Visited Immigration today for a non b conversion from a tourist visa and was told to go to Pathumthani immigration because the university that I will be teaching at is in Pathumthani. I was processed at Pathumthai and was told it would take about 20 days as they have to send the paperwork to Chang Wattanna to get okayed. New law they said. The HR lady said that this was nuts as it used to be issued on the same visit. Oh well!

It would of been 15 days at CW.

It seems that CW has authorized some nearby offices to accept the applications but they have to be sent to them for approval Perhaps to reduce the crowds there.

Don't be put down and consider it a convenience because most people have to travel to Laos to get the visa. The advantage is that they get it immediately.

I do not feel put down. I see it only as a change in policy. Perhaps Chang WATTANNA is testing or checking to see if the nearby offices are doing it correctly? My degree and transcripts are not certified as was suggested in previous posts. Lets see what happens? Two months ago, all of the people getting the extension or conversion had no problems at Chang Wattana even if their degrees were not certified but their companies they worked for were located in Bangkok even though they worked and lived in Pathumthani.

They accepted my original degree and transcripts along with other paperwork and okayed my non b. My work permit is in process at Sam Koh. Teachers before me had to go to their embassy because the name on their degree did not completely match the name on their passport or because their 4 year degree said that it was a diploma. I guess they are cheching for BA/BS on the degrees presented.