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What is the latest experience regarding visa extension processes for expats in Udon, Thailand?
Thailand ImmigrationVisa ExtensionCOVID-19 VisaUdon ThaniU.S. EmbassyThai Immigration ProceduresExpats in ThailandVisa Application Process
Sep 14, 2020
6 years ago
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER🥴🥴🥴 Update: just went to Udon immigration, I was like the first farang in the door today, applying (again) for 30 day COVID extension with a U.S. Embassy letter. This time they immediately accepted (the same man as last time, who immediately rejected them) my documents, e.g. the email version of the Embassy letter. They handed back my "hand drawn map", they didn't want it.
Note: there is a new chubby hiso lady there, who seems to be watching the office, I'm guessing sent by BKK. The grumpy gay dude who rejected my papers last time went straight over to her with my docs this time and she nodded or something, so she seems to be like QA or some sort of BKK comptroller.
Here's where things became nutty. I waited for around 45 minutes while I guess they worked through their queue of like only a few other people in front of me. Then one of the senior uniformed officers (only a few in Udon) called me up and for literally another hour or so, went through all my documents very very carefully and had me sign like 2 dozen times on things. In his defense, he was rather nice, and maybe was paranoid as fuck about BKK reviewing his work... but jeez, I have never taken more than 5 or 10 minutes in TOTAL at the Udon office over past years.
Anyway, every single person there, whether farang or Laos or otherwise ended up having a massive stack of documents in their file by the time they walked away today. It was insane, the most paperwork I've ever seen for Thai police/immigration.
Finally, the nice officer stamped something in my passport and mumbled something about September 29, and the gay dude came over and said "MONEY." I saw on the bill and remember from past times it was 1900 baht, but he took my 2000 baht and said "FINISHED, GO" and stole my change.
I stood up to leave, and looked at the stamp in my passport and it says "your application is under consideration, contact this office again on the 29th of September." I was like umm what, 2 hours later and 2000 baht and I don't have any stamp? I saw the Boss man standing outside the door and politely asked him what it meant, if I was going to be receiving an extension or not, and how many days... he opened the door again, and literally physically shoved me back inside the office and shouted "ASK THERE".
The gay dude seemed to realize, and seemed the hiso BKK lady was watching so he politely said "sir, what is your question?" and I asked him for clarity. He got upset and said "I DON"T KNOW, I MUST SEND TO MY BOSS".
So yeah idk, I've seen a lot of strange things before but this is by far the weirdest shit I've seen in such an office. When I walked back outside to leave the Boss man was huffing and puffing walking in circles like he was losing his marbles.
I'm guessing like others have surmised in this group, the COVID thing has brought together a bunch of drama at the same time, with BKK trying to crack down on fraud/etc and keeping their eye on remote Immigration offices more than ever, increased hostility to farangs across the board, cashflow drying up to remote offices and also to BKK, and just a weird mix of everything in between but yah... not a fun experience.
Anyway, I'm 2000 baht poorer today, and I got a maybe 3-day extension until 29 September, at which point they might tell me I've illegally overstayed and/or my application was rejected and to leave Thailand immediately, I have no idea.
/end
Note: there is a new chubby hiso lady there, who seems to be watching the office, I'm guessing sent by BKK. The grumpy gay dude who rejected my papers last time went straight over to her with my docs this time and she nodded or something, so she seems to be like QA or some sort of BKK comptroller.
Here's where things became nutty. I waited for around 45 minutes while I guess they worked through their queue of like only a few other people in front of me. Then one of the senior uniformed officers (only a few in Udon) called me up and for literally another hour or so, went through all my documents very very carefully and had me sign like 2 dozen times on things. In his defense, he was rather nice, and maybe was paranoid as fuck about BKK reviewing his work... but jeez, I have never taken more than 5 or 10 minutes in TOTAL at the Udon office over past years.
Anyway, every single person there, whether farang or Laos or otherwise ended up having a massive stack of documents in their file by the time they walked away today. It was insane, the most paperwork I've ever seen for Thai police/immigration.
Finally, the nice officer stamped something in my passport and mumbled something about September 29, and the gay dude came over and said "MONEY." I saw on the bill and remember from past times it was 1900 baht, but he took my 2000 baht and said "FINISHED, GO" and stole my change.
