Answered7 years ago

What is the process for extending a Long Stay Visa at Chiang Mai Immigration?

Chiang Mai Immigration Long Stay Visa Visa Extension Process Non-Immigrant ED Visa Immigration Wait Times Thai Visa

John *********

asked Feb 25, 2020

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Trip Report: Chiang Mai Immigration, Long Stay Extension for 90 days. (Type ED)

I arrived at 10am on 25 Feb to a long line out the door. After about 30 minutes I reached the document checker and was handed #100.

At about 10:30 they were handling #35. I concluded I could come back after lunch break at 1pm.

I arrived at 1pm to see they were working on #56.

Ran errands and came back.

At 2pm, #67

Went out again and came back.

At 3:15pm, #87

Stayed in place. 

At 4:15pm, #100 was called.

I received my passport back at 4:45pm

They were working on #111 when I left which may have been the last ticket of the day.

What happens if you arrive early? Say 6:45am. A gentleman did today and received #38. I imagine he was out by 11:00am. So you have to arrive at about 6am, even though immigration doesn't open for another 2.5 hours to get a low number.

If you are extending a Tourist Visa or Visa Expemption stamp, I recommend arriving after 2:30pm. There won't be a line for the document checker but you will still wait to be served.

Other thoughts:

Why can't they set up appointments like Vientiane Thai Consulate?

Why does the QR code queue checker app not work?

Why can't we go to another province to do this?

Why can't the document checker have the forethought or consideration to tell people when she hands out a high ticket number to come back in the afternoon? Even just an approximate. "It won't be before 3:30pm for ticket 100."

Watched some confused and annoyed East Asian lady be denied her retirement visa this afternoon because her balance fell below threshold in April of last year. Now she has to go to another country for a different visa and in a few months she will be able to apply again. I feel bad for her.

I will continue to do the song and dance with a smile on my face. I just know it can be better.

Answer summary

This trip report details the author's experience at the Chiang Mai Immigration office while extending a Long Stay Visa (Type ED) for 90 days. The process involved a long wait, with ticket numbers being called throughout the day. The author arrived early but learned that arriving after 2:30 PM could be advantageous due to shorter lines. They also express frustrations about the inefficiencies of the immigration process, including the lack of appointments and issues with the QR code queue system. The report highlights both the challenges of the experience and the author's perseverance in navigating it.

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Werner *******

In Bangkok, I don't even bother going in the morning. I arrive at 1pm, just after lunch, and wait a few hours in the afternoon. Sometimes it's 2-3-4 hours, sometimes it's just 45 minutes. Why waste the morning?

7 years ago

Steven ***************

The super early queue numbers are probably snapped up by agents who provided things in brown paper bags in advance.

I've heard of people being the first there and still get queue #20

7 years ago

John *********

If you want to do it all aboveboard you either get there early in the morning for a low number or you come late and take your chances. Hey, maybe they don't hand out all the numbers every day.

You can use a "fixer" to expedite the process but it comes at a cost.

7 years ago

Werner *******

Well, that sucks. Maybe others can advise on better strategies for your extension in Chiang Mai, but at least it's over for now. :)

7 years ago

John *********

Because they only hand out so many numbers per day for Long Stay Extensions.

If it was a tourist visa I'd be there in the afternoon.

7 years ago