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  1. #1
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Non Imm O annual extension

    Non-Imm O Extension

    Legal for another year. Long day. Nonthaburi Immigration Office. Never had a problem with them – no “problem” this time just a whole lot longer than usual.

    Nonthaburi requires bank letter, bank statement and bank book all updated and dated the day of extension application. Bangkok Bank branches in Nonthaburi all open at 10:30AM.

    So, hit the local mall at 10AM get photos taken (extension and re-entry permit). Number two at the bank queue so quickly out with the updated bank book, statement, and guarantee letter. Cake walk. Certain I’ll be home quickly this annual trip.

    Full package of documents completed the day before including signed copies of 90 day reports, blue book, yellow book, wife’s Thai ID card, last couple of TM30’s, passport all pages, receipts. Some stuff I didn’t think was needed but the Attorney put together. Well, that’s what I pay him for. His firm prepares the applications and document package, I provide signatures.

    Get to Nonthaburi Immigration by 11:30AM. Certain I’ll be out of there in two hours or so. Good day. Oh, well, anticipation.

    Get queue number 53, counters at 27.

    Fantastic – good to go. Will be called up soon. Noontime – everybody kicked out for lunch. 1 PM – all back in. The counter in now at 28. One person done in an hour?

    Note: the place is full, very few empty seats. A dozen or so IO’s, six counters (desks) plus three photo booths – two active. The big boss IO sits at the reception desk and he is “meticulous” in a good way. He reviews those inch thick packages of paperwork. Of course, he’ll still miss a thing or two. But, saw him send a couple of dozen folks back for additional copies before their number is up and they see their IO.

    Another note – I’m in the “foreign services” section. Deals only with extensions and work permits. But, it is packed. Busiest I’ve ever seen it.

    Anyway, sit and wait – watching the counter ticking up at a half hour per number? Hell, 53-33 is twenty – ten more hours to go. Now the Nonthaburi IO closes at 1600HRS (4PM). So, what now. Gotta come back tomorrow? At 3 PM no way my number will be up by closing time. Attorney goes to the boss IO at the desk at 3 PM. This is/was his second inquiry concerning the “rate-of-progress”, or lack thereof. Big Boss IO replies I gave you a number – nobody goes home until all customers are seen.

    Yup, It’s his show and he is in control. And the junior IO’s know it. Again, he is meticulous. Saw him and a junior IO spend close to an hour reviewing the documentation of a Chinese “working” couple and the large book of IO regulations. Boss IO got a big book opened to a page, junior IO got his copy opened to another page, Chinese couple got a few sheets of their paperwork spread out in front of the IO’s for review. FYI spoke to them after the fact – their work permit application on hold until the employer provides a couple other tax and employment certificates or documents.

    Anyway, 5 PM and the place is thinning out more empty seats fewer customers. Ant the counter starts moving “faster” – in spurts.

    My number comes up at about 6 PM. My junior IO reviews my paperwork “quickly” barely glances at it, except the bank statement. He spend about two-three minutes reviewing the bank statement. I maintain a balance around THB 1M with my monthly IRA deposits of THB 80k FFT coded. I then transfer living expense money to our joint account. So, a quite simple review.

    After the review, then pay the fees, then off to the photo desks, two photos, one for extension one for re-entry permit.

    Nothing said or mentioned about “insurance”. But, this was on Oct 29, two days before the rules take effect.

    Out at 7 PM with my stamped passport. Home at 8 PM.


    Interesting observation, counters had I think five sequences of numbers. Two or three sequences counted fairly quickly my double digit counter was at a snails pace until about 4 PM, then it counted a bit quicker.

    Don’t know if Tuesday was a busier than normal day or if Nonthaburi Immigration typically runs ‘till 8 PM. Previously I've been home by 3 PM.

  2. #2
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Good report Bowie,

    Interesting that you get your stamp same day,

    In my case, we go in, submit the packet. The IO reviews for content. Says OK. Gives us a receipt for the payment. Sets up a follow on appt for 7 days later as they send the packet to CM for confirmation. I drop back by, sign cover and they say all OK and stamp my passport and done. The longest I have ever been at my Immigration office is 20 minutes tops.

