Good experience at Phuket Immigration...........

[xylophone]

Well, the day that many farang friends here dread came round for me today, as it was time to renew my extension of stay based on retirement at Phuket immigration, and I am always apprehensive before the event because I really don't know what hoops I have got to jump through this particular time!

Arrived at the office at 8:35 a.m. and there was no one waiting outside, but there was a queue of about 10 people waiting to see the farang immigration volunteer just inside of the door. He was a stocky guy, Swedish perhaps and although he didn't say a lot, he was extremely efficient in the way he was handling the people in the queue, directing some to get photo copies which they were missing, and giving others the forms to fill out, thereby doing a good job.

My paperwork was in order and I was passed over to the Thai immigration officer and his lady assistant, who were sitting to his right. They checked a few things and entered something on the computer and my passport and the paperwork were then given back to me and I was directed to sit in front of a further Thai immigration officer, which I did.

I hadn't seen this immigration officer before, however he was very thorough, going through my paperwork almost line by line, and he was so thorough I immediately thought there was something wrong with it!! Eventually he asked me for my now defunct passport, which I had with me, and he then proceeded to take a couple of copies from that and attach it to my application.

Now this was something I hadn't experienced before, because usually when other copies are needed I have been sent downstairs to the copy room and then have to come back and wait a while to see the immigration officer again, so I was most pleased with this.

I was then asked to sit and wait, which I did and perhaps 20 min later my name was called out and I was asked to speak to another lady, who gave me a receipt for my passport and also took a photograph of me, which I suspect will immediately go online in my file (no problems with this) before being asked to return at approximately 3 p.m. for the completed passport and necessary inclusions.

That was a bit of a pain because I had five hours to kill and I really didn't fancy sitting in the office for those five hours, so off I trundled back to Patong, had some lunch, and returned to immigration at about 2:45 p.m.

About 10 min later my name was called and my passport was handed over to me, with a new 90 day "report" notice already in the passport – – imagine my surprise to see this done, and I was most grateful for it.

Then downstairs to get a couple of photocopies, talk to the "larger than life" African/American immigration volunteer and take my place in the queue for the multiple re-entry permit, which took about 15 min in all.

I have to say that the overall experience was nowhere near as stressful as it has been in the past and everything went smoothly, with the added bonuses of the 90 day report being done automatically, and the Thai immigration officer and immigration volunteers also being extremely helpful.

Of course I am not too keen on having to wait five hours to pick up my passport, but if that is going to be the norm, then at least I know what is expected, and for the record and in order to report some constructive feedback, as I said everything went smoothly and I do believe that if the immigration volunteer upstairs had an assistant/volunteer to help, then it may lessen the time people have to wait in the queue, this especially at peak times.

Overall pleasant people and a pleasant experience.

Edited October 13, 2015 by xylophone

[LivinginKata]

Of course I am not too keen on having to wait five hours to pick up my passport, but if that is going to be the norm, then at least I know what is expected

I expect this is now the norm, indeed earlier this year I had to come back the next day to collect my passport. I had been processed by 10.15, so there should have been plenty of time the same day. But I agree with you, my extension application was stress free other than having to come back for my passport next day.

[Jimi007]

It use to take me less than two hours to get my extension, 90 day and re-entry. Now that it's all computerized it takes 5 hours to a day… Ah progress.

[robertthebruce]

still a pain, hopefully in the future, quicker way to process .. maybe on-line or something..

[LivinginKata]

still a pain, hopefully in the future, quicker way to process .. maybe on-line or something..

How we all wish ... on-line or multiple years extension on one time application.

[merijn]

still a pain, hopefully in the future, quicker way to process .. maybe on-line or something..

I would really like this but i'm afraid that this is wishful thinking on our behalf.

[Old Croc]

In 2013 my retirement extension was completely processed in 17 minutes, which included the issue of the permit.

The two times since then have been farcical with increasing amounts of invented obstacles.

I'll save my accolades for when they next approach 2013s standards!

Incidentally, this week I successfully processed a friends 90 day report on line for the third time, but once again failed to have my own accepted. It would be nice if someone was updating the system to fix these issues.

[phuketandsee]

Xylophone, I have to do mine soon. Can you confirm what "paperwork" they are currently requiring?

Thanks

[rbmcn]

Never had anything but civility, moderate efficiency and pretty smooth sailing at CM immigration, despite 50% of foreign punters showing up with incomplete forms, insufficient copies and no pens.

[stevehaigh]

this sounds good, i need to do mine soon. i entered the country on sept 1st with a single entry non O. so i've been here about 6 weeks. when should i go in to get my retirement?

thx

[xylophone]

Xylophone, I have to do mine soon. Can you confirm what "paperwork" they are currently requiring?

Thanks

Sure "phuketandsee".............

