What are the current challenges at the Chiang Mai Immigration Office regarding COVID-19 visa extensions?

Jan 25, 2021
4 years ago
Joseph ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Chiang Mai Immigration office : COVID-19 Update

Spend the majority of the day at the Chiang Mai immigration office - airport location . Leaving this as a heads up for other people having to do their covid-19 this week.

I went to the Chiang Mai immigration office this morning at 6:53 and got in line and ended up not leaving until afternoon. This was because the immigration officer took it upon herself to try to deny me a covid-19 stamp because she felt that I should be getting a non o marriage visa extension for a year. I patiently tried to explain to her that I was on a Visa that was a multi-entry and could not leave the country until the borders opened up again.

So after several hours she told me that if she gave me a covid-19 stamp it would only be for an under consideration for 15 days and then I would have to come back and get a real covid-19 stamp. The whole time telling me that I needed a Thai bank account because next time I won't get a covid-19 stamp because I'm married.

So there you go just a warning that Chiang Mai immigration office is being dicks and they are seeming to be playing games because I wasn't the only one that they pulled out of line several times.
1,845
views
6
likes
53
all likes
19
replies
1
images
8
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post details a user's lengthy experience at the Chiang Mai immigration office concerning issues obtaining a COVID-19 extension stamp. The individual faced resistance from the immigration officer, who insisted on a non-O marriage visa extension instead, despite the user's explanation of their multi-entry visa status. The post serves as a warning to others seeking similar extensions, noting delays and inconsistent requirements, including the need for a Thai bank account.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Benjamin ******
This has gone far enough.

1. In this group, we have a no-agent policy. We don't talk, mention, or even acknowledge agents exist. Mentioning agents can result in a comment being deleted, to the person making the comment about the agent being removed from the group.

2. Different people desire the 60 day extension of stay based on COVID-19 for different reasons. There is NOTHING in the police order saying "People on multiple entry Non-O visas based on marriage do not qualify". If you are rejected for that reason, stand your ground (nicely).

3. A person CAN GO from a extension of stay based on visiting Thai family TO AN extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national (or raising half-Thai children) inside Thailand, assuming all requirements are met.

If anyone thinks this post should be reopened, send a mod a message along with a reason why.
Colin *******
Exactly the same situation on friday at ubon ratchathani the IO told me the last one, put 400,000 in the bank ??

Not interested that I've been here almost 8 years supporting my thai wife and family !!!
Alan *******
@Colin ******
Mate I've been Married to my Thai Wife for 28 Years in 2 Weeks Time & Supported Her & Her Family, Immigration DO NOT Give 2 Hoots...
Colin *******
@Alan ******
yes on Friday that was relayed to me also.
Tod *********
@Colin ******
unfortunately if you're gong to stay here long term the year long multi-entry Non-O's aren't gonna cut it anymore AND people are gonna be able to stay here on back-2-back covid extensions only for so long,

AT

some point you're gonna hafta bite the bullet and get an in country extension or leave.

It's sad that it will come down to that, but believe me people it will.

There is nothing in the cards that says the borders are gonna open any time soon and people are gonna be able to bounce out and back
Colin *******
@Tod ********
Thank you Tod your statement is good advice and all taken in.

Ok so on friday 29th. Of this month if the powers to be grant another 60 days covid 19 can IO take it on themselves to refuse to grant a further extension.

Promise last questionTod.
Joseph ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
exactly
Bobby ********
Why would you need to leave the country? Can't you do a non-O (married to a Thai) inside Thailand?
Alan *******
@Bobby *******
NO............
Bobby ********
Alan Brown. Pre-covid a friend of mine went from tourist visa to a 60-day extension (visiting Thai family) then onto the 12-month non-O (married to a Thai). I thought it would still be the same, but I'm not clued up with the spouse criteria
Joseph ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
theoretically yes but I don't have enough money I go to school full-time online back in the United States. So most of my money goes to college which means I can only show I make 800 USD a month
Bobby ********
Joseph Graham. So you can't meet the criteria? Ok. It seems there's a crackdown on married people using the covid extensions to stay in the country. There was another report earlier. You might need to pass the hat around amongst your family and friends to raise the 400k!
Joseph ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
thanks for the update and not really possible considering I'm the one supporting myself and my wife and helping her parents on top of going to school full-time.
Paul ********
Curious how busy was it, being the last week for covid extensions?
Dave **********
@Paul *******
I got there around 9.30am, got under consideration stamp 1.30pm. Much busier than I expected but this was my first extension , next time I’ll be a little more organised
Paul ********
@Dave *********
would you mind saying what you were extending Dave? I'm on a 60 day TR visa to Feb. 15th. and was gonna try for a first covid extension to get a couple of extra weeks over the usual 30 day extension.
Dave **********
@Paul *******
yep extended TR visa. I also skipped the usual 30 day extension and went straight to covid. Seems to be done from date of application not visa expiry so all in I only got another 20 days more than I would of if I got the Normal 30 day extension
Joseph ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
every seat was full
Paul ********
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice