A new visa paperwork problem for some expats?

[ginjag]

12 minutes ago, gamini said:

Only because some expats abuse the system, like marrying a Thai girl to get a marriage visa or using an agency to put up the 800 K. So what you expect??

Before when getting a non immigrant visa from the UK years ago, doing a visa run every 90 days.....simple,  then decided to buy a condo 800,000.    why the heck don't immigration let you have the retirement visa, with having a condo value 800,000.

In this situation  have a condo and not the 800,000.     This is why ex pats entered into an agency to survive,   I did not abuse the system this is an example,   so it is not true all abused the system.

[outsider]

A Malaysian friend got married (wife also Malaysian) and he wanted to bring his wife to Thailand with him. All he had to do was translate the marriage certificate from Malay language to English (I guess it's easier in Malaysia since proficiency with English is much higher), have the Malaysian Embassy in BKK stamp the embassy's acknowledgement that the cert is legit, and that was that. However, I guess it is also important to note that my friend worked for an international agency that hires quite a few foreigners and they have a well-staffed HR team with one or two members 'specialising' in visas. These two staffers apparently knows the ins-and-outs of the visa office in Chamchuri Square - I guess that's like having in-house visa agents. For those not so privileged to be employed by an international firm like my friend, perhaps paying for a good visa agent may help? Also, since my friend was a Malaysian, I guess he had it easy, since Thailand and Malaysia are neighbouring countries etc.

 

[metisdead]

A post using ALL CAPS has been removed, please turn off your Caps Lock when posting. 

[Joe Mcseismic]

39 minutes ago, ginjag said:

Before when getting a non immigrant visa from the UK years ago, doing a visa run every 90 days.....simple,  then decided to buy a condo 800,000.    why the heck don't immigration let you have the retirement visa, with having a condo value 800,000.

In this situation  have a condo and not the 800,000.     This is why ex pats entered into an agency to survive,   I did not abuse the system this is an example,   so it is not true all abused the system.

Why ever would you think that the 800k should go towards your visa requirements?

Firstly, it doesn't go towards your living / emergency expenses as it isn't a liquid asset.

Secondly, have heard this before from other posters and it is a classic case of wishful thinking. Wanting immigration to change the rules to benefit yours truly.

 

I'm sure immigration have noticed the huge influx of foreigners over the last 20 years, that now stay in the Kingdom. I think government policy must be to thin their ranks and only keep the most affluent ones.

Next step will be compulsory health insurance. Good luck with that if you're over 60 years old.

[ginjag]

3 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

Why ever would you think that the 800k should go towards your visa requirements?

Firstly, it doesn't go towards your living / emergency expenses as it isn't a liquid asset.

Secondly, have heard this before from other posters and it is a classic case of wishful thinking. Wanting immigration to change the rules to benefit yours truly.

 

I'm sure immigration have noticed the huge influx of foreigners over the last 20 years, that now stay in the Kingdom. I think government policy must be to thin their ranks and only keep the most affluent ones.

Next step will be compulsory health insurance. Good luck with that if you're over 60 years old.

Did you read and understand or are you just slagging all who do not have the NOW required 800,000.  my point being when owning a condo and are a home type person elderly 76 years,   there is no out goings only food.  and with a UK pension being more than a Thai school teacher,  My 30,000 per month for food etc is making me live like a king.

It more than pays for any medical   TRUE, every 3 months I have enough to fly to the UK because of it accruing.

This is not getting round the New requirements but merely pointing out, that us low life ex pats, are an asset not a liability. A condo worth 800,000 is more than a safeguard if emergency hospitalisation is needed.   So enough of your snide remarks when posters are making a point.

[sawadee1947]

I can't see anything wrong in it. If you live in a foreign country required documents have to be translated. 

OK, it might be uncomfortable, but nobody ask you to stay here. 

[skorts]

I got my non-immigrant O-A in 2014 in the U.K. and my U.K. wife a non-immigrant O which she then got an extension as my dependant to match my extension date, whilst in Thailand. As we were married in Australia our local Immigration office would not accept our original marriage certificate even though it was in English, embossed, and had a bar code. 

We had to go to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, have it certified, translated into Thai and then stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. 

We went back to our local Immigration Office and they then issued my wife’s dependant extension. 

We were told we would never have to show these original documents, certification, translation etc. ever again but they insist on seeing them each year. 

We have now completed 4 annual extensions without any trouble. 

Hopefully, the documents we have will always be sufficient and we will not have to go through the hoops others are sadly now being put through. 

 

 

[ftpjtm]

5 hours ago, Foxter said:

I suggested that , to get married in Thailand , but you need to get a certificate from the embassy proving you are not married . Yep, even if its the same person you want to marry here , you can’t . I tried that


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

My Thai wife and I were married in the US. Years later she wanted to update her Thai ID to her married name. They made us get married again in Thailand, would not accept the US marriage certificate. However, they did not require a certificate from the embassy proving that we were not married, it was no problem at all. We were using a lawyer for all of this, so maybe we were getting some sort of special treatment.

 

We now have a US Marriage certificate showing we were married 25 year ago, and a Thai Marriage certificate showing we were married 2 years ago.

 

Edit - Now that I think back on it we did have to go the US Embassy in BKK for a document showing that we were both unmarried at the time of our marriage in the US. All that we used was a handwritten note by myself, stating that we were both unmarried at the time of our marriage, which the US Embassy notarized as being written by myself. A really stupid and inconsequential document, and perhaps the type that the US Embassy will no longer provide because they did no research at all into my claim, only verified that I am who I said I was.

Edited March 18, 2019 by ftpjtm
Correction

[Joe Mcseismic]

1 minute ago, ginjag said:

Did you read and understand or are you just slagging all who do not have the NOW required 800,000.  my point being when owning a condo and are a home type person elderly 76 years,   there is no out goings only food.  and with a UK pension being more than a Thai school teacher,  My 30,000 per month for food etc is making me live like a king.

It more than pays for any medical   TRUE, every 3 months I have enough to fly to the UK because of it accruing.

This is not getting round the New requirements but merely pointing out, that us low life ex pats, are an asset not a liability. A condo worth 800,000 is more than a safeguard if emergency hospitalisation is needed.   So enough of your snide remarks when posters are making a point.

You really don't understand, do you.

That 800k in a condo is not liquid. There are masses of condominiums sitting empty that are still for sale years later after being built. Let's not even get into the second-hand condo market. You might not be able to pay for your emergency hospitalization by selling your condo. In fact, I would say it would be very doubtful.

You yourself have admitted that you live very cheaply. That's not want the Thai government want. By their actions they have signaled that they want affluent spenders; those that spend at least 65k a month. Your assertion that you are an "asset" is laughable. To me, you seem like a potential liability.

I'm sorry that you interpret the brutal truth as snide, but, I ain't going to use sugar-coating and I'm not going to apologize for working hard and having savings.

I also invite you to use the scroll bar if you don't like my posts, or, give me a negative emoji if it will make you feel better.

[ginjag]

18 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

You really don't understand, do you.

That 800k in a condo is not liquid. There are masses of condominiums sitting empty that are still for sale years later after being built. Let's not even get into the second-hand condo market. You might not be able to pay for your emergency hospitalization by selling your condo. In fact, I would say it would be very doubtful.

You yourself have admitted that you live very cheaply. That's not want the Thai government want. By their actions they have signaled that they want affluent spenders; those that spend at least 65k a month. Your assertion that you are an "asset" is laughable. To me, you seem like a potential liability.

I'm sorry that you interpret the brutal truth as snide, but, I ain't going to use sugar-coating and I'm not going to apologize for working hard and having savings.

I also invite you to use the scroll bar if you don't like my posts, or, give me a negative emoji if it will make you feel better.

OK bye,    you are a snob,  true  your posts tell us this,    30 k a month is living for more luxurious than a teacher paying every month for his house and car........I have a new car,   not have to pay for transport.

 

Look at what you post and I suggest 90% of posters think you are just on here to bait....end of story.....and BYE for sure, you are a headache to exchange views.   From the onset coming here 38 years ago,  on Thai international and the rest,  buying 5 new cars, 2 motor bikes,  spending money locally,  helping schools, temples,  Thai true packages,  15 years of water bills and electric,  food from Tesco, petrol,  If you call this a liability  you are puddled.

[Jim7777]

This is just nonsense just another article trying to attract readers.  Renewing your extension has not gotten “unnecessarily complicated” at all.  Actually the new immigration changes have made it 100 times easier and I like it better the way things are now.  I was nervous about it in the beginning until I learned what the new changes were and once I figured it out I was a lot happier because it really is easier for me to renew my extension the way things are now.  

 

Of course if you can’t meet the minimum requirements you’re probably not gonna be as happy about it as I am.  

 

These stories they used as examples are very bad examples.  I mean of course you have to prove that you’re married to claim a dependent and of course your marriage certificate has to be translated and notarized LMAO ????.  But they don’t have to go back to China to do it lol ???? because there are agencies here in Thailand that can get that done for you right here in Thailand they provide notary services, translation services, and much more.  

 

Some people here do have legitimate problems with immigration but most people who complain are just looking for things to complain about and would probably still find something to whine about even if there were no rules at all.  Immigration just made things a lot easier for us as long as you can meet their visa and or extension requirements you shouldn’t have a problem.  This site does put out some good information sometimes but then I read BS articles like this that are just looking for attention and I’m giving it to them simply by just commenting on it.  I should have just ignored it and moved on.  They title it in a way that gets your attention and then I clicked on it and it turned out to be a gigantic nothing burger.  

 

People should be happy now that immigration has finally got their stuff together and we now have a better system.  Of course there are going to be problems during this transition period away from the income affidavits and now immigration is just simply a lot stricter about us actually being able to verify our monthly income or money saved.  Now we actually have to prove it for real.  I remember when they used to have homeless foreigners including westerners all over Bangkok mostly so good for immigration they are cleaning this country up.  And as long as you can meet their requirements you have nothing to worry about in fact now things have sort of gotten easier for those of us who can meet their requirements.  I noticed how now you really never hear about homeless foreigners in Bangkok and Pattaya anymore because immigration is doing a good job.  We have to accept the fact that we are guests in this country and must abide by their rules or go home if you don’t like their rules.  We chose to live here.  Personally I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life here in Thailand and I’ve been here 5 years.  I just think people need to stop whining about everything in Thailand and if they hate it here so much then leave.  No country is ever gonna be perfect.  

[Joe Mcseismic]

1 minute ago, ginjag said:

OK bye,    you are a snob,  true  your posts tell us this,    30 k a month is living for more luxurious than a teacher paying every month for his house and car........I have a new car,   not have to pay for transport.

 

Look at what you post and I suggest 90% of posters think you are just on here to bait....end of story.....and BYE for sure, you are a headache to exchange views.   From the onset coming here 38 years ago,  on Thai international and the rest,  buying 5 new cars, 2 motor bikes,  spending money locally,  helping schools, temples,  Thai true packages,  15 years of water bills and electric,  food from Tesco, petrol,  If you call this a liability  you are puddled.

You still don't get it.

What I am or, am not is not the issue. It is what immigration want and now require. Your past spending habits are irrelevant. The length of time you have stayed here is irrelevant.

The ONLY thing that is relevant is, can you meet immigration's new requirements, or not. Complaining about it, suggesting modifications that immigration should implement that will make things easier will not change a thing.

Yes, you are a potential liability because of your age and your fantasy of paying for hospitalization with your condo.

[roo860]

 

 

 

 

You really don't understand, do you. That 800k in a condo is not liquid. There are masses of condominiums sitting empty that are still for sale years later after being built. Let's not even get into the second-hand condo market. You might not be able to pay for your emergency hospitalization by selling your condo. In fact, I would say it would be very doubtful.

You yourself have admitted that you live very cheaply. That's not want the Thai government want. By their actions they have signaled that they want affluent spenders; those that spend at least 65k a month. Your assertion that you are an "asset" is laughable. To me, you seem like a potential liability.

I'm sorry that you interpret the brutal truth as snide, but, I ain't going to use sugar-coating and I'm not going to apologize for working hard and having savings.

I also invite you to use the scroll bar if you don't like my posts, or, give me a negative emoji if it will make you feel better.

 

 

I'm sure the hospital would be very pleased to hear you have a condo, now can you please settle your bill, today.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

 

[Joe Mcseismic]

1 minute ago, roo860 said:

I'm sure the hospital will would very pleased to hear you have a condo, now can you please settle your bill, today.
 

 

Exactly!

[Jim7777]

8 hours ago, car720 said:

The notary thing is true because I had to do it for my wife but only in her home town, it didn't need to go elsewhere.  As for the Chinese embassy in Bangkok, that sounds suss.

Yeah we all have to do that if you got married outside of Thailand and you must get the Kor Ror 22 that’s a common rule for marriage visa extensions.  And you can get that done right here in Thailand the example they used was just some extremely rare case, it was just some really extreme anomaly and that was their great example of how tough things are here for foreigners LMAO ????.  

 

They act like the sky is falling because we have to obey a few immigration rules.  Actually from my own personal experience things have actually gotten a lot easier when renewing your extension.  I guess it does depend on your situation but I like it better now, and I’ve been here for 5 years.  

