Answered7 months ago
What has been your experience with the immigration process in Chonburi for visa extensions?
Today I was at Immigration in Chonburi to extend my 60-day visa by 30 days - and I am now both tired and disappointed. Despite submitting a complete and correct application a month ago, and had an appointment today at. 08:30, the process today took over four hours. But it wasn't really the time that was the big problem - but the confusion. Several different queues, several license plates and no clear information about where to go. You had to ask yourself all the time. The feeding system was messy and difficult to understand and communication from the staff was basically non-existent. Unfortunately, I also experienced the staff as unpleasant and uninterested in helping. Another little strange thing was also that the pass was open in drawers in the waiting room - felt unsafe. By the way, my experience in Thailand - in terms of service in shops, restaurants and other activities - is very positive. Everyone is helpful, accommodating and happy but when it comes to authorities, my experience is unfortunately the opposite. Anyone else had a similar experience?
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Idag var jag på Immigration i Chonburi för att förlänga mitt 60-dagarsvisum med 30 dagar – och jag är nu både trött och besviken. Trots att jag lämnade in en komplett och korrekt ansökan för en månad sedan, och hade en bokad tid idag kl. 08:30, tog processen idag över fyra timmar. Men det var egentligen inte tiden som var det stora problemet – utan förvirringen. Flera olika köer, flera nummerlappar och ingen tydlig information om vart man skulle gå. Man fick fråga sig fram hela tiden. Kösystemet var rörigt och svårt att förstå och kommunikationen från personalen var i princip obefintlig. Tyvärr upplevde jag också personalen som otrevlig och ointresserad av att hjälpa till. En annan liten märklig sak var också att pass låg öppet i lådor i väntrummet - kändes otryggt. Min erfarenhet av Thailand i övrigt – när det gäller service i butiker, restauranger och andra aktiviteter – är väldigt positiv. Alla är hjälpsamma, tillmötesgående och glada men när det gäller myndigheter är min upplevelse tyvärr den motsatta. Någon annan som haft liknande erfarenhet?
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Idag var jag på Immigration i Chonburi för att förlänga mitt 60-dagarsvisum med 30 dagar – och jag är nu både trött och besviken. Trots att jag lämnade in en komplett och korrekt ansökan för en månad sedan, och hade en bokad tid idag kl. 08:30, tog processen idag över fyra timmar. Men det var egentligen inte tiden som var det stora problemet – utan förvirringen. Flera olika köer, flera nummerlappar och ingen tydlig information om vart man skulle gå. Man fick fråga sig fram hela tiden. Kösystemet var rörigt och svårt att förstå och kommunikationen från personalen var i princip obefintlig. Tyvärr upplevde jag också personalen som otrevlig och ointresserad av att hjälpa till. En annan liten märklig sak var också att pass låg öppet i lådor i väntrummet - kändes otryggt. Min erfarenhet av Thailand i övrigt – när det gäller service i butiker, restauranger och andra aktiviteter – är väldigt positiv. Alla är hjälpsamma, tillmötesgående och glada men när det gäller myndigheter är min upplevelse tyvärr den motsatta. Någon annan som haft liknande erfarenhet?
Answer summary
The poster shares a frustrating experience at the Chonburi immigration office when trying to extend a 60-day visa, citing confusion, long wait times, and unhelpful staff as major issues. Community comments reflect a mix of experiences, with many suggesting the use of agents to ease the process, while others share their contrasting positive experiences at different immigration offices in Thailand. Some advise that visiting at specific times or having a Thai speaker can significantly improve the experience.
92 repliesnewest first
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Ronny *************
I have extended my visa by 30 days twice now. It was very easy when they told me exactly what documents I needed. They were nice and helped me if I needed help.
Garry *********
Immigration in particular are much happier if you have a Thai with you, especially outside Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It minimizes the language barrier and saves face if their English is not good. I was once queried very early in a visit to Immigration in a smaller city office as to why I didnt have a Thai with me.
Matts *************
I guess you’re not in Kansas anymore
Allan *******
Talk to big boss. If get same talk to bangkok
Dave *******
Slip the IO 500bht. Works every time.
