Can a Visa Agency Expedite the Issuance of a Certificate of Residence in Chiang Mai?

May 1, 2023
2 years ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I need a Certificate of Residence so I can update my driving license with my new passport number. I've been told that it will take 30 days? Can a Visa agency do this quicker, I live in Chiang mai by the way.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat in Chiang Mai requests information on obtaining a Certificate of Residence to update their driving license with a new passport number. They mention a standard wait of 30 days for the certificate and inquire about the possibility of a visa agency speeding up this process. Comments suggest that, typically, a Certificate of Residence can often be obtained the next day by paying extra at the Immigration Office in Chiang Mai, with experiences indicating varying practices among officers. Despite the original query, various responses discuss the necessity and timeliness of the certificate, with some suggesting that waiting for renewal may be a viable alternative.
Ally ************
I had exactly the same experience when requesting a residence certificate at the IO in Chiang Mai recently.. went to the 2nd floor as directed.. dealt with on a 1:1 basis by a very friendly lady.. was asked to pay 500 bht for it and was told it would arrive in the post 4-weeks later.. she even gave me the exact date it would arrive.. asked if there was an express service to expedite the process and offered to pay for it.. since i needed it urgently to open a bank account.. but was informed that there wasn't and i'd simply have to wait.. when i queried why the process took so long she was unable to offer an explanation and just said that was the processing time.. the letter/certificate arrived on the stated day and was delivered by courier.. not a day earlier or a day later.. this delay cost me the best part of a month seasoning my bank deposit and ate into my visa stamp.. i believe they knew this and contrived to ensure I'd have to pay for another extension before being able to submit my non-o visa application.. it seems other people have been offered an express service for the same 500 bht.. or weren't charged for the standard waiting time.. so it would seem to suggest that individual immigration officers can do what they want.. and may even vary their response dependent upon mood or the day of the week.. very frustrating if you're an expat thats arrived from a western country.. where govt agencies adopt a uniform practice across all branches and staff are not at liberty to do as they please!
Jushangin ********
Jushangin ********
Across from CM immigration is a place that will do your Residency Permit in 24hrs. 1000 baht though.....
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
Thanks for that in case my letter doesn't arrive!
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I appreciate everyone's comments, it seems that the Chiangmai Immigration do same day certificates so why was I told to go to the 2nd floor I have been waiting nearly a month now, all very confusing. Don't wish to appear ungrateful but know one has actually answered my original question, can a visa agent do this for me but much quicker??
David ********
@John ********
yes they do everything much quicker
Andrew ******
lucky your not in Nonthaburi. Went yesterday to get it and was told they no longer issue them and that the TM30 will suffice due to an agreement with DLT. Went to DLT and they said go to immigration.
Paul *******
@Andrew *****
Strange, but the Chatuchak office might be less fussy about the need for either. Depends on what you need done. I know that to apply for a new car passport or to extend one, Chatuchak does not require proof of residency. Other offices in Bangkok do.
Andrew ******
Not yet. I read it may be possible to get from district police station, I plan to try that eventually. WIll update you if it does.
Emily ******
@Andrew *****
Hi Andrew, l have the same issue too. Did you find a solution?
Kim *********
strange it should take so long - I recently went to immi Udon Thani - waited around 30 minutes then said I want a certificate of residence to open another bank account - waited around 20 minutes and got it (500 baht)
Frank-Steven ***********
No need to renew the license before it expires, just because you meanwhile have a different passport number. May not even be possible - extension of drivers license only possible 3 month before expiry, I believe.
Daniel ********
Does anybody know if I can get an extension as soon as I arrive? It is my first time in Thailand. 
Jushangin ********
@Daniel *******
yes. I got the 30 days on arrival stamp, went to immigration the next day to extend it for another 7 days.
Daniel ********
@James ********
Thank you very much.
Daniel ********
@James ********
can I extend it for another 30 days?
James **************
@Daniel *******
just wait until.a week before your 30 days is up then go to your local.immigrarion with TM30, passport photos etc and fill out the form for an extra 30 days - 1900 bhat
David ****************
take 0-3h . . .. at immigration 300b
David ********
Can get same day usually from immigration 300bht I paid last month it lasts for 30 days
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
Was this in Chiang mai. I went last month and was told to go up to the second floor to the Certificate of Residence desk, gave the officer everything filled in prepaid envelope and was told it would take 30 days.
David ********
@John ********
no my local imm that’s crazy it took me 5 mins I had 3 done 900bht ready in seconds
Brian *******
Just wait until renewal. Why go through the extra drama?
John *************
@Brian ******
Yes, I kept my old passport number on my license until it expired. No one ever cared. And it was updated when I renewed.
Gray ******
@John ************
They put my pink card number on my DL at my last renewal instead of my passport.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ************
I agree, but I may have to hire a car and if they compare passport and license there may be a problem. Iam great believer in stopping potential problems before they become real ones.
Paul *******
@John ********
There won't be a problem..they don't care.
John *************
@John ********
I should add that I had insurance claims during this time and no one cared that the passport numbers didn’t match up. Because with insurance claims no one looks at your passport anyway.
John *************
@John ********
Sure. I’m the same way. I’m just saying I never had a problem renting cars overseas or here or with anything else Thai. I don’t think anyone here takes a Thai DL very seriously. If it’s a serious paperwork issue they’ll always want your passport or other ID.

Just my experience.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ************
I should say when I may have to rent a car I mean rent a car in the Uk. That's why I need my license updating.
John *************
@John ********
Yeah, I don't know UK laws so no idea. My worked in the US without matching numbers.
Paul *******
@John ************
It won't be an issue. I am a dual citizen with multiple passports and when I rent a car abroad, it depends on the country as to which license I present. Also, in western countries you generally don't have to present a passport to rent a vehicle, a driver's license alone is usually enough.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did in fact go to the Immigration Office, I was sent to the second floor and did what they asked and was told it would be ready by 6 May, I paid for as repaid envelop and was told it would be sent to my address. The thing is I am going to the UK next month and I need my license updating with my new passport number, why they want the Residence Certificate is beyond me. I just wanted to know if these visa agencies could do it quicker than 30 odd days.
Brandon ************
@John ********
go and request another certificate using the method I wrote about
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Terry **********
The residence cert lasts for 30 days
Andy *******
Yes
Brandon ************
Usually in Chiang Mai you can pay 500₿ at the residence certificate desk to pickup your certificate the next day.

Try to go early as they may have already accepted too many "express" certificates if you go later.

Also if there's a long line sometimes they will not offer the express.

Finally if there's another immigration officer standing in the room sometimes they will not offer it as well because it may be someone that would report them for accepting the 500₿.

Usually the easiest way to do it is have all of your paperwork ready and just hand it over with the 500₿ all at once so nothing looks unusual. Then ask them if you can pick it up tomorrow.

If they say no, check if any of the things I mentioned above seem to be the case at that time and possibly either wait until less people in line or the officer leaves the room and try again, or try again a different day.
Giorgio ******
@Brandon ***********
no problem for the 500 baths , it's not even a subject , as you get a receit and anyway there are always 3 or 4 agents in the room. There is absolutely no reason to deal with this matter as if it was suspicious , for it's not .
Brandon ************
@Giorgio *****
you don't get a receipt for the 500₿. Only for the "normal" way that takes a month.
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