Kap Choeng immigration.

[bigphill5 baht]

Hello everyone. Just like to say I went to immigration today for the first time. Reason was just to get information as to what I needed to extend my tourist visa another 30 days. As only ever been on visa exemption trips before. And with all the talk and scare mongering about visas. I thought it best to get a tourist visa before I came to Thailand as I am hoping to retire next year and thought I would see what things are like and get into the system so to speak. Having read and heard countless stories from jomtien and Bangkok immigration being problematic and not a pleasant experience. I was very pleased with my trip today. I asked about documents I required and they simply wanted a photograph and my passport. Which I had. They filled in all the forms and we're very friendly and super proficient. Paid my fee. Which was 2300 baht an extra 400 than I expected but I was happy to pay no running about getting photo copies of passport . Proof of residency etc. they did all that and simply looked at my girl friends yellow/blue book took copy's of her id card etc. sat down for 10 mins back to counter few signatures and video of me holding my passport. Stamped and out of the office in less than 30 mins. It was very quiet only 2 other people there. But a big thank you to the immigration staff super proficient and relaxed calm friendly atmosphere. Will definitely be going back next trip hopefully to start my retirement visa. In all a pleasant day out then quick look to see chom jom market. Was a sad sight. I hadn't been since COVID and border troubles place was a mere shadow of what it used to be only a few stalls open. Then went to sangkha got some bits in the market before going back to prassat area cheers.

 

[Deerculler]

Hello everyone. Just like to say I went to immigration today for the first time. Reason was just to get information as to what I needed to extend my tourist visa another 30 days. As only ever been on visa exemption trips before. And with all the talk and scare mongering about visas. I thought it best to get a tourist visa before I came to Thailand as I am hoping to retire next year and thought I would see what things are like and get into the system so to speak. Having read and heard countless stories from jomtien and Bangkok immigration being problematic and not a pleasant experience. I was very pleased with my trip today. I asked about documents I required and they simply wanted a photograph and my passport. Which I had. They filled in all the forms and we're very friendly and super proficient. Paid my fee. Which was 2300 baht an extra 400 than I expected but I was happy to pay no running about getting photo copies of passport . Proof of residency etc. they did all that and simply looked at my girl friends yellow/blue book took copy's of her id card etc. sat down for 10 mins back to counter few signatures and video of me holding my passport. Stamped and out of the office in less than 30 mins. It was very quiet only 2 other people there. But a big thank you to the immigration staff super proficient and relaxed calm friendly atmosphere. Will definitely be going back next trip hopefully to start my retirement visa. In all a pleasant day out then quick look to see chom jom market. Was a sad sight. I hadn't been since COVID and border troubles place was a mere shadow of what it used to be only a few stalls open. Then went to sangkha got some bits in the market before going back to prassat area cheers.

My recent experiences with both Kap Choeng and Surin Immigration have been excellent.

 

[DaryDane]

Will definitely be going back next trip hopefully to start my retirement visa.

For retirement visa, you have to apply at the Embassy in your homecontry

 

[CO-CO]

For retirement visa, you have to apply at the Embassy in your homecontry

That is not strictly true.

Whilst it is said that a VISA must obtained outside of Thailand (doesn't have to be your home country - look at all the visas previously obtained in, say, Laos) the reality is somewhat different (please see below).

I think Phil is referring to an EXTENSION rather than than visa (even Immigration officers will use incorrect terminology......and I imagine he will enter Thailand on a VISA.


For example.....I recently obtained a Non-Immigrant 'O' single entry visa, based on marriage to a Thai citizen, from the UK.

I entered on 16th July and was granted permission to stay for 90 days (note, the VISA is "used" at that point - a VISA cannot be extended).

Next month I will submit a TM7 'Application for extension of temporary stay in the Kingdom' for a 12 month period, based on marriage.


Another option for me was to enter on a VISA EXEMPT basis which would have given me permission to stay for 60 days. Within that time I could go to my Immigration office and ask them to issue a Non-Immigrant O VISA (giving me a further 90 days) and then allow me to apply for the 12 month EXTENSION after that.

NOTE: Phil didn't extend his Tourist VISA (you can't do that) - he applied to extend his permission to stay.

I know that Buriram and Jomtien will convert VISA exempt entries into Non-Imm 'O' visas, I don't know about Surin.

In Phil's case he may have been able to convert from the Tourist Visa to a Non-Imm O, to an extension of stay. I know that has been done at other offices.

The caveat to all this is that you have the necessary funds (400k marriage/800k retirement) seasoned for 2 months before making the 12 month extension application.

I hope that made sense.