GentleC********
Immigration is my biggest nightmare in Thailand usually I'd better not extend and fly home or cross the border
Si ********
shopkeepers and restaurant staff are motivated by sales; government officials have no motivation to help farang. at least with agents, they can chit-chat and gossip. the reality is they are overworked and underpaid.
Hans ******************
Jodå, Thailand slår Sveriges myndigheter med en hårsmån i överdriven byråkrati! 😂
Att allt ska ansökas på papper, där varenda papperslapp ska signeras i denna dataålder är vansinnigt.
Ny förlängning, nya papper...🤣
Att allt ska ansökas på papper, där varenda papperslapp ska signeras i denna dataålder är vansinnigt.
Ny förlängning, nya papper...🤣
Bill *******
You just settle in... make sure your paperwork is correct as possible...people hold up the lines because they have not done their homework and not much prepared.. frustrating for those waiting and frustrating for the staff particularly visitors who are very aggressive at times...on first appearance the system looks confusing..take a breath.. ask others around you and what appears confusing can help....get there early... very early... its a busy one in pattaya...politeness will be met with politeness.. I would t want to work there for quids.
Failing all that ..yes use an agent maybe first time then have an adventure next time once you have settled in
Go with the flow because going against it will get you absolutely nowhere.
Failing all that ..yes use an agent maybe first time then have an adventure next time once you have settled in
Go with the flow because going against it will get you absolutely nowhere.
James ******
You felt unsafe? Why? I've had enough of that for 15 years and now I use an agent and it takes five minutes
Terary **********
Everybody in Pattaya has had similar experiences. This is more so true in Pattaya than other immigration offices. The reality is, they don't want to help you. They want you to pay an agent to help you.
It doesnt' really matter if you show up with all the paperwork or not. If you have an appointment or not. They'll find a reason to send you away.
It doesnt' really matter if you show up with all the paperwork or not. If you have an appointment or not. They'll find a reason to send you away.
Terry ********
Yes, that’s the way it is in that office. In Chiang Mai, there is still a wait but there is a logical process and service is given with a smile. They even have drive-through 90 day reports.
Peter *********
Terry Shurts this last couple of months Chiang Mai has been besieged. It seems the little middle eastern adventure has caused chaos. But as mentioned, at entry you get a ticket based on your needs. You get called for document check. All being well, you get another ticket which is place in a queue for being processed inside. If you want to be quick, get there at 6:30 to get your ticket for document checking. Even then it may take you all day if there are left overs from the day before.
Terry ********
Peter Goundry as long as I’m not fighting a deadline, I prefer to go in the afternoon when most of the other people are already processed.
Gilou *********
Bah ! Retournez chez vous 👋
Miyamoto *********
Just another whinging farang!!!!!
Petrov ********
If you going after 2 pm or after 3 pm will take no more of 40 min. You take wrong way to get hour on 8.30. And in the mooring always busy.
Ken ************
Get an agent and take away all the stress
Paul ******
Cant go past an agent
Tom *******
It’s all deliberate so you’ll get pissed off and use an agent. If it was quick, smooth and easy you wouldn’t. Corruption is endemic here and everything runs according to how much money changes hands and to whom. Good luck.
Ant *******
You have to remember .. Immigration staff are the communist party of Thailand. They work dull boring jobs for little money and they hate you. You AREN'T THAI. They think you should holiday, give them all your money and fk off.
Always remember ... envy is a deadly sin and they envy everything you have and are.
I pay an agent to do everything .. stress free done in minutes.
Can't stand even looking at one nasty POS in there. Rude, Arrogant, Racist, Obnoxious and prone to Lying.
Always remember ... envy is a deadly sin and they envy everything you have and are.
I pay an agent to do everything .. stress free done in minutes.
Can't stand even looking at one nasty POS in there. Rude, Arrogant, Racist, Obnoxious and prone to Lying.
Peter *********
My only experience was extending by 30 days in Patong December last year (visa exempt not tourist visa that time). It was very efficient and I was in and out in 30 minutes and that was during high season. I think I must have been lucky.
