Quick Question: "Application must be made in person" Does this really apply?

[JenniferCranberry]

Hi all,

Just a quick one hopefully. My boyfriend and I are extending our 60 day tourist visa for another 30 days at the Chiang Mai office. I have picked up the forms and I'm fine with everything that is required. We need to get it processed tomorrow and he is not well at the moment. Can I go and get them for both of us? That was my plan but on the back of the form I noticed the "Application must be made in person" statement.

I got the original visa for both of us at the Vientiane office without him no problem and agents go for other people all the time don't they...?

So, my question is: will I be OK rocking up there tomorrow morning on my own with the paperwork for both of us?

Thanks in advance!

[ubonjoe]

He will need to go.

If he was sick enough a letter from a doctor might work.

[Mario2008]

Or use a visa agent, that does the paperwork for you.

[OJAS]

Can visa agents also be used for non-imm extensions of stay in similar circumstances? Or is it solely a doctor's note or personal attendance in this case?

[Mario2008]

Visa agents use their contacts at immigration to arrange the extension for you, without you yourself needing to go. They make sure you have provided all the right documents and submit them on your behalf.

This can not be done for an extension of stay based on marriage, as for that you and wife need to be interviewed. But for example based on retirement it is generally no problem. (If the office allows using an agent). The official rule is that the application must be made in person and you sign the paperwork so are responsible if something is wrong.

International hospitals will offer this service. Either they arrange the extension with immigration or give a letter to give immigration.

[NCC1701A]

how much are visa agents? can they do 90 day reporting as well?

[Mario2008]

Many offices arrange for 90 day reporting, believe a normal price is 1,000 baht for 4 reports.

Believe there are some reports in the Chiang Mai forum about visa agents there.

[Greenwich Boy]

The last couple of Tourist Visa extensions I have done in Chiang Mai they have asked for an e-mail address and a phone number - I just add these at the bottom of the TM7.

Suggest you take a book and an umbrella - you will be there a while.

[JenniferCranberry]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. We both went down in the end and waited just over an hour after getting our second number.

One interesting thing we saw was a couple of monks who between them had at least 12 passports - so maybe they were allowed to represent others?

[PoorSucker]

One interesting thing we saw was a couple of monks who between them had at least 12 passports - so maybe they were allowed to represent others?

Probably doing 90 day reporting, this can me made via proxy.