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What are the dress code requirements for submitting a visa application at Jomtien Immigration Office?
Jul 31, 2025
9 months ago
Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHad an interesting experience at Jomtien Immigration Office this morning. I was there applying for my yearly extension of stay based on marriage. Handed over the wad of paperwork to the lady at desk 6 that deals with Thai family. After checking all the financials and marriage documents she homes in on the family photos. She spoke to my wife and returned all the documents and rejected our application. Apparently my wife was inappropriately dressed for a visa application in the photos. We were both wearing shorts and T-shirts. All three previous extensions had been granted with the exact same photos. So we had to return to our condo and get a fresh set of photos taken and printed and then back to Immigration to resubmit our application. Eventually we walked out of the Office at 1pm with the under consideration stamp in my passport. The Immigration Officer who rejected the photos was the same Officer who had previously accepted them. Go figure....
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience at the Jomtien Immigration Office when attempting to apply for a yearly extension of stay based on marriage, only to have their application rejected due to their attire in family photos. Previous extensions had been approved with the same photos, highlighting inconsistencies in the application process. The discussion that followed pointed out various opinions on proper attire for government offices, the challenges of dealing with immigration rules in Thailand, and the frustrations that expats often face.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
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Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
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Stephen ***********
PMT
Kim *******
They (Thai immigration officials) just love jerking us around. My particular home immigration office is one of the very worst.
Michael ******
Some people simply like to exercise their power, however small and insignificant it may be
John *******
3 previous extentions using the same set of photos each time?
Paul *******************
Is there a separate desk for married expats applying for renewing their retirement visa? A few years ago there was a lady checking my paperwork and she was nitpicking over everything but I finally got my Visa. The last few times I've gone the clerk was a young man and I had everything in order he processed my retirement visa in 5 minutes
Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******************
the retirement desk and Thai family desk are completely separate in Jomtien.Paul *******************
@Pete ******
That's where I go to the Jomtien office, but I'm single so I hope to get the young man again to process my paperwork and things go smoothly next week this always freaks me out dealing with immigration some of the people are nice and some of them are really particular about everything and just don't seem to want you here I don't understand it...Reply to
Paul *******************
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Mark ********
I’ve been getting my visa at Korat immigration for five years and never had any problems. In and in two hours max.
Matthew *********
Funny statement I saw a couple days. Easier to settle war than to deal with immigration or thai banks. Really says a lot this place. Is thaskin run in the country now 555
Julian *******
How pathetic
James **************
I always assumed bs like that was their way of persuading you to use an agent....
Jeff *******
Love the entitled comments from the Chang vests, they will absolutely bore the crap out of anyone within 100 metres about 'the boats' etc, then whine like a girl they're not allowed to live in Thailand on next to nothing, whilst not working! haha couldn't make it up
Oo *****
Can't win at immigration.
Eric ***************
T.i.t
Liam ***********
Foreigners will always be foreigners in Thailand
Jeff *******
@Liam **********
ahhhh need a cuddle?Reply to
Jeff *******
Reply
Stephen ********
It's clear they don't want us here. It's an issue we all have to deal with. 50,000 non-o immigrants each spending 1,000,000 B a year...50 trillion B.
Jeff *******
@Stephen *******
Don't be a plank, they don't want poor people here, every country has the same attitude.Richard ********
@Stephen *******
billion not trillion.Reply to
Richard ********
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Ben *******
Sounds just like Thailand unrealistic and unreasonable for foreigners or immigrants. They steady do things like this and then look all shocked when they are skipped in massive numbers by tourist. Who wants to deal with this?
Jeff *******
@Ben ******
Only tourists don't need visas! Carry on....Reply to
Jeff *******
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Ian **********
I was rejected last year at Nakhon Sawan because the requirement of 4 photos (2 outside and 2 inside) has now risen to 8
Stefan ************
They love to send you back to get something else. Maybe they have an internal competition on who sends the most people back each day.🤣
Jeff *******
@Stefan ***********
OR just get an adult to help you do it right the first time?Stefan ************
@Jeff ******
hahaha. Who? You?You obviously haven't been to that particular office and that particular counter....
Reply to
Stefan ************
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Janet **********
TIT
Kal *********
Thailand is a country full or irony ... religious temples and whore houses goes hand in hand with
Jon ******
Sounds like a big opportunity for Vietnam better services and lower costs without the constant bribery and scams for foreigners.