Maybe your experience was as a result of staff sickness and people not familiar with the process covering, maybe new staff being trained- who knows but we all prefer a straightforward experience and when that doesn’t happen it’s disappointing.
Maybe your experience was as a result of staff sickness and people not familiar with the process covering, maybe new staff being trained- who knows but we all prefer a straightforward experience and when that doesn’t happen it’s disappointing.
Don ********
I agree IMMIGRATION STAFF ARE AWFUL, UNCARING AND UNHELPFUL. BUT THE tourist Police and the local ones are Polite, helpful and very friendly.
Brian *********
What type of visa? My experience extending my Visa exempt on arrival stamp for 30 days with seamless in Chiang Rye. 20 minutes tops.
oxley******
Go to Udon Thani, not as big but....
A recent shuffling of the management with a senior manager flexing muscles and making life as difficult as possible. Denying valid renewals, extracting largish cash fines for trivial reasons without receipts Sadly Thai immigration is more akin to individual fiefdoms than a cohesive, helpful body. I have a view that they look on farangs as unimportant, but of value if you get my drift.
A recent shuffling of the management with a senior manager flexing muscles and making life as difficult as possible. Denying valid renewals, extracting largish cash fines for trivial reasons without receipts Sadly Thai immigration is more akin to individual fiefdoms than a cohesive, helpful body. I have a view that they look on farangs as unimportant, but of value if you get my drift.
Marc *********
Still better than a Thai trying to get a Visa on your country which is practically impossible, so stop whining
Braulio *********
T I T
Henrik **************
Takes roughly 20 minutes in Udon thani.
Derek **********
Government workers same Al around the world they don't care a f..k
Dan *****
Det er meget forskel på immigratioer i hver provins.. general i syd Thailand er de virkelig hjælpsomme
Fabian *****************
Jens Sundin, kan bara beklaga. Tror att det är kombination av språkbarriär, dagsform på IO och samma fel/brister. Inte som i Sverige där myndighet har krav på service och att bistå. Jag gjorde min 90 dagars i Phuket Town. Hade allt med mig och lite till. På det kontoret fanns det två volontärer (?) som bistod och delade ut kölapp när de var nöjda. Jag tänkte det här går som en dans! Tills jag möte min IO och något var fel. Volontären var lika förvånad, så de pratade thailändska och jag fick förklaring på engelska av volontären.
Men ändå tacksam ”turister” hade eget a/c kylt hus med migranter och gästarbetare stod i långa köer i andra änden av området i värmen.
Men ändå tacksam ”turister” hade eget a/c kylt hus med migranter och gästarbetare stod i långa köer i andra änden av området i värmen.
Freddie **********
Only 4 hours! Very good. Don't complain!
Frances ********
I used the agency right next to immigration in Jomtien on Soi 5. Best 1,900 Baht paid (on top of the regular 1900 B charge for the extension). Saved me so much time vs sitting in the hot room waiting to be called. I didn’t have a TM30 but they took care of that too. Walked straight through immigration, past the lines of people in there waiting, with the agent who did everything for us. Win win for all. And I do believe immigration prefers working with the agents versus the tourist.
Roberto ************
Peut-être à Chonburi il faut y aller accompagné avec une personne qui parle le Thai … les autorités sont généralement méfiantes envers les étrangers !
Raffa ******
Thailand will loose 20% of good turist this year.
Peter *********
Raffa Rivo most tourists get 2 to 3 weeks vacation. Those covered under the visa waiver program, come, enjoy themselves, then head home.
Those who require 60, 90 days or more are not tourists and are probably scamming the system.
Those who require 60, 90 days or more are not tourists and are probably scamming the system.
Kenneth ************
YES, Pay an AGENT , NEXT TIME
Steve ***********
Go some other locations
Per ********
Vi gjorde min 30-dagars förl. i BKK tog 1,5 tim.
Vad jag tror , bidrog till underlättelse :
Använde agenten t vänster om Immigration-kontoret (där man får stämpeln) för att fylla blanketterna @ B100,- / långbyxor & struken skjorta / artig Thaifru.
