I did mine at the Embassy and asked them about not having a passport it was then they offered the letter, guess you have to ask for it

I applied for a new USA passport in April of last year at the embassy outreach here in Udon Thani. I was given the letter without asking for it.

I guess the best advice would be to be prepared to ask if a letter is not offered.

Shado wrote:I applied for a new USA passport in April of last year at the embassy outreach here in Udon Thani. I was given the letter without asking for it.

I guess the best advice would be to be prepared to ask if a letter is not offered.

Well there you go...I never thought to ask and they may have overlooked it. Good thing the immigration police didn't come to my house asking to see my passport

There are a few things that could happen to ones self where not having a passport could be a real hassle, one could be a traffic accident. I'm sure in the long run things would work out. Same can be said about a yellow house book. Good to have but not mandatory.

fdimike wrote:It's easy to overlook the expiration date of the passport. It happened to my wife who is a dual national here on an American passport. It also happened to a friend of mine as well. However, what I didn't appreciate is the IO not saying anything about it when they processed the vias extension.

Well I didn't overlook my expiration date of the passport. In fact a 1½ years before it expired, I ask if it would be a problem, and was told No Problem, that when I got new passport they would transfer it. But the only thing They Did Not tell me was that I would be paying 1,900 baht for a 4 month Visa and would then need to renew again with all new paperwork and another 1,900 baht!

.

RLTrader wrote:
Well I didn't overlook my expiration date of the passport. In fact a 1½ years before it expired, I ask if it would be a problem, and was told No Problem, ................

When dealing with visa issues here - or anywhere for that matter - it is fraught with danger to rely on information that is 18 (or even 3) months old.

Rules and practices change frequently - it is our responsibility to keep up to date.

Ya, right TIT. But I disagree, for nothing changed. In case of fact, I had No Problem and They had No Problem in renewing with a passport with less than 4 months before it was to expire. They just left out the fine details, for they (Udon) are not customer friendly, and Thats the problem.

Followed the advice to wear slacks and a polo shirt for my extension based on retirement today at Immo about 10am,was the only farang,the rest all turned up while I woz there in beach shorts and sleveless t shirts.Next time will dress like the local expat poulation
Paid the extra cost,roughly 3 baht a day cost for the year,to get the renewal today and not wait for consideration.

Perhaps all those that turned up while you were there were so impressed with the way you were dressed, are out shopping this afternoon for a new wardrobe.

Forgot to mention the well known lass in the first seat has a 'bun in the oven', maybe that is where the extra money requests is going,clothes and food for the rascal when popping out

Yes, I noticed this forthcoming event on a recent visit so, presumably, somebody loves her then?
Good luck to her and child, but a sincere wish that she remains at home to take care of the child until he/she is, say, 18 years!
I noticed her whispering to her colleague, obviously about me, upon seeing me waiting to collect my marriage visa after the consideration period. Good - I rather hope her comments were along the lines of "Don't mess or try to tap him, or he'll make a fuss."

Having read almost weekly the goings on at Udon Immigration, I was faced with today the simple fact of renewing my visa and changing my status to retired as I am no longer teaching. Initially i thought this was a simple job but it was not as well as seeking a re-entry stamp so I can pop over to Blighty for a a few weeks.
The case went as follows.
1 Cancelling old visa as it had not expoired ...Cost 500 baht
2. Renewing retirement visa to retirement cost 1,900 baht
3. Issuing Re-entry Stamp Cost 1000 baht
4 Speedy issuance of said retirement visa 1000 baht. I asked about this quite rightly as before it was issued with no checks, and I was informed that apparently since August of last year an Inspector ( Senior Chappie ) has to write a report on every foreigner seeking a years visa, checking on Income and Address are actually correct as well as some other stuff which was not clarified. I ascertained that they had caught a few out over addresses and incomes so it should be borne in mind should you decided to go the nefarious route to obtain a visa of any description it could be seen as going against the law and the VISA is NOT granted. With the obvious result in having to leave PDQ to obtain even a 15 day visa at the border.
From a pure police point of view I can see where they are coming from and they then also know that those that are here can live here in line with their requirements, while one cannot but object to some charges occasionally, I did find the information to be helpful and given quietly and gently so even I , a bit dense at times could understand. I walked out with all that I required at a cost which was not only fully documented but receipted as well, I watched the receipts being filled out and attached to the relevant files for onward transmission, there were NO under the table transactions at all, all done very quickly in at 0830 out at 0902.
PS:- I did go armed with all the paperwork correctly filled out and had requested what I should do, about 10 days previously as I really did not want any screw-ups otherwise my holiday would have been in jeopardy. So it does go to show, before you have a problem and even if you feel there might be one, ask and act on information given. What could be more simple.

I'm pleased it all went smoothly for you Paul. Were YOU given receipts for ALL money that you paid, as well as copies being attached to the paperwork? IF that included a receipt for the 'speedy issuance', then that's surprising, because I'm not aware any other poster on here received one.
I'm still unable to comprehend why a Nong Khai officer advised me retirement visas are issued same day and that there is no 'consideration period' , or extra fee. Why is there not consistency? If, as mentioned previously, Udon didn't have sufficient senior officers to sign off papers. then it seems Udon residents are having to pay (usually in the back pocket) for the Immigration Services' inability to sort their staffing levels out properly.

Brian

The delay may be due to the fact that the government uncovered about 100 illegal visas issued out of the UT office last year.

Ok, Mike, that would be a fair explanation for the Army or Bangkok HQ to demand greater control and checks in Udon.
I wonder who got the boot, or should that be moved sideways or gardening leave, for not doing the job properly in the first place?
It doesn't explain why, for providing help and a service to those needing their visas ok'd and passports back quickly, it's necessary to charge extra and earn tea money for 'innocent' new applicants. It's using what's happened as an excuse to make something on the side.
How long did it take Khun Paul to have his paperwork sorted, which included old visa cancellation and re-entry permit, and the 'consideration' (by a Senior Officer who's obliged to "check income, address and other stuff ") made or just waived? Just 32 minutes!

While I can not in all honesty condone all the charges, I must in all honesty state that all the 32 mins I was there , it was fine. I did not ask why the fee for quick issuance when you do not pay when you wait for one month, that was an oversight, but in all honesty not for me a serious problem as I had a need to get everything sorted. next year I will wait.

Sorry, Paul, but can I press you? It's a matter of principle to me, if not to others.

"Were YOU given receipts for ALL money that you paid"

fdimike wrote: The delay may be due to the fact that the government uncovered about 100 illegal visas issued out of the UT office last year.

Mike, I am not sure of the explanations given or logic behind this processing "delay".

According to reports on TV, Udon is the only office in Thailand doing this (there may be one other - can't be bothered looking at TV again).

When I applied for my extension last September, I was told the delay was due to the "senior officer being away at a conference", and that he/she must approve all extensions.

Others are being told about the requirement for senior officer "approval", but now (as per KP), he/she has to do follow-up checks.

However, if you choose the "expedited service", these checks mysteriously disappear.

Questions:

1. why is it only happening in Udon?
2. why do the follow-up checks disappear?
3. if it is an official service, why are receipts not being issued?

While your information about the illegal visas from the Udon office wouldn't surprise me, all the reports I have heard about dodgy extensions have been done with a stamp bearing the Chonburi office name, via an agent based in Udon.

perhaps you could present your three questions to the Thai Government's Farang complaint line at 1111

FrazeeDK wrote:perhaps you could present your three questions to the Thai Government's Farang complaint line at 1111

When/if it affects me, I will keep your suggestion in mind.

In the meantime, for those who are being impacted, they can make their own decisions.