I stood up to leave, and looked at the stamp in my passport and it says "your application is under consideration, contact this office again on the 29th of September." I was like umm what, 2 hours later and 2000 baht and I don't have any stamp? I saw the Boss man standing outside the door and politely asked him what it meant, if I was going to be receiving an extension or not, and how many days... he opened the door again, and literally physically shoved me back inside the office and shouted "ASK THERE".
The gay dude seemed to realize, and seemed the hiso BKK lady was watching so he politely said "sir, what is your question?" and I asked him for clarity. He got upset and said "I DON"T KNOW, I MUST SEND TO MY BOSS".
So yeah idk, I've seen a lot of strange things before but this is by far the weirdest shit I've seen in such an office. When I walked back outside to leave the Boss man was huffing and puffing walking in circles like he was losing his marbles.
I'm guessing like others have surmised in this group, the COVID thing has brought together a bunch of drama at the same time, with BKK trying to crack down on fraud/etc and keeping their eye on remote Immigration offices more than ever, increased hostility to farangs across the board, cashflow drying up to remote offices and also to BKK, and just a weird mix of everything in between but yah... not a fun experience.
Anyway, I'm 2000 baht poorer today, and I got a maybe 3-day extension until 29 September, at which point they might tell me I've illegally overstayed and/or my application was rejected and to leave Thailand immediately, I have no idea.
/end
TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat in Udon Thani shares their recent experience applying for a 30-day COVID extension. Initially confronted with scrutiny and rejection, they returned with proper documentation, including an email from the U.S. Embassy. This time, the immigration officer accepted their documents after an extensive review, although they left with an "application under consideration" stamp and uncertainty about the final outcome. The process was described as unusually bureaucratic, involving a new supervisor from Bangkok and insufficient clarity about the extension timeline. Fellow commenters provided insights, noting that many expats with similar applications received the same 'under consideration' stamp, hinting at a more cautious and stringent approach at immigration offices, likely influenced by recent policies and pressure from Bangkok.
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Ahkim ********
this was a nice story, I hope you write more of them. the lightness of it makes the frequently heavy experiences in this country more bearable.
you'll get your visa, they've officially allowed you to stay until after the 26th, so it is not your fault you are not meeting the deadline, and thus they must authorize your stay officially.
my main point of advice is this: smaller offices must report to bigger ones, like Nan to Chiang Mai, they do not have autonomy of processing more elaborate visas. go to ones that do have that authority.
you'll get your visa, they've officially allowed you to stay until after the 26th, so it is not your fault you are not meeting the deadline, and thus they must authorize your stay officially.
my main point of advice is this: smaller offices must report to bigger ones, like Nan to Chiang Mai, they do not have autonomy of processing more elaborate visas. go to ones that do have that authority.
Robert **********
The gay dude doesn’t you become you’re ugly
Charles *********
calm down
your nothing more than a guest just like the rest of us..
your nothing more than a guest just like the rest of us..
Ivan ************
It's a good story, better told than many posted here.
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
David ********
Cool story bro.
However, hi-so my butt. The real upper class doesn't work for immigration.
However, hi-so my butt. The real upper class doesn't work for immigration.
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWell, don't tell her that. I've had meetings/interviews with BKK companies and had 25 year old BKK girls tell me my English skills are poor. The bubble mindset in that city is incredible...
Paul *******
@Jesse ********
Huh? Aren't you a farang though?David ********
@Jesse ********
Thank God I don't live there, but far, far away.Reply to
David ********
Reply
Rick *******
I have had Non-Immigrant one year multiple entry visas for the last fifteen years and have always gone back to the US to avoid the disorganization of the Udon Immigration Office. Funny, if they all just followed the directives from BKK and treated people in a decent manner, they would not have to go through any nerve-wracking audits.
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIt's trying to teach goldfish algebra. In typical Thai style yesterday morning, they had everyone sit down and handed out queue numbers, but less than 10 minutes later they were running around screaming at people for various reasons, ran out of queue numbers, people starting flooding the doorway confused, and the staff are just getting angrier and angrier. Literally in one hour I think the average high school student could design a reasonable system for them.... instead this shit goes on for decades and decades.
Paul *******
@Jesse ********
Never experienced that before at any immigration office in Thailand and I've been to many. Most are well organized. Slow they can be, yes, that would be my main gripe. Sometimes you have to wait 2 hours to get something simple done, even with only 8-10 other people in line. Happened in Mae Sai a couple of years ago. Incredibly long wait for a simply re-entry permit for 3 people traveling together. Would have been better off going to Chiang Saen, which I believe would have been a lot faster. Mae Sai gets all the Burmese migrant workers, whereas Chiang Saen, sees far fewer (there are a few Lao ones registered there).
