Chaeng Wattana Visa Extension

[Cuchulainn]

Was at C/W earlier this morning and was in and out within 50 minutes. This included my yearly extension and a 90 days report. Very pleasant, smiling people attended to me. I had all the paper work filled in and was politely dressed. This is a far cry from Suan Plu.

It amazes me that people still turn up in flip flops and shorts to 'do business' and the amount of people who hadn't filled in forms or even bothered to get photocopies was noticeable!!

Now..........if only Swampy airport was like this!!

Thanks to the staff at CW who left a good impression on me. :jap:

[ETatBKK]

glad to hear this very positive experience ! from an user point of view, indeed there are lot of improvement in the Chaeng Wattana office : -)

Suan Plu office

- crowded, stuffy

- people-as-machine process, polite ?

- slow, nasty . . .

Chaeng Wattana

- spacious, reasonable decent ambient

- efficient, get things done

- fast, not that but acceptable

- organised as a whole - banks, canteen, copy services

- far, very far . . .

all my own opinions :-)

[jonnog]

I second that. I was also at CW Immigration today for a visa extension and was once again v impressed with service, which even included recommendations on how best to approach future extensions. I made an effort to show the officials there some respect and the response was excellent.

[WarpSpeed]

I report there all the time, only a few minutes from my house..

Reported yesterday and all went as well as usual but got home to put my passport away and checked it as I usually do before leaving Immi but as Murphy's law states when I got home, the one time I didn't check, the nice officer had not changed his stamp to the proper date and stamped it again with the same date I reported .

Had my wife call to see what action to take and once gotten through on the phone it was all entered in the computer fortunately and we got all the names and the next report date so there should be no problem.

On the whole I'm much happier with Immigrations new location it boggles my mind how anyone could not be happier even with some travel required from downtown or where ever there's no comparison to where it's located now..I think their attitude is also better because of their new working environment too, it only stands to reason it's not the hot, noisy, mad house it used to be in the old location with no parking etc....

JFYI Being Thailand and hot there's nothing wrong with wearing nice shorts, it's completely accepted and I don't see any disrespect what-so-ever, though having said that I only wear them most times on reporting not the annual renewal..

What I thought was unacceptable was the farang in front of me with body odor raising his arm to scratch off huge patches of dead skin from his flaking, probably lice laden scalp and then flicking it off on people (me and my family primarily) behind him without a single concern for decorum.

I wish Immi would go to some people in the jungles who aren't accustomed to civilization instead of requiring them to come to the city .. It wouldn't bother me one bit if he's a member of TV and reads this either..Disgusting git..

[MickeyM]

Now if they could only get rid of the queue jumper agents.

[EvilDrSomkid]

We were there on May 10th to do my first extension based on marriage.

Got a stamp to come back on June 8th.

I was told by some acquaintances that it is very unlikely that I will get my extension then.

Probably will get another under consideration stamp.

Is this generally the case at CW? We were both respectful and well dressed, but we forgot to bring khanom.

I really need to get the extension stamp SOON. Need to apply for WP.

Would it help to go back before the 8th and ask/beg to get the stamp?

Any advice?

[lopburi3]

Have not seen any case of not getting extension of stay in Bangkok during the normal 30 day review process. And you do not need that to apply for work permit in any case (you can do that on any kind of legal entry - only the issue requires a non immigrant visa entry; which you obviously have).

[EvilDrSomkid]

Have not seen any case of not getting extension of stay in Bangkok during the normal 30 day review process. And you do not need that to apply for work permit in any case (you can do that on any kind of legal entry - only the issue requires a non immigrant visa entry; which you obviously have).

Well, OK, I guess just have to wait until then.

If I apply now, the WP will only be valid until the day of the under consideration stamp and then have to extend.

I wish to avoid that.

[lopburi3]

Work permits have not been tied to visa expiration for several years AFAIK.

[Gippy]

Now if they could only get rid of the queue jumper agents.

This is true. I was there on Tuesday extending a Non O and two of the counters just dealt with agents jumping in, they didn't ding a new number for the whole two hours I was waiting for my turn.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Work permits have not been tied to visa expiration for several years AFAIK.

So what date will they use as expiration date when I apply (our company)?

Btw, where do I apply for WP if I live in Khannayao?

[lopburi3]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

OK, guess will have to call the khet and ask where it is.

[exbelg]

don't forget your gift for your agent lol

had to sign a paper that I was aware i needed 400k ONLY 2 months in stead of the 'normal?' 3

anyone else ?

