Immigration Promenada One Stop Service 2016-2017

[sanemax]

5 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Dis you do this free of charge at the exit point or at an Immigration Office?

At the exit point , free of charge .

But you need a letter from Trendy house informing the immigration officers to allow you to change your pp from old to new , which is supplied with the new pp

[scottiejohn]

10 minutes ago, sanemax said:

At the exit point , free of charge .

But you need a letter from Trendy house informing the immigration officers to allow you to change your pp from old to new , which is supplied with the new pp

This is my point. 

 

I do not believe that 'Scorecard' can just turn up at the point of exit with his old passport and a brand new passport on which immigration have not carried out their usual processes. 

 

I have had new replacement passports, not duplicates they are different, issued both here and other non domicile countries and they have needed local Immigration input before use.  I hope I am wrong and it all goes well but I still recommend 'Scorecard' gets further professional advice.

[connda]

I need to submit annual paperwork for an Extension Based on Marriage in the next couple of weeks.  This isn't anything new.  I've done this for quite a few years before, but...

 

Are there any difference in the paperwork or procedures that would differ from last year?  If so, I'll need to update my checklist.

 

• So far I'm aware of the need for an updated TM.7 form which I have.
• I have a TM.30 attached to the passport
• Last year they wanted to stamp each copy of submitted paperwork and have me sign it in their presence.  Are they still doing that or can I sign the copies in advance?
• Also, are they taking an in-person interview to fill out the Foreign National Information Form this year?  That wasn't anything I filled out in 2016 but this is a different year.  TIT.  Thing constantly change.
• Any other 'gotchas' that I should know about this year that the folks in the CM Immigration District are doing differently from last year?

Any experiences or constructive advise regarding changes between 2016 and 2017 specific to extensions based on marriage would be greatly appreciated! 

Edited March 29, 2017 by connda

[NancyL]

The Foreign National Information Form seems to have gone the way of the the dinosaurs.  

[ovenman]

On 3/24/2017 at 2:42 PM, scottiejohn said:

This is my point. 

 

I do not believe that 'Scorecard' can just turn up at the point of exit with his old passport and a brand new passport on which immigration have not carried out their usual processes.

 

My experience today with the transfer of stamps from old passport to new:

In addition to my entry stamp, the potentially relevant stuff in my old passport is my original non-O visa from several years back, several retirement extensions off that visa including the current one along with my valid multiple re-entry permit.

I roll up to the correct office at Promenada this afternoon with both passports in hand only to be told "Queue full, come back tomorrow". I mention that I am leaving Thailand next week, can I simply do this process at the airport upon exit? The trainee has no idea so she goes inside the office to find out. She returns and tells me I can do that at the airport, just make sure I take both passports with me. She then adds "but it would be better if you come to Promenada and do this".

I follow up on that last statement by asking why, if I can accomplish what needs to be done at the airport upon exit, would I want to return to Promenada and potentially sit all day waiting for my queue number to come up just to do the same thing? I had to explain this question several times but once grasped she tells me, "At airport cannot". Confused now that her earlier information has been contradicted, I try to get further clarification.

It seems that the bottom line is while you would be able to exit Thailand at the airport using both passports, airport immigration will not transfer all of your relevant extension information and such to the new passport. In essence you would be kicking the proverbial can down the road as you would eventually need to deal with the transfer process (at Promenada). I assume that if they permit you to exit with both passports they would also allow you to reenter Thailand in that manner but I didn't even try to ask that.

I don't know whether my information is any more accurate than what scorecard was told but I figured I would simply report what I was told...

[scorecard]

1 minute ago, ovenman said:

 

My experience today with the transfer of stamps from old passport to new:

In addition to my entry stamp, the potentially relevant stuff in my old passport is my original non-O visa from several years back, several retirement extensions off that visa including the current one along with my valid multiple re-entry permit.

I roll up to the correct office at Promenada this afternoon with both passports in hand only to be told "Queue full, come back tomorrow". I mention that I am leaving Thailand next week, can I simply do this process at the airport upon exit? The trainee has no idea so she goes inside the office to find out. She returns and tells me I can do that at the airport, just make sure I take both passports with me. She then adds "but it would be better if you come to Promenada and do this".

