I've been going back and forth to Immigration at Samut Prakan working on a change of visa to non-immigrant and then get the 1 year extension based on retirement. Today all my paperwork and fee was accepted.  They took my picture and input my information into the system. The official then gave me back my passport and told me to come back on 20 Sept. That is the day my 2 month SE Tourist Visa expires.

 

Is this a standard practice. I half-way expected to have it all wrapped up today.

 

Anyone know why the delay ?

 

Thanks

That is standard procedure for a non immigrant visa application. The application has to be sent to the immigration division headquarters over the office for approval. For Samut Prakan that would be division 3 in Bangkok.

When you apply for the extension of stay it will be approved on the same day you apply.

thanks Joe !