A Trip to Immigration

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Going to immigration is a new experience for me. The five years I was in China, I merely handed over my passport to the designated person and a few weeks later, a shiny new visa was inside. I can't lie, it was pretty nice.

Getting the proper visa and work permit is a multi-step process in Thailand. After I arrived with my 60 day visa my boss went to work getting the paperwork and documents for the next step. The process takes several weeks, so a 30 visa isn't enough. I gave my documents (university diploma, CELTA certificate, and passport) to my boss and she filled everything out and took it to the Ministry of Education. They examined everything (since many things can be bought on Khao San Road) for authenticity and gave her some papers or a stamp of approval to proceed. I'm really not quite sure.

After she picked everything up from there, she met me in Mo Chit and we drove up to the immigration bureau. It's not reachable by public transport, so you either need a friend with a car or you need to take a taxi. They're in the process of building a MRT line to it, but it's not done yet. Many government offices are in the one building, so everything will be together. In the long run it makes sense. But right now it's just inconvenient.

We arrived around 11am. She helped me get a number for my turn and we sat and waited. I have never been so grateful for games and internet on my phone. We chatted a bit, too, and she pointed out where I'll do my 90 day check-ins after I have my work permit. While we waited, I watched another American trying to fill out all his paperwork, calling his employer, and looking a bit flustered. I was so grateful that my boss had been able to do it for me. Not only did I not get frustrated and overwhelmed, but I know it's all correct and complete. Though, I did wonder why the other guy hadn't done his before he arrived.

At noon, everything closes for an hour lunch break. We, and everyone else, headed over to one of the food courts to eat. Luckily, they don't drive up the prices to take advantage of the fact that you're stuck there (like in airports). I had a nice noodle soup for 40 B. She had some rice, veggies, and fish. Lots to choose from, but you need to be fast because of lines and limited tables.

We all trouped back in at 1pm. By 2pm we were seen. I'm not sure what conversation took place, but I had to sign a few things, gave them 2000 B, we smiled, and they said to give them 15 minutes. Again, we sat, watching the clock slowly tick the minutes away, aware that our phone batteries were running low.

We talked a bit about the next few steps with the visa process. I'll get my work permit in a month, after my contract starts. And a month after that we extend my B visa so that it lasts for a year. (Initially, it's only good for 90 days.) Then, every 3 months I get to check in with immigration and tell them where I'm living.

Clearly, my life in China was a bit easier with regards visas. I did nothing. Here, it's more steps, but I think a big part of that is because, unlike China, anyone can enter Thailand easily, and for many nationalities pre-approval isn't required. It's a good way to track who is here legally and illegally.

Shortly after we sat down, a man called my name and my passport was returned. Inside were two pages stamped in blue, rather than the pretty sticker visas I'm used to getting. But I now have a non-immigrant B visa. I'm no longer a tourist!

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Comments

[Home and Away]

Congratulations on getting your Type B visa...
my son had to do a couple visa runs to Penang and KL (where he met Ali the founder of TB and Michelle, now hos wife) before his finally came through. They wanted a copy of his diploma that takes months after graduation to get printed, and didn't want his transcript which is the official record of his degree. Anyway, it was all sorted out.