Vad jag tror , bidrog till underlättelse :
Använde agenten t vänster om Immigration-kontoret (där man får stämpeln) för att fylla blanketterna @ B100,- / långbyxor & struken skjorta / artig Thaifru.
Paul ********
Get an agent.
Ove ********************
Nej inget liknande. Bara positiva "strokes" , var jag nu varit i kontakt med passpoliser här i Thailand. Frågan är nog mera vilken tid man ska välja att besöka Imigrationsmyndjghetens kontor. Senast var jag där en måndag kl 11 och var helt ensam på utsidan i väntrummet, men som vanligt supertrevligt bemötande.
SunnyChe*********
Pay an agent. My time is more valuable
Bill *********
SunnyChestnut4369 Absolutely right! I use my Visa agent for anything immigration related.
Night *******
It's by design. It is to remind you that you are a foreigner and you have no say in anything. Your country is a shit hole, and you cannot survive in your own country and can't afford to go to an expensive country either. So you will endure the treatment that is rendered to you and if you don't like it, you can leave.
Mark *******
Thailand can not afford an exodus of visitors,the figures are already down this year,according to their own Tourist Authority. Neighbouring Laos, Cambodia,and Vietnam,are already taking many would be Thailand visitors away from them. Fact! More accommodating, cheaper,and less bureaucratic.Thailand is my favourite country, but time to smell the coffee, stop the arrogance, be humble and pleasant,like the majority of Thais are. Don't listen to the doomsayers and pessimists, be happy and confident.
Steve **********
I paid 5000 baht & used agency I took my picture into immigration straight to front of queue 30 minutes total door / door no hassle ! Basically I paid agency 3000 baht to do it for me ! Well worth the money
Alan **********
Steve Thompson Welp, different strokes and all. I've spent no more than an hour or so in Jomtien, in season (Wednesdays only LOL), but if it's worth it to you, glad to hear it.
$90 USD for maybe an hour's time, 2 at the most, isn't worth it to me.
$90 USD for maybe an hour's time, 2 at the most, isn't worth it to me.
Jos *********
Alan Rothwell did yearly extension and 90 days, 40 minutes no issues and friendly people accommodating me… they even made a copy for me which I forgot. No agency!
Kenneth ************
Alan Rothwell So , did you pay 5000 bht or 3000 bht ??
John *********
Chonburi and Bangkok as mentioned are unique. Walk a mile in a Thai IO’s shoes if you will. The place is a madhouse, a lot of the clientele being ignorant, unprepared and frankly entitled. Unfortunately that’s where the response is pitched. Whereas my local office in Khon Kaen are fast, polite, efficient and obliging. But they do however happen to be very particular. Rules are rules.
Michael *******
I use the Bangkok Office, lines are similar to an NFL game experience…
Benny ***********
Håller med ang hanteringen av passen, en otrevlig fjant som lämnade pass lådan obevakad, folk som stod nära å väntade, ur dåligt system
50 tals stuk👎🏻
50 tals stuk👎🏻
Gary *******
I did mine last year in Sukhothai & the staff were very helpful. Yes it was quiet maybe compared to more tourist areas. But very good. First time I’ve ever done it & they explained what forms I needed to fill in etc. This year to save the bother I got an 90 day visa. Hopefully flights back to UK at beginning of May will be ok other wise I’ll be extending that. To summarise I guess the most popular tourist areas are going to be busy & perhaps the staff are overworked but I agree it’s there job & should be nice to people 😎
Tania **********
Best of luck to find your perfect match to your time here !
Hartmut ********
Wir leben seit knapp 5 Jahren hier. Beide Deutsch. Noch nie ein Problem mit den Behörden gehabt. Immer freundlich und hilfsbereit gewesen. Sogar auf dem Finanzamt
Todd *********
Agents thriving for a reason. Ignore the advice at your own peril
Simm ******
@Todd ********
hi Todd I have my first 90 day report in a couple weeks on my DTV visa, are you recommending I do this through/with the help of an agent? I was told there’s a place right next to immigration you can pay them to go in and submit ur forms for you… I’m not sure if that’s good advice …
Ju ********
Simm Sima Useless. It's just one form, 1-2docs and passport photocopies.
