Chiang Rai Immigration Office & Services

[playbgnow]

Does anyone happen to know if the Chiang Rai Immigration office can give me an exit visa?

Can they also give me the paper that states my address so that I can renew my drivers license?

Or any other elaboration on the immigration services in Chiang Rai are most welcome.

Thanks

[Lite Beer]

Moved to Chiang Rai

[villagefarang]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

[playbgnow]

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return.

[villagefarang]

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return.

They call that a "re-entry" and yes they do that for about 1900 baht, if I remember correctly. You do need to leave and re-enter before your marriage visa expires, however.

Edited September 15, 2013 by villagefarang

[playbgnow]

Thank you for the info.

[onthedarkside]

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return.

They call that a "re-entry" and yes they do that for about 1900 baht, if I remember correctly. You do need to leave and re-enter before your marriage visa expires, however.

A single re-entry is 1,000 baht fee.

[villagefarang]

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return.

They call that a "re-entry" and yes they do that for about 1900 baht, if I remember correctly. You do need to leave and re-enter before your marriage visa expires, however.

A single re-entry is 1,000 baht fee.

That does sound more reasonable.

[hellodolly]

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return.

They call that a "re-entry" and yes they do that for about 1900 baht, if I remember correctly. You do need to leave and re-enter before your marriage visa expires, however.

A single re-entry is 1,000 baht fee.

That does sound more reasonable.

3,800 for a multiple entry visa.

[Sirius1935]

They will issue the form that you want for renewing your driving license for ฿100. I did mine at Mae Sai a few days ago. If you need a motorbike and a car driving license they will issue you two proofs of residence at a cost of ฿100 each. I believe this is the cheapest in the country. You will have to supply a copy of your passport photo page and page with permission to stay stamp and white card: and tabien baan, wife's ID card both signed by her. Then at the driving license office in Chiang Rai they want the proof of residence, copy of passport and permission to stay and TM6 (white card) despite the fact that the proof of residence certificate validates those documents already. They will also want a medical certificate, though that is not what I would call it. Cost ฿30 which just about proves that you are alive but not much more. Dead easy.

[rafish]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

[scorpio1945]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is Yes. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

90 day report can be done by mail, easy, but otherwise yes.

[bifftastic]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Chiang Saen Immigration office, whilst very small, should be able to process all your immigration requirements. So you should be able to register the fact that you have moved, and do your 90 day report. They should also be able to give you the letter of residence you need for your driving licence, although you would have to ask them.

Your driving licence isn't something any immigration office can change.

That would need to be done at the Department of Land Transport, which I believe is in Chiang Rai city.

[Fiddlesticks]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Chiang Saen Immigration office, whilst very small, should be able to process all your immigration requirements. So you should be able to register the fact that you have moved, and do your 90 day report. They should also be able to give you the letter of residence you need for your driving licence, although you would have to ask them.

Your driving licence isn't something any immigration office can change.

That would need to be done at the Department of Land Transport, which I believe is in Chiang Rai city.

You may have a problem with a letter of residence from Mae Sai office. My visa was from Bangkok and when I moved here I tried to get a letter of residence from Mae Sai, twice, and they told me I had to go to Bangkok for it because that is where my visa was issued ! ! ! ! They told me that if I got a new visa from the CR office that they could get me the letter of residence but I would have to go through the new visa process and lose the remainder of my old visa. In my mind I thought that was a really STUPID idea. So I went to Bangkok for my letter of residence.

[bifftastic]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Chiang Saen Immigration office, whilst very small, should be able to process all your immigration requirements. So you should be able to register the fact that you have moved, and do your 90 day report. They should also be able to give you the letter of residence you need for your driving licence, although you would have to ask them.

Your driving licence isn't something any immigration office can change.

That would need to be done at the Department of Land Transport, which I believe is in Chiang Rai city.

You may have a problem with a letter of residence from Mae Sai office. My visa was from Bangkok and when I moved here I tried to get a letter of residence from Mae Sai, twice, and they told me I had to go to Bangkok for it because that is where my visa was issued ! ! ! ! They told me that if I got a new visa from the CR office that they could get me the letter of residence but I would have to go through the new visa process and lose the remainder of my old visa. In my mind I thought that was a really STUPID idea. So I went to Bangkok for my letter of residence.

Visa, or extension of stay?

[villagefarang]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Not everyone agrees with me, but I always suggest going to the source for information. As Fiddlesticks points out, our situations are not always identical, making it impossible to do what someone else said we can do. Simply go to Chiang Saen and ask them.

Most of us who live here happily, don’t look at things like extensions or 90-day reports as a burden, and find ways to make the best of a trip to Mae Sai, when necessary. It is a 115 km trip oneway for me but by including a little shopping, a side trip for sightseeing, lunch at a new restaurant or visiting friends, it becomes a pleasure rather than a burden or brutal.

Central Plaza is not that big so you can't miss the immigrations boys and girls setup in front of Robinson on the main floor.

[RoastBeef]

 

I have a marriage visa which is good for a year. It is my understanding that if you wish to leave the country you need an exit visa so as not to lose your marriage visa when you return. 

They call that a "re-entry" and yes they do that for about 1900 baht, if I remember correctly.  You do need to leave and re-enter before your marriage visa expires, however.

 

 

A single re-entry is 1,000 baht fee.

I think the cost of a re - entry visa is B1900 single entry or B3800 multi entry. See link to CM Immigration :

http://chiangmaiimm.com/en/free.html

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[Mario2008]

On the darkside is correct.

Fee for re-entry permit:
1,000 Bahts for single
3,800 Bahts for multiple

http://www.immigration.go.th/

[rafish]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Chiang Saen Immigration office, whilst very small, should be able to process all your immigration requirements. So you should be able to register the fact that you have moved, and do your 90 day report. They should also be able to give you the letter of residence you need for your driving licence, although you would have to ask them.

