Good Experience At Bkk Immigration

[opalhort]

Positive experience at BKK Immigration CW.

Extension based on Thai wife using bank deposit in a fixed deposit account.

Arrived at 09:05 this morning. Outdoor parking no problem at that time, did not try an indoor parking lot because no signs indicate where the public car park is.

No signs in Thai or English where to find Immigration, had to ask our way through (how can tourists find their way around there?).

Got queue number at 09:10, 8 numbers were ahead of me. My number came up at 09:25

Document checking, photo and fingerprints took only 15 minutes.

Note about documents: The officer did not look at any originals and only needed the original Bank letter. She verified the amount in the Bankbook with the letter and did not bother to look at the dates. The last print in the book was 22.06.10, the letter was dated 23.06.10.

Family photos: home prints on plain A4 paper (4 photos per page) were accepted and glossy prints from a photo shop were returned as not required.

Then came a 10 min wait at the desk because the guy who issues the receipts for the fees was slow in returning the PP.

09:50 I got my 30 days under consideration stamp (30 days COUNTING from TODAY!!)

Had to wait 5 min for the top officer to counter sign everything and we were back at our car by 10:10

All in all a very good experience.

opalhort

Edited June 24, 2010 by opalhort

[Colabamumbai]

My experience today at MFA 123 Chang Watthana Road just past the entrance road for Immigration Offices. Went to get Permission to Marry. Take escalator to 2nd floor then walk to third floor, go to reception desk given a plastic card number, told to walk through that door and see a supervisor, he looks at the forms in English from the Canadian Embassy and the Thai translation and the front page of my passport and initials the page as to what you are applying for. Tells me to go back to reception and get a number.

Five minutes later my number is up, take my papers to the window and the lady says $800 bhat pick it up at 12 noon, it is 9a.m.

I said I was told that the fee for 2 day processing was $400 bhat, I don't want to hang around for 3 hours. She says you did not ask for fast processing, I said no. No one asked me whether I wanted it processed today or in two days. She called the girl over who gave me the number at reception and gave her shit. i reiterated that I was in no rush and two days or two weeks was fine with me but I did not want to pay $800 bhat and wait for 3 hours. She frowned at me and told the women behind her to make to change the amount of change from the thousand bhat note and told me to come back on Monday to pick up the forms.

At no point did the receptionist or the supervisor who initialed the forms ask me how fast I wanted it processed. They seemed disappointed when I would not pay them $800 bhat and wait for 3 hours. I felt good that I got my way. I weighed the $400 bhat difference and my costs in having to return and 3 wasted hours having to sit there.

Do they automatically assume that every foreigner needs it today, or is it a ploy to double charge?

[bangkokburning]

I think for most, it is less expensive to pay the additional fee -or close enough. Tat is why it is B400 and not B800 (B1200) :-)

If you take the cost of transport into consideration, I am sure MRT/BTS + taxi will come out to roughly 400rt. You have done this cheaply so you can tell us perhaps better. I'm pretty much a cheap charlie, but I think I'd expedite. Also...its done. Not sitting on someones desk for them to contemplate or screw up the visa.

[Colabamumbai]

I think for most, it is less expensive to pay the additional fee -or close enough. Tat is why it is B400 and not B800 (B1200) :-)

If you take the cost of transport into consideration, I am sure MRT/BTS + taxi will come out to roughly 400rt. You have done this cheaply so you can tell us perhaps better. I'm pretty much a cheap charlie, but I think I'd expedite. Also...its done. Not sitting on someones desk for them to contemplate or screw up the visa.

MRT/BTS 80 bhat return from anywhere in Bangkok half that with a pass. Van from Chatuchak $50 bhat return. I costs me with BTS pass $46 Bhat plus Van $50 bhat.

That is 96 bhat and less than an hour travel each way. So I still save one hour and $300 bhat. You can take a bus from Chatuchak and back and save even a few more pennies. This is Ministry of Foreign Affaris.

[TaoNow]

Thank you, Opalhort, for this trip report.

As stated before, these first-person accounts are the most valuable feature of the Forum.

What is noteworthy, as you point out, is that the passbook up-date and bank letter were dated one to two days before you submitted your extension application.

This differs from earlier reports that suggested that the passbook update and bank letter had to be dated on the same day that one appears at Immo/CW.

But your experience reflects a more reasonable approach by Immo and allows people to get there early and out quickly.

Thanks again.

TN

[lopburi3]

I suspect most people not in a one day rush would use the translation service and avoid the need to travel out there two times; so you were likely the exception doing yourself and not wanting fast service.

[Colabamumbai]

I suspect most people not in a one day rush would use the translation service and avoid the need to travel out there two times; so you were likely the exception doing yourself and not wanting fast service.

