Extending a Type B visa at Hua Hin Immigration

[Terry]

Question

1) I will be extending my Type B visa next week at HH Immigration
2) I will have all the necessary certified accounts, work permit etc etc with me.
3) Assuming that ALL of my paperwork is correct, can I assume that my Type B will get the 12 month extension straight away - there and then

or

4) Will my passport be given the 30 day 'consideration' stamp and I have to re visit Immigration - again and later - when the extension is approved - I assume by Bangkok Immigration

Thanks in advance

[barrys]

Hi Terry

I've done this for the last 5 years and every time I've got the initial 30 day stamp and have then had to go back for the 1 year stamp.

You say you have the work permit already - normally, though, the B visa and the work permit run parallel so, in my experience, they both have to be renewed at around the same time - but at two different departments of course.

[buksida]

I always get the 12 months right away when extending mine there.

Dates on WP run in tandem with the visa as mentioned above.

[Terry]

Barry & Buksi

Thanks for the responses - content noted.

Now here's my take on it.

1) Depending on when your Work Permit was first issued, there was a period when the Immigration & the Labour Office combined and ensured that the Type B visa and the WP were aligned. Indeed this could be done at a 'one stop shop' in BKK. I remember going there about 4 - 5 years ago when I was working for an international company in BKK who got me a WP. The whole process was orchestrated by the company's personnel dept so I was not sure what was going on.
2) This arrangement (the necessity to align) subsequently ceased about 3 years ago (So I am informed)
3) I left the employ of the company soon after - so my visa and wp were no longer applicable.
4) I then went on to 30 day stamps when I was at home - it was easier - as I was doing a lot of overseas work in Doha and Delhi - never spending more than two or three weeks at home and if I did I just went down to KL or up to Vientiane to come back in on a fresh 30 day stamp.
5) For 101 different reasons we legalised the Lodge as a business which now gives me a wp based on the type B visa - originally issue on 07 June 10
6) So the visa requires extending 07 June each year. It was first obtained 07/06/10. It was extended last year (First time) 07/06/11 in Hua Hin - but I had to wait for the 30 days(max) consideration first. It took about 10 days This was because it was a 1st renewal (I was told) and it would be 'quicker next year' - i.e. 07/06/12.......next week.
7) This meant that I had to make two trips back to HH instead of one. OK by me but not by my employer who now has me in Hanoi.
8 ) Due to circumstances beyond my control the WP was not issued until 10 December 2010.
It was renewed 10 /12 /11 and will require renewal 10/12/12

Still with me ? - hope so..............

Barry - I believe you - no problem it's what happened to me last year
Buksi - I believe you too - because I have heard tat it CAN be done in ONE day - but don't know anyone who has done it. Until your reply

But they are conflicting answers - i.e you CAN get it done in ONE visit but sometimes it takes TWO

I guess this depends WHO you see in the Immigration office, which way the wind is blowing or whether someone got their leg over last night!!!!

The sheer consistency of the inconsistency of Immigration is mind boggling.

[Terry]

Just an update

Visited on June o6 and got the 30 day consideration..............

Coming back next week to get the 12 month extension

Reason given for the 30 day consideration stamp - Immigration HH have to verify with Immigration BKK that all of my entry exit stamps in the last 12 months correlate

I would have thought that this could be done on line within 24 hrs rather than send all the paperwork to BKK for checking.

Oh well - it means that I get a quick trip home even if only for 24 hrs or so.

T.I.T.

[Terry]

Finally got it extended last Friday

Just can't wait 'til next years' extravaganza.................