  3. #3
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    Full package of documents
    The secret to no hazzle approval at any Immigration Office.

    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    the place is full, very few empty seats
    Obviously varies by office but in my case (Roi Et) the most over many years I have seen is 4.

    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    Interesting that you get your stamp same day,
    Same in Roiet.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Great Report ... something I don't have to do (thank God)

  5. #5
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    @ Norton. while we all know each IO is significantly different I always thought it was a drop off, review, sign off, return for passport update. Just out of sheer convenience it would be nice if it could be done on the same visit but not if it means sitting there for 5 or 6 hours. Now my Immigration office is very close so its not like a long haul to go do it.

    One thing I convinced my wife to do was put together a template of what needs to be submitted. We already have next years extension packet done and just have to sign a few pages, drop by the bank and done. We even use the same pictures as they are not going to remember from a year ago what pictures were submitted.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Obviously varies by office but in my case (Roi Et) the most over many years I have seen is 4.
    Oh, the advantage of living in a not so popular place

    Koh Samui had same day processing of annual extension in the past but next to last time it was "come back on Monday after noon" and last time it was "write down your phone number - we'll call you when you can pick up your passport". I don't mind as long as I don't have to queue for hours before handing over the passport and the application document pack.

  7. #7
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Well, comment on "templates", I don't use a template per se, but, I do review past paperwork packages as a "guide". Never identical. This year, TM30's and 90 Day reports provided. Attorney wanted my last 90 Day Report receipt. Also, screen capture of my last TM30 and a copy of my last TM30 receipt (filed in person at Nonthaburi).

    Last year, he wanted copies of my driver's licenses - this year, no mention?

    Point I'm making is you/we/I are shooting at a moving target. I carry a briefcase with file jackets of my past few years of documents - if they ask for something out of the blue I probably have it in my briefcase.

    Exception - one of my Attorneys reps asked in I had my original "affidavit" of eligibility to marry from the US Embassy. Damn, twenty five years ago, probably went to the Thai "Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Do I have it? Highly unlikely. Do I need it? Damned if I know. Came up during a conversation with my Attorneys concerning the "mandatory insurance" stuff. i.e. If mandatory insurance is expanded to include extensions based on "retirement (end-of-life)" can I sidestep by filing a spousal extension.

    Covering my bases.

  8. #8
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    Point I'm making is you/we/I are shooting at a moving target. I carry a briefcase with file jackets of my past few years of documents - if they ask for something out of the blue I probably have it in my briefcase
    I totally agree Bowie....For me, mine has not changed at all in last 5 years even with these random rule changes. Its same ol stuff and about 12 to 15 pages I think with all the pictures, Passport pics, Bank statements etc. Now in fairness I am living here on a multi entry non O extension and have been.

    The TM30 thing is this odd red herring. I stay all over Thailand for business. I never book a room using my passport as ID, Always through Hotel.com. I just use my Thai DL when I check in. The hotel seems to love it as they likely do not report me but if I had to do TM30's for all the places I stay for business then submit all of them at extension renewal I'd go crazy.

    To that point, all of our responses show the significant differences at the immigration offices we use. One thing that is clear to me though, is living rural is far more relaxed and once they know you its like you are a neighbor to some degree. However if you live or reside in a high foreigner populated area you are likely to be met with more scrutiny and requirements to the stated law.


    My Annual extension is up in late January. I will do a follow on report to your post with how mine went. But my wife has the template all pretty much ready to go..

  9. #9
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    The TM30 thing is this odd red herring.
    Yup, but lots and lots of angst 'bout it. Never had a TM30 filed decades ago, even though the laws reported on the books since 79. Rented a condo in Bangkok on nut from an american in '15 - he said didn't need one. Rented a house in Pattaya in '16 Thai landlord provided me with a copy of the filed receipt from Jomtien Immigration without me asking. He knew about and complied with it - before all the hub bub 'bout TM30's on the forums.

    When we moved to Nonthaburi we filed one in person along with a TM28 change of address. Both the TM28 and TM30 were accepted without comment and receipts issued. At same time got certificates of residency for DLs and vehicle plate changes.

