Are There Better and Worse Times of the Year to go to Immigration for Extension?

[hrjay]

My O-A visa expires December 28 and I could do a border run a couple of days prior to that. I'd love to see Mae Sot anyway. But my concern is trying to do my first extension next year in late November or early to mid-December. Based on the TV threads, it seems to be a busier time at the immigration offices. I visited relatives in Chiang Rai last month and crossed at Mae Sai so my passport is already stamped for Nov 16, 2016. Maybe I should leave well enough alone and keep that date, putting me into late October to early November for a first visit to Nan Immigration. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Broken Record]

I was in Pattaya Immigration today, the place was packed, really packed.

[Kopitiam]

As far as possible, avoid going in December. Remember that you can do your extension 30/45 days before the expiry date.

[Kopitiam]

As far as possible, avoid going in December. Remember that you can do your extension 30/45 days before the expiry date.

[aussiandrew]

The best time to go it before it's due while you still have time to pack and the worse time to go is after its due when you don't have time to pack.

[DogNo1]

It seems that leaving your present expiration date of Nov. 16th would be a good option, putting you at immigration to get an extension of stay between Oct. 1st and Nov. 15th next year. If this is your first extension of stay, your money (800,000) will need to be in the bank two full months before your application date. If you're using the 65,000 per month pension, you'll just need a letter from the embassy and perhaps proof of the money being paid into a bank account which doesn't have to be in Thailand. For the cash in the bank, it must be a Thai bank account. This is probably more information than you needed.

[PoorSucker]

And always avoid Friday and Monday or after long government holiday.

[jacko45k]

I went yesterday (Jomtiem), a Monday, in December, and despite someone saying it was packed, which it was, I was in and out in under an hour.

I arrived about 09.15. I have to go back on Wednesday to collect so a bit longer there, but they were processing retirement extensions very efficiently.

[ubonjoe]

I don't think you would see any seasonal changes at Nan immigration as far as the office being busy. It would be more of a concern at offices in areas that have a large influx of tourists during the high season.

[dddave]

A friend of mine took another friend to Chang Wattana on a mid-week day last month to initiate his "O" visa/Retirement ext. They arrived 10 minutes before lunch ended and were finished and out in less than 30 minutes.

Last week, they both went for part 2. Again, arrived as lunch finished...again, out in less than 30 minutes.

I am on my 4th extension and always arrive just as lunch finishes and I have never failed to complete everything that day, including multi-entry permit which is an added process.

[soalbundy]

I went to Kap Choeng yesterday to finally get my extension stamp in my passport after the 'under consideration' stamp. It wasn't crowded, in fact less than normal number of people. What i found somewhat annoying was the procedure and unnecessary theatrics. First sit at one desk with a woman who took my passport,smiling all the time as if she was an advert for LOS, she spoke to the man sitting next to her for a few minuets who told her to get my file which she then scrutinized thoroughly. I was told now to move to the next desk where the man then scrutinized the same file,went through my passport and then switched on his computer ( i had got to the office at 8.30).

His eyes flicked from the computer screen to my passport, to my file and then to another set of papers which were brought to him,about 10 DIN A 4 sides. He sat there continually turning over the sides and reading, i might add that i have been here 10 years without ever having been in any sort of trouble. Eventually after 15 minuets scrutiny he stamped the passport, i reached out my hand to take the passport,''No no, big boss must sign first'' so i waited another 30 minuets before i was finally handed the passport with a new 90 day slip.

While waiting i decided to ask about TM 30/28, i have never had this form. They were most dismissive with lots of 'couldn't care less' hand waving. ''What if i go to Chiang Mai for a short trip'', ''Oh the hotel will do all that'', ''What if i stay with friends'', ''How long for'', ''I don't know,say a week'', ''Oh that's only a short time, don't bother''. It seems it varies from office to office.

[KhunBENQ]

The OP says that his office is Nan (northern Thailand).

Does not look to me as it is much influenced by tourist high season like Jomtien/Pattaya is?

