Immigration
Understanding Immigration
Going to immigration can sound intimidating, but if you are prepared with the right documents and the right attitude, it can be a good experience.
When you arrive in Thailand, your passport will be stamped with the date of your arrival and the date your visa expires (typically 90 days). Before your visa expires, your school will prepare the documents to extend your visa. Plan to go to the immigration office at least three days before your visa expires, as you don’t want to risk overstaying if you run into any problems. The best times to go are as soon as the office opens at 8:30 am or after lunch at 1:00 pm.
Tips
Park across the street at Visa Colonel and walk to the immigration office
Get to the immigration office as early as you are willing and able to
Prepare to spend around 3 hours at the immigration office
Check to make sure there isn't a Thai holiday on the day you plan to go to the immigration office
Visa Extension
When you arrive at the immigration office, make sure you take a ticket at the entrance of the lot. Your ticket will get you in the queue to have your documents checked by a volunteer. You’ll see people waiting to have this done under a covered seating area outside. Once your documents are checked, head inside. There’s a copy machine behind the building and blank forms in case you forget one.
Drop off your documents at the front counter and receive a number. When your number is called, you will go to the window to pay the 1,900 baht extension fee (in cash) and answer some questions. They will speak to you in Thai and ask you questions such as your name, age, where you’re studying, etc. You will sit down again and wait to be called to take a photo, then you will wait again until your documents are processed. After you extend your visa head outside and around the left side of the building to do your 90 Day Report. The immigration officer may issue your 90 Day Report while processing your visa extension. In this case, you won’t have to do it separately.
90 Day Report
No matter what visa you are on, you must submit a report every 90 days you stay in Thailand. If you leave the country before you reach 90 days and then come back in, the time starts over.
Make sure you have your completed TM47 form and passport. Drive through or walk up to the window on the left side of the immigration office and give them your documents. They will process your report and give you a slip of paper. Keep it in your passport and hold onto it because you will need it the next time you report.
It is possible to submit your 90-Day Report online after you’ve reported in person at least once.
Re-Entry Permit
If you’re planning to leave the country and come back during the duration of your visa, you will need to get a re-entry permit. A week or so before your trip, go to the immigration office as you would for a visa extension or other service. Make sure you have your passport, completed TM.8 form, a visa photo, a copy of the photo page of your passport, a copy of the visa page in your passport, and a copy of your TM.30. You will need 1,000 baht cash for a single re-entry permit or 3,800 baht cash for a multiple re-entry permit.
Complete the same process of taking a ticket at the entrance, having your documents checked by a volunteer under the tent, getting your documents finalized at the window outside, and then processed inside. You will get a stamp in your passport authorizing your exit and re-entry into Thailand. This process is typically quicker than extending your visa - you should be in and out in 1-2 hours.