Rick *******
Which is why I have always come back to get my visa in the US. Very simple process without any confusion or abuse.
Reply to
Rick *******
Reply
Paul *******
Immigration officers are known for sometimes being grumpy. I wouldn't conflate that with xenophobia though. I don't think the vast majority of Thai IOs or officials are xenophobic. A lot of farang like to use the racist card to describe a difficult official when it may have more to do with them being scared of not doing things the way their boss ordered or something.
Paul *******
what do you mean by keeping an eye on remote offices? This is supposed to be about the special covid extension, nothing to do with other things.
Alice ********
@Paul ******
don’t even get me started on remote offices. It’s a huge problem. Paul *******
@Alice ********
I've found remote offices to be by far the friendliest and most accommodating. Alice ********
@Paul ******
ha! That’s funny. Ours won’t do anything. He doesn’t want to lose his job. We even had Bangkok call down to the office after we snitched on them and for one day he said he would do non b visas and work permits. Then he backtracked. We are losing 8 teachers Friday. Kids will actually have classes cancelled next week. Paul *******
@Alice ********
Sounds like an exception. Most of the more remote offices are much easier to deal with than say Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Patrick ************
Why u need covid extension ?? U can fly back to your country
Marguyvin **********
They are mad because they have gotten cock-blocked by Bangkok. No more "easy money" with their schemes, and now they have to actually do some work for a change. LOL
Christopher *******
Maybe replace *gay* with “effete” or “precious”?
Oliver *******************
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Geoff Sloman I have no "phobia" of gays, my only phobia is grumpy old expats that condescend to younger expats for absolutely no reason because it's their last remaining source of self aggrandizement
Reiner *********
After reading your ...essay to getting your stamp....you should think twice what you write....but typical as n arrogant American....WhY you not leave this peaceful and divers Country ..every day is a flight back ....insulting seams to be typical for these kind of these people....LEAVE.....
Ahkim ********
@Rei***
, so what the deal bro? You think you're Thai now, and that al those farangs should accept blindly like the Thai do?My dude, this place needs to evolve too, and as you know they protest the government and even royal house now.
the era of blind obsequiousness is ended, but most importantly, you will always be farang to them, regardless of what you convince yourself of or how you treat other foreigners.
John-Paul ******
@Reiner ********
no... you leave ... this site if you cannot take people expressing their frustration towards a shambles of a system run by myopic selfengrandising individuals who have power via their own discretion to do what they want. Thailand is a wonderful country but it is and has been run by ... well... blind people in a mine field; they have no idea. For the offices of logic and common sense are both devoid of staff and anyone capable of doing the better job are back on the farm as there is no more money in their coffers. So pay attention or just go back to the bar?Michael *********
Rob ******
@Reiner ********
Its necessary to understand the cultural setting for this writing . Its very english/ Australian style . Its partly tongue in cheek . Not really for offence , more loving despot style . Its got an underlying affection . Like a loving grand dad speech . Not literal . Charles ****************
@Reiner ********
I think you have us mixed with the Brits.Another "I love Thailand more than you do and if you don't like somtam, then leave!" reply.
Boring.
Reply to
Charles ****************
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Geoff ********
Homophobic comments should be reported to the moderator. So demeaning and judge mental. This is Thailand. Get a grip.
Rob ******
@Geoff *******
I think it was to describe different characters in 2 D mode . So it was not just a banal description . The question is , were they trans, vest , sexual or maybe bi . I don't think the writer was biased against gay , by the description . Isn't gay also acceptable . I think pooncie , poofie etc are the hompohobic terms . Not sure , just clarifying . The question is , who is the Hi So and does he have a picture ?
Because that is a big change in pattern .
Lee ************************
@Geoff *******
how’s that homophobic it’s discriptive Garrett ***********
@Ge***
Simply mentioning the IO is gay is not homophobic, just as mentioning the color of someone's skin (the black guy over there) is not racism. That said, if someone makes a derogatory comment or attacks someone, please report it.
แมทธิว **************
@Geoff *******
snowflakes melt in Thailand it’s not PC thankfully Christophe **********
Yeah not like they judge foreigners every day and discriminate against them based on their weltanschauung. Drop your stockholmed Zimbardo effect sycophant pathology
Reiner *********
@Christophe *********
it Shows that YOU have no clue of thailand.....it’s luckily a different society then in France ....the worst people here are not foreigners all over but people like you...Charles ****************
@Reiner ********
somebody step on your gay balls? Reply to
Charles ****************
Reply
Dónáld ********
Lol grumpy gay dude.. loooool
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
This is to effing much. Where is the chain of command? It seems like they're just making it up as they go along.