Edited March 18, 2019 by Jim7777

[ginjag]

6 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

You still don't get it.

What I am or, am not is not the issue. It is what immigration want and now require. Your past spending habits are irrelevant. The length of time you have stayed here is irrelevant.

The ONLY thing that is relevant is, can you meet immigration's new requirements, or not. Complaining about it, suggesting modifications that immigration should implement that will make things easier will not change a thing.

Yes, you are a potential liability because of your age and your fantasy of paying for hospitalization with your condo.

ha ha ha ha,  I understand what the requirements are, you are a liability on here as a poster.   ha ha ha

[Joe Mcseismic]

Just now, ginjag said:

ha ha ha ha,  I understand what the requirements are, you are a liability on here as a poster.   ha ha ha

Glad to have cheered you up. I have that effect on people.

[sambum]

8 hours ago, DavoTheGun said:

I pretty isolated case by the sound of it.

Probably quite a few more about that haven't been reported on ThaiVisa?

[Jim7777]

This article is laughable because that is nothing new at all by any means, it’s been a common rule for probably before I was born.  Sounds like someone can’t think of anything meaningful to write about so they do what they usually do pick on immigration.  

[ginjag]

17 minutes ago, roo860 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure the hospital would be very pleased to hear you have a condo, now can you please settle your bill, today.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

 

Suppose having a condo is not too bad,  with 35k to spend free style as you wish.....on the other hand having the said 65k a month, paying out 30k for living and wife and family and hiring a car, and his bills --any medical for wify and kids and family,  he is as much a liability as I.   where does he get the emergency 800k for hospitalisation  ???----------------he does not even have any back up to try to sell.....do you get my drift  ??

Edited March 18, 2019 by ginjag

[sambum]

6 hours ago, vukovar77 said:

Not true.It is very easy to obtain retirement Visa in Thailand.Easiest here than  in any Asian country from my point of view!

"It is very easy to obtain retirement Visa in Thailand."

 

You are obviously not British (or Australian or .............!)

[Joe Mcseismic]

31 minutes ago, ginjag said:

Suppose having a condo is not too bad,  with 35k to spend free style as you wish.....on the other hand having the said 65k a month, paying out 30k for living and wife and family and hiring a car, and his bills --any medical for wify and kids and family,  he is as much a liability as I.   where does he get the emergency 800k for hospitalisation  ???----------------he does not even have any back up to try to sell.....do you get my drift  ??

Errrm, are you posting about your self? I don't own a condo. Prefer a house with a garden as I don't like living in a shoe-box...........even a large shoe-box.

Edited March 18, 2019 by Joe Mcseismic

[KKr]

10 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

It is in the interest of Thai national security to insure this British man and Chinese woman are confirmed legally married by at least 6 different government agencies in two countries least there be a big international incident were Thailand will be accused of aiding and abetting co-habitation...????

I don't see anything wrong with a government requiring a document confirming what a requestor has stated, and that, if not in the local language or not issued by a locally verifiable source, should be notarised and translated according to international conventions, so the reader can be sure that it is an original, and that knowledgeable people did confirm such fact.

In the EU, and surely also in the STBGA USofA, the same procedure applies.

Married ? Parents of a child ? Claiming not to be a crook or villain ? Claim you have income from your home country ?Proof it.

What's the big deal ?

Edited March 18, 2019 by KKr

[StevieAus]

8 hours ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

Immigration requirements for all retirees have got tougher to meet.

You either have to meet them, or leave.

Whether they make sense, or not, is beside the point. Thailand has the absolute right to set, modify, or change the requirements.

Nothing any foreigner can do about it except comply, or leave.

Well my retirement extension ( visa) hasn’t become tougher it’s become easier.

Instead of a three hour drive to Chiang Mai and usually an overnight stay to obtain an income declaration from the Australian Consulate when they visit I can now obtain a letter from the local bank.

[Joe Mcseismic]

1 minute ago, StevieAus said:

Well my retirement extension ( visa) hasn’t become tougher it’s become easier.

Instead of a three hour drive to Chiang Mai and usually an overnight stay to obtain an income declaration from the Australian Consulate when they visit I can now obtain a letter from the local bank.

Yes, for those with the resources and use the income, or combination method, things have got easier.

For those that have been gaming the system, or, were relying on the requirements never changing, the problems have just begun.

[JOCKANESE]

43 minutes ago, Jim7777 said:

This is just nonsense just another article trying to attract readers.  Renewing your extension has not gotten “unnecessarily complicated” at all.  Actually the new immigration changes have made it 100 times easier and I like it better the way things are now.  I was nervous about it in the beginning until I learned what the new changes were and once I figured it out I was a lot happier because it really is easier for me to renew my extension the way things are now.  

 

Of course if you can’t meet the minimum requirements you’re probably not gonna be as happy about it as I am.  

 

These stories they used as examples are very bad examples.  I mean of course you have to prove that you’re married to claim a dependent and of course your marriage certificate has to be translated and notarized LMAO ????.  But they don’t have to go back to China to do it lol ???? because there are agencies here in Thailand that can get that done for you right here in Thailand they provide notary services, translation services, and much more.  

 

Some people here do have legitimate problems with immigration but most people who complain are just looking for things to complain about and would probably still find something to whine about even if there were no rules at all.  Immigration just made things a lot easier for us as long as you can meet their visa and or extension requirements you shouldn’t have a problem.  This site does put out some good information sometimes but then I read BS articles like this that are just looking for attention and I’m giving it to them simply by just commenting on it.  I should have just ignored it and moved on.  They title it in a way that gets your attention and then I clicked on it and it turned out to be a gigantic nothing burger.  

 

People should be happy now that immigration has finally got their stuff together and we now have a better system.  Of course there are going to be problems during this transition period away from the income affidavits and now immigration is just simply a lot stricter about us actually being able to verify our monthly income or money saved.  Now we actually have to prove it for real.  I remember when they used to have homeless foreigners including westerners all over Bangkok mostly so good for immigration they are cleaning this country up.  And as long as you can meet their requirements you have nothing to worry about in fact now things have sort of gotten easier for those of us who can meet their requirements.  I noticed how now you really never hear about homeless foreigners in Bangkok and Pattaya anymore because immigration is doing a good job.  We have to accept the fact that we are guests in this country and must abide by their rules or go home if you don’t like their rules.  We chose to live here.  Personally I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life here in Thailand and I’ve been here 5 years.  I just think people need to stop whining about everything in Thailand and if they hate it here so much then leave.  No country is ever gonna be perfect.  

Well said Jim7777

[KKr]

7 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

It's not new. I had to get my UK Marriage certificate legalised in the UK, then get the legalised document certified by the Thai Embassy in London. This was to get my wife added to my Extension as my dependent.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 

in my case the foreign ministry abroad confirmed the notary that had confirmed the true copy and then the translators' signature and license, the Embassy confirmed the Ministry, and the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok the Embassy. 
Of note in this procedure: 
there is a deadline for Bangkok to accept the document for verification. ( Green with red stamp on folded over corner )

Edited March 18, 2019 by KKr

[ginjag]

17 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

Errrm, are you posting about your self? I don't own a condo.

You have not answered my last post because your said 65k as per rule is for the better class tourist/retiree,  but where is his 800,000 for emergency treatment.......eeeeerrrrrmmm   any answer to a higher family commitment 65k, or a low life 35k condo owner, the type you say immigration wants that you agree with,  65k,  is knackered if he has to be hospitalised

[ginjag]

23 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

Errrm, are you posting about your self? I don't own a condo.

Did not answer did you because the system states 65k as an option,   so he may not have hospitalisation money,  shot yourself in the foot about 35k persons being low life. and not wanted here because of a liability,  re-cap.  a 65k person is a low life liability if he does not have 800k for emergency hospital.

[Joe Mcseismic]

2 minutes ago, ginjag said:

You have not answered my last post because your said 65k as per rule is for the better class tourist/retiree,  but where is his 800,000 for emergency treatment.......eeeeerrrrrmmm   any answer to a higher family commitment 65k, or a low life 35k condo owner, the type you say immigration wants that you agree with,  65k,  is knackered if he has to be hospitalised

Oh......you were asking a question.

My wife has private medical insurance and I have private medical insurance. The limit for each of us is 50 million Baht per year. This costs about 100k per year, so, that's the medical sorted.

The missus drives a car which is fully insured. I drive motorbikes.

I have savings that are in Sterling and US dollars that can be brought in within 24 hours and that I now use for living expenses.

 

For this year's extension, I'll be putting the 800k into a separate account and will never touch the money, so, that covers all future retirement extensions.

I don't particularly like these new rules, but, what choice is there? It's like I said in my first post on this thread. Comply or, leave.