What time should I arrive at Chaengwattana for visa application to ensure I’m at the front of the queue?

May 3, 2018
7 years ago
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey, I need to visit Chaengwattana to apply for a visa tomorrow. I know the immigration division opens at 8:30 but how early do I need to arrive to be front of the queue? I've arrived just after 7am before and joined a monstrous line.

Any suggestions? (apart from camping through the night)

Thank you!
1,206
views
1
likes
36
all likes
19
replies
0
images
4
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
To avoid long wait times at Chaengwattana for your visa application, it is recommended to arrive early. Based on community insights, arriving around 5:30 AM will give you a better chance of being ahead in the queue. At 6 AM, you can line up outside the immigration office, where queue tickets are distributed at 7 AM. The office opens at 8:30 AM, and you will need to join another queue after getting inside. Arriving at 7 AM puts you at risk of being several hundred people back, particularly for extensions related to teaching.
Tod *********
@Ruth ******
you are confusing TWO very different queue number systems. :/

You get in the main doors at 6 am, you line up in front of the immigration office and at 7 am they bring out a machine that prints queue tickets that shows your place in line OUTSIDE the door. Then you can go do what you want and at 8 they line everyone back up again in the order of your queu ticket so you can get IN the immigration office at 8:30 and get another queue for the section you are needing to get your extension from
Tod *********
Congratulations
@Ru**
:) That might be a new world record (y)
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the advice! Arrived at 6, was number 71 in the ‘outside queue’ then 16 for visa (I could have run a little quicker to the desk) out before 10am :) *smiles*
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
that’s impressive. I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to my trip tomorrow... but it certainly seems a little less daunting!
Tod *********
@Ruth ******
What i hated most about that old system is that one agent would wait and then at 8:20 ten people would show up in line with them. Now you can only get one ticket per person outside to line up. It's way more fair
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
ha yeah that’s the last experience I had. Wasn’t pleased queuing behind somebody’s biro pen! Good to know it’s improved
Tod *********
@Ruth ******
, yeah they stopped that line where you just put your bags or books and waited in front of the door. It's way more organized now.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah I understand that, I just never realized there was an initial queue number system. Previously I’ve had people wait for me, so haven’t experienced it.

Thank you for clarifying though
Ning ******
arrival at 5.40am, not much people. no traffic as well.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ling ******
Oh really? I didn't realise queue numbers were given so early - that's good to know!
Ning ******
they are giving out Q number at 7am, than you can go buy food and get back and wait at 8am. for them to open at 8.30am.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
awesome - thank you
Tod *********
The section that does extensions of stays for teachers (Section N) is jammed with people from the second they open until LONG after they close at 4:30.

I know people who got there at 10AM and didn't leave until 6:30 that evening. :/

When I go out there with people I get there at 5:30, wait outside the main building at the south entrance near the immigration office and then go into the building at 6 with the agents line waiters.

If you get there at 7 or so you're gonna be a couple hundred people back in line. Now granted they all aren't going to be getting Non-B extensions based on teaching. BUT you're gonna get a pretty high queue number.
Richard ***********
I get there at 8am and push in... :)
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Very helpful, thank you so much.
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
currently hold a non imm B and have a TM7 form to extend my visa after having received my work permit
Ruth *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
teaching
Tod *********
is it for teaching or is it for working some job other than teaching ?
Tod *********
what 'visa' are you actually applying for out there
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice