Obtaining a Certificate of Residency at Chiang Mai

[AlaskaDave]

This is just a post to report my recent success at obtaining a residency document for the purpose of registering a motorcycle in Chiang Mai. The process was easy and to my surprise, completely free.

Chiang Mai uses its own special residency form and there is a separate room behind the main waiting room for processing these applications, and I assume specially trained staff. That may or may not be the case but the fellow that took my papers spoke reasonably good English and was both pleasant and helpful.

I presented him copies of:

a: my passport main page

b: my non-immigrant visa page

c: the page containing my most recent entry stamp

d: my lease agreement

e: 2 passport size photos

He looked them over, had me countersign the copies, and then issued me a slip of paper with the next day's date and a time on it, and told me to return to pick up my residency papers then. Next day I showed up a bit early but once he spotted me in the queue he motioned me inside to have me sign the official document. When I asked him about the charges he said, it's free but you can leave a tip if you want. I left 100 baht in a tip jar on the counter. It was a great experience and so painless I thought I should comment on it here.

There are so many confusing and frustrating things about Thai Immigration and visas, etc., that I was pleasantly surprised to have this go off without a hitch.

[qdinthailand]

On Thursday (Sep. 12) I went there with my application.

I got that 'appointment' slip too - with the pick-up date stamped Sep. 19. No joke! I asked, and he verified - one week. So keep that in mind.

Fortunately, I'm in the process of rounding up documents for renewing my temporary 1 yr. driver license - so not so important that I get the letter back soon so I can pick up the new wheels or something.

[deeks]

I went through the same steps as the op, but took the missus too,the guy was very helpfull and offered to post it back to my home in Lampang saving a return trip. We went in on a Monday and recieved the letter on the Friday.He wanted 200B to post it, saved that in fuel and time so was very happy to pay.

[RubbaJohnny]

I have received the letter free in the past but at Mae Sia yesterday was asked for 200 cash(no recept) but as it was all done in 5 mins no complaint.

[AlaskaDave]

@qdinthailand - maybe he was very busy on the day you were there.

I think it's positively awesome that he offered to post your letter, deeks. That was above and beyond the call of duty.

I had always heard of charges associated with this document. Many friends have bought motos over here and used the Thai immigration offices in Bangkok, Udon Thani, and elsewhere to get theirs. If memory serves, some paid 50 baht, some as much as 400 baht, which is why I thought my experience was worthy of a comment.

I'm sure I'll have other less satisfactory dealings with Thai immigration but for now, I still have that warm feeling from having been treated well by the authorities.

[qdinthailand]

@qdinthailand - maybe he was very busy on the day you were there.

I got there about 9 a.m. - no one in line. I stood there waiting (sign on door says wait outside, not to come in until invited - and because window/door glass is 'smoked', one can't see inside either unless you press your face to glass which I wasn't going to do). So a few minutes later, a guy not in uniform walks up, says something too me, sees I have completed application in hand, and he opens door and invites me in. I was only one waiting, no one else wandered up in the few minutes I was inside, no one in line when I left.

Didn't seem he was very busy that day.

In the past, I was used to having to return in the afternoon to pick up the letter - so it didn't really make a difference to me what afternoon I returned on - that day, or another day. (It's a 15 minute scooter ride from my home to Immigration Office).