My translation was already done, and if they had asked me which service that I may have preferred before trying to charge me $800 bhat, my reply may have been different.

[opalhort]

What is noteworthy, as you point out, is that the passbook up-date and bank letter were dated one to two days before you submitted your extension application.

Yes, but please note that I mentioned a fixed-term account and the book is the same as I used last year with the only transactions recorded being the 3-monthly interest/tax enries.

They may regard a regular savings account, especially a new one or recently 'filled-up' one, differently.

opalhort

[Cuchulainn]

Got my marriage extension today and a re entry permit all within 1 hour. Excellent service and not a bad word to say about anyone or anything!! A far cry from Suan Plu!

[asiawatcher]

Even after years here and annual Non Imm B renewals, irrespective of the rules, they still call a 1900 Baht renewal extension fee and then tell you to come back in 30 days. That continues every year even after here 10 years and full compliance. That is also being pocketed no doubt as they always renew but they take 1900 x 2 months every time using the excuse they have not had time to process. TIT

[Mario2008]

What office are we talking about? Exentensions based on work are normally given on the spot. No 30 day waiting period after which you have to pay another 1,900 baht.

[opalhort]

asiawatcher are you using an agent to do the renewals for you?

If not then report your local immigration office to the BKK HQ about their strange requirements.

The fee of 1,900B is a non-refundable application fee for submitting the form TM.7 and even if the initial stamp is only for 30 days (used normally only for extensions based on Thai wife) you will not have to pay anything else to receive the final one year stamp.

opalhort

Edited June 25, 2010 by opalhort

[nithisa78]

The cheap bastards of "Planet Earth", what draws them to, Thailand? Rhetorical.

[w11guy]

I suspect most people not in a one day rush would use the translation service and avoid the need to travel out there two times; so you were likely the exception doing yourself and not wanting fast service.

My translation was already done, and if they had asked me which service that I may have preferred before trying to charge me $800 bhat, my reply may have been different.

From your reply its sounds like you chose the 2 day just to spite them because they didn't ask you. I'd choose what suited me. I don't see the point of choosing something that doesn't suit me just to get back at someone else.

[MickGC]

The cheap bastards of "Planet Earth", what draws them to, Thailand? Rhetorical.

Was thinking along the same lines myself .............. Would probably B8000 back home.

[souvenirdeparis]

my wedding experience 15 years ago : no difficulties whatsoever at foreign Affairs in BKK and Town hall in Chiang Maï (my secretary of a then wife hade done everything right) , but a revolting experience at the French Embassy, for registering wedding ans subsequent visa, I was treated like a criminal, they kept on demanding papers for 6 months, it cost me an arm and a leg with trips from Chiang Mai so much energy wasted having someone get the papers in France etc ; that time and money was supposed to be a Bali trip .And once in France they harassed us no end . Them (deleted) went as far as demanding we " re do the wedding" (sic) because on some papers she was registered born in hospital in Phitsanulok (modern style) and on others born at her parents' in PhiChit(old style) .( I finally managed to tell them exactly what I thought of it and it was the end ! got French Nationality- now she doesn't have same birth place on both passports, because French administration knows better than Thaï where Thaï citizens are born !)We know a girl couldn't get French nationality because transliteration of the first letter of her name has changed over the years . My ex wife 's job used to be with visas, she has the utmost contempt for French regulations . Thaïland is not so bad as seen from here .

btw, congratulations for your wedding ColaMombaï .

[ableguy]

I think for most, it is less expensive to pay the additional fee -or close enough. Tat is why it is B400 and not B800 (B1200) :-)

If you take the cost of transport into consideration, I am sure MRT/BTS + taxi will come out to roughly 400rt. You have done this cheaply so you can tell us perhaps better. I'm pretty much a cheap charlie, but I think I'd expedite. Also...its done. Not sitting on someones desk for them to contemplate or screw up the visa.

MRT/BTS 80 bhat return from anywhere in Bangkok half that with a pass. Van from Chatuchak $50 bhat return. I costs me with BTS pass $46 Bhat plus Van $50 bhat.

That is 96 bhat and less than an hour travel each way. So I still save one hour and $300 bhat. You can take a bus from Chatuchak and back and save even a few more pennies. This is Ministry of Foreign Affaris.

Are you sure you can afford to marry?

[asiawatcher]

asiawatcher are you using an agent to do the renewals for you?

If not then report your local immigration office to the BKK HQ about their strange requirements.

