Udon Thani Immigration Office

Post by **rickfarang** » July 31, 2013, 12:52 pm

I remember you post, I asked to confirm whether or not I got the same answer.

My letter would be 10 months old at the time of the application for extension. Those in the Immigration Office confirmed six months.

Post by **jimboLV** » July 31, 2013, 12:57 pm

rickfarang wrote:Idle speculation aside, I have an income letter from the U.S. Embassy (to support my application for an extension of my visa based on income). The letter was written in January while I was in Bangkok on other business. I asked whether the letter would be acceptable in a couple of months and the two people in the office who looked at it looked at each other and said in Thai "Old already" and told me that the maximum age of the letter is six months, thus confirming similar reports in this thread.

Rick you beat me to it, I was going to post the same info. So this "double confirms" it. I have a letter dated March 2013 and am looking at extending in November. I did my 90 day report last week and brought along the letter and asked the officer if it would still be valid . He counted up the months on his fingers and said "too old, better get a new one". I've done two extensions here in Amnat Charoen with the same scenario with no problems so this represents a change.

Looks like a trip to Udon is in the cards. This can be a problem as in September my wife will be in her seventh month of pregnancy, and we are 300 km away from Udon. She will have to drive, as I don't drive, and I am concerned about her making the trip. She said no problem but I still worry about it. There is no way I can go by myself by bus, as I am having to use a cane to get around and need assistance to climb stairs. Early symptoms of Parkinson's. I am on heavy medications and there has been some improvement but I can't guarantee being "cured" in September. So we will just have to wait until the time comes and see what's what.

Post by **semperfiguy** » July 31, 2013, 3:47 pm

My 90 report is due on the 14th, so I thought I'd go ahead and whip into the immigration office and give the new 14 day early reporting rule a shot. I counted 14 twenty-four hour periods which would end at 1:30 PM on the 14th, but our friendly four-eyed clerk didn't see it that way..."no can do...15 days early...computer will not accept the report today...come back tomorrow"! I was expecting as much, but I was in the area and thought I'd try. Not a big deal, but if anyone else wants to give the clerk a lesson in finger counting...don't waste your time. It's all good...they're so predictable on some matters and unpredictable on others, but you gotta love a good roll of the dice.

Post by **Asiaphile** » July 31, 2013, 4:18 pm

Immigration counts up to and including the due date.
If you start counting down from the 14th you will see you'll end up on the 1st

Post by **parrot** » July 31, 2013, 5:22 pm

I read on another forum that immigration allows one-year renewals up to 45 days ahead of due date. The old way was 30 days. If anyone gives the 45 day limit a test run, it'd be a service to post your results here.

Post by **Bandung_Dero** » July 31, 2013, 5:56 pm

semperfiguy wrote:My 90 report is due on the 14th, so I thought I'd go ahead and whip into the immigration office and give the new 14 day early reporting rule a shot. I counted 14 twenty-four hour periods which would end at 1:30 PM on the 14th, but our friendly four-eyed clerk didn't see it that way..."no can do...15 days early...computer will not accept the report today...come back tomorrow"! I was expecting as much, but I was in the area and thought I'd try. Not a big deal, but if anyone else wants to give the clerk a lesson in finger counting...don't waste your time. It's all good...they're so predictable on some matters and unpredictable on others, but you gotta love a good roll of the dice.

Your bored or have heaps of spare time on your hands! Why would anyone bother to carry out such a fruitless, time wasting exercise?

Post by **Jello** » July 31, 2013, 6:04 pm

semperfiguy wrote:My 90 report is due on the 14th, so I thought I'd go ahead and whip into the immigration office and give the new 14 day early reporting rule a shot. I counted 14 twenty-four hour periods which would end at 1:30 PM on the 14th, but our friendly four-eyed clerk didn't see it that way..."no can do...15 days early...computer will not accept the report today...come back tomorrow"! I was expecting as much, but I was in the area and thought I'd try. Not a big deal, but if anyone else wants to give the clerk a lesson in finger counting...don't waste your time. It's all good...they're so predictable on some matters and unpredictable on others, but you gotta love a good roll of the dice.

Roll the dice again and go in on the 21st to test the "7 days after" rule. Let us know how that works out.

Post by **Jello** » July 31, 2013, 6:14 pm

rickfarang wrote:http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consular_outreach.html

Notice that in 2013 there was an outreach visit from the U.S. Embassy on March 6 and one scheduled for September 18th. That means that in theory it will be impossible for Americans to renew based on income between about September 6 and September 18th unless one obtains the letter in another province.

Not impossible as you point out. With some advance planning one could have popped down to Khon Khan on June 12th. Better than going all the way to Bangkok!

Also, couldn't you just renew your visa early?
We're lucky as Americans that our embassy makes these outreach trips.