Ron *********
Was it relevant that the IO was gay?
Michael *********
@Ron ********
yesRon *********
@Michael ********
maybe it's your ingrained homophobia. Then maybe thou dost protest too much. And for the record, who made anyone here a judge of who is or is not gay? Unless of course they have personal and intimate knowledge @Paul ******
? Perhaps you could enlighten us? Paul *******
Ron Langham Some people don't like to hear the truth. My point is that I've had bad experiences dealing with gays, particularly gay Thai men.
A lot of farang complain about straight Thai men. I disagree - I find most Thai men easy people to deal with and a pleasure to work with. However, there is always some sort of difficulty with gay men. They always want to make your life difficult.
Same with kathoey (ladyboys) and to some extent, Thai women.
Which is why I always prefer having a straight male immigration officer. They're the most rational people.
A lot of farang complain about straight Thai men. I disagree - I find most Thai men easy people to deal with and a pleasure to work with. However, there is always some sort of difficulty with gay men. They always want to make your life difficult.
Same with kathoey (ladyboys) and to some extent, Thai women.
Which is why I always prefer having a straight male immigration officer. They're the most rational people.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Paul *******
What's wrong with pointing out he's gay? While I have nothing against gay people, in my experience, they tend to be the most emotionally unstable people and if one is handling your visa application expect them to apply more scrutiny than a heterosexual male or even a woman.
I've experienced issues working with gay men in office workplaces whereas no issues with straight Thai men.
I've experienced issues working with gay men in office workplaces whereas no issues with straight Thai men.
Robert **********
@Paul ******
I’m gay, emotionally unstable, hate you too. Reply to
Robert **********
Reply
แมทธิว **************
@Ron ********
snowflakes don’t do well in Thailand 😂 you should hear the banter my staff come out with 26 girls 4 toms and 1 boy I do feel sorry for him sometimes but he holds his own 😀James **************
Could avert a situation for others?
Charles ****************
We can't mention if someone is noticibly gay?
Ադամ ********
@Charles ***************
What is the point of mentioning it or if an officer is Fat, or “hi-so”. Reply to
Ադամ ********
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
guess it was to the poster.
Richard ******
@Ron ********
No different than saying the fat one or the bald one. Probably, just so people know which officer he is talking about. Reply to
Richard ******
Reply
Kool *******
From my understanding some offices are being required to send all applications to Bangkok for approval.
Felix ****
Wow those Isaan offices seem way stricter than everywhere else. Great drama though not gonna lie 👍🏻
Paul *******
I've been told Isarn is the most farang friendly IO region but I guess it depends on the specific office. Mae Hong Son up north is also exceptionally friendly, while Mae Sot is also reasonably good despite the hordes of Burmese people they have to deal with.
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERUdon used to always be known as one of the easiest and nicest offices for farangs, but damn from my past several experience I can say NOT anymore
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHonestly it seems the smaller cities might be better from what I gather... sometimes a bit more clueless since they have less tourists, but nicer and more willing to resolve the issues for you seems
Reply to
Jesse *********
Reply
Kevin *******
It is an adventure pal depending where you stay in Thailand.
Bim *******
Good read. As for the 100 bht change they asked me if I wanted them to fill in the application for me it was a 100 so maybe if you didn't fill it in the charge was for that but they should have been clear.
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERBTW Udon does not distribute the application forms ahead of time, you have to fill everything out in front of the policeman so it slows things down a ton.
Kevin *******
@Jesse ********
Is that the TM 7 if it is they gave me 2 last week as I was in there asking for a letter for my drivers licence renewal. That's when I asked what docs are required for the Embassy letter exemption. Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin ******
I'm not sure. I saw people post photos from other offices saying you need like TM7 and TM10 or something, and I did end up filling out two forms so maybe that is accurate.Reply to
Jesse *********
Reply
Briton *********
Let me clarify the process: no one knows what's going on and is trying to cover their ass 🤷♂️🤣
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIndeed... apparently it doesn't stop them from stealing 100 baht from tourists right in front of their new supervisor sent by BKK, however... 😳
Reply to
Jesse *********
Reply
Kevin *******
I'm due to go this week sometime regarding the documents is it 2 copies of every document required. Also my mate in Rayong said he had to copy every page in his passport is this a requirement in Udon.
