About Chiang Mai Immigration's refusal to extend covid-19 visa

[ELMqgp 27]

I went to the Chiang Mai Immigration office promenada yesterday and they refused to renew my visa without consulate letter. But immigration officials said the visa could be extend at the immigration office at the airport without any consulate letter. Anyone experiencing the same situation, please update here!

Edited October 29, 2020 by ELMqgp

[tygerstar 4]

My friend went to the one near the airport yesterday and was asked for both a letter of support from his embassy AND evidence of flight cancellation.  He didn't have either and was denied.  Don't know if the situation has changed.

[ELMqgp 27]

3 minutes ago, tygerstar said:

My friend went to the one near the airport yesterday and was asked for both a letter of support from his embassy AND evidence of flight cancellation.  He didn't have either and was denied.  Don't know if the situation has changed.

I've been knew that Chiang Mai Immigration refuses to extend visas to foreigners who don't have a consulate letter, but only if you pay extra through an agent will ok.

[The Deerhunter 4,044]

18 hours ago, ELMqgp said:

I've been knew that Chiang Mai Immigration refuses to extend visas to foreigners who don't have a consulate letter, but only if you pay extra through an agent will ok.

Any agent ok?  555

[LivinLOS 5,763]

18 hours ago, ELMqgp said:

I've been knew that Chiang Mai Immigration refuses to extend visas to foreigners who don't have a consulate letter, but only if you pay extra through an agent will ok.

The plausible deniability of corruption continues.. 

[OJAS 3,052]

48 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

The plausible deniability of corruption continues.. 

Yep, looks like Chiang Mai Immigration are up to their old tricks again - as when retirees who were not prepared to avail themselves of expensive agency services were forced to queue up for their next retirement extension from the small hours to have any chance of their application being dealt with later the same day.

Edited October 30, 2020 by OJAS

[ChaiyaTH 980]

19 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

The plausible deniability of corruption continues.. 

One of the worst forms of it too as the agent services in CM are very high, and only to get a short term extension or similar thing done.

Like getting quotes of 6-7K baht for a 60 day non-o extensions VS a yearly one for 20K ish baht in Pattaya.

[ChaiyaTH 980]

Just now, ChaiyaTH said:

One of the worst forms of it too as the agent services in CM are very high, and only to get a short term extension or similar thing done.

Like getting quotes of 6-7K baht for a 60 day non-o extensions VS a yearly one for 20K ish baht in Pattaya. 

Happy I am not dealing with them, mine works with Khon Kaen. 

Edited October 31, 2020 by ChaiyaTH

[edwardandtubs 2,336]

Why not just take the bus to Chiang 

Rai or any other province, check in to a hotel and then go to the local immigration office the next day?

[ELMqgp 27]

3 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Why not just take the bus to Chiang 

Rai or any other province, check in to a hotel and then go to the local immigration office the next day?

this is good idea. thx

[Sambotte 789]

2 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

Why not just take the bus to Chiang 

Rai or any other province, check in to a hotel and then go to the local immigration office the next day?

Bad idea. Chiang Rai Immigration is worst than CM believe me. And not as many agent in CR too.

[ELMqgp 27]

6 minutes ago, Sambotte said:

Bad idea. Chiang Rai Immigration is worst than CM believe me. And not as many agent in CR too.

what about lampang immigration?

[Sambotte 789]

By the way i have use an agent for the first time in Thailand, not sure i can post the name here ?

Let's say they assist me for Thai visa  In Chiang Mai.

It was just a normal extension (refused many times in Chiang Rai and Mae Sai), cost me 3100 so only 1100 extra. VIP service kind of : transport, immediate processing at airport office, took 5mn total no issue at all. 

I came on monday afternoon, was short for the next day for appointment, so i got it wednesday.

This agency has an office, look very professionnal and reliable.

And at immigration the guy from agency was obviously in very good terms with IOs, talking and laughing.

 

I do not know for the 2 months extension, i would suggest to ask this agency.

[ELMqgp 27]

3 minutes ago, Sambotte said:

By the way i have use an agent for the first time in Thailand, not sure i can post the name here ?

Let's say they assist me for Thai visa  In Chiang Mai.

It was just a normal extension (refused many times in Chiang Rai and Mae Sai), cost me 3100 so only 1100 extra. VIP service kind of : transport, immediate processing at airport office, took 5mn total no issue at all. 

I came on monday afternoon, was short for the next day for appointment, so i got it wednesday.

This agency has an office, look very professionnal and reliable.

And at immigration the guy from agency was obviously in very good terms with IOs, talking and laughing.

 

I do not know for the 2 months extension, i would suggest to ask this agency.

Someone on this forum has already contacted the agent you recommended. The agent quoted 9000 baht.

[edwardandtubs 2,336]

1 hour ago, Sambotte said:

Bad idea. Chiang Rai Immigration is worst than CM believe me. And not as many agent in CR too.

But we only have reports of CM pulling this scam. Pai might be a good option. Even flying to Bangkok where they're definitely accepting applications without an embassy letter would be cheaper than using an agent although do bear in mind you have to return for the final stamp.

Edited October 31, 2020 by edwardandtubs