Todd *********
@Simm *****
no, you definitely don't need an agent for 90 day reporting. Or really for anything to do with DTV. Great on your own. There is a VisaTech office right outside immigration door and they can help IF you need or run into any issues. But should be absolutely no problem for youSimm ******
@Todd ********
thanks always appreciate ur advice
Gordon ************
I like the ones that think in Bangkok when the Thai Police have set up a sting operation, they’re having sex with an 8 year old girl and the FBI arrive on the scene, it’s not like the “old days”. Where they paid the police 10,000 baht, those days are gone. Now extradited back to the USA and looking at 20 years in prison #filth
Nick **********
Gordon Kilpatrick Because we had so many pedophiles crossing the border into mainly Tijuana to pick up 12 and 13 yr old freelancers, Congress passed a mininum age of 18 for Americans beyond our borders I think in 2004.
FBI even had under cover agents patrolling the streets and arresting there for many years watching for this activity.
FBI even had under cover agents patrolling the streets and arresting there for many years watching for this activity.
Bradley ***********
That’s why I used an agent for my extension. Took a total of about 5 min
James ********
Bradley Whiteside and people complain that using agents is a waste of money, not if you value your time and sanity.
Bradley ***********
Exactly. Some people don’t mind wasting their time. I rather waste the money. I can make the money back 😴😂
Bill *********
Bradley Whiteside Precisely!
Tom *******
I go to Sisaket immigration office and there is sometimes a very small Q or non at all
The service is brilliant and very efficient and the IO explains everything
The service is brilliant and very efficient and the IO explains everything
Peter **********
So why are you here and not in your ethnic country?
Is the modus operandi within national and local government so much better there?
Is the modus operandi within national and local government so much better there?
Alan *******
Always someone who wants to play the troll .
Nate ******
Alan Moore it doesn't even live in Thailand if you look
Tania **********
Peter H Bates 🙄 a ‘local guide’ shouting on fellowers foreigners… sad you !
Nate ******
Tania Pettifer he lives in the Philippines
Tania **********
Nate Fong Tipically ‘local guide ‘ here, so…
Tom **********************
Peter H Bates It's really a comment that everyone can use for something.
Mike **********
Pay a agency no problems at all
Dan *****
Mike Aquilina forøvrigt de gøre de for at folk some dig søger via en agent så kan de tjene penge på det
Bradley ***********
Everything in life is to make money off you.
Dan *****
Iøvrigt*
Mike **********
Dan Dan true but no hassles
Benny ***********
Mike Aquilina How mutch???
Mike **********
Benny Bergström call and ask
Dirk **************
Chonburi (Jomtien) and Bangkok are the busiest immigration centers in Thailand. We live in Samut Prakan and our immigration office is heaven. So I recommend tourists to spend one night in one of the provinces, get a TM 30 from their hotel and try their luck anywhere but in Chonburi or Bangkok.
Ant *******
Dirk C. Wendtorf Have friends try to renew outside where they live and had an absolute nightmare. They don't like it.
Ian **********
Ant Cliff not a problem for tourists as they don't live anywhere. The poster was extending a tourist visa.
Paul **********
Dirk C. Wendtorf Same here. Never had anything bad to say about the Samut Prakan office. Always very helpful 🙂
Des ****
It can be time consuming but my experience was the opposite. To do my retirement visa extension I started with the help queue on the left. They gave me a list of what I needed. Once I had the paper work ready I went back to the help queue who checked the paperwork and then they gave me a card to see the immigration officer. The immigration officer pointed out a couple of errors I made on one of the forms which I corrected and then I was told to come back next day to pickup my passport.
While there is certainly a lot of red tape I actually I found the staff to be quite helpful despite having to sit there all day dealing with frustrated farang. 🤗
While there is certainly a lot of red tape I actually I found the staff to be quite helpful despite having to sit there all day dealing with frustrated farang. 🤗
Mark **********
Just have to do your homework ask what documents you need for the extension
Mark *********
I’ve been in Udon for 4 years now the authorities have always been very good to deal with here
Henrik **************
Mark Colcord totally agree.
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