I follow up on that last statement by asking why, if I can accomplish what needs to be done at the airport upon exit, would I want to return to Promenada and potentially sit all day waiting for my queue number to come up just to do the same thing? I had to explain this question several times but once grasped she tells me, "At airport cannot". Confused now that her earlier information has been contradicted, I try to get further clarification.

It seems that the bottom line is while you would be able to exit Thailand at the airport using both passports, airport immigration will not transfer all of your relevant extension information and such to the new passport. In essence you would be kicking the proverbial can down the road as you would eventually need to deal with the transfer process (at Promenada). I assume that if they permit you to exit with both passports they would also allow you to reenter Thailand in that manner but I didn't even try to ask that.

I don't know whether my information is any more accurate than what scorecard was told but I figured I would simply report what I was told...

 

Some similarity, but I have permanent residence which is not listed, like the detail your mentioning, in the passport. 

[ovenman]

Just now, scorecard said:

Some similarity, but I have permanent residence which is not listed, like the detail your mentioning, in the passport. 

 

Seems like "show up at the airport" would work fine for you, as it also would for somebody at the other end of the immigration spectrum (e.g. a visa-exempt entry).

[thaibeachlovers]

On 3/18/2017 at 2:42 AM, HullyGully said:

If you go to IMM PROM, there is an office on the 2nd floor handling TM30

 

IMM PROM did not appear interested in TM28, only TM30

 

You would NOW only file a TM28 if you move

 

You could go to IMM PROM and explain the problem, whether you have success, is the question

 

 

I went to do a TM28 and the officer didn't know what one was. Didn't do it, and made no difference when I did 90 day report.

[ovenman]

I returned to Promenada this morning to attempt getting the stamps transferred from my old passport to the new one. Arrived just before 08:30 and received number four for my queue. I was finished by 10:20 so it appears to take roughly a half-hour per passport to transfer stamps.

For the curious, what they wound up replicating in my new passport was my original non-O visa from several years back, the original entry stamp from that visa, my current retirement extension, my current entry stamp and finally, my current multiple re-entry permit. Three pages of my new passport GONE. 

Given the amount of stuff needing to be sorted out, I can see why they don't want to process this work at the airport when one is exiting the country!

[NancyL]

1 hour ago, ovenman said:

I returned to Promenada this morning to attempt getting the stamps transferred from my old passport to the new one. Arrived just before 08:30 and received number four for my queue. I was finished by 10:20 so it appears to take roughly a half-hour per passport to transfer stamps.

For the curious, what they wound up replicating in my new passport was my original non-O visa from several years back, the original entry stamp from that visa, my current retirement extension, my current entry stamp and finally, my current multiple re-entry permit. Three pages of my new passport GONE. 

Given the amount of stuff needing to be sorted out, I can see why they don't want to process this work at the airport when one is exiting the country!

Is there a charge for this service at Imm Prom?

 

[ovenman]

19 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Is there a charge for this service at Imm Prom?

 

No, transfer of stamps from old passport to new is free.

[CMBob]

1 hour ago, ovenman said:

For the curious, what they wound up replicating in my new passport was my original non-O visa from several years back, the original entry stamp from that visa, my current retirement extension, my current entry stamp and finally, my current multiple re-entry permit. Three pages of my new passport GONE. 

Too bad you were hassled but (coming up with a new acronym) TICMI (this is Chiang Mai immigration).....

 

Not surprised they wanted to move over your original Non-O visa from years back as it's actually that visa which keeps being extended.  The other stuff (other than, perhaps, your original entry stamp involving the Non-O) makes sense too as those entries are needed for future reports and changes.

[ovenman]

6 minutes ago, CMBob said:

Not surprised they wanted to move over your original Non-O visa from years back as it's actually that visa which keeps being extended.  The other stuff (other than, perhaps, your original entry stamp involving the Non-O) makes sense too as those entries are needed for future reports and changes.

I am guessing they need to retain the original entry stamp as it establishes the running date of when the annual one-year extensions will expire.

[NancyL]

Be sure to keep the old passport.  You may discover you need it when you go to do things like close out bank accounts, or perhaps get a deposit back from Truevisions or whatever.  Some transaction that you did with the old passport and that's the number the business has on file for you.

[scorecard]

On 3/24/2017 at 2:21 PM, sanemax said:

At the exit point , free of charge .

But you need a letter from Trendy house informing the immigration officers to allow you to change your pp from old to new , which is supplied with the new pp

 

This is perhaps country by country.

 

On my recent visit this came up but then suddenly:  'ohh Australian passport, letter not needed'.

 

I've heard a further comment (unofficial, not from the Imm. officers) that the need for the letter depends on a certain country ranking in regard to level of security (chips in the actual PP book) making it easy / difficulty to issue / copy / alter a passport.

 

I make no claim to know anything about this but IMHO this might be valid - it seems to be true that the passports of some countries have a number of embedded security 'chips' (Australian passport i'm told now has 4 tiny embedded security devices), whereas the passport books of other countries have no security features whatever,  therefore making fake / altered passports very difficult to very easy.  

 

Just curiosity, can anybody comment further on this. 

Edited March 31, 2017 by scorecard

[Thailand]

[ovenman]

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

Be sure to keep the old passport.  You may discover you need it when you go to do things like close out bank accounts, or perhaps get a deposit back from Truevisions or whatever.  Some transaction that you did with the old passport and that's the number the business has on file for you.

There's that and sometimes you need old visa numbers/info when applying for new visas of certain countries (e.g. India).

[NancyL]

19 hours ago, Thailand said:

That's NOT "the priority lane".  That's the desk where 90 day reports are processed.  And those two ladies are the officers who normally handle the regular 90 day reports.  That "Priority Lane" sign floats around; I've seen it outside at the Info Desk.

 

The "Priority Lane" is the little-publicized service for customers over age 70, handicapped people, etc.  There's a special form that should be completed in order to access the service, and Priority Lane customers are escorted to the 2nd floor office to receive their services.

 

I suspect the two ladies were just posing as a joke for this photo.  Sure looks like it.  (I believe there are signs in the office prohibiting photos, too.  I sure wouldn't have risked taking a photo.)

[scorecard]

3 minutes ago, NancyL said:

That's NOT "the priority lane".  That's the desk where 90 day reports are processed.  And those two ladies are the officers who normally handle the regular 90 day reports.  That "Priority Lane" sign floats around; I've seen it outside at the Info Desk.

 

The "Priority Lane" is the little-publicized service for customers over age 70, handicapped people, etc.  There's a special form that should be completed in order to access the service, and Priority Lane customers are escorted to the 2nd floor office to receive their services.

 

I suspect the two ladies were just posing as a joke for this photo.  Sure looks like it.  (I believe there are signs in the office prohibiting photos, too.  I sure wouldn't have risked taking a photo.)

 

Nancy, thank you for the information about the priority service for folks over 70 years old and others. Much appreciated.

 

 

[Thailand]

4 hours ago, NancyL said:

That's NOT "the priority lane".  That's the desk where 90 day reports are processed.  And those two ladies are the officers who normally handle the regular 90 day reports.  That "Priority Lane" sign floats around; I've seen it outside at the Info Desk.

 

The "Priority Lane" is the little-publicized service for customers over age 70, handicapped people, etc.  There's a special form that should be completed in order to access the service, and Priority Lane customers are escorted to the 2nd floor office to receive their services.

 

I suspect the two ladies were just posing as a joke for this photo.  Sure looks like it.  (I believe there are signs in the office prohibiting photos, too.  I sure wouldn't have risked taking a photo.)

No joke, taken by an officer.This was from a friend and his wife, who are edited out of the photo showing that immigration will, on occassion, cater to the elderly and infirm.  

 

They turned up to do 90 days, an officer saw that it was obviously a special case, maybe also a PR opportunity. Nevertheless, there was no "special form" to fill out (still a work in progres,or not in progress).

 

The 90 day report was completed, receipt of notification issued and both my friend and his wife had nothing but praise for the officer and the treatment they received.

[NancyL]

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

No joke, taken by an officer.This was from a friend and his wife, who are edited out of the photo showing that immigration will, on occassion, cater to the elderly and infirm.  

 

They turned up to do 90 days, an officer saw that it was obviously a special case, maybe also a PR opportunity. Nevertheless, there was no "special form" to fill out (still a work in progres,or not in progress).

 

The 90 day report was completed, receipt of notification issued and both my friend and his wife had nothing but praise for the officer and the treatment they received.

Yup, definitely a PR opportunity.  The officer on the right rarely cracks a smile.

[Sparkles]

I said good bye to 70 nearly 5 years ago and never heard about a priority lane apart from G4Tso thanks for the heads up. Pity Imm has kept it a secret.A wheel chair might be a good investment !

 

[evenstevens]

6 hours ago, NancyL said:

 The officer on the right rarely cracks a smile.

come on Nancy L,  why  should she ???

[Thailand]

11 hours ago, Sparkles said:

I said good bye to 70 nearly 5 years ago and never heard about a priority lane apart from G4Tso thanks for the heads up. Pity Imm has kept it a secret.A wheel chair might be a good investment !

 

There is no priority lane, certainly not at the moment, I think the sign appears when required.

 

There is a priority booking form (draft only, has been posted on the forum at least a couple of times) which is currently useless as there is no system in place where it could be used. 

 

It was originally proposed for booking for extension of stay for the disabled, infirm and I believe the over seventies, but if you think about it that it applies to around 50% or more of the retirees!

[scorecard]

10 hours ago, evenstevens said:

come on Nancy L,  why  should she ???

 

Why should not crack a smile. Their job is no more difficult than a million other jobs. 

[evenstevens]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

 

Why should not crack a smile. Their job is no more difficult than a million other jobs.

Its  not  the Hospitality Industry they are working in

 

spare this thought for a moment,  Put yourself in their shoes, would you be happy, to be putting up with the likes of u, all day everyday, 8 hours a day,expecting to give  a smile to everyone

to be honest they could look at E/S   like a  Vampire, as long as they give my stamp in my passport,and i ,am on my way

just my view , they are no different to other  countrys  immgr officers that i have visited, perhaps better, (smile or no smile,) Sydney officers are far from a happy bunch

and   Aussie Centrelink Officers  are the most miserable bunch of all, that i have encountered

a nice good morning to all

[Sparkles]

Dear oh me, the hardship, 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday ,weekends off, annual leave ,no work on public holidays, of which there are many,pension and probably a few other "fringe benefits" as well

 

 I think a lot of moderately, educated Thais,capable of speaking basic English and doing a simple clerical process, would kill for a job like that ,well the ones I know anyway.

 

Being pleasant costs nothing, no requirement to "fake" a smile

 

 

[heybruce]

I'm sure this information is buried somewhere in these 45 pages, but I'd rather not spend hours searching for it.

 

This is my first year on a retirement visa.  I have some very basic questions:

 

1.  What is required for the 90 day check-in?  I know I'll need my passport, but anything else?  Is there a form or forms I can download and complete in advance?

 

2.  Does a border crossing accomplish the same thing as a 90 day check-in? 

[CMBob]

Hey Bruce:

 

1.  There's a pinned topic at the top about 90-day address reporting....please read that first.

 

2.  You only need to do a 90-day address report if you're in Thailand for 90 continuous days.  If you leave (hmmm....be sure you have a re-entry permit if you need one) before than, you don't need to report and your next report will be due within 90 days of you returning.

[stuurman]

I'm sure this information is buried somewhere in these 45 pages, but I'd rather not spend hours searching for it.
 
This is my first year on a retirement visa.  I have some very basic questions:
 
1.  What is required for the 90 day check-in?  I know I'll need my passport, but anything else?  Is there a form or forms I can download and complete in advance?
 
2.  Does a border crossing accomplish the same thing as a 90 day check-in? 

1. Look at the pinned post.
2. Yes but make sure you have a re-entry permit and you have to update your TM-30.