Koh Samui Immigration - My Experience on Extension of Stay and Re-Entry Permit August 2014

[VirgoSG]

For other Samui-based Non-Imm O-A holders, this was my experience this week when applying for an Extension of Stay and a Multiple Re-entry Permit at the Nathon Immigration Office.

For interest, I was told that the office will move to new offices in Maenam Soi 1 in October this year.

Extension of Stay August 2014

CHECKLIST

Note: This is exactly as done/used by me in August 2014

Can apply within 7 working days of expiry of current permission to stay (mine was expiring August 17th and I submitted my application on 6th August)

Can submit re-entry permit application at same time and both will be processed together

1. Application for Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom, TM.7

2. One photo 4cm x 6cm

3. Application fee of THB1,900

4. Original passports (and in my case, as my original Non-Imm O-A Visa was in an old passport, the old passport as well)

5. Photocopies of passport pages

a. Identity page showing picture, name, and date issued, etc.

b. Page showing the original Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A”

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

d. Page showing the last entry stamp into Thailand (Note: I also included a copy of the page with my entry stamp for my first entry on the original Non-Immigrant Visa)

6. Photocopy of Departure Card, TM.6 (the card is stapled in your passport)

7. Original letter from Bank certifying account and showing balance (dated in my case the day before application).

8. Photocopy of bank passbook identity page and copies of past 3 months balances (also take original in case they ask to see it -- they didn't in my case)

9. Health certificate from doctor (perhaps only Samui has this on the list)

10. Evidence of current address: Samui Immigration girl said just a copy of the house book (my name is not in it) will suffice and that is all that I submitted.

11. Google Maps printout showing location of my house (asked for by Immigration girl when I submitted everything else!)

REMEMBER TO SIGN ALL PHOTOCOPIES

Re-Entry Permit August 2014

CHECKLIST

Note: I submitted this application along with the application for extension of stay and they processed both together.

1. Completed Form TM.8 Application for Re-Entry Permit Into the Kingdom.

2. Photograph 4cm x 6cm

3. Photocopies from Passport:

a. Identity page
b. Page showing current permit to stay stamp

c. Page showing stamp for last date entered Thailand

4. Photocopy of TM.6 Departure Card (the card is stapled in your passport)

5. Application fee of THB3,800

REMEMBER to sign each photocopy

I submitted all this on Wednesday afternoon, and was told to come back the next afternoon to collect my passport. Thursday afternoon I was told that although the girl there had put the stamps in my passport, the boss was not in today to sign the extension/re-entry permit (busy supervising the new office build in Maenam), so please come back again Friday afternoon, which I did, and my passport was then returned together with the correct stamps.

[Maestro]

Thank you for your detailed report.

[Ianatlarge]

Did they forget to ask your blood type? Wait till next year.

[Benmart]

Did they forget to ask your blood type? Wait till next year.

I wait all the time. It's part of living life on life's terms

Aside from that, a good report. Thank you OP.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Benmart

[elliworld]

In ten years I never paid any tee money because I always came in with all papers, photos, signed copies etc., and is the "Farang" correct in his paperworks and with respect (means sober and well dressed) the law worked and will work. Thank you for your detailed posting.

[cariden]

thanks for posting your experience.

[Tocher]

There has been a decided improvement recently with the service at Samui immigration.

Last thursday I went for my 90 day report which was done in ten minutes.

I then passed over an application form for a multiple re-entry permit, just the completed form with photograph, no copies of anything. The young lady asked me to wait and forty five minutes later called me to the counter and asked me to sign several copies they had made of my passport. I was in and out of immigration in under an hour. A very happy bunny.

Admittedly there were only a few people in the office at the time (10.00 a.m.) and none of the usual muppets who turn up shirtless and clueless, so that may have contributed to the lack of the usual animosity we get in Samui immigration but, whatever the reason, long may it continue.

The move to a larger office and a more central location is long overdue and I for one am looking forward to not schlepping back and forth from Chaweng to Nathon, even if it is only four times a year.

[whgthai]

@Newbie: Tks for the very detailed report, much appreciated. My renewal coming up next month, you checklist helps me a lot!

[Suradit69]

4. Original passports (and in my case, as my original Non-Imm O-A Visa was in an old passport, the old passport as well)

A bit surprised at this. My old passport has my original Non-Imm O-A in it too, but they stamped & wrote the details of the O-A, the current extension & the entry stamp in the new passport when I applied for the stamp transfer.

I asked about the visa and such in the old passport for future extension applications at Jomtien and was told the new passport had all the information needed and UbonJoe confirmed that from his own experience when applying for a new extension.

Of course different offices do some things differently and it's no big deal one way or the other, but I would expect once they transferred relevant information from the old to the new passport, the old passport and everything in it was no longer of concern to them.

[vincent13]

Good one, thanks. Mine due in October.

[michemiche]

Thanx, thanx and thanx.....
For one time, someone who gives real informations with details and explanation. Congrats.

Can see u are new here.... Some geek who are here since too long are not able to do as well as you.

And coz of you, you save me one trip to Samui (i live in Koh Pha Ngan), so thans a lot more.........

Miche

[ParadiseLost]

Thanx, thanx and thanx.....

For one time, someone who gives real informations with details and explanation. Congrats.

Can see u are new here.... Some geek who are here since too long are not able to do as well as you.

And coz of you, you save me one trip to Samui (i live in Koh Pha Ngan), so thans a lot more.........

Miche

To be fair mate, nothing new here - the information has been posted 100 times in the past few weeks alone.

People aren't here to advise you as a personal service, you have Google for that.

How to make friends and influence people. Viva le France.

* Just to clarify that this is not a random attack, the poster has sent pm asking people to post here for his situation. Now to slur long time stayers because, well who knows - we should all jump when you demand?

Just thought i would introduce you to the community properly.

[Benmart]

There has been a decided improvement recently with the service at Samui immigration.

Last thursday I went for my 90 day report which was done in ten minutes.

I then passed over an application form for a multiple re-entry permit, just the completed form with photograph, no copies of anything. The young lady asked me to wait and forty five minutes later called me to the counter and asked me to sign several copies they had made of my passport. I was in and out of immigration in under an hour. A very happy bunny.

Admittedly there were only a few people in the office at the time (10.00 a.m.) and none of the usual muppets who turn up shirtless and clueless, so that may have contributed to the lack of the usual animosity we get in Samui immigration but, whatever the reason, long may it continue.

The move to a larger office and a more central location is long overdue and I for one am looking forward to not schlepping back and forth from Chaweng to Nathon, even if it is only four times a year.

I enjoyed the "muppets" observation. I wear a smile, long pants and a button down shirt, which for some is overdressed. For me it shows a degree of respect for the government, employees and thenprocess. My experience has always been favorable and quick.

[VirgoSG]

4. Original passports (and in my case, as my original Non-Imm O-A Visa was in an old passport, the old passport as well)

A bit surprised at this. My old passport has my original Non-Imm O-A in it too, but they stamped & wrote the details of the O-A, the current extension & the entry stamp in the new passport when I applied for the stamp transfer.

I asked about the visa and such in the old passport for future extension applications at Jomtien and was told the new passport had all the information needed and UbonJoe confirmed that from his own experience when applying for a new extension.

Of course different offices do some things differently and it's no big deal one way or the other, but I would expect once they transferred relevant information from the old to the new passport, the old passport and everything in it was no longer of concern to them.

In my case, having checked the correct procedure with the Nathorn Immigration office beforehand, I re-entered Thailand last year with a brand new passport, just before my original O-A Visa expired (in my cancelled passport), showing Samui airport immigration both passports, and they stamped me in for another full year without a blink.

I then got a multiple re-entry permit in Nathorn in the new passport. Again, no problem at all. So for me there was no need to have anything transferred to the new passport.

[Traveling Sailor]

Thank you so much, Virgo SG.

I go for my yearly Retirement extension next week and this is my first time at Samui immigration. Your information is extremely helpful.

Much appreciated!

[michemiche]

Paper provided by Samui Immigration confirming the paper needed to apply.

Edited September 4, 2014 by michemiche

[arjunadawn]

Thank you.

[Maestro]

The requirement for a health certificate is irregular.

[Shanan]

I have recently arrived on Koh Samui with a multiple entry Non Imm O visa. What do I have to do when the first 90 days are up?

[MJCM]

I have recently arrived on Koh Samui with a multiple entry Non Imm O visa. What do I have to do when the first 90 days are up?

Leave the Country and come back to start a new 90 day period (if the visa is still valid)

Edited March 26, 2015 by MJCM

[thuisinthailand]

Paper provided by Samui Immigration confirming the paper needed to apply.

Have to go to Nathon immigration on Samui pretty soon for my extension of stay based on retirement. I thought the health certificate was not needed for the extension application?? Is this a specific Samui rule?

If so, can anyone on Samui confirm this and tell me what is the cheapest option to get a health certificate? And does it have to be very recent (can it be 1 month old for example?)

And another issue: OP is stating that you can apply for extension of stay within 7 working days of expiry of the current permission of stay. However, as far as I know you can do so during the last 30 days of the current permission to stay? Or is this another Samui specific rule?

Thanks in advance!

Edited April 24, 2015 by thuisinthailand