More like the day of week and time of day.

If the border run is an easy one, then why not.

[Zyxel]

2 years ago I did my 90 days reporting at Chaeng Wattana on December 25th. My queue number was already on the screen by the time I reached the (empty) 90 days reporting section. About 5 people were waiting for their extension of stay. And that was about 09:00 am.

[KhunBENQ]

I went to Kap Choeng yesterday to finally get my extension stamp in my passport after the 'under consideration' stamp. It wasn't crowded, in fact less than normal number of people. What i found somewhat annoying was the procedure and unnecessary theatrics.

....

This office seems exceptional in many ways.

Under consideration for retirement extension.

Home visits for retirees.

Theatric procedure in the office.

[soalbundy]

I went to Kap Choeng yesterday to finally get my extension stamp in my passport after the 'under consideration' stamp. It wasn't crowded, in fact less than normal number of people. What i found somewhat annoying was the procedure and unnecessary theatrics.

....

This office seems exceptional in many ways.

Under consideration for retirement extension.

Home visits for retirees.

Theatric procedure in the office.

That's true but at least they are friendly, after i got my passport the officer and a woman assistant spent the next 10 minuets comparing with us the price for our rice harvest with theirs with much hand wringing and head shaking and as we left they all waved us goodbye. I think that they are just scared of making mistakes in this day and age but one does have to grit ones teeth sometimes.

[NoshowJones]

I was in Pattaya Immigration today, the place was packed, really packed.

I think that immigration offices should only allow people in who are there for immigration purposes.

Too many people have their wives and G/Fs there to keep them company and keeping seats occupied.

These people have no need to be there.

[offset]

I was in Pattaya Immigration today, the place was packed, really packed.

I think that immigration offices should only allow people in who are there for immigration purposes.

Too many people have their wives and G/Fs there to keep them company and keeping seats occupied.

These people have no need to be there.

Maybe you speak Thai I do not so I take somebody else with that can talk English and Thai in case I have any problems

[NoshowJones]

I was in Pattaya Immigration today, the place was packed, really packed.

I think that immigration offices should only allow people in who are there for immigration purposes.

Too many people have their wives and G/Fs there to keep them company and keeping seats occupied.

These people have no need to be there.

Maybe you speak Thai I do not so I take somebody else with that can talk English and Thai in case I have any problems

As far as I know speaking English is part of an immigration officers job, I may be wrong in this. I have been in IOs many times in the ten years I have been here

and never came across any officers who could not speak competent English.

[KhunBENQ]

Many applicants have good reasons to have their wife with them.

For marriage extension it is a must.

And beware if you have a document copy of your wife or GF without her signature (house book, ID).

-> come back

Whether I share your optimism about the English knowledge of immi officers? Partly.

Would you believe that there are expats who do not speak English and communicate in their language with the wife?

So many have good reason to take her as an interpreter.

[DoctorB]

I was in Pattaya Immigration today, the place was packed, really packed.

I think that immigration offices should only allow people in who are there for immigration purposes.

Too many people have their wives and G/Fs there to keep them company and keeping seats occupied.

These people have no need to be there.

Maybe you speak Thai I do not so I take somebody else with that can talk English and Thai in case I have any problems

As far as I know speaking English is part of an immigration officers job, I may be wrong in this. I have been in IOs many times in the ten years I have been here

and never came across any officers who could not speak competent English.

Also the immigration officer may regard the presence of an "interpreter" as a reflection on his/her command of English, and may take particular exception to the "interpreter" being a person he/she perceives to be of low status. Maybe the wife is acceptable but some of the hangers-on in Jomtien immigration are clearly very much "new-found" friends you wouldn't take home to meet your mum.

[TheSpade]

Knowing it would likely get busy this week just before Xmas and NY (as people want to get it out the way before the festivities start) I went last week to BKK Immigration even though my visa doesn't expire till the end of the month.

Was there first thing and had everything ready. Was #10 in the queue and done by 9:30AM.