    When the hub bub 'bout TM30s hit the forums I registered the wife for on-line reporting. Made a visit to the US and upon return (hadn't received TM30 ID or password yet) filed the TM30 in person at Nonthaburi - we arrived Saturday AM and filed Monday morning. IO said "not to worry about 24h, within a week is OK and you can file on-line. Told him we were waiting for User ID and password.

    Got it a few weeks later and completed the registration. Now I file the TM30 on-line and print screen capture as receipt. Was accepted Tuesday without comment by both the Boss IO and the junior IO.

    Anyway - not a big deal for me. Need to remain legit - got far too much at stake - backup plan or repatriation to the US is "undesirable" doable but undesirable. Reason I use a Thai Attorney - anything wrong then Immigration can straighten it out with my Attorney. However, if there is something wrong it'll be I that pays the price (always been that way - doesn't matter which country you/I/we are ultimately responsible regardless of who is at error).

    So, I've got a grip on it. Filing my 90 day reports and TM30's on-line from the comfort of home. Free to travel where and when I want. Only hope that in the near future I'll be able to file my annual extensions on-line (well you can always hope)

  10. #10
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Oh, the advantage of living in a not so popular place
    Up and down sides lom

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat

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    The volume of paperwork required to support and process applications is staggering. It increases year on year.

    No two offices work to the same rules.

    The rules or laws governing applications are subject to regular changes, and sufficiently ambiguous to be open to individual IO interpretation.

    They hate it when you do everything by their book and get it right.

    They actually orgasm when they find a reason to say no, and you have no recourse to appeal.

  12. #12
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    What official wouldn’t turn away someone with your tawdry history?

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
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    Remembering seeing a big "One-Stop Office" on Rathadaa 30 years ago...

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Remembering seeing a big "One-Stop Office" on Rathadaa 30 years ago...
    too efficient, had to be shutdown

  15. #15
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Remembering seeing a big "One-Stop Office" on Rathadaa 30 years ago...
    Went there for years. Moved to Rama IV.

  16. #16
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    Phuketrichard's Avatar
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    Did mine in Late june in Phuket,( took 10 minutes) pick up next day after noon
    they told me make sure my 800,000 stays 90 days but as i am already below 400,000
    its my last year in Thailand,
    off to Kep Cambodia
    Bye Bye

  17. #17
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    Im booked in to do mine on Thurs 6/Jan/22. I have to bring a Thai person that can speak English and can vouch for me,She has to bring copy of ID and Tabien Ban. I have to get a statement from my bank showing the full year of records and the letter of acknowledgment of my account on the day of the booking.
    I had to book the appointment within the 40 days,(could not book earlier) I got photo copies yesterday of all pages of both passports old and new, copies of all bank book pages, copies of last 90 day and the arrival card, a quad pack of very hansom passport photos of yours truly. Still have just under 900,000 baht in the bank been over 800,000 for over the last 3 months, Kept it over 800,000 for 3 months after the last extension in Jan 2021 and in fact did not under the 800 until August, but only for a couple of weeks, I just didnt want to fall trap for any new rules.
    I will update how it all goes on Thursday or Friday 6 OR 7 Jan 2022, In the meantime have a great NewYear and take care.

    ps, mine is a Non Imm O. Retirement.

  18. #18
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    Renewed my Non Imm O Retirement extension last week, the agent I've always used required my Passport, 2 photos, updated local bank book, and letter from the bank. I had well over 800k in my local account but it hadn't all been there for the required 3 months, I've been waiting for the exchange rate to improve (which it did) before doing a Wise xfer and knew the 3 month seasoning rules didn't apply to me anyway, nor does having to go back to Immigration with bank statements proving the money stayed in the account for the required time after a few months (or whatever it is people who do their own visas have to do).

    So after dropping the paperwork off at my agent and them taking my mug-shot, all that was left to do was go pick my passport up the following day from their office and that's that for the next year. KISS and embrace the corruption we're surrounded by is my moto

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Headworx View Post
    Renewed my Non Imm O Retirement extension last week, the agent I've always used required my Passport, 2 photos, updated local bank book, and letter from the bank. I had well over 800k in my local account but it hadn't all been there for the required 3 months, I've been waiting for the exchange rate to improve (which it did) before doing a Wise xfer and knew the 3 month seasoning rules didn't apply to me anyway, nor does having to go back to Immigration with bank statements proving the money stayed in the account for the required time after a few months (or whatever it is people who do their own visas have to do).

