Answered6 years ago
What has been your experience with Udon Immigration regarding the acceptance of U.S. Embassy COVID letters?
FYI I just went to Udon Immigration with a COVID letter from U.S. Embassy via email (also printed it out in color) and they said it had to be an original document via post mail lol... I asked the U.S. Embassy but no reply yet, I doubt they will offer that. Police were grumpy today and I pushed a few times to be sure... not sure if their excuse is accurate or just bullshit trying to delay dealing with these.
Update: U.S. Embassy replied to me and were surprised, and said Thai Immigration offices are supposed to accept the digital/printout versions of letters.
Update: U.S. Embassy replied to me and were surprised, and said Thai Immigration offices are supposed to accept the digital/printout versions of letters.
Answer summary
The post discusses an individual's frustrating experience at Udon Immigration when they were informed that a COVID letter from the U.S. Embassy, even when printed in color, needed to be an original document sent via postal mail. After reaching out to the U.S. Embassy, they received information indicating that digital or printed versions should be accepted, revealing inconsistencies in how immigration offices operate in Thailand. The comments reflect various similar experiences and frustrations among expats regarding varying immigration requirements.
31 repliesnewest first
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Steve **********
How did you reach anyone at Embassy ?
Steve **********
No person or govt will tell an immigration official anything.
Tried to show my bank info once. Was told he didnt like bank .I was to do his way or leave country.
Tried to show my bank info once. Was told he didnt like bank .I was to do his way or leave country.
Quentin **********
1000 bath....done
Jeff ******
Even handed it me back said you will need that next time .
Jesse *********
OPHahahaha.... touche mate
Jeff ******
I printed mine on thin paper copied in shop on to thick card no problem 😉
Joe ***********
Embassy PDF attachments - then printed out have been accepted by Immigration since March... They are just jerking people around... Motivation?
Jesse *********
OPJust lazy as hell... the leader of the office is a grumpy gay dude who has been there for years, when I tried to ask a few follow up questions for clarity he just sneared and walked away, clearly just waiting for the 4pm bell to go home and didn't want to work.
Rick *******
This all must be very frustrating. I have lived in Udon Thani for 15 years, but left in March to take care of some business back in the US. I will not attempt to return for the very reasons that have been stated. Immigration likes to say no to most of what is asked to avoid work.
YeDo ***********
You should have given them a black & white print first, so that they'd ask for one in colour... Which you could have given them on the spot ;-)
The devil is in the details, especially with immigration...
The devil is in the details, especially with immigration...
Rick ***********
They seem to be obsessed with hand-drawn maps instead of printed out Google maps. You have to admire that kind of weirdness.
Todd *********
They are so full of shit. That’s all bad
Jennifer ****
I don’t know which office this is from. But here it clearly states printed from email is ok.
I found this in another thread
I found this in another thread
Jesse *********
OPInteresting, I wonder where this was. The list of paperwork is hilarious, no relation to a temp 30 days stay for people already here 6 months... it seems to be a game to frustrate foreigners into leaving imo
Jennifer ****
@Jesse ********
I really can’t remember what thread I saved the photo from. The hand drawn map request is the best.Todd *********
@Jesse ********
that’s exactly what it is... a game immigration is playing... And a bad one. 
Kool *******
Most are used to US embassy letters that have been notarized, with the raised notary embossed stamp. Although not this same letter, but in past instances dealing with immigration they always wanted the letters with the embossed stamp, not a copy. This might be their problem, and would need to be challenged at the main office in Bangkok by the embassy to clear it up.
Jesse *********
OPPerhaps true re: the embossed, but it sounds like U.S. Embassy already "agreed" with Thai gov that email/PDF was going to be fine, usually they are very careful not to say things on behalf of the Thai gov unless they are sure. So it seems like the non-BKK offices are again clueless as to what official policy is, or they are making up excuses to delay dealing with COVID extensions (this could also be ordered by BKK behind the back of foreign embassies, to try and frustrate more foreigners into leaving etc idk).
Kool *******
@Jesse ********
, lots of remote immigration offices do not read their current emails dealing with policy changes, until they actually get a phone call asking what the hell they are doing from higher ups, depending on who is involved...lolol.Jesse *********
OP@Kool ******
Probably right, besides having forgotten the password again for their 25th Gmail account.
Burnard ************
They make up the rules as they go along. Didn't you know that?
Jesse *********
OPI can't imagine working in an embassy in Thailand, it must be
****
shitshow dealing with LOS policy while trying to update news bulletins for their citizens... no wonder so many embassies just refuse to play along with some of these tongue-in-cheek demands from LOS officials ffs
Dan ************
I had the same conversation with the immigration official in Phuket this morning. They also would not accept a printed out version. I’ve emailed the Canadian embassy but haven’t heard back yet.
Jesse *********
OPUpdate: U.S. Embassy replied to me and were surprised, and said Thai Immigration offices are supposed to accept the digital/printout versions of letters.
Rio ******
You made them work, that's why they are grumpy and frustrated, and after long holiday weekend too.
Bim *******
Mine asked the same and when I gave the colour one they were OK
Gabi *****
try to authenticate the document. normally they accept, if not, they are just being a pain in the ass and i’m sorry for that. hope you can figure something out 🙏🏼✨❤️
Rick ***********
That must have been frustrating! You have wonder what that is all about.
Jesse *********
OPHonestly not surprising based on my years here, I think it's like purposeful psyops (mixed with laziness) to frustrate foreigners into not staying in LOS too easily. It wears you down after some years until you just leave...
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