Copy of all extension stamps or not at Jomtien immigration?

[Jingthing]

Just a technical question.

Applying for retirement extensions in the past I have always only included a copy of the most RECENT annual extension stamp and that was always OK.

I just read in the Pattaya City Expats club website that for all extension applications they require ALL subsequent extensions.

I am skeptical.

Did that change really happen or not?

[Jingthing]

I'll add some more detail about this in case the question wasn't clear enough:

Page showing the original Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” or “O” (if you renewed

your passport since then, the page in new passport where Immigration transferred

information from your previous passport will suffice)

c. Page(s) showing each subsequent one year extension, if applicable

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/retirementvisachecklist.pdf

If this is really true that they now require a copy of ALL extensions, not only the recent ONE, then that represents a change in policy (which I would like to have confirmed).

Info about JOMTIEN office only please.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Jingthing

[mahjongguy]

There has been some weirdness. When I got my 7th extension in July they asked for copies of a thing or two not needed before. Okay, no biggie, they always manage to run me back to the copy shop for something. But the next day, when I applied for a Re-Entry Permit, they wanted copies of my past three extensions. That really made no sense to me.

[Jingthing]

There has been some weirdness. When I got my 7th extension in July they asked for copies of a thing or two not needed before. Okay, no biggie, they always manage to run me back to the copy shop for something. But the next day, when I applied for a Re-Entry Permit, they wanted copies of my past three extensions. That really made no sense to me.

That's a hint this might be real. PCEC has been very good with details like this over the years. They also indicate they might even ask for the original entry stamp after the ORIGINAL visa which for many of us is several years ago!

[ubonjoe]

Just make the copies. If they don't want them they will give them back.

I think copy of original visa and entry is normal at most offices.

[JusticeGB]

Renewed mine today they wanted all the Visa stamps transfered from the old passport to the new one plus ONLY the last renewal. They handed back the photocopies of the 3 previous renewals so the instructions on the site are not the same as what is happening in the office.

[Suradit69]

Renewed mine today they wanted all the Visa stamps transfered from the old passport to the new one plus ONLY the last renewal. They handed back the photocopies of the 3 previous renewals so the instructions on the site are not the same as what is happening in the office.

So presumably you're talking about having obtained a new passport after having had some extensions entered into an old passport that had your original visa.

But I don't know what this means: " ...they wanted all the Visa stamps transfered from the old passport to the new ..."

What are "visa stamps" and why were they all transferred from one passport to another?

Do you mean they wanted photocopies of all the extensions-of-stay that were placed in the older passport but only the most recent one in your current passport?

Presumably if you hand you passport(s) to the photocopy people adjacent to the office, they'll photocopy the needful ? I know that'll probably cost 10 or 20 baht more than if you did them elsewhere, but it'd save some running around and unnecessary copies made.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Suradit69

[Theo007]

When I renewed mine in Jomtien they had me copy virtually every page of my passport.

[Jingthing]

Just make the copies. If they don't want them they will give them back.

I think copy of original visa and entry is normal at most offices.

At Jomtien, they definitely also require a copy of the landing card and at least the LAST extension stamp (if applicable) for retirement extensions.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

When I renewed mine in Jomtien they had me copy virtually every page of my passport.

OK. Obviously everything they wanted was part of the requirement and obviously they don't need entire passports of everyone.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post about procedure in Chiang Mai.

[jbrain]

Just make the copies. If they don't want them they will give them back.

I think copy of original visa and entry is normal at most offices.

At Jomtien, they definitely also require a copy of the landing card and at least the LAST extension stamp (if applicable) for retirement extensions.

I would think that copy of TM card and last extension are a normal requirement. Copies of previous extension make no sense, since you wouldn't have got your last extension if you hadn't the previous one.

A copy of the first extension granted or the original retirement visa would then again make more sense to me.

[Jingthing]

Not sure what "sense" has to do with it. If you have a current extension, you obviously had an original visa, so why do they even need a copy of that, except for the first extension on it?

[ubonjoe]

Just make the copies. If they don't want them they will give them back.

I think copy of original visa and entry is normal at most offices.

At Jomtien, they definitely also require a copy of the landing card and at least the LAST extension stamp (if applicable) for retirement extensions. 

I mentioned those two because you stated that you had been only doing your extension stamp.

I am fully aware of the other copies needed.

For my extensions I had to make a copy of every page because they wanted a copy of every visa and extension I had in my passport which amounted to every page. Now I don't have to because I have a new passport.

[craigt3365]

I've rarely avoided a run over to the copy shop for one thing or another. Last renewal, I was asked for a copy of every visa extension. That was 6 months ago. Didn't have to do it the year before. Seems requirements change depending on the moon, sun, time of day, etc.

[oneday]

When I renewed my retirement extension on August 24 in Jomtien I was NOT asked for all my past extension stamps.

[mahjongguy]

Chaos theory: the particular copies needed depends on the phase of the moon, etc.

Conspiracy theory: who owns the copy shop next door?

Least-likely theory: analysts need the stamp data because they are conducting an internal audit of the extension process in order to improve efficiency and consistency.

[Keesters]

They really shouldn't need anything. Everything should be in their computers.

90 day report time before last. Gave girl all the papers, form, copy passport, proof of address. After she entered it all in computer she gave the papers (minus form) back to me saying "keep for next time".