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERSeems never hurts to print in color 2x copies of everything if possible, or photocopy b/w if you are copying like your letter from landlord. The police man was nice and did some photocopies for me today but I probably should have prepared more copies! Udon did not want a hand-drawn map today, and they also were okay with just passport copy of first page, and entry stamp/entry paper page.
Tod *********
AND with over 70 immigration offices inside the country what one wants is worthless as tits on a tomcat as far as what another office might want. You need to check with your office or post on a f/b page related to where you live in thailand and ask. Believe me you aren't the first foreigner in your province to need to get the 30 day embassy request extension ;)
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
EVERYONE getting the 30 day embassy request letter on this amnesty is getting an under consideration stamp (for 1900baht NOT 2000baht) and then on that date you go back to the immigration office and they will stamp you in until the 26th of Oct.
And no you don't have any extension read your stamp, you have an "application for extension under consideration stamp" <- that lets you stay until you go back SO you go back on the 29th and you'll get a stamp dated until the 26th of Oct.
Here's a couple stamps from someone who already DID the whole process (under consideration & getting the final stamp)
And no you don't have any extension read your stamp, you have an "application for extension under consideration stamp" <- that lets you stay until you go back SO you go back on the 29th and you'll get a stamp dated until the 26th of Oct.
Here's a couple stamps from someone who already DID the whole process (under consideration & getting the final stamp)
Steven **************
They say I arrived last year but that's when I got my last non b. Been here since 2016.
Tod *********
Steven James Mason and do you qualify for any Non-Imm visa category?
Steven **************
Tod Daniels non b, have new contract started Sept 1st,. Had to send Embassy copy of my old WP. HR at my school in Nakhon Phanom are contacting Immigration tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes
Reply to
Steven **************
Reply
Steven **************
My Embassy letter asks Thai immigration to facilitate my application for non immigrant visa. Is that another way of asking for 30 days ?
Tod *********
@Steven *************
nope, what consulate did you apply for the letter and and when did you get your letter? Steven **************
@Tod ********
received it today from British Embassy in BkkSteven **************
When I say received it I mean by email
Reply to
Steven **************
Reply
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Tod, yes that's exactly what my stamp looks like, I have never seen one before. I heard from a few dudes on Facebook in other changwats they "got their 30 day stamp" on same-day, so idk if they were lucky, corruption, or just explained it poorly. I figured it was just a normal 30-day extension stamp. Anyway, strange they didn't want to explain this when asked. Any idea what this approach is for? Is it only for COVID?
Tod *********
@Jesse ********
no one got a 30 day embassy request extension dated to Oct 26th the day they applied. OR if they did no one posted a pic of one. It's a two step process. It just is what it is, and looking for logic or the reason doesn't change how they do it. Sorry, dunno Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
When they went back today (the 14th) they got the extension stamp inked in taking them until the 26th of Oct.
it's just how it works,
it's just how it works,
Mike ********
@Tod ********
there’s nothing new or unusual about the 2 step process itself. Marriage & Dependent extensions have worked this way for the last 10 years that I’ve been doing them. Reply to
Mike ********
Reply
Tod *********
When you FIRST apply you will get an under consideration stamp like this
In this case the person applied for the 30 day embassy request extension on the 31st of Aug and was given an under consideration stamp dated the 14th of Sept.
In this case the person applied for the 30 day embassy request extension on the 31st of Aug and was given an under consideration stamp dated the 14th of Sept.
Assaf ********
@Tod ********
the 2nd step in the process will always be 2 weeks from the date you went to the immigration the first time? or is it calculated 2 weeks before the full extension of the 30 days?Reply to
Assaf ********
Reply
Jesse *********
ORIGINAL POSTERUpdate since this morning: US Embassy was again seemingly surprised by this, but say they consulted with their "Thai colleagues" who say it usually takes 14 days for a visa to be approved, which is maybe the reason here. I don't know how this is related, since I was only applying for a temporary 30 day COVID extension (not a visa). And when I have applied for visas at Thai embassies they are ready in 1 business day. They also did not take my passport from me today, so again, no idea what this is about...
Rob ******
@Jesse ********
The new normal for Visa , the new Asia is considering amd slowing down its processors . Its why your HI So is checking the money flows , one would suggest . Reply to
Rob ******
Reply
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