Affidavit of Residence

[Christopher Ryan]

I am a US Citizen living in Bangkok and I have a one year non-immigrant business visa.  I am collecting documents to get a Thai driver's license as my California license is expiring soon.  One of the documents is an "Affidavit of Residence."

 

The US Embassy says they are glad to sign this simple paper for a fee of $50.00 USD.  That is absolutely absurd as it appears to be basically a notary act.  

 

There is a lot of talk in the forums and online about alternatives to this, but they are all outdated and overwhelmingly confusing.  

 

Can someone tell me simply if there is a cheaper way of doing this and where I would go exactly in Bangkok?

 

Thanks!

[phetphet]

Not sure if you mean a certificate of residence, but here in Samui, the last time I obtained one from Immigration it was THB500. Documents required were copy passport, copy house paper,  two passport photographs, and the completed form.

[samtam]

You can obtain an affidavit of residence from your embassy, at their prevailing rates; I'm British, and just did mine for the same purpose (to obtain a Thai DL), and it cost THB2,500 (so you have a bargain!) and I had to make an appointment online to obtain it. You can apparently go to IMM at Chaengwattana and apply for the same document, which they will then mail to you within about 2-3 weeks. I figured the THB2,500 was acceptable in those circumstances.

 

Here's my experience ID #19 29 June 2016. Hope this helps.

[BobTH]

The form you need to fill out is called the "Application Form for Residence Certificate in Thailand"
It can be found here    http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=download  (Note: it is the 4th form from the bottom)
This is the form used by Bangkok Division 1 ( Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office) 
 
I didn't give have to give them photos, but I also paid 200 baht. You will need the application form, a copy of main page of passport, last entry stamp, visa or extension of stay page, last arrival card and 90 day report. They said it would take up to three weeks to arrive but I remember I got it in eleven days. They will want the 90 day report because they will not issue the Residence Certificate to anyone that has not done a 90 day report in their Division 1 office. I did also take some paid utility bills showing my name and address and also my rental contract but I was not asked for them.

Edited September 13, 2016 by BobTH

[Christopher Ryan]

14 hours ago, BobTH said:

The form you need to fill out is called the "Application Form for Residence Certificate in Thailand"
It can be found here    http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=download  (Note: it is the 4th form from the bottom)
This is the form used by Bangkok Division 1 ( Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office) 
 
I didn't give have to give them photos, but I also paid 200 baht. You will need the application form, a copy of main page of passport, last entry stamp, visa or extension of stay page, last arrival card and 90 day report. They said it would take up to three weeks to arrive but I remember I got it in eleven days. They will want the 90 day report because they will not issue the Residence Certificate to anyone that has not done a 90 day report in their Division 1 office. I did also take some paid utility bills showing my name and address and also my rental contract but I was not asked for them.

Thank you that is very helpful.  My embassy wanted $50 just to basically notarize the paper which is absurd.  The only thing I don't understand now is what the 90 day report is.  Where does that come from?

[BobTH]

90 Day Report

 

 

[Christopher Ryan]

3 hours ago, BobTH said:

90 Day Report

 

 

 

okay thank you very much.  i didn't know about this and have never filed one.  i've been here since january.  but also i have never received a temporary stay permit.  i just received a non-immigrant business visa and signed a lease for a condo and moved in.  

[BobTH]

I thought everyone holding a visa or extension of stay had to file the 90 day reports. I am no expert but perhaps you should look into it, to see if you should be doing them. 

[Smokin Joe]

Are you sure you have not over stayed? 

 

A Non-B visa only gets you a 90 day permission to stay until having to leave or extend your stay (if qualified).

 

 

[Christopher Ryan]

4 hours ago, Smokin Joe said:

Are you sure you have not over stayed? 

 

A Non-B visa only gets you a 90 day permission to stay until having to leave or extend your stay (if qualified).

 

 

Mine is good for one year, but I have to leave each 90 days and when I return I get another 90 days.  

[beano2274]

then you have a Multi Entry Non Immigrant visa, should still be okay to get a letter confirming Residence

[Christopher Ryan]

Just now, beano2274 said:

then you have a Multi Entry Non Immigrant visa, should still be okay to get a letter confirming Residence

 

Thanks!  I am collecting all of the paperwork to try to get it tomorrow.  I am bringing a friend who speaks Thai and going to try the Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office.

 

However, now I am more concerned about how to extend a visa for another year than I am about the driver license.