Jeff *******
@Jon *****
Like comparing Nigeria to Monaco, but hey, I guess you cheap charlies know best!Sue **********
@Jon *****
but you don‘t have any type of visa thereJon ******
@Sue *********
it sounds like they are going to have a retirement visa soon but who really knowsSue **********
@Jon *****
Well if somebody criticises the Thai government, I wonder why would somebody then choose an other country to live with which is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). 🤷Reply to
Sue **********
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Des *******
one of the biggest myths about Thailand is about being dressed up. If you have status, you're on clover; clothes don't prove status, only you don't have it , by being over smart it just shows you are trying to give a false impression.
Walt ********
That's a new one
Roberto *********
Told you before about wearing that "BAD BOYS GO TO PATTAYA" T-Shirt! 😂😂
Phil ******
@Pete ******
YEP YOU FORGOT THE FIRST rule. Long trousers and collared shirts. Many reports all over of people being deniedTry again tomorrow
Hartmut ********
Sowas ähnliches haben wir in Hua Hin mitbekommen. Da war auch eine Thailänderin schulterfrei. Sie hat sich dann ein Tuch von meiner Frau geliehen. Dann hat es funktioniert.
Cris ******
Every year there seems to be some new "issue" the crappy part is. We live in Isaan and our closest IO is 1.5 hours away. So when they reject something for whatever reason. Restarting the paperwork is another trip down to korat city. I despise the fact on a marriage visa it's a mountain of paperwork and problems every year.
Roberto *********
@Cris *****
The Joys of living in a place like Isaan. One day there is one day too long for me!Cris ******
@Roberto ********
my last extension was 3 visits... haha. I have another one coming up that im absolutely dreading.Reply to
Cris ******
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Av **********
In Laos you have to not only be fully clothed but dressed in traditional garments to enter any government building
Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Av *********
the post is not about attending the Immigration Office it’s about the photos required within your own home.Av **********
@Pete ******
yes i understand that i was just stating how easy you got it...........in border countries there is even more rules.Reply to
Av **********
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Martin **********
I noticed, that every year, they try to find a reason, to let you come back. I had this for my retirement visa also, giving them the same as usual. Last year they wanted a marriage certificate in English (My wife is on my visa, being Philippine), now they wanted it in Thai. Bad luck for them, I also brought the originals, as I know the game a bit.
Jeff *******
@Martin *********
Because you genuinely thought that matters to them right? ffs how insecure are you?Martin **********
@Jeff ******
How insecure are you to write such a nasty comment, about someone you never met? If I were insecure, I would pay an office to do it for me. I always managed well, thank you.Reply to
Martin **********
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Roberto *********
@Martin *********
Have to say I've never had those problems at CWReply to
Roberto *********
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Patrick ********
Thai government offices DRESS SMART ACT SMARTER
Alexander *******
Photo shop with that fancy drsss
Will ************
Usual rule is fresh photos every year not using the same from previous years
Roberto *********
@Will ***********
Yes, but what does that have to do with his post?Reply to
Roberto *********
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Steve ****
Another day on Thailand…
Bent *************
Tit
Laurel *******
FFS!
Steven ***************
7 spouse extensions at Changwatanna. Personally for non o spouse.. Never had a home visit. Used same passport photos for 3 years. One year collection was delayed 2 hours because imm officer forgot to sign stamp in my passport..
Rules seem to vary between individual officers.
Beware the IO at CW with the lazy eye. A headache. Made an issue over everything.. until wife berated her for being petty. Wife is CFO of one of thailands biggest companies. All smooth since then.
Bring everything plus copies and normally it's ok.
Rules seem to vary between individual officers.
Beware the IO at CW with the lazy eye. A headache. Made an issue over everything.. until wife berated her for being petty. Wife is CFO of one of thailands biggest companies. All smooth since then.
Bring everything plus copies and normally it's ok.
Markie ******
@Steven **************
so you have to find a wife who is a CFO? Not sure that's relevant or being superiorReply to
Markie ******
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Jarek ************
Seems like TH is going out of their way to make expat's life more difficult... When VN starts to offer retirement visa I think tons will just move and not deal with the BS.
Chuck **********
Roberto *********
@Jarek ***********
But most use CW immigration, I've never had any problems thereMichael ********
@Jarek ***********
I agreeReply to
Michael ********
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Porky ******
That her way of hinting to put a 1k note in the passport for her…
TiT
TiT
Christopher ***********
@Porky *****
I would have offered 500 baht instead of making another 156km round trip (in my case).Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Jeremy ********
Now you know
Professional attire only
Professional attire only
Jordi ********
We dressed our Labrador differently for every photo:)
Kevin *********
I guess lesson learnt huh
Peter *******
Maybe next time wear a 3 piece suit same for the mrs
Pete **********
You say three previous extensions had been granted using the exact same photos! Strange as new photos should be taken for every yearly application.
