The Pattaya Immigration Office serves one of the largest expat communities in Thailand, with thousands of retirees, business owners, and long-term visitors calling the city home. The Pattaya Immigration Office, located on Soi 5 in the Jomtien area, handles all immigration services for foreigners living in or visiting the Pattaya-Jomtien-Banglamung area of Chonburi province.
This guide covers the exact location, opening hours, what documents to bring, how the queue works, and practical tips for getting through the process as efficiently as possible.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Pattaya Immigration Office (Chonburi Immigration, Banglamung Branch) |
| Address | Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Closed | Weekends and Thai public holidays |
| Phone | 038-252-750 |
| Queue cutoff | Approximately 2:30-3:00 PM for extensions |
| Payment | Cash only (THB) |
Location and Address
Official Name: Chonburi Immigration Office, Banglamung Branch (commonly called Pattaya Immigration or Jomtien Immigration)
Address: Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Road Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi 20150
In Thai: ตรวจคนเข้าเมืองจังหวัดชลบุรี สาขาบางละมุง ซอย 5 ถนนจอมเทียน หนองปรือ บางละมุง ชลบุรี
Google Maps: Search for "Pattaya Immigration Office Soi 5 Jomtien" — the pin is accurate.
The office is set back from Jomtien Beach Road on Soi 5. Look for the government building with the immigration signage. It is approximately 200 meters down the soi from the main road.
How to Get There
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| Baht bus (songthaew) | From central Pattaya, take a baht bus heading south toward Jomtien. Get off at Soi 5 on Jomtien Beach Road. Cost: 10-20 THB on the shared route. |
| Grab/Bolt | The most convenient option. From central Pattaya: 60-120 THB, 10-20 minutes. From Naklua/North Pattaya: 100-180 THB, 20-30 minutes. |
| Motorbike taxi | Available from Jomtien Beach Road to Soi 5. Short ride: 20-40 THB. |
| Private car/motorbike | Parking is available at the office compound. The lot can fill up on busy mornings, so arrive early. |
| Walking | If you are staying in the Jomtien area, the office may be within walking distance. It is approximately 500 meters from the beach. |
GPS coordinates: 12.8981, 100.8742
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Saturday - Sunday | Closed |
| Thai public holidays | Closed |
Queue number cutoff: The office typically stops issuing queue numbers for extensions of stay by 2:30-3:00 PM. This cutoff can be earlier on particularly busy days. For 90-day reporting, cutoffs are more flexible but do not arrive after 3:30 PM.
Lunch period: The office does not formally close for lunch. However, processing slows noticeably between 12:00-1:00 PM as staff take staggered breaks.
Best time to visit: Tuesday through Thursday, arriving by 7:30-8:00 AM. Mondays are the busiest day of the week. Fridays draw those trying to finish business before the weekend.
Important note: Pattaya Immigration is known for being one of the busier provincial offices in Thailand due to the large expat population. Early arrival is strongly recommended regardless of the day.
Services Available
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Extension of stay (all visa types) | Tourist, retirement, marriage, business, education |
| 90-day reporting | In-person filing |
| Re-entry permits | Single and multiple |
| TM30 filing | For landlords, hotels, and property owners |
| Change of address notification | When moving within the Banglamung/Chonburi area |
| Visa cancellation | For those departing Thailand |
| Overstay processing | Fines and documentation for overstayers |
| Lost passport assistance | In coordination with your embassy |
What to Bring
Essential Documents for Every Visit
- Passport (original)
- Photocopies of: biographical page, current visa or extension stamp, most recent entry stamp, departure card (if applicable)
- One passport photo (4x6 cm, taken within 6 months)
- Cash for fees (no cards accepted)
- Pen (blue or black ink)
- Sign all photocopies in blue ink before submitting
Extension of Stay (Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption)
- TM.7 application form (available at the office or download in advance)
- 1,900 THB fee
- Passport photo (4x6 cm)
- All passport photocopies
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or lease agreement)
Extension of Stay (Retirement Visa)
- TM.7 application form
- 1,900 THB fee
- Passport photo
- Bank letter from a Thai bank showing 800,000 THB balance (dated within 7 days)
- Updated Thai bank passbook (original and copy)
- Copies of previous extension stamps
- Proof of address (lease agreement, utility bill, or TM30 receipt)
- Map to your residence (hand-drawn is accepted)
Extension of Stay (Marriage to Thai National)
- TM.7 application form
- 1,900 THB fee
- Marriage certificate (certified copy and original)
- Spouse's Thai ID card (copy)
- Spouse's house registration / Tabien Baan (copy)
- Financial proof (400,000 THB in bank or 40,000 THB/month income, or combination)
- Bank letter and updated passbook
- Photos of you and your spouse at your home (2-3 recent photos)
- Map to your residence
- Spouse must attend in person
90-Day Reporting
- TM.47 form
- Passport (original)
- Previous 90-day reporting receipt
Re-Entry Permit
- TM.8 application form
- 1,000 THB (single entry) or 3,800 THB (multiple entry)
- Passport photo
- Passport (original)
The Queue Process
How It Works
- Arrive at the office on Soi 5 and enter the main building
- Proceed to the document check desk — Staff will verify you have the required documents for your service
- Receive a queue number for the appropriate service counter
- Wait in the main hall — Seating is available but limited on busy days. Display screens show current queue numbers.
- When your number is called, go to the assigned counter
- Submit your application and documents — The officer may ask additional questions
- Wait for processing — You may be asked to sit in a separate waiting area
- Collect your passport with the new stamp or receipt
Estimated Wait Times
| Service | Typical Wait |
|---|---|
| 90-day reporting | 15-45 minutes |
| Re-entry permit | 20-60 minutes |
| Extension (tourist/exempt) | 1.5-3 hours |
| Extension (retirement/marriage) | 2-4 hours |
Mondays and the first working day after a long holiday can push these times significantly higher. Waits of 4-5 hours for extensions are not unheard of on the busiest days.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
Before You Go
- Prepare every document in advance — Make all photocopies, sign them, and organize them in order. The small photocopy shop near the office gets very busy.
- Pre-fill your application forms — Download TM.7, TM.47, or TM.8 from the Immigration Bureau website and complete them at home.
- Bring surplus passport photos — At least 3-4 photos. Officers occasionally require an extra form or attachment.
- Carry more cash than the fee amount — In case of unexpected photocopies or photo needs. ATMs are available on Jomtien Beach Road but not inside the office compound.
- Charge your devices and bring a power bank — The wait is long, and entertainment helps.
At the Office
- Arrive by 7:30-8:00 AM — People begin lining up before the doors open at 8:30. The first queue numbers go to those already waiting.
- Use the document check desk — Have staff review your package before joining the queue. Missing a single document can cost you an entire morning.
- Watch the display screen closely — Numbers move at an uneven pace. Several numbers may be called in quick succession.
- Do not leave the building when your number is close — If your number is called and you are not present, you will likely need to take a new number and start the wait over.
- Dress neatly — Avoid beach attire. Shorts that reach the knee, closed-toe shoes, and a collared shirt are appropriate for a government office.
Pattaya-Specific Tips
- Large expat population means long queues: Pattaya has one of the highest concentrations of foreigners in Thailand outside Bangkok. The immigration office regularly processes hundreds of cases per day. Do not expect a quiet provincial office — this is a high-volume operation.
- Retirement visa dominance: A large proportion of Pattaya's expat community holds retirement visas. The office is well-practiced with retirement extensions but also very thorough with financial documentation. Ensure your bank letter is current and your passbook is updated.
- TM30 is enforced: Pattaya immigration requires a valid TM30 before processing any service. If your hotel or landlord has not filed it, you may be turned away until it is completed.
- Condo and rental situations: If you live in a condo, your building's juristic office should handle TM30. If you rent privately, your landlord is responsible. Verify this is done before your visit.
- Consider an agent for renewals: Many Pattaya visa agents have established relationships with the office and can process standard extensions efficiently. Fees typically range from 3,000-7,000 THB including the government fee. Always verify the agent's reputation through expat forums.
- Avoid the first Monday after a holiday: This is consistently the busiest time at Pattaya immigration. If possible, wait until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Nearby Services
| Service | Location |
|---|---|
| Photocopy and photo shop | Small shops on Soi 5, near the office entrance |
| ATMs | Jomtien Beach Road, 200 meters from the office |
| 7-Eleven | Jomtien Beach Road, within walking distance |
| Restaurants | Multiple options on Jomtien Beach Road and Soi 5 |
| Translation services | Available through agents near the office |
| Banks | Several bank branches on Jomtien Beach Road |
| Motorcycle taxi stand | At the entrance to Soi 5 on Jomtien Beach Road |
Alternatives to Jomtien Office
If the Pattaya/Jomtien office is too crowded, there are limited alternatives:
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Bangkok Chaeng Wattana | Full-service office, but a 2+ hour drive from Pattaya. Only practical if you are already traveling to Bangkok. |
| Online 90-day reporting | Strongly recommended for those who have completed their first in-person report. Saves a trip entirely. |
| Visa agents | Can handle many services on your behalf for a fee, saving you the queue time. |
| Chonburi main office | Located in Chonburi city, approximately 30-40 minutes north of Pattaya. Handles the same services but is less crowded. Worth considering if you have transport. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment? No. The Pattaya Immigration Office operates on a walk-in, queue number basis. There is no appointment system.
Can I extend my tourist visa in Pattaya if I arrived through Suvarnabhumi Airport? Yes. You can extend your stay at any immigration office in Thailand, regardless of your entry point.
What are the overstay fines? Overstay fines are 500 THB per day, with a maximum of 20,000 THB. If you are caught overstaying during a police check (rather than turning yourself in at immigration), the penalties are more severe and can include detention and re-entry bans.
Is the office air-conditioned? The main processing hall is air-conditioned. However, during very busy periods you may need to wait outside or in overflow areas that are less comfortable.
Can I do 90-day reporting online instead of visiting? Yes, once you have completed your first 90-day report in person. The online system is functional and widely used by Pattaya residents. It saves a significant amount of time.
How long does a retirement visa extension take? Plan for 2-4 hours from arrival to completion on a normal weekday. On busy days, it can take longer. The actual processing by the officer takes 30-60 minutes; the rest is queue time.
Final Thoughts
The Pattaya Immigration Office on Soi 5 Jomtien is a busy, high-volume facility that reflects the city's large foreign population. While waits can be long, the office is well-organized and the staff are experienced with all visa types. The formula for success is simple: arrive early, bring every required document with signed photocopies, carry sufficient cash, and budget half a day for the process. With proper preparation, even first-time visitors can navigate the system without difficulty.
