Answered7 years ago

What is the current experience at Phuket Immigration for visa extensions?

Phuket Immigration Visa Extension Visa Exempt Entry

asked Mar 30, 2020

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Update from Phuket immigration today.

TONS of people! Divided into zones depending of the service required.

Foreign volunteer was fielding questions outside, but ended up screaming at a farang for not coming early, completely blowing his top.

Thai immigration staff were AWESOME, better even than usual.

I needed my first 30 day extension on a visa exempt entry. Less than 5 minutes to get called to the counter. Less than an hour get get my passport and my change back.

(I was worried that my non-immigrant B extension from Pathum Thani wasn’t cancelled. It was on a different page. I said nothing. But, it was a non-issue.)

It appeared that there were MANY overstays and those needing emergency 30 day stamps with embassy letters.

Answer summary

A recent visit to Phuket Immigration revealed a crowded but efficient service. The process for a first 30-day extension on a visa exempt entry took less than an hour. Although there were instances of overstays and frustrations from foreign volunteers, Thai immigration staff were noted to be exceptionally helpful.

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Tod *********

thanx for the update. Funny how the people that lost it were the foreign volunteers NOT the immigration officers who were doing all the work :O

7 years ago

Sean *************

@Tod ********

, it’s difficult because these volunteers try to help. But, each case is so different.

He was yelling at the guy, why didn’t you come first thing in the morning! They are not accepting anymore overstays today!

Of course the foreigner was then upset.

I wanted to tell the guy not to go home until talking to a Thai immigration officer. But, you have to mind your own business.

I’d lived a decade here, leaving long ago, but with umpteen trips to immigration and as many annual extensions of various types over the years.

Today was the best I’d ever seen it. However, if I was one of many sitting under those tents in the heat, I may not have been so happy.

Very organized, anyway.

7 years ago