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What are the dress code requirements for submitting a visa application at Jomtien Immigration Office?

Jul 31, 2025
2 days ago
Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Had 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....
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience at the Jomtien Immigration Office while applying for a marriage-based extension of stay. Despite having previously submitted the same photos, their application was rejected due to their attire in the family photos, which the officer deemed inappropriate (both were in shorts and t-shirts). After getting new photos taken, they ultimately received an 'under consideration' stamp. This incident sparked discussions among other expats about the varying rules and the importance of a proper dress code when dealing with Thai immigration offices.
Phil ******
@Pete ******
YEP YOU FORGOT THE FIRST rule. Long trousers and collared shirts. Many reports all over of people being denied

Try 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Michael ********
Porky ******
That her way of hinting to put a 1k note in the passport for her…

TiT
Christopher ***********
@Porky *****
I would have offered 500 baht instead of making another 156km round trip (in my case).
Jeremy ********
Now you know

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.
Sven ********
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.
Bill **********
Never wear shorts and T shirts at government offices 😂
Jan ******************
@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 lol
Bill **********
@Pete ******
Sorry I got it wrong 🙁
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 photos
Jay *******
@Leeann *********
I was there yesterday. The place was filled with shorts and t shirts
Colin **********
I'm not surprised (anymore) how did you dress going to immigration?
Dennis *********
Braulio *********
Pete *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *********
same as always, respectfully.
Colin **********
@Pete ******
good man
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 that
Wayne ********
@Ar ******
Thank fuck for corruption 🙏
Todd *********
@Wayne *******
in western countries, we prefer to call it taxation and pretend we are superior as a result
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 idea
Todd *********
@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 lol
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 up
Robert *********
@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 comments
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