    So after dropping the paperwork off at my agent and them taking my mug-shot, all that was left to do was go pick my passport up the following day from their office and that's that for the next year. KISS and embrace the corruption we're surrounded by is my moto
    I learned the 3 month maturity lesson on my very first extension, thought it was 2 months, Chiangmai made me get a month extension and than come back for 1 year application for extension, the wife was pissed off, (was a marriage visa back then).
    Just how much corruption does your agent charge? If I can find an Agent around me that accept some corruption, it might be worth the day and fuel money plus giving the friend some money for day lost.

  20. #20
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    Bonecollector's Avatar
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    Luckily, aside from the Covid year, I live between countries, so the 90day stamp with an optional extension is good enough for me. I will jump through those hoops when I retire and hopefully get my residency quickly. Nice to hear they do things properly in Nonthaburi, my local was pretty cool when I had to do it over covid, all really nice peeps and really helpful. Bought them all Amazon one day and they were really appreciative.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    Headworx's Avatar
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    ^^The first issue here is everyone involved doesn't look at it as corruption per se, they see it more as profit sharing I suppose that's fair enough too, the Foreigner is going to get his/her visa anyway in most cases (like yours and mine) so why not let a few palms get greased while they sit back watching the cricket. It's been going on forever and won't be stopping any time soon if ever, a bit like fixing traffic violations up on the spot.

    As for the cost, there's pretty much no realistic number that could make me go through the hoops you're describing let alone the real-life horror stories I hear of from people doing things like extensions. Like after queuing up in the carpark like a fucking goat before even getting inside the building then finally getting a number in the waiting list that's 1+ hour long, some pleb decides a piece of myriad of paperwork needs to be photocopied again so off you go and come back tomorrow to try again. Or, for anywhere between roughly 10k and 15k Baht depending on your situation, you can do what I've described. What price can you put on your own sanity?

    Seriously, if I lived somewhere in Thailand where there wasn't a firmly established system in place to deal with things like this I'd be driving to Pattaya once a year with a large cooler in the car, getting my visa done and loading up on goodies to take home, and having a bit of fun for a night or two in the process if travelling alone or hitting some decent eateries and malls and whatnot if with a handbrake.

  22. #22
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    Copy that, The corruption talk was just joking, I asked my agent (the first time was knocked back due to the 3 months not being met) to offer them a "tip" but they declined, I understand they are very by the book, The money helps to expedite lets say.
    From memory i think that first extension cost me 3000, even though I used an Agent and didn't listen to them, but my time is not worth 10 -15,000, its all booked and I have done it with this same amount of scrutiny 3 times now, so I should get used to it.

  23. #23
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    Headworx's Avatar
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    ^Good on you then and I genuinely hope it goes well for you! I can't do it though and don't have the patience, plus having some pleb in uniform with a net worth of $470 and an IQ under 50 scolding me for not having some piece of paper photocopied in triplicate and signed in the right places is not going to happen. Then there's the whole queuing thing, unless it's a really good buffet that ain't happening either

  24. #24
    I'm in Jail

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    I could never get my head around all those thailand expats having to do border runs every 3 months or so. That shit must get old real quick for me. Infact I wouldn't put myself through that nonsense. Just smile and pony up and give somchai a bung . Call it corruption? Call it a tip? Whatever. As long as it makes life easier

  25. #25
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    Should one have problems getting the 6x4cm photos called for by your TM7 (extension of stay) one can use
    FREE Passport Photos by ePassportPhoto.com
    Select Greece as your country
    There is a minute to wait if you choose to obtain a jpg with four-photos rather than sending the image to one of their partners in the US.
    I simply change my shirt and expression and I create set of photos.
    One can get 2x2-inch photos for US and most other passports at the same time.
    Print them at one of the photo machines, e.g. most Big Camera have one at their entrance.Non Imm O annual extension-s_photosheet_4x6_cm-jpg
    My main problem is remembering where I hid the bookmark.

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