Overstay

[eirikur3]

Hi, i was wondering if others have had a similar experience at immigration here in Pattaya. I feel its getting to be a problem and often a very long process to get a visa extention. My visa expires on sunday the 4th apr. so i went to immigration today(friday) to get my extention, as its closed on the 4th. When i tried to get my number at the desk, they just told me to come back on monday ?!! I told him my visa expires on the 4th but he said "no problem", now i wonder if i will get a 500baht fine on monday the 5th ?

Last time i had to get an extention, i got there around 10:30 am and was told they stopped handing out numbers until 1 pm, the whole thing ended up costing me hours of waiting, and had i been a turist i'd have lost a days holiday.

Best regards , Erik

[Mario2008]

Normally no problem, if you indeed go on Monday the 5th. often they allow you to go the first workday after the expiry date.

Note that you can always getan extenion n the last 30 days of your stay and the extension starts on the day your current permission ends. By going early you don't lose any days.

[eirikur3]

Thanks for reply, i knew about getting the extention early and not loose any days, but i also heard they want you to do this in the last week before extention is needed?. And the way things are busy at immigration, i guess they could keep pressing you to come on a later date,(with all the hessle that includes) until you could wait no longer ? But anyway i just wanted to find out if they could according to law, fine me for coming on the 5th

[thaiphoon]

Application within the last week is usual for immigration offices. Think you just went at a busy time; Chonburi can sometimes be that way. Going on the 5th you should have no problem and not be fined.

[tropo]

Thanks for reply, i knew about getting the extention early and not loose any days, but i also heard they want you to do this in the last week before extention is needed?. And the way things are busy at immigration, i guess they could keep pressing you to come on a later date,(with all the hessle that includes) until you could wait no longer ? But anyway i just wanted to find out if they could according to law, fine me for coming on the 5th

How Immigration offices handle applications has nothing to do with law. They make the rules and there's no way around them (except through the back door that is). Each immigration office can have distinctly different policies and requirements. They are a law unto themselves.

I suggest you make future visits to the Chonburi office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Monday is madness and Friday is always fairly busy too. If there's a holiday in the week, avoid the day before or day after the holiday too if possible. I usually apply for a tourist visa extension mid-week a week before the last day.

[eirikur3]

Thanks very much for all replies.