– Passport

– Two passport size photographs

– Copy of front page of passport

– Copy of current retirement extension

– Three copies of the previous retirement extensions (I was originally told two, however another one was copied on my behalf)

– Copy of arrival/departure card–

– Copy of bank book pages for the last three months (best to make it four) showing 800 K in the bank, or if you use a term deposit like I do, then a copy of that book which only has one line of writing on it, but make sure it is updated a day or two before the visit.

– Letter from the bank stating that the required amount of money has been in for three months

– A bank statement, complete with a stamp from the bank (I have never had to use that before, however this is the requirement). It has to be a statement, not just a copy of a piece of paper

– Address verification, which in my case was a letter from my landlady (in Thai) stating my name, passport number, date of birth etc and signed by her

– TM 7 application form completed

– NEW FORM, and I don't know the name of it but perhaps another poster on here, Merijn, can help, and it basically is a declaration that you understand that you are here under certain conditions and if they change then you must notify immigration (or words to that effect). The top half of the page is in Thai, and the bottom half is in English

– You will need a total of 5700 baht if you are going for an extension based on retirement and a multiple entry visa (the multiple entry visa is done downstairs and there is not a long wait).

Once your passport has been completed, it is easy to go downstairs to get a copy of the extension and add it to the other paperwork you need for the re-entry visa, then see one of the immigration volunteers and then wait in line to get served.

As I mentioned in my original post, my 90 day "report" was done for me there and then and that was great as it made things much easier.

I am no expert at these things, and regularly quake in my shoes when this particular day comes round, so I am open to feedback if I have missed anything, but I think that's all I did yesterday and it worked out okay.

Good luck.............and make sure you use the services of the immigration volunteer based upstairs to ensure that you have all the right paperwork, and if it is all okay, then he will issue you with a number, which you present to the Thai guy and lady on the desk next to him and it all flows from there.

[xylophone]

It use to take me less than two hours to get my extension, 90 day and re-entry. Now that it's all computerized it takes 5 hours to a day… Ah progress.

Agree with you, and it's quite amazing how much paperwork one has to complete, this especially in the days of information technology.

It's quite obvious that they do not have anywhere near the correct systems or the capacity to be able to streamline the process. Furthermore, they don't have anyone with the experience or brain power to be able to take an overarching view of the process to come up with a streamlined solution.

Some sort of CRM program would be a start whereby it could search through other databases to be able to compose a file of folk which would be held centrally and this file could be brought up when you are in front of the immigration officer and any information updated online, including being automatically printed in your passport.............. or something like this, because what they've got now is seemingly taking a step back into the dark ages.

A few years ago it was suggested that they were streamlining the immigration procedures, however I made a bet with a friend of mine that it would be damn near impossible to do because it was my belief that every piece of paperwork that we had ever filled in was now sitting in large cardboard boxes along with millions of other pieces of paper, in a warehouse somewhere, forgotten about and ready for destruction.

I think I was about right.

[hkt83100]

still a pain, hopefully in the future, quicker way to process .. maybe on-line or something..

How we all wish ... on-line or multiple years extension on one time application.

Whenever this will be possible online, I guess the requirement will be Windows and Internet Explorer - a pair I avoid like the plague. And it will probably work as well as the online 90 days report, not at all.

[csabo]

still a pain, hopefully in the future, quicker way to process .. maybe on-line or something..

How we all wish ... on-line or multiple years extension on one time application.

Whenever this will be possible online, I guess the requirement will be Windows and Internet Explorer - a pair I avoid like the plague. And it will probably work as well as the online 90 days report, not at all.

Try a user agent for your 90 day.

[camsouth]

Of course I am not too keen on having to wait five hours to pick up my passport, but if that is going to be the norm, then at least I know what is expected

I expect this is now the norm, indeed earlier this year I had to come back the next day to collect my passport. I had been processed by 10.15, so there should have been plenty of time the same day. But I agree with you, my extension application was stress free other than having to come back for my passport next day.

well you all are very lucky, here in CM it is the worst IM in the country poorly run your lucky send your IM BOSS up here to teach them how to run it or the one who runs the IM in pattaya

Edited October 14, 2015 by camsouth

[novo58]

To the OP ...........when I did my re-newal in Udon Thani , my experience was similar to your except that I didnt have to wait 5 hours for my passport.

I received an " under consideration" stamp and had to return 1 month later to obtain the actual 1 yr extension permission stamp.

Although I heard that at the time for an " express service fee" the approved extension stamp could be obtained IMMEDIATELY.

[LivinginKata]

To the OP ...........when I did my re-newal in Udon Thani , my experience was similar to your except that I didnt have to wait 5 hours for my passport.

I received an " under consideration" stamp and had to return 1 month later to obtain the actual 1 yr extension permission stamp.

Although I heard that at the time for an " express service fee" the approved extension stamp could be obtained IMMEDIATELY.

Was this for a retirement extension ? Never heard of an 'under consideration' case for retirement, for marriage extension yes for sure one month+ wait. Big scam at your imm office.

