So I got a 30 day extension to the latest stamp on my METV. I was in the Jomtien office. I thought I'd share some observations as the process has changed slightly since my last time doing it.
1. When you pick up the forms they give you a TM.7 and a TM.30.
2. When you go to get your queue number, they give you a number for desk #10, in the TM.30 room.
People in the TM.30 room with TM.30 receipts stapled in their passports had them removed and the new TM.30 stapled in and were processed quickly.
Those without TM.30 receipts in their passports after the 24 hour expiry were being requested to get their landlords on their phones so the immigration officials could have a "chat" with the landlord. If you didn't have a phone you had a problem. If you couldn't get your landlord on the phone, you had a problem.
People were asking, "can we just pay the fine"? The answer was "yes, 1600 baht", "but it's not your responsibility to pay the fine, it's your landlord's responsibility".
They only had one desk with a computer, and if your TM.30 was filed electronically and/or you didn't have the receipt, that officer was checking the database.
I had number 48, and they called #1 at 13:00 sharp. They had 4 officers working at the desk. It took about 25 minutes to get to number 48. If a number was called and that person didn't respond within 30 seconds, they immediately moved on to the next number. People with numbers that got skipped were being serviced next, but the majority of those never showed up.
3. After getting the TM.30 processed, you need a photocopy of the receipt to be attached to the TM.7.
4. You then go back to the Information desk to get a queue ticket for desk #1, in my case.
5. The rest of the process after that remained the same, wait for number, present TM.7 and money, wait for your number to be called again, pick up passport with stamp. I was out of there shortly after 14:00.
From what I could determine, all foreigners processing extensions, not sure about other services, were being routed to desk #10 for TM.30 verification before being sent to the appropriate queue for their requested service.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares an updated experience on extending a Thai METV visa at the Jomtien immigration office, highlighting changes in procedures. They note the use of TM.7 and TM.30 forms, the need for landlords' confirmation via phone for TM.30 compliance, and the process flow involving queue management and document submission. Emphasis is placed on the challenges faced by those without TM.30 receipts and the friendly behavior of Thai staff despite some obnoxious foreign applicants. Several comments follow, discussing costs, system management differences by location, and the overall efficiency of the Jomtien office.
