Visa Extension For Retirement

[WilliamIV]

Today I extended my Visa for Retirement for the 10th time at Suan Phlu (Bangkok)

It took 5 hours. - 4hrs 40 mins waiting - 20mins processing

Years ago I would have been in and out within 30mins.

I arrived Midday and left 5pm – there were still many people waiting when I left.

I have read on the Forum that it is best to arrive at Suan Phlu very early in the morning

But that is not a solution for me.

That means another day wasted going to the Embassy and the Bank to collect their letters

Which I did today on my way to Suan Phlu.

Some people even waste another day going to the Embassy to apply for their Letter.

For the benefit of those who have yet to extend their Visa – this is what I do.

1) Month before extension – obtain Pension Certificate (If applying under income 65K)

2) Two Days before extension send Faxes and Confirm by Phonecollection can be made after 2 days

a - to (British) Embassy for their letter – undertaking to produce Pension Certificate at collection

b - to Bank for their confirmation of Account Balance (mine is at Chong Nonsi – not far from Suan Phlu.)

3) Today …

8.00 – got up (no need to rush things at my age!)

9.45 – from Bangkapi by Taxi, Metro and Sky Train to Ploenchit Station – which is connected to a Home Pro Building – in Ground Floor is Photograph / Photocopying

shop

10.30 – Have Photo taken

10.40 – British Embassy to collect their letter – Fee now Bht 2,210 (increase it was said is due to change in exchange rates) – produce my Pension Certificate for them to make copy

They now have separate “Collection” Queue from 9.00 to 11.00

11.00 – back to photo shop to collect photos – attach one photo to completed Form T.7

make copy of Form T.7 and Embassy Letter for my own reference..

Make all necessary photocopies of Passport pages, T. 6 (Departure Card) and Account Passbook. And sign them.

11.15 Sky Train to Bank in Chong Nonsi

11.30 collect Bank Letter – certifying balance in my Account.

11.55 Present documents to reception at Suan Phlu - Get Token Number – check number system in Room 101 – there are 60 people in front of me!!!

12.00 Go to café on opposite side of road for Lunch – although the Immigration Offices say they do not break for Lunch – I did not see any officer processing Applications between 12.00 to 1.00

but if they all go to Lunch at the same time – I see little difference in the overall waiting time – except for those few who are next in the Queue

1.10 pm – 3 officers are processing applications in my queue which is obviously also handling extensions for Marriage

(I don’t know what type of Visas or extensions the other Officers are processing in the other Number Queue)

2.10 pm – a fourth Officer starts processing my Q.

Sometimes new applicants are called by an officer after 10 mins (Retirement I suspect)

Others after 20 mins (probably “marriage”?)

All Officers were seen to be working diligently throughout my 5 hours and all taking about the same amount of time to process the two different extensions in my Q.

4.40 – my Turn – takes officer 3 mins to check my papers and ask me for Bht 1,900

(one surprise – she asked me the Sterling Exchange rate and used what I told her to convert my Sterling Pension into Baht (on previous occasions Immigration have used their own Lower rate)

I was not asked for my Pension Certificate.

Within very short time she has my file from past 10 years on her desk.

Gives me my Receipt and sends me to “Her Boss” for signature

5.00 pm– I am out

There are notices all over Room 101 >

“The System is under Improvement, we do apologise for inconvenience.”

Bill

[longball53098]

I'll be the first to jump in and make a comment,,,------->>>>why not as they say.

Sounds like situation in BKK is about normal. The staff is overworked and underpaid I'm sure. Most likely they do the best they can given their procedures and policies from the hierarchy that runs the system. They even acknowledge it with signs saying improvements are coming.

You choose to make the process a one day event and deal with the other folks that choose to come in later in the day so you possibly pay the price of meeting the crowd. Also every day will be different as for the retirement crowd. Some days are lighter than others I'm sure.

I see you posted what happened as it occurred and no real complaint. Other than waiting a long time the process took very little time. Your old and retired, what else do we retirees have but time on our hands.

[JAS21]

Today I extended my Visa for Retirement for the 10th time at Suan Phlu (Bangkok)

Bill[/size][/font]

Wow you made a bit of a meal of that!

Get pension letter by post from British Embassy..no need to go. You may need to register with them.

Get Photo, I got away with last years! Maybe I will get a new one for next year.

Download form from internet.

Get up earlier, queue for 30 minutes before opening (if you are a little late, but doors haven't opened, amble towards any space left on the rail..as the Thais do.., take ticket from desk, go for 'quick' breakfast, then back to issue room.

Should take less than 2 Hrs..including getting Re-entry Permit. It did for me and it was the day afer a holiday period

[WilliamIV]

Today I extended my Visa for Retirement for the 10th time at Suan Phlu (Bangkok)

Bill[/size][/font]

Wow you made a bit of a meal of that!

Get pension letter by post from British Embassy..no need to go. You may need to register with them.

Get Photo, I got away with last years! Maybe I will get a new one for next year.

Download form from internet.

Get up earlier, queue for 30 minutes before opening (if you are a little late, but doors haven't opened, amble towards any space left on the rail..as the Thais do.., take ticket from desk, go for 'quick' breakfast, then back to issue room.

Should take less than 2 Hrs..including getting Re-entry Permit. It did for me and it was the day afer a holiday period

Hi John

Can you tell how you showed your Proof of Income to the British Embassy

and Paid the Fee - was that also by Post?

I had to pass the British Embassy - so it was easy to show them my

Pesion Certificate and pay their Fee in Cash when collecting their Letter.

There is no way I am going to be at Immigtation before they open

I usually get up after 10am so I would rather stay in Bed and in the Afternoon

at Immigration to read a Book .

Sorry you thought I made a meal of it ...

I completed EVERYTHING in one day.

Photo should be in last six months - you were lucky the officer didn't notice

it was the same as last year's photo - not recommended!!!

Bill

[thaihome]

I drive by every day on way to work, not unsual to see some farang sitting on the public benches at 6:30AM waiting for it open. I can't wait for my time on the bench.

TH