[novo58]

@ livinginKata.......................

Mine was an extension based on retirement.

The " express service" was "known" to be on offer..............but it was usually initiated by the applicant NOT the IO--------for a non -receipted fee of course

Scam ???????...........................most certainly but only for those who for whatever reason were not prepared to wait for the 1 month.

[stevenl]

To the OP ...........when I did my re-newal in Udon Thani , my experience was similar to your except that I didnt have to wait 5 hours for my passport.

I received an " under consideration" stamp and had to return 1 month later to obtain the actual 1 yr extension permission stamp.

Although I heard that at the time for an " express service fee" the approved extension stamp could be obtained IMMEDIATELY.

Was this for a retirement extension ? Never heard of an 'under consideration' case for retirement, for marriage extension yes for sure one month+ wait. Big scam at your imm office.

There are several offices where also retirement extensions are 'under consideration'.

[merijn]

– NEW FORM, and I don't know the name of it but perhaps another poster on here, Merijn, can help, and it basically is a declaration that you understand that you are here under certain conditions and if they change then you must notify immigration (or words to that effect). The top half of the page is in Thai, and the bottom half is in English

This is indeed a declaration stating that you are aware of the conditions on which you receive your extension.

This is done to avoid possible discussions later in case people do not do the reporting, re-entry etc and claim that they where not aware of it.

[phuketandsee]

Thanks xylophone - really helpful!

[SooKee]

When I did mine I had finished my about 12. Told me to come back the next day to collect. Seems to fall into a banding as to what time you get it it. Early enough and it's 3pm, later and it's next day. I actually preferred the next day option.

[Guest]

I did my last 90 day report at Phuket town. Once I got past the volunteer (she did not believe that I can do my report here as my visa is from Bangkok). After that step about 1 minute wait time and 2 minutes prosessing.

[madmitch]

Yesterday I went to get my stamps transferred from the old passport to the new one. I went at about 2pm, no one in the queue for the volunteer. Didn't need the Embassy letter as I already had an entry stamp, filled the form in, told the volunteer (Alf, from Sweden, who seems to have been there forever) I had copies of all my extensions of stay and the usual passport and departure card copies and that was it. Told to come back today. In and out in less than five minutes.

Returned today, same time, picked up the passport, duly stamped, straight away with no wait and went downstairs for the transfer of the multiple entry re-entry permit. Again filled in the form, the number was on the board even before I left the volunteers, handed in my passport to realise that upstairs had already transferred the re-entry permit as well. No fee.

If only the service at Immigration was always as good as this!

[merijn]

I did my last 90 day report at Phuket town. Once I got past the volunteer (she did not believe that I can do my report here as my visa is from Bangkok). After that step about 1 minute wait time and 2 minutes prosessing.

The volunteer was theoretically correct in your case.

Officially you only can do the 90 reporting in the province you are registered in.

That would be normally Bangkok as your extension is from Bangkok.

I presume that you moved to Phuket afterwards.

[stevehaigh]

i just went for my retirement ext. i have my 800k in fixed account and the bank (bangkok) can't give me a statement for a fixed account. the farang front desk said it would be a big problem but the imm guy checked with his boss, and i told them i used my US ATM card for cash to live on and they were OK with that.

[LivinginKata]

i just went for my retirement ext. i have my 800k in fixed account and the bank (bangkok) can't give me a statement for a fixed account. the farang front desk said it would be a big problem but the imm guy checked with his boss, and i told them i used my US ATM card for cash to live on and they were OK with that.

I suspect some person at your BKK branch does not know procedure or is too lazy to find out. Best speak to your branch manager and with respect insist on a spot statement.

No idea about this US ATM card idea - I have never heard of that. You would have at least to prvide every ATM receipt for a few monnths.

Edited November 4, 2015 by LivinginKata

[xylophone]

i just went for my retirement ext. i have my 800k in fixed account and the bank (bangkok) can't give me a statement for a fixed account. the farang front desk said it would be a big problem but the imm guy checked with his boss, and i told them i used my US ATM card for cash to live on and they were OK with that.

It can be a problem because I was sitting next to a guy who didn't have the "statement" and the immigration officer refused his application.

I explained to my manager at the Bangkok Bank that immigration needed a "statement", even though I had a fixed account with no activity on it, he said he understood as this info had been passed onto him, and he duly printed out my account details on a statement form (the same form that is used as a statement) and that was sufficient for immigration.

Perhaps the manager at my Bangkok Bank was being creative in his use of the "statement form" to print out the details of my account, whatever the case, it worked.

[Incobart]

very big improvement in phuket immigration. Before long que unfriendly officers, slowly and not care you. I went yesterday 11.30 and there was no que, they were very helpfull, and work quick and all do there best to have as much and as quickly finished. 20 min later I got the paper to come to collect at 3 pm.

The lady was friendly, and this time I went home with a good feeling !