Pete **********
The very idea of presenting ‘new photographs’ is to show you are still in a relationship. Otherwise you could just carry on using one set of photographs for ever more - obviously there is more to this story than you are stating.
Sven ********
@Pete *********
nopeMichael ********
@Sven *******
Yes we were told had to be new photos in Samat @Sak***
Reply to
Michael ********
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David ******
Thanks for the advise
Allan *******
Kinda weird because don't they send someone out to take other pictures and collect more information?
Tayaout *****************
@Allan ******
Not always. It happened to me only once in 6 years when I changed office last year.Reply to
Tayaout *****************
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Bill **********
Never wear shorts and T shirts at government offices 😂
Murray *******
@Bill *********
nothing wrong with wearing shorts at immigration- most people doJan ******************
@Bill *********
only clothes I wear in Thailand and with sandals and I’ve always got what I wanted by friendly people.Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bill *********
I was dressed casually for photos inside my own home. When attending Immigration we always dress respectfully.Colin **********
@Pete ******
we all do, at home its our rules lolBill **********
@Pete ******
Sorry I got it wrong 🙁Reply to
Bill **********
Reply
Euan ********
@Bill *********
they didn't.Ian **********
@Leeann *********
Read the OP again!!Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leeann *********
I wrote in the photos, we were dressed casually for family photos inside our own home, we always dress respectfully when attending Immigration.Adam *********
@Leeann *********
actually he said they wore that in the photosJay *******
@Leeann *********
I was there yesterday. The place was filled with shorts and t shirtsJeff *******
@Jay ******
That makes it ok? at immigration now, they're so tired of the peasants they actually have to display boards telling you to be respectful! Embarrassed much?Jay *******
@Jeff ******
what an idiot 🙄Jeff *******
@Jay ******
Usual reasoned FB muppet response! 🤣Jay *******
@Jeff ******
if the shoe fits.......Jeff *******
@Jay ******
Brilliant 👏👏👏Reply to
Jeff *******
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Colin **********
I'm not surprised (anymore) how did you dress going to immigration?
Dennis *********
Braulio *********
@Colin *********
T I TPete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
same as always, respectfully.Colin **********
@Pete ******
good manReply to
Colin **********
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Todd *********
This is why agents are booming
Jeff *******
@Todd ********
Here's a prediction for you, within 24 months the Agent route will be gone. Bookmark this and come back to me then and ask me how I knew...Todd *********
@Jeff ******
I'm happy to take your money. There is zero chance of thatReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Wayne ********
@Ar ******
Thank fuck for corruption 🙏Todd *********
@Wayne *******
in western countries, we prefer to call it taxation and pretend we are superior as a resultReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
@Robert ********
the agent will ABSOLUTELY do better. That’s their job. They make the silliness go away.Todd *********
@Robert ********
the visa won’t be rejected. That’s the whole ideaTodd *********
@Robert ********
only a small percentage of people need an agent. But many people who value their time aren’t going to be wasting their time with absurd bureaucratic silliness like this post. Others can’t afford an agent and are stuck standing in line every year at bank and immigration office. Up to you. I sense you and Pete might be excellent at standing in line for bureaucratic tom foolery. And if you budget is 1900 baht… it’s a good route
David *******
@Todd ********
it's everyone's right to pursue their own approach without criticism implying they're somehow not quite in same budget as Mr Rich. Such comments are total BS. Succumbing to the explicit and implicit pressures of capricious officials or agents (often having a clear vested interest) is not a virtue but a weakness...being exploited and ripped off. The guys who push back politely but assertively refusing to be the next victim is indeed a sign of a strong will controlling one's situation despite the howling greedy wolf pack. Stand your ground. Don't give an inch. Ffs being retired means having time to play their stupid game. Don't surrender. Wear them down whilst holding your smile!Dany ********
@Todd ********
„people value their time“. i guess thats the same retirees that allways tell me they dont have time and are so busy 🤣🤣Todd *********
@Dany *******
If you don't value your time, that's awesome. But i'm not standing in line like a high school kid at my age for sure lolReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Ar *******
@Robert ********
yes but this time it will pass over the desk with an incentive to clear it , I imagine!Todd *********
@Robert ********
great idea taking your silliness down. You were taking a beating mate. cheer upRobert *********
@Todd ********
immigration follows pages like this.Todd *********
@Robert ********
Even better that you deleted your stupidity then. It's apparent that fear owns you and your life. Best stay inside and these pages mate. Or learn to back up your own commentsReply to
Todd *********
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