I use the Chiang Khan (Loei) immigration office. My visa was due to expire the 17th of November. I have a friend from the US visiting and would not have been able to meet that date because we will be out and about, no one knows quite where yet.

I went in early, November. 1st. No problem and nothing was said. The new extension expires November 17th 2013. About a year ago they replaced all the staff in that office. I always dreaded going to that office because it was a nit picking hassle. Copies and more copies and always problems.

I got my letter from the bank confirming my 800,000 baht minimum. The bank gave me an extra copy. I made a copy of every page of my bank book and every page of my passport. With that, and the completed TM 7, the immigration officer sorted through the copies and gave most of them back to me. I think he kept the last two pages of bank book copies and the first and last two pages of passport copies. He also handed back the extra bank letter duplicate and the extra TM 7 that I had.

This visit was longer than the last time because they now have a passport sized scanner. He put the passport scan into the nationwide computer network and had to fill in a lot of additional information. That took maybe 20 minutes. The new procedures are meant to eliminate all the copy hassle. He said that the next time would be even easier for me.

Things are getting much better and I have to say that I was impressed. Friendly helpful staff and no hassles. We even had a bit of friendly conversation (in English). I have no idea if there have been improvements in other immigration offices. This office has certainly changed for the better.

First, thanks for reporting on the improvement in processing retirement visas.

You mention only some of the documentation you needed (not the photo and other documentation required) .. I suggest (in all humility ) that you please clarify, so that your post is not misleading to others. Thanks, Pat.

First, thanks for reporting on the improvement in processing retirement visas.

You mention only some of the documentation you needed (not the photo and other documentation required) .. I suggest (in all humility ) that you please clarify, so that your post is not misleading to others. Thanks, Pat.

The TM 7 has a place for a photo so if I called it a completed TM 7 that means it had the photo attached. What I took was everything required. I had no other documents other than my passport.