The fee of 1,900B is a non-refundable application fee for submitting the form TM.7 and even if the initial stamp is only for 30 days (used normally only for extensions based on Thai wife) you will not have to pay anything else to receive the final one year stamp.

opalhort

Even in days at Sathorn they always belted me for two lots of 1900 Baht until a certain General gave me a business card with a note in Thai, and last one thru went like clockwork as I was escorted from the Director straight in front of a desk and a woman with 4 gold bars on the shoulder straps. A stamp and I was out - 12 minutes from start to finish! As it seems, it's who you know! And to the other comment - I never use an agent an I have all the compliance stuff here and I employ thousands of Thai's annually on contracts and bring in hundreds of millions of Baht into Thailand - thus my general got on the case for me. But I still have not got the PR - that is the next step.

[Colabamumbai]

I suspect most people not in a one day rush would use the translation service and avoid the need to travel out there two times; so you were likely the exception doing yourself and not wanting fast service.

My translation was already done, and if they had asked me which service that I may have preferred before trying to charge me $800 bhat, my reply may have been different.

From your reply its sounds like you chose the 2 day just to spite them because they didn't ask you. I'd choose what suited me. I don't see the point of choosing something that doesn't suit me just to get back at someone else.

I was in no rush like some foreigners who come here and think that they have to get married in two days.

[Colabamumbai]

I think for most, it is less expensive to pay the additional fee -or close enough. Tat is why it is B400 and not B800 (B1200) :-)

If you take the cost of transport into consideration, I am sure MRT/BTS + taxi will come out to roughly 400rt. You have done this cheaply so you can tell us perhaps better. I'm pretty much a cheap charlie, but I think I'd expedite. Also...its done. Not sitting on someones desk for them to contemplate or screw up the visa.

MRT/BTS 80 bhat return from anywhere in Bangkok half that with a pass. Van from Chatuchak $50 bhat return. I costs me with BTS pass $46 Bhat plus Van $50 bhat.

That is 96 bhat and less than an hour travel each way. So I still save one hour and $300 bhat. You can take a bus from Chatuchak and back and save even a few more pennies. This is Ministry of Foreign Affaris.

Are you sure you can afford to marry?

Yes I can more than afford to and I also know that money saved is money earned and goes to the wife or daughter. I only get paid $100 dollars a day, based on hours worked, not hours sitting in an immigration office, or asking people if they can afford to marry....

[Tod Daniels]

FWIW: if you have all your ducks in a row (and they're quacking in time ), a yearly extension of stay for either marriage or retirement is not fraught with peril like some posters allude to.

Yes, there is often a pile ‘o paperwork to be done. .. Yes, there are hoops to jump thru of varying sizes and heights. .. Yes, the rules may seem oxymoronic compared to the rules in ‘your country’. .. (NEWZ FLASH for the thick ; you're not in your country, your in theirs. Their country; their rules, play by them ). If the rules say wear green flip-flops to apply for an extension of stay, my suggestion is go buy a pair of green flip-flops .

It is my experience; if you have your paperwork filled out correctly, if you have the proper copies of your passport, etc (signed), and have it collated in the correct order, that things go pretty darned smooth. It is also my observation that attitude (as in YOUR attitude) makes up a great percentage of the overall ease in which you achieve your goal. If you cop the slightest attitude towards the immigration officers; I've seen first hand the wheels of progress grind to a complete halt and even sometimes switch into reverse.

I have found following these simple steps can garner the best results;

*Never EVER raise your voice

*Never have any expression but either a neutral one or that 'dopey thai smile' on your face

*Don’t fidget

*Don’t speak unless spoken to

In other words never do anything but sit silently and let the official in front of you do their job. Believe me if they have questions, they'll ask you. While you might think engaging them in idle chit-chat, may seem 'cutesy' is just a HUGE time waster overall.

In shepherding hundreds of foreigners to the old Suan Plu and now Changwattana, following the above outlined act; I've never had a problem. Sometimes even though I held a far higher queue number than was currently being called the immigrations officials who know me would 'jump' me and the person I was with ‘in’; just because they knew my documents and paperwork would 'fly' first time outta the gate.

In many situations receiving an 'under consideration' stamp is not unheard of. Neither is giving a 90 day stamp for an extension of stay based on retirement when converting from a tourist visa, and then having the person come back when there's about a month left on that stamp to receive the rest of the year's stamp. It seems to be up to the particular immigrations officer you're dealing with, and their mood at that particular time, on if they're gonna do it in one felled swoop or make it a two step process.

It's not rocket science or decoding the human genome, it's just the correct paperwork, and a good attitude. Sadly my experiences are ONLY in Bangkok. The same cannot be said for the immigrations offices upcountry who are their own little fiefdoms in and of themselves and who interpret the immigration rules as they see fit .

I wish more posters would put their positive experiences on the forum as it seems mostly filled with complaints.