Your driving licence isn't something any immigration office can change.

That would need to be done at the Department of Land Transport, which I believe is in Chiang Rai city.

You may have a problem with a letter of residence from Mae Sai office. My visa was from Bangkok and when I moved here I tried to get a letter of residence from Mae Sai, twice, and they told me I had to go to Bangkok for it because that is where my visa was issued ! ! ! ! They told me that if I got a new visa from the CR office that they could get me the letter of residence but I would have to go through the new visa process and lose the remainder of my old visa. In my mind I thought that was a really STUPID idea. So I went to Bangkok for my letter of residence.

What letter of residence?

[rafish]

If you mean the Mae Sai Immigration Office then the answer to all your questions is “Yes”. They can do anything any other office can do. Not sure what you mean by exit visa, as one typically needs a visa to enter, not exit Thailand.

In addition, on the first Saturday of each month (Oct 5th, next date), they setup shop at Central Plaza, saving many of us from a long drive to Mae Sai.

I'm moving to the Chiang Rai area in November from Phuket. I will need to post a new residence once I arrive in Chiang Rai using the TM-28. I currently hold a non-res O visa good until February 2014, however I'll need to do a 90 day report inbetween. I assumed that both proceedures could be done in Chiang Saen not Mai Sai?

Am I to understand that its either Mae Sai Immigration or once on the first saturaday of each month in Chaing Rai at Central Plaza...shopping mall? What floor?

You cannot change your drivers licence in Chaing Saen? Boy this is brutal. Driving all the way to Mae Sai and back...

Not everyone agrees with me, but I always suggest going to the source for information. As Fiddlesticks points out, our situations are not always identical, making it impossible to do what someone else said we can do. Simply go to Chiang Saen and ask them.

Most of us who live here happily, don’t look at things like extensions or 90-day reports as a burden, and find ways to make the best of a trip to Mae Sai, when necessary. It is a 115 km trip oneway for me but by including a little shopping, a side trip for sightseeing, lunch at a new restaurant or visiting friends, it becomes a pleasure rather than a burden or brutal.

Central Plaza is not that big so you can't miss the immigrations boys and girls setup in front of Robinson on the main floor.

I fully intend to do just that once I am in residence next month. I'm just trying to sort out beforehand any obsticles or insights those from the General Chiang Rai area may have.

Having made numerous trips to Mae Sai I don't think one more is a real issue, however if unnecessary I am obliged to take the course of least resistance.

No doubt I'll be quaying up at Robinsons one day as well. Thanks

[bifftastic]

What letter of residence?

The one you're supposed to have to be able to renew your driving licence.

[rafish]

What letter of residence?

The one you're supposed to have to be able to renew your driving licence.

I was not aware it was called a "letter of residence." Thought it was just a verification of current visa. BTW, 100 baht everywhere in Thailand for this service. My current licence is valid until 2017. Wonder if that date will be affected when I go in to change the address? Never know, perhaps it'll be extended again for a full 10 years.

Thanks.

[bifftastic]

What letter of residence?

The one you're supposed to have to be able to renew your driving licence.

I was not aware it was called a "letter of residence." Thought it was just a verification of current visa. BTW, 100 baht everywhere in Thailand for this service. My current licence is valid until 2017. Wonder if that date will be affected when I go in to change the address? Never know, perhaps it'll be extended again for a full 10 years.

Thanks.

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Why would a visit to immigration have any affect on your driving licence?

[onthedarkside]

I was not aware it was called a "letter of residence." Thought it was just a verification of current visa. BTW, 100 baht everywhere in Thailand for this service. My current licence is valid until 2017. Wonder if that date will be affected when I go in to change the address? Never know, perhaps it'll be extended again for a full 10 years.

Thanks.

Thai driving licenses are only issued for 5 years.

[harrry]

I was not aware it was called a "letter of residence." Thought it was just a verification of current visa. BTW, 100 baht everywhere in Thailand for this service. My current licence is valid until 2017. Wonder if that date will be affected when I go in to change the address? Never know, perhaps it'll be extended again for a full 10 years.

Thanks.

Thai driving licenses are only issued for 5 years.

That is not correct.

THe first licence is a temporary licence which is one year. After this a 5 year may be issued.

5 years are only given on long tem visas. If the person is on a tourist visa he can only obtain a one year licence.

One year licences are not valid outside Thailand while the 5 year is.

[onthedarkside]

Perhaps I will re-phrase my last post : a Thai driving license renewal is only good for a maximum of 5 years subject to license holders visa limitations.

[harrry]

Perhaps I will re-phrase my last post : a Thai driving license renewal is only good for a maximum of 5 years subject to license holders visa limitations.

Still not correct

[rafish]

What letter of residence?

The one you're supposed to have to be able to renew your driving licence.

I was not aware it was called a "letter of residence." Thought it was just a verification of current visa. BTW, 100 baht everywhere in Thailand for this service. My current licence is valid until 2017. Wonder if that date will be affected when I go in to change the address? Never know, perhaps it'll be extended again for a full 10 years.

Thanks.

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Why would a visit to immigration have any affect on your driving licence?

Only to obtain the required certificate of residence required by the Transportation Department prior to issueing a drivers licence to a ferang. In this case due to relocation I need to change the address on my licence to reflect my new residence.

[bifftastic]

Ah, ok. Understood

In that case, you should probably do all the paperwork needed for your relocation with immigration first. Once they're happy with that, that will have established the fact that you live in the area that they are responsible for.

Then you should be able to get the letter you need for the driving licence update.

Out of interest, seeing as you mention the Chiang Saen office, whereabouts are you moving to?

[villagefarang]

Really great to see you posting more Biff, we need all the help we can get

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