Ed Visa Extension Of Stay - Same 6Am Routine?

[pete66]

I have an ED "O" visa and getting my first 90-day extension of stay tomorrow.

Do I have to do that delightful "get to the immigration office at 6am to grab a queue ticket" mularky, or is that just for tourist visas?

[pete66]

Anyone? Guess its the same as for extension of stay based on marriage, so do people have to do the queue thing for that?

[maanoi]

Yup same deal. Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[pete66]

Yup same deal. Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Got there 06.30, and got early queue number. Great I thought, be out of here by 9am. That hope was dashed when the real queue numbers were dished out because the Ed Visa lady wasn't working in the morning, I was 4th in the afternoon queue. So got processed about 2pm, 3 minutes for actual processing, lady was very nice, but another hour to wait for passport to come back.

So seven hours needed for something that actually only took a few minutes to process.

I'll try and be positive - the staff were all very nice, just the place is well-understaffed, and physically just way too small. If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department. I'm sure it would pay for itself in six months. I used to live in BKK and suffer "Suan Pluu" immigration along with everyone else. The current CM set-up feels very similar to Suan Pluu. Just way too small for the number of people it is processing.

If CM is determined to expand with new rail-links, airports etc. it might considering spending a tiny fraction on a modern immigration department.

[anto]

Are you not aware that they dont need us .We are just an inconvience .Nothing will be changed till they get more money and resorces from Bangkok .

[Satcommlee]

If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department.

Tourist's rarely need to visit immigration, they are usually happy enough with their 30 day stamp on arrival.

[baywatch82]

I hope you did 90 days address reporting at the same time.

I did my visa extention about 2 weeks ago, and I did not know I have to do 90 days address reporting separately. My friend told me about it.

I will do it next time because I dont want to waste all day again, but I am sure I will be fined 2000 baht for late.

But you maybe still have time to do it and don't be late, so you will save 2000 baht.

BTW I heard that they are building new, bigger immigration office somewhere in CM. I am not sure if this is true.

[cabralad]

Yup same deal. Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Got there 06.30, and got early queue number. Great I thought, be out of here by 9am. That hope was dashed when the real queue numbers were dished out because the Ed Visa lady wasn't working in the morning, I was 4th in the afternoon queue. So got processed about 2pm, 3 minutes for actual processing, lady was very nice, but another hour to wait for passport to come back.

So seven hours needed for something that actually only took a few minutes to process.

I'll try and be positive - the staff were all very nice, just the place is well-understaffed, and physically just way too small. If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department. I'm sure it would pay for itself in six months. I used to live in BKK and suffer "Suan Pluu" immigration along with everyone else. The current CM set-up feels very similar to Suan Pluu. Just way too small for the number of people it is processing.

If CM is determined to expand with new rail-links, airports etc. it might considering spending a tiny fraction on a modern immigration department.

God, thats painful..Walen is sending my passport to Pattaya for the extension so NO chiang mai immigration for me

[hellodolly]

Yup same deal. Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Got there 06.30, and got early queue number. Great I thought, be out of here by 9am. That hope was dashed when the real queue numbers were dished out because the Ed Visa lady wasn't working in the morning, I was 4th in the afternoon queue. So got processed about 2pm, 3 minutes for actual processing, lady was very nice, but another hour to wait for passport to come back.

So seven hours needed for something that actually only took a few minutes to process.

I'll try and be positive - the staff were all very nice, just the place is well-understaffed, and physically just way too small. If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department. I'm sure it would pay for itself in six months. I used to live in BKK and suffer "Suan Pluu" immigration along with everyone else. The current CM set-up feels very similar to Suan Pluu. Just way too small for the number of people it is processing.

If CM is determined to expand with new rail-links, airports etc. it might considering spending a tiny fraction on a modern immigration department.

You are new here. It has nothing to do with Chiang Mai it is all immigration headquarters in Bangkok. They have approved funding for 14 new officers the catch is they will do the hiring. As for the building once again at the mercy of Bangkok.

Not sure what Chiang Mai city would do if they could have the say on the building. Actually the building is big enough at the moment if it didn't have to process so many Burmese people. But in spite of what you here by and by Chiang Mai wants us here and would do some thing if they could.

[pete66]

Yup same deal. Good luck

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Got there 06.30, and got early queue number. Great I thought, be out of here by 9am. That hope was dashed when the real queue numbers were dished out because the Ed Visa lady wasn't working in the morning, I was 4th in the afternoon queue. So got processed about 2pm, 3 minutes for actual processing, lady was very nice, but another hour to wait for passport to come back.

So seven hours needed for something that actually only took a few minutes to process.

I'll try and be positive - the staff were all very nice, just the place is well-understaffed, and physically just way too small. If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department. I'm sure it would pay for itself in six months. I used to live in BKK and suffer "Suan Pluu" immigration along with everyone else. The current CM set-up feels very similar to Suan Pluu. Just way too small for the number of people it is processing.

If CM is determined to expand with new rail-links, airports etc. it might considering spending a tiny fraction on a modern immigration department.

God, thats painful..Walen is sending my passport to Pattaya for the extension so NO chiang mai immigration for me

Am I hearing this right? You don't have to show in person ?

[pete66]

If Chiang Mai wants an easy way to attract more tourists, they might think about investing a little in their immigration department.

Tourist's rarely need to visit immigration, they are usually happy enough with their 30 day stamp on arrival.

I don't think the very large number of tourists that stay more than 30 days in Thailand and like to travel around would agree with you. Check the numbers from TOT. Its certainly not "rare" to want to visit for more than 30 days at a time.

[jackr]

Are you not aware that they dont need us .We are just an inconvience .

I wasn't aware of that, but ponder this: my country, and others like it, does not need Thai people but they are not considered an inconvenience, they are thought of as equals once they have their visa.

Op, you could also expedite this to a law firm or visa service.