1St Extension Of Stay By Retirement @ Jomtien

[kimchibob]

Just got back from the Jomtien office and thought I would provide a report on the visit. This is old stuff to you forum veterans, but might help a first timer like me.

Background: Arrived in Thailand on 3 Feb 2013 from the U.S. with a Non-Immigrant O Visa good through 3 May 2013.

Experience at the Jomtien (Chonburi) office:

Showed up at 8:15 AM. Checked in with the Information Desk and received ticket number 609 for the Retirement Desk (no. 6). I asked about obtaining a Re-Entry Permit and was told, "this afternoon". After approximately a 45 min wait, my number was called. Provided my packet which included a completed TM7, copy of passport ID page, copy of Non-Immigrant O Visa page / entry stamp page, copy of TM 6 Card, and notarized income letter from the U.S. Embassy (dated 1 Mar 2013). The lady saw my "backup" documentation and asked to look through it. She took a copy of my lease and copies of all the pages from my bank book. She did not want copies of utility bills or a copy of the annuity statement from my U.S. Govt retirement. She did, however, ask me to make a copy of the passport page which recorded my first entry into Thailand, in my case, 28 Jan 2009. Didn't know that was a requirement, but I complied without saying a word. Paid the B1900 and was instructed to report to the officer in the back of the room. He looked through the packet, highlighted some of the paperwork, and told me to come back after 3:00 PM. NOTE: Make sure every piece of paper (except money) that you hand them has a signature on it.

Hoping that my passport might be ready early, I showed back up at 1:30 PM. My passport was ready at 2:00 PM. I went back to the Information Desk and asked for a queue number for the Re-Entry Permit Desk (nos. 1 and 2). My number was called after about 30 min. Turned in my completed TM 8, copy of passport ID page, copy of Non-Immigrant O Visa page / entry stamp page, and copy of the new Visa extension page. Then paid B3800. I waited about 15 min and received my passport with a multiple entry Re-Entry Permit..

Since closing time is 4:30 PM, I decided to get a queue number for the Certificate of Residence Desk (no. 7). My number was called after about 10 min. This desk requires a TM 18, two photos, copies of utility bills or lease as proof of residence, and the same passport page copies as the Re-Entry Permit Desk. Received my Certificate of Residence after about 10 min. BTW, they charged me B300. I understand this is supposed to be free, but I didn't argue.

To summarize, between 8:30 AM and about 3:20 PM (with a 3 hr. break in the middle), I was able to obtain an Extension of Stay valid through 3 May 2014, a multiple entry Re-Entry Permit, and a Certificate of Residence. Not a bad day's work.

I only spoke to the agents when spoken to and did not complain when asked for additional copies of documentation. I did notice some real a-holes who were very disrespectful to the staff and they were still sitting there when I left. As far as dress goes, I wore kaki slacks, a golf shirt tucked in at the waist, and black tennis shoes with black socks (I don't own any leather shoes other than sandals). I'm not really sure that style of dress is an issue, however, because most people were dressed in shorts, t-shirts, and sandals and were treated well.

Hope this helps at least one person!

Bob

[NancyL]

Very good and complete report. Congratulations are getting so much done in one day!

Incidentally, here in Chiang Mai, last time I got a retirement extension, they required copies of EVERY retirement extension since I entered Thailand on the most recent visa. Better hold onto that old passport when I get a new one! Also, they charge 500 baht for a C of R here -- that is when they're in the mood to do them at all. So yes, the best strategy is to smile, plead ignorance and comply with requests like this that aren't specifically spelled out in national rules. Different offices have specific practices and sometimes, I think, indivdual immigration officers like to amuse themselves by making resonable, but unexpected, requests -- especially when an appliant seems to be someone who prides himself on being well-prepared.

[OJAS]

Seems to me a bit of a poor show, though, if Jomtien require you to queue up for a re-entry permit after obtaining an extension of stay. Why on earth can't they process both applications at the same time - especially since they don't stamp your passport with the extension of stay on the spot?

Is it normal practice in other immigration offices, however, to have to queue up again for a re-entry permit?

[lopburi3]

Yes it is normal at larger offices to have separate queues.

[OJAS]

Yes it is normal at larger offices to have separate queues.

Fortunately, mine (Maptaput) is a smaller office where extensions of stay and re-entry permits are dealt with at the same windows. Whether or not that means I'll need to queue up again for the re-entry permit remains to be seen at my next extension of stay time in July.

[NancyL]

You can't get a re-entry permit until they've stamped the new extension into your passport and, at least in CM, you've gotten a copy made. Since the copy shop isn't in the same building, it only makes sense that they'd have separate queues and wouldn't issue a queue ticket for the re-entry permit until AFTER you've received the extension stamp.

[Baerboxer]

Very good and complete report. Congratulations are getting so much done in one day!

Incidentally, here in Chiang Mai, last time I got a retirement extension, they required copies of EVERY retirement extension since I entered Thailand on the most recent visa. Better hold onto that old passport when I get a new one! Also, they charge 500 baht for a C of R here -- that is when they're in the mood to do them at all. So yes, the best strategy is to smile, plead ignorance and comply with requests like this that aren't specifically spelled out in national rules. Different offices have specific practices and sometimes, I think, indivdual immigration officers like to amuse themselves by making resonable, but unexpected, requests -- especially when an appliant seems to be someone who prides himself on being well-prepared.

Good comments Nancy. My experiences are similar. Here, I did get my C of R free last time. But there have been changes at the top, so we shall see this time.

The strange thing is that I also find that if I go well prepared they start and ask for extras, the unexpected or get very picky. Yet, if I go and smile and ask for help they seem to really enjoy being helpful and "working together".

[kimchibob]

A few more observations. There are a couple of Thai ladies and one Thai man working at the Information Desk just to the left inside the entrance. If at all possible, deal with one of the Thai ladies. They are very helpful, will check your packet, complete or change entries on your application forms, and tell you what copies you need. The Thai man is very brusque (probably because he is the supervisor and "playing the role") and will normally offer no help or guidance and will just hand you a queue number and tell you to go sit down. Another good source of information is the copy shops next door. They know exactly what is required for each type of application.

[Pattaya46]

Good report. Thanks

You lucky to do so much in one day !