[Arkady]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

In Bangkok WPs are only issued at the Labour Ministry HQ and the BOI one stop service (for qualifying companies and positions only). The 2008 Working of Aliens Act changed some things and technically removed the umbilical cord between the issue of WPs from non-imm visas. In practice the ministry doesn't approved of the two year WPs introduced by the 2008 Act and you will only get one, if you work for a large company, preferably a public limited company.

[bino]

Concur with the OP. I was out there last Thursday for my annual extension. Even though it can be tedious, if you do everything they tell you, act and dress appropriately, the whole procedure is basically painless.

I also noticed same as OP- large number of people in shorts and flops. I could see it for genuine tourists who are extending a tourist visa, but the guys in the annual B Visa renewal area boggle my mind.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

In Bangkok WPs are only issued at the Labour Ministry HQ and the BOI one stop service (for qualifying companies and positions only). The 2008 Working of Aliens Act changed some things and technically removed the umbilical cord between the issue of WPs from non-imm visas. In practice the ministry doesn't approved of the two year WPs introduced by the 2008 Act and you will only get one, if you work for a large company, preferably a public limited company.

Alright, so where is this Labour Ministry HQ? I did a search but got hits all over BKK.

I am 40% shareholder of a Private Co Ltd with 4 thai employees including my wife who is one of the employees and majority shareholder.

I need to get a one year WP.

So, hopefully will get the extension stamp on the 8th and then start the WP application process.

Approximately, how long does this take? From application to (hopefully) approval? It is not a new company.

My wife called Sunbelt a while ago and they said should be possible.

[Billmont]

Good to hear that Chaeng Wattana has improved. I was there about a year ago and it was a nightmare. I was applying for a retirement visa and had followed all the instructions I had received from the Hull Consulate including the medical and Police report. My wife and I were very smartly dressed and as always very polite and respectful. After queuing for about an hour I was told that I was at the wrong place and was sent to another office in the same building. When I got there they were very polite and helpful and told me that I was at the wrong place and should have been dealt with at the first place I had been to. When I told them I had been there and they had they me here they contacted a senior officer who telephone the same department and then explained I had been sent here in error and I should return. By this time it was too late so we had to return the next day. After about an hours wait I saw another officer who although polite said that I had 90 days and I should wait until closer to the expiry of the stamp in my passport. I explained that all the letters I had would then be expired because they would be more than one month old. The man then sent me a a female office who was in charge of the department and I explained that I would like the retirement visa now rather than wait for the 90 days. She checked my forms and said that they were all in order except my actual application form which was given to me by the officer I first visited. This was the second form I had filled out as I also got one from the Hull Consulate. She then said I should go to the Immigration Office near to where I lived as this is now the system and then gave me the correct form. I completed this form and then went to the Korat Immigration armed with my documents and the "Correct' application. I had to wait about 20 minutes and was then called to the desk where a very polite woman checked by papers and said that the form I was given was not complete as when it was photocopied they missed out the reverse side. I apologised and explained that this was the form given to me at Chaeng Wattana but she said no problem, got the correct form and filled it out herself. My police report and medical was not required. I left the office after about 10 minutes with my retirement stamp a multiple entry stamp and a feeling of great relief. I must say that I have been to Thailand many times and obtained extensions and apart from one very helpful officer in the old Bangkok Immigration Office, Korat is the most efficient and polite Immigration Office I have ever been to and I have travelled all over the world. This is not a one off either as I have been back many times for my 90 day extension and letters for my residency letters for my car and then motorbike licences and each time I leave very impressed. While the Immigration Officers in Bangkok were police they did not seem interested except in the office where I sould not have been. I am pleased to hear that things have improved as they certainly could not get worse. At least I had my wife with me who in her usual patient and calm way kept me calm and not approaching the stress heart attack level.

[Mario2008]

While a dissapoinment to you, it seems Bangkok Immigration did everything by the book. They were right in refusing you.

[lopburi3]

Your information and paperwork from Hull seems to have been the problem. Retirement extension of stay in Thailand requires a non immigrant visa entry and meeting the financial requirements and filling out a TM7 with photo and 1,900 baht - it must be done at the location serving your residence. No medical or police reports.

[antony77]

Hua Hin even better only 10-15 minutes for same. Always dress nicely, it helps.

[tombkk]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

In Bangkok WPs are only issued at the Labour Ministry HQ and the BOI one stop service (for qualifying companies and positions only). The 2008 Working of Aliens Act changed some things and technically removed the umbilical cord between the issue of WPs from non-imm visas. In practice the ministry doesn't approved of the two year WPs introduced by the 2008 Act and you will only get one, if you work for a large company, preferably a public limited company.