Post by **semperfiguy** » July 31, 2013, 8:14 pm

Bandung_Dero wrote:
semperfiguy wrote:My 90 report is due on the 14th, so I thought I'd go ahead and whip into the immigration office and give the new 14 day early reporting rule a shot. I counted 14 twenty-four hour periods which would end at 1:30 PM on the 14th, but our friendly four-eyed clerk didn't see it that way..."no can do...15 days early...computer will not accept the report today...come back tomorrow"! I was expecting as much, but I was in the area and thought I'd try. Not a big deal, but if anyone else wants to give the clerk a lesson in finger counting...don't waste your time. It's all good...they're so predictable on some matters and unpredictable on others, but you gotta love a good roll of the dice.
Your bored or have heaps of spare time on your hands! Why would anyone bother to carry out such a fruitless, time wasting exercise?

Because I'm bored and have heaps of spare time on my hands...plus I'm a glutton for punishment!

Post by **papaguido** » July 31, 2013, 9:19 pm

rickfarang wrote:http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consular_outreach.html

Notice that in 2013 there was an outreach visit from the U.S. Embassy on March 6 and one scheduled for September 18th. That means that in theory it will be impossible for Americans to renew based on income between about September 6 and September 18th unless one obtains the letter in another province.

Not impossible with proper planning. Typically there are 4 visits in the northeast (Udon & Khon Kaen) per fiscal year(FY). The scheduled visits for FY13 were:

Thursday, December 13, 2012 Khon Kaen
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Udorn
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Khon Kaen
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 Udorn

Similar to FY12 and we'll possibly see a similar schedule for FY14 (that is if there's any money in budget

).

Post by **stoneman** » August 3, 2013, 10:44 am

Did my annual visa renewal and 90 day report on Tuesday morning...In and out in less than 15 minutes...

Stoneman

Post by **pf-flyer** » August 6, 2013, 10:03 am

My wife and I were very anxious as we entered the Immigration office to do our first Non-Immigrant O-A Visa extensions on the 1st of August. The clerk that met us at the door and the immigration officer that did our extensions worked with us and helped us out with some of the forms that we needed. The immigration officer was very helpful and good to us.

Post by **semperfiguy** » August 6, 2013, 1:05 pm

Did my 90 day report yesterday. It's great that they have the new digital/voice queue system; however, change does come very slowly in Thailand. Either the system wasn't working properly, they don't know how to operate within it correctly or they just prefer to work in total chaos. Ol' four eyes at the 90 day report desk was back to asking those waiting to hold up their queue numbers and he was working a manual system on his own. Otherwise, in and out within 10 minutes with no problems.

Post by **WhoUrDaddy** » August 6, 2013, 2:16 pm

My wife and I were very anxious as we entered the Immigration office to do our first Non-Immigrant O-A Visa extensions on the 1st of August. The clerk that met us at the door and the immigration officer that did our extensions worked with us and helped us out with some of the forms that we needed. The immigration officer was very helpful and good to us.

any built in tips / scam added to the 1900 baht fee?

Post by **WBU ALUM** » August 6, 2013, 2:42 pm

WhoUrDaddy wrote:
My wife and I were very anxious as we entered the Immigration office to do our first Non-Immigrant O-A Visa extensions on the 1st of August. The clerk that met us at the door and the immigration officer that did our extensions worked with us and helped us out with some of the forms that we needed. The immigration officer was very helpful and good to us.
any built in tips / scam added to the 1900 baht fee?

Which is why I always bring exact change and an empty wallet.

Water Buffalo University has been invaluable.

Post by **mortiboy** » August 6, 2013, 5:23 pm

I went to IMM Office today. It was a pleasure! I was seen to by a lovely Imm Officer. She was a sweet !
So much better than the "other one' . No hint of a Tip or so.
Shes lovely...... IMO :-"

Post by **pompui** » August 7, 2013, 1:37 am

Keep yer snake in yer trousers Morti

KB_Texas · Post by **KB_Texas** » October 10, 2013, 9:51 am

Did my extension/permission to stay today. Arrived at 8:30, left at 8:50. A VERY pleasant experience. The young lady on the second desk informed me I was over prepared, and they now only needed one copy of my paperwork. (I took two) She did ask me to draw a map to my house. She also updated my 90 day to current without being asked. I did not have correct change, and gave them 2 1000 baht notes for the 1900 baht fee. A receipt and 100 baht change returned with NO 'hints' at leaving a tip!! Smiling, pleasant and professional. Good job!!!

KB

Post by **rickfarang** » October 10, 2013, 10:03 am

Will be doing my extension on the basis of retirement with an income. Beyond the income letter, yellow house book, passport, and of course a set of copies of those and the fee, and a polite smile, is anything else required?

KB_Texas · Post by **KB_Texas** » October 10, 2013, 10:36 am

rickfarang wrote:Will be doing my extension on the basis of retirement with an income. Beyond the income letter, yellow house book, passport, and of course a set of copies of those and the fee, and a polite smile, is anything else required?

Based on what the young lady told me this morning, they need the original income letter, and ONE copy of the paperwork, plus a map to your house. (a Google Maps printout would probably be acceptable) Paperwork is a copy of your picture page in your passport, the original visa page, a copy of your exit document, and a copy of your lease or yellow book (I assume). I also include a copy of my landladies ID and my wife's ID, but not sure if this is required. Be sure you have a picture for the TM7. I have had no 'requests for tips' in my last few dealings with them, so perhaps that is a thing of the past, but correct 1900 baht change takes away any temptation. Of course, TiT, and your requirements may vary.

KB