me included). Only 1 try alowed, but a retest is offered for the next morning at 8am with a much nicer member of staff.

Just asking for op... what's the timeframe for a residence certificate?  Instant?  Return to the office next day, one week, etc to pickup?  They mail it to you?

Do you know if they have an "express" option if you want it faster than their standard if not instant?

I think i paid 500bt and waited about 30 minutes. 

On 12/19/2025 at 11:26 PM, BrandonJT said:

Just asking for op... what's the timeframe for a residence certificate?  Instant?  Return to the office next day, one week, etc to pickup?  They mail it to you?

 

I was speaking to someone from Chiang Mai last week. He said there that it takes 7 days and they mail it to you. There is no option to collect it.

 

Just got one myself in Chiang Rai last week. 7-day service and you have to pick it up.

 

No fast-track option in both cases. So a big variation depending on where you are.

12 minutes ago, Tuvoc said:

 

I was speaking to someone from Chiang Mai last week. He said there that it takes 7 days and they mail it to you. There is no option to collect it.

 

Just got one myself in Chiang Rai last week. 7-day service and you have to pick it up.

 

No fast-track option in both cases. So a big variation depending on where you are.

Chiang Mai normally has a fast option.  You pay 500 baht and collect it the next day.  But because of the current crackdown going across many facets of immigration, it's on hold at the moment.  Heard about it just this week. I got my first residence certificate and drivers license in Chiang Mai this way.

On 12/19/2025 at 2:38 PM, MindfulPresence said:

Thank you.

I recall from a while ago that obtaining a COR on tourist visa now should be no problem, unlike it was before.

 

But I know rules are changing quickly.

Reading online today various sources state that a 90 day report must be done before applying for a COR, another source claim that one must be a taxpayer to apply, and thus must reside for minimum 180 days before applying for such certificate.

Are these claims above untrue, and can I easily go and apply for a COR myself in person with all the required documents?

If you can, do the online learning before you go and print off the qr codes. It will save you a lot of wasted time at dlt, having to watch them there.

You'll also need a medical certificate (original and a photocopy) and best to do the eLearning prior to your appointment. 

They laughed at me at Surin  immigration .

 Said no chance on a tourist visa.

Come back with a long term visa.

My experience.

 

25 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

They laughed at me at Surin  immigration .

 Said no chance on a tourist visa.

Come back with a long term visa.

My experience.

 

That is atypical. 

You should be able to obtain a COR at immigration with tourist status. 

Clearly not at Surin 

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That is atypical. 

You should be able to obtain a COR at immigration with tourist status. 

Clearly not at Surin 

They basically said you are a tourist not a resident. Next time I had a non o 90 day visa....no problem.

6 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

They basically said you are a tourist not a resident

Power trip.  

 

 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Power trip.  

 

 

I couldn't. It what it was.

Good luck to anyone else.

 

29 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

I couldn't. It what it was.

Exactly. What can we surfs say. 

Complain? Won't do a thing. 

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

That is atypical. 

You should be able to obtain a COR at immigration with tourist status. 

Clearly not at Surin 

 

Just to illustrate how arbitrary the rules can be between the different offices, I looked up the COR requirements (passport and visa copies, etc.) here, and went to my local immigration office in Sri Saket. I told the IO what I wanted and the reason, and he handed me back all of the copies that I brought with me. He looked up my information on his computer, told me to wait, and handed me a printed and signed COR in less than 10 minutes. No charge.