Chiang Mai Immigration - how early should I arrive to make sure I get extension that day ?

[marcusmarsh]

I am due to get an extension for ED visa and am going on the last day before being an overstay. I dont like doing that usually but thats how it is this time unfortunately.

All should be fine as long as they do indeed give me the extension on the day I turn up. I hear the queue starts at around 4am so am wondering what time do you need to get there to make sure you get processed on that day ? Is it feasible I could turn up at 6am or 7am and get a queue number so large that it actually doesnt get processed that day ?

All answers appreciated.

[fang37]

3pm on the previous day OK?

They do have a quality "Queue online" program *

Check the web

[CNXBKKMAN]

05:00 ish is the recommended time to be sure however someone went on rainy morning and there were very few people. So if its a raining you might be ok going late?

[Vogele123]

3pm on the previous day OK?

They do have a quality "Queue online" program *

Check the web

If you take a look at the "Queue Online" you will see that it is constantly full 100 days in advance, it is a nightmare to book a slot.

As far as a time to make sure, I have even heard of people going there at 3 AM!!!

Let's hope the move to the Promenada improves things somewhat.

When I first did my extension in CM, you could simply walk in any time of day and they did it there and then, unbelievable how things have changed.

[NancyL]

If you turn up late you simply won't get a queue number. They only distribute queue number for the day. They don't distribute queue numbers for subsequent days. If that were the case, everyone would go at 7 am to get a number for the next day. At least that's what I would do to avoid getting in line at 4:30 am!

Edited July 6, 2015 by NancyL

[Doznotdiz]

The Queue On-Line is a joke. Three years running I have diligently booked a slot 100 days in advance. Three years in a row I have arrived at the Immigration Office and told the staff at the centre desk that I have arrived for my appointment, and they have told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. Three years in a row my name has not been called at the appointment time and for a substantial time period afterwards and I have noticed that they are processing people who have arrived and queued that day. Three years in a row I have then told them that they cannot process those people because I have an appointment at which time they have then accepted the error of their ways and given me the next available person. Next year I shall arrive at exactly the appointment time and refuse to sit down and wait. They have no respect for us in that particular office.

[tajtom]

6 am and see the vendor at the front for a bowl of Som Tum...... After that pceed the the front steps and sit there.. Anyone try to move you tazer them.

By 8 the young las shall shuffle thru the front, Stand up promptly and introduce yourself

Walk in 30 minutes later

[Tywais]

This is at 5:41AM (courtesy of FaceBook). More photos there.

[marcusmarsh]

Thank NancyL, so basically, as long as I get given a queue number I will be processed.

[cnx355]

The Queue On-Line is a joke. Three years running I have diligently booked a slot 100 days in advance. Three years in a row I have arrived at the Immigration Office and told the staff at the centre desk that I have arrived for my appointment, and they have told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. Three years in a row my name has not been called at the appointment time and for a substantial time period afterwards and I have noticed that they are processing people who have arrived and queued that day. Three years in a row I have then told them that they cannot process those people because I have an appointment at which time they have then accepted the error of their ways and given me the next available person. Next year I shall arrive at exactly the appointment time and refuse to sit down and wait. They have no respect for us in that particular office.

I had the same experience experience 2 years in a row but this year they had a list at the desk and checked my name and I was called about 15 minutes later.

[IAMHERE]

a lot of money comes into that buillding everyday. Yet the staff don't view you as a customer.

[MaeJoMTB]

The Queue On-Line is a joke. Three years running I have diligently booked a slot 100 days in advance. Three years in a row I have arrived at the Immigration Office and told the staff at the centre desk that I have arrived for my appointment, and they have told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. Three years in a row my name has not been called at the appointment time and for a substantial time period afterwards and I have noticed that they are processing people who have arrived and queued that day. Three years in a row I have then told them that they cannot process those people because I have an appointment at which time they have then accepted the error of their ways and given me the next available person. Next year I shall arrive at exactly the appointment time and refuse to sit down and wait. They have no respect for us in that particular office.

I had the same experience experience 2 years in a row but this year they had a list at the desk and checked my name and I was called about 15 minutes later.

me too!

[funcat]

Can sombody explain this to me...I've walked in to the CM immigration today for my 90 days report just after 4 pm and...there was nobody(!!!) there...it has never(!) been like this before...what happened?

[Satcommlee]

Can sombody explain this to me...I've walked in to the CM immigration today for my 90 days report just after 4 pm and...there was nobody(!!!) there...it has never(!) been like this before...what happened?

They've already started queuing at the new office.

