Chiang Mai Immigration Today

[moe666]

Up early today as I had a Online appointment with immigration at 1000. Let my apartment around 0915 arrived at immigration at 0920, collected a 90 day report inside. After filling out my forms headed to the copier in back 2 or 3 min. all done. Back inside asked the boy handing out numbers if I need one with appointment he says just check in with info desk. Gave info desk my appointment print out and was told to take a seat, time 1045.

Twittled my thumbs for 15 min. at 1000 my name was called. Went to the desk and followed the immigration officer to the back and presented my paper work. He asked for appointment slip I said the girls at desk have it he went and collected it and logged the time and stamped it I signed it, first order of business.

Officer checked my paper work and marked a arrival date in 2010 and asked me to have copy made as he said it was first date of non-o, actually it was for a tourist visa but no problem no need to get on his bad side, went out and had the copy made. He was stamping and making conversions on my income letter when I returned, I signed the new copy and gave it to him, more stamps and scribles the stamp goes in passport with 90 day report on my arrival card. Please 1900baht hand him 2000, please have a seat in reception. Total time 15 min. from when he called my name.

Waited until 1030 name called again with 100baht change, attached to passport with a receipt. Checke with 90 day report deask no problem making report 2 weeks in advance. back outside more copies fill in form take a number. About a 20 min wait number comes up complete 90 day report good to go until April.

Ok I am here lets do re-entry permit, filled out the form attached the photo outside more copies, back inside another number, waited about 10 min. number comes up bingo re-entry permit paid 1000baht, please wait. About 30 min. later name called, collect passport and recipt, the girl said you have been here a long time. I said no problem go to go for another year.

The complete process took 2 hours as I arrived around 0930 and left about 1125 or so. Most of my time spent was waiting for the cashier to do their thing and return passport to info desk.

I would like to say the entire process was professional and very efficient. And to all of those who still think they will have to make a contribution to the retirement fund. THERE WAS NEVER A REQUEST MADE FOR TEA MONEY and I recieved a reciept for every transaction.

I was not asked to show proof of income, letter from Embassy was sufficient and no request made for proof of money being brought to Thailand.

[NancyL]

Thank you for the detailed report, Moe. That on-line appointment system is great, isn't it? A friend went yesterday for a visa extension, arriving at 6 am and she was #8 on the pre-queue list. Said the #1 people had arrived at 4:30 am! My friend got done with her visa extension at 11:30 am and was reminded by the immigration officer that her 90 day report was due next week and she could do it at now. She said she was too exhausted to even think about filling out another form and the officer did it for her! (she's elderly)

I'm going to book her appointment on-line for next year now so she doesn't have to get there so early. She's not very comfortable with the computer.

Are you American Moe? Any questions about the source of income that you listed on the income letter?

[TerryLH]

Wouldn't it have saved a lot of time by having the forms for all three transactions done in advance? Give them all to the officer at the beginning, or at least tell them you need all three things done.

The only small delay would be in going to copy the new permission to stay stamp for the re-entry permit.

That works at KKC.

[moe666]

Wouldn't it have saved a lot of time by having the forms for all three transactions done in advance? Give them all to the officer at the beginning, or at least tell them you need all three things done.

The only small delay would be in going to copy the new permission to stay stamp for the re-entry permit.

That works at KKC.

Different desk does each function and as you have a new extension of stay you need the copy of the new extension for the 90 day and the re-entry. It just worked out the way it did, getting the copies was actually one of the fast parts waiting for the passport after the extension of stay and re-entry as it is sent to the cashier. The Chiang mai immigration office is a mess with all of the Burmese folks doing their visa stamps,as well as other nationals. The numbers for extensions where all given out by 0930 when I arrived.

[moe666]

Thank you for the detailed report, Moe. That on-line appointment system is great, isn't it? A friend went yesterday for a visa extension, arriving at 6 am and she was #8 on the pre-queue list. Said the #1 people had arrived at 4:30 am! My friend got done with her visa extension at 11:30 am and was reminded by the immigration officer that her 90 day report was due next week and she could do it at now. She said she was too exhausted to even think about filling out another form and the officer did it for her! (she's elderly)

I'm going to book her appointment on-line for next year now so she doesn't have to get there so early. She's not very comfortable with the computer.

Are you American Moe? Any questions about the source of income that you listed on the income letter?

Yes I am from the US and no questions about income he just went off the letter I had from the Embassy. There was no questions about importing income or source.