Last 90 day report. Handed to guy all papers from previous visit plus new form. Quite a few rubber stamps, no computer used, no papers returned.

Some of the officers in Jomtien are either computer illiterate or like to waste paper having no regard for environment/ecology.

[Jingthing]

In my experience at Jomtien, for pages they don't need, they hand them back at you. Sounds like some conflicting information here that is definitely recent enough. Well, I tried.

[craigt3365]

They really shouldn't need anything. Everything should be in their computers.

90 day report time before last. Gave girl all the papers, form, copy passport, proof of address. After she entered it all in computer she gave the papers (minus form) back to me saying "keep for next time".

Last 90 day report. Handed to guy all papers from previous visit plus new form. Quite a few rubber stamps, no computer used, no papers returned.

Some of the officers in Jomtien are either computer illiterate or like to waste paper having no regard for environment/ecology.

Exactly. I had one 90 day report where everything was entered into a computer and I got a printed form back. Next time? All done by hand. And on the back of the form I had to fill out was a copy of somebody's previous form with just an X across the page in ink. Everything was there, passport number, address, etc.

[Jingthing]

OK, I can now post an authoritative RECENT report on this topic:

1. Only the CURRENT annual extension stamp copy required. NOT all previous ones.

The information from PCEC appears to be out of date. If you're a member there, maybe tell them. Why waste the paper?

I reckon things could be more complicated if you have changed passports though.

2. No comment on whether the ORIGINAL entry stamp copy from your ORIGINAL visa is required or not because an image of that was included with my copy of my landing card.

Edited October 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[Lancelot]

When I renewed mine in Jomtien they had me copy virtually every page of my passport.

Same for me about 10 days ago. Copies of stamp transfers dating back to 2003...

[Jingthing]

When I renewed mine in Jomtien they had me copy virtually every page of my passport.

Same for me about 10 days ago. Copies of stamp transfers dating back to 2003...

I just don't get this. I have never been asked for that. This was a normal annual retirement extension application or was something different?

Is it possible they didn't want to spend the energy to EXPLAIN to you precisely what is needed and it's just EASIER to ask for it all?

Also if people ask a junior trainee clerk at the desk they DEFINITELY won't have to bandwidth to explain the details, they likely don't even know themselves!

Bottom line, I seriously do not believe any more is actually REQUIRED than what is listed in the PCEC website and MINUS the additional old extension stamps.

I also think if you show up with these documents (minus the additional stamps) and present them to the officer, it will be accepted as complete except in cases where there is something different going on like a changed passport, etc.

Edited October 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[craigt3365]

I think the answer is...be prepared for anything.

[Lancelot]

I've rarely avoided a run over to the copy shop for one thing or another. Last renewal, I was asked for a copy of every visa extension. That was 6 months ago. Didn't have to do it the year before. Seems requirements change depending on the moon, sun, time of day, etc.

Same here. Better to go to one of those cheap copy shops that charge one baht per copy- and copy the entire passport

(of course whenever I do that, they only ask for the most recent extension and entry stamps, 555+)

[Jingthing]

I think the answer is...be prepared for anything.

Yes of course but my point is you've got your act together BEFOREHAND, there won't be any additional requests. I don't see the point in suggesting everyone copy extra pages that generally won't be required.

[Lancelot]

When I renewed mine in Jomtien they had me copy virtually every page of my passport.

Same for me about 10 days ago. Copies of stamp transfers dating back to 2003...

I just don't get this. I have never been asked for that. This was a normal annual retirement extension application or was something different?

Is it possible they didn't want to spend the energy to EXPLAIN to you precisely what is needed and it's just EASIER to ask for it all?

Also if people ask a junior trainee clerk at the desk they DEFINITELY won't have to bandwidth to explain the details, they likely don't even know themselves!

Bottom line, I seriously do not believe any more is actually REQUIRED than what is listed in the PCEC website and MINUS the additional old extension stamps.

I also think if you show up with these documents (minus the additional stamps) and present them to the officer, it will be accepted as complete except in cases where there is something different going on like a changed passport, etc.

Normal extension. I wrote a thread on it about 10 days ago

I didn't get it either, but what has common sense got to do with actual procedures?

Last year at Jomtien only the most recent entry, extension and arrival card. This year copies of stamp transfers, re entry permits, etc., etc

Why? Because they can

Edited October 31, 2013 by Lancelot

[lopburi3]

Yes of course but my point is you've got your act together BEFOREHAND, there won't be any additional requests. I don't see the point in suggesting everyone copy extra pages that generally won't be required.

I disagree and always have a folio full of copies/information that should not be required but might be - a lot easier to have with you than have to make a special trip or lose your place in queue at the least. Use the same basic set of extra copies yearly.

[ubonjoe]

Different immigration officers probably.

[Lancelot]

Yes of course but my point is you've got your act together BEFOREHAND, there won't be any additional requests. I don't see the point in suggesting everyone copy extra pages that generally won't be required.

I disagree and always have a folio full of copies/information that should not be required but might be - a lot easier to have with you than have to make a special trip or lose your place in queue at the least. Use the same basic set of extra copies yearly.

Bingo! Copy requirements are fluid and often based on alignment of the planets