[thai006]

The Queue On-Line is a joke. Three years running I have diligently booked a slot 100 days in advance. Three years in a row I have arrived at the Immigration Office and told the staff at the centre desk that I have arrived for my appointment, and they have told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. Three years in a row my name has not been called at the appointment time and for a substantial time period afterwards and I have noticed that they are processing people who have arrived and queued that day. Three years in a row I have then told them that they cannot process those people because I have an appointment at which time they have then accepted the error of their ways and given me the next available person. Next year I shall arrive at exactly the appointment time and refuse to sit down and wait. They have no respect for us in that particular office.

maybe i get lucky but last time in march everything good , got meeting a 2 pm arrived there 1h30 pm and wait stand up until they call me and 20 min later go out , next meeting on september

[pizzachang]

I went on the 29th of June. Arrived at 5 am, got queue #407 (for marriage extension/non O) Other higher #'s were called ahead of me - I suspect they were ED extensions but I am only guessing. At around 10 am I heard #407 called on loudspeaker. Number never appeared on digital display - about 20 minutes later, we were out of there with the 30 day and will return for the real extension in late July.

[personchester]

The Queue On-Line is a joke. Three years running I have diligently booked a slot 100 days in advance. Three years in a row I have arrived at the Immigration Office and told the staff at the centre desk that I have arrived for my appointment, and they have told me to sit down and wait for my name to be called. Three years in a row my name has not been called at the appointment time and for a substantial time period afterwards and I have noticed that they are processing people who have arrived and queued that day. Three years in a row I have then told them that they cannot process those people because I have an appointment at which time they have then accepted the error of their ways and given me the next available person. Next year I shall arrive at exactly the appointment time and refuse to sit down and wait. They have no respect for us in that particular office.

I had the same experience experience 2 years in a row but this year they had a list at the desk and checked my name and I was called about 15 minutes later.

me too!

And me also ...

[merijn]

And i thought that Phuket was bad. :-)

[marcusmarsh]

So a report on how it went.

Bloody brilliantly !!! Cant remember the last time I said that about CM immigration.

I had actually paid 500 baht for someone to queue for me so do not know what time they actually arrived there unfortunately.

I picked up the number at 8pm. When I arrived at immigration I couldnt quite believe what I saw - empty seats, no mass of humanity inside or out ! It just felt surreal.

Got my extension and then did my 90 days and was out at exactly 10.30am. Result.

Edited July 7, 2015 by marcusmarsh

[leanhnam220]

Thanks!

Tiny Tanks Unblocked

[Tywais]

That's two reports in this topic that the place was nearly vacant. That's bizarre so wondering what's up or when the shoe will drop. Maybe everybody is waiting who can wait to do their business for the new facility.

[RPCVguy]

I went on the 29th of June. Arrived at 5 am, got queue #407 (for marriage extension/non O) Other higher #'s were called ahead of me - I suspect they were ED extensions but I am only guessing. At around 10 am I heard #407 called on loudspeaker. Number never appeared on digital display - about 20 minutes later, we were out of there with the 30 day and will return for the real extension in late July.

Also went on June 29th, but arrived too late for a number ... back again on the 30th. Arrived 4:30 AM on Tuesday and was already well back in line. (Photo taken at 5:15 AM)

Staff showed up early and numbers were disbursed around 6:30 AM; my number was 221.

When finally called the paperwork processing went quickly and smoothly - almost as long a wait at the digital photo desk as for the paper checking and stamps. Then one last wait for the return of the passport - out the door at 10:35 AM.

Edited July 7, 2015 by RPCVguy

[Jimlove]

3pm on the previous day OK?

They do have a quality "Queue online" program *

Check the web

You must be joking right ...

[Jimlove]

That's two reports in this topic that the place was nearly vacant. That's bizarre so wondering what's up or when the shoe will drop. Maybe everybody is waiting who can wait to do their business for the new facility.

Or maybe people are leaving / has left the sinking ship ...

[marcusmarsh]

RPCVguy,

on the 29th when you went there but was too late for a number, what time did you get there please ?

Im very curious at what point, which time, is it too late to get a number for that day.

[RPCVguy]

RPCVguy,

on the 29th when you went there but was too late for a number, what time did you get there please ?

Im very curious at what point, which time, is it too late to get a number for that day.

I was delayed 90 minutes by having our songtail break down on the way into the city, and then (after getting picked up by a subsequent songtail) still needing to get to the bank for documentation letter... arrived at 11:15 AM. and was hoping I might be lucky. LOL

That's why I really need to be more diligent about obtaining an appointment. - usually for the PM so I can do the bank, then Immigration and back out on a single day trip.