Alright, so where is this Labour Ministry HQ? I did a search but got hits all over BKK.

I am 40% shareholder of a Private Co Ltd with 4 thai employees including my wife who is one of the employees and majority shareholder.

I need to get a one year WP.

So, hopefully will get the extension stamp on the 8th and then start the WP application process.

Approximately, how long does this take? From application to (hopefully) approval? It is not a new company.

My wife called Sunbelt a while ago and they said should be possible.

The Labour Department is located in Din Daeng. I could not find the map for you, and the website does not seem to have an English version, but maybe this helps:

http://www.labour.go.th/index.jsp

You do not need to wait for your visa extension before applying for the WP. I applied for mine when I had 7 days left on my extension, and the WP was initially issued for one month. When I got the year visa (for which they wanted to see the WP), the WP was the extended to one year.

You do need to apply for the WP before starting to work.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Believe they are normally issued for one or two years now and you apply at the local labor office.

In Bangkok WPs are only issued at the Labour Ministry HQ and the BOI one stop service (for qualifying companies and positions only). The 2008 Working of Aliens Act changed some things and technically removed the umbilical cord between the issue of WPs from non-imm visas. In practice the ministry doesn't approved of the two year WPs introduced by the 2008 Act and you will only get one, if you work for a large company, preferably a public limited company.

Alright, so where is this Labour Ministry HQ? I did a search but got hits all over BKK.

I am 40% shareholder of a Private Co Ltd with 4 thai employees including my wife who is one of the employees and majority shareholder.

I need to get a one year WP.

So, hopefully will get the extension stamp on the 8th and then start the WP application process.

Approximately, how long does this take? From application to (hopefully) approval? It is not a new company.

My wife called Sunbelt a while ago and they said should be possible.

The Labour Department is located in Din Daeng. I could not find the map for you, and the website does not seem to have an English version, but maybe this helps:

http://www.labour.go.th/index.jsp

You do not need to wait for your visa extension before applying for the WP. I applied for mine when I had 7 days left on my extension, and the WP was initially issued for one month. When I got the year visa (for which they wanted to see the WP), the WP was the extended to one year.

You do need to apply for the WP before starting to work.

Thanks for the link. I'll ask my wife to call them.

Does the WP get extended for one year without submitting more docs and fees after obtaining the extension of stay stamp?

Just want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

[tombkk]

Nothing gets extended without docs. Welcome to Thailand!

[EvilDrSomkid]

Nothing gets extended without docs. Welcome to Thailand!

That's what I thought. So I will apply for WP AFTER extension of stay.

This I found the place: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=6196531117455593649&q=Ministry+of+Labour+din+daeng+bangkok+thailand&hl=en&sll=13.76704,100.551416&sspn=0.006437,0.006295&ie=UTF8&ll=13.771482,100.545759&spn=0,0&z=16

[tombkk]

Yes, that's were I got my WP.

Note that I'm working in Bangkok. I don't know whether they are also in charge if you work in another province, I think not.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Yes, that's were I got my WP.

Note that I'm working in Bangkok. I don't know whether they are also in charge if you work in another province, I think not.

Yep, I'm in BKK.

[tombkk]

Yes, that's were I got my WP.

Note that I'm working in Bangkok. I don't know whether they are also in charge if you work in another province, I think not.

Yep, I'm in BKK.

Good luck, I hope all works out fine.

[SabaiBKK]

I have been going to CW many times the last 3 years and I must admit that the officers there have always been very helpful and nice even the one time i was late for my 90 days and was fined .... not once have I been badly treated ... there is always an officer willing to go out of his/her way to help you. I was there thursday with my 8 months pregnant wife to change my non B to non O and transfer from old to new passport and was sincerely amazed at how the officers were helpful and taking time to clearly explain the process to us. big thanks to the nice ladies in M and L sections who took care of us.

[Billmont]

While a dissapoinment to you, it seems Bangkok Immigration did everything by the book. They were right in refusing you.

Sorry but I completely disagree with what you say. Yes, the end may have been correct in that they advised me to go to my local immigration Office. As for doing everything by the book I did not realise that I had to be wrongly informed by the firt officer, and the second department sending me back and then the 3 officer sending me to his Boss is correct procedure and by the book as you claim. I would have though a polite "you must go to your local Immigration Office" would have saved me a lot of time and taxi fares and also would have saved them a lot of time when they are no doubt very busy. They obviously did not know their job and it was not a language problem as my Thai wife fully understood what was said.