Thailand Immigration update - regional experiences

[kaptainrob]

Since late last year (2016), all Chiang Mai Immigration services had moved to Promenada Mall whilst long awaited demolition and rebuilding commenced on the Airport site.

Promenada services have improved out of sight since the partial move of 2 years ago which saw very long early am queues and too many grumpy old men getting wound up over document* requirements. *Mostly self-induced.

The new sub offices eg Lamhun, have taken the strain off CM which has become far more efficient anyway. They ditched that personal info form pretty quick too ... no means of data storage/retrieval other than on paper.

If one arrives early, say 0700 (not 2am anymore) you'll get a visa extension slot for the same day.

I have only done 1 x 90 day report in 2 years and walked in at 11am to be served not long after but that was an exception rather than the rule.

I also choose to use an agent to process my extension/re-entry rather than arrive at 7am and be there until late afternoon, cost is 3,500 for G4T fast track service and usually means depositing docs with them (office also in Promenada) before lunch and returning at 3pm to collect stamped Passport. That's for Retirement, Marriage requires your return visit a month later for stamp(s).

[Buksida]

As of this year, Lampang also has a full service Immigration office. This has further reduced the workload on Chiang Mai.

[Chob]

On Retirement Extensions -

Phuket Town is far more organised than they once were BUT , one now has to return the NEXT DAY at/after 1pm to pick up their stamped passport.

I chose to go days later to the Patong Office for my Multi-entry stamp , as everyone arriving at 1pm causes an afternoon rush at Phuket.

There were ( possibly ) 2 new requirements that I heard from other expats for this years RE.
That was -
1. An A4 sheet with the applicant standing next to his house or rental properties house number
2.An A4 sheet with a map of the properties location.

But when I approached the farang advisor at PTI to get him to check my paperwork , he said he wasnt really sure that the latter 2 items were a 'must' and possibly they were "run arounds for applicants the Immigration Officer didnt like !"
He asked I feedback about them.
I waited about 15 mins for my number to come up then the IO spent 3 minutes reshuffling my papers silently , came to these 2 items , shrugged , but kept them.
I was then sent to a boy who photographed me , then said to see him at the same spot the next day at 1pm which I did.
No problems.
The Farang Advisor thanked me for my feedback but said he was none the wiser.

Except for the double trip - though I always enjoy my scoot around PT nowadays - it was all quite painless.

[kaptainrob]

There were ( possibly ) 2 new requirements that I heard from other expats for this years RE.
That was -
1. An A4 sheet with the applicant standing next to his house or rental properties house number
2.An A4 sheet with a map of the properties location.

Those are part of the additional requirements for a Marriage Visa. I changed to a RE to avoid cutting down half a forest each year.

[Moo Uaon]

yeah..retirement extension always seemed a lot less hassle than marriage but the money side of marriage a lot easier.

[Zablive]

Those are part of the additional requirements for a Marriage Visa. I changed to a RE to avoid cutting down half a forest each year.[/COLOR]

Yes.
Who knows why Phuket added them to the Retirement extension!

[OZZYGUY]

Out of interest what qualifies a person for a retirement visa?

Can they be a self funded early retirement type or is there a age?

[Rivo]

Out of interest what qualifies a person for a retirement visa?

Can they be a self funded early retirement type or is there a age?

50 and over

[kaptainrob]

Out of interest what qualifies a person for a retirement visa?

Can they be a self funded early retirement type or is there a age?

In a nutshell:

• Applicant must be 50 years of age or over.
• Must meet ONE of the financial requirements. Deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account for 2 months prior to the visa application or Monthly income or pension of at least THB 65,000.

[OZZYGUY]

50 and over

Well that's is the best thing I have heard since turning 50 a few months ago....555

[Rivo]

Well that's is the best thing I have heard since turning 50 a few months ago....555

Its only a memory now Ozzy 555...........ive got a few years to go yet 555

[Cippy]

In a nutshell:

• Applicant must be 50 years of age or over.
• Must meet ONE of the financial requirements. Deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account for 2 months prior to the visa application or Monthly income or pension of at least THB 65,000.

That is halved (400,000) if you're married to a TG is it not? Some other extra allowances for have a kid as well I believe.

[bacwaan]

That is halved (400,000) if you're married to a TG is it not? Some other extra allowances for have a kid as well I believe.

yep..but in OZ's case I am not sure he would be able to get his wife in on the same visa as she is not 50 years old (or even close...and she is Philippina not Thai) ... and even if he could he would need 800K each for both himself and her...

[Cippy]

^ I Looked and did not see any special circumstances for ASEAN countries applying for Non-immigrant O.

[OZZYGUY]

yep..but in OZ's case I am not sure he would be able to get his wife in on the same visa as she is not 50 years old (or even close...and she is Philippina not Thai) ... and even if he could he would need 800K each for both himself and her...

We both like Chiang mai but I have no intention of moving at this stage. If I did I could maybe employ her as a nanny to get around the visa...55

The schooling would bother me.

[kaptainrob]

We both like Chiang mai but I have no intention of moving at this stage. If I did I could maybe employ her as a nanny to get around the visa...55

The schooling would bother me.

AFAIK Your wife can stay on a Dependent's visa, same as children.

[Moo Uaon]

We both like Chiang mai but I have no intention of moving at this stage. If I did I could maybe employ her as a nanny to get around the visa...55

The schooling would bother me.

i'm sure she'd expect you to want to stay in cebu if you were going to live in asia somewhere?

[OZZYGUY]

i'm sure she'd expect you to want to stay in cebu if you were going to live in asia somewhere?

We have spoken a bit about this and that's why the KL thing came up before in that other thread. She also likes Bangkok but I don't like big city's to live in. She has mentioned a few times that she would pretty much live anywhere but I'm guessing deep down its Cebu. Its Perth for now and I can not see myself moving for at least 5 years.

[Zablive]

Currently, as she is a non-Thai, if you are legally married and you get an Extension based on Retirement she can piggy-back on that with a dependent extension of the same length without showing additional finances.

[briofoz]

Read on Thai Geezer that 90 day reporting is back online. Yay...for now.