Marriage extension at CW - painful

[Johnny Rotten]

Other than KSK bank taking a long time to print out all their receipts and documents, still managed to get to Immigration Dept. at 9am.

Previous day I had been to Police HQ to check that they had sent my police record check to Immigration, which they assured me they had (this is required for nationals from dubious countries, such as anywhere in Africa etc, such as South Africa).

We managed to see one of the ladies after about 30 minutes, as not so many foreigners now in evidence in that department.

Then the fun started. Immigration had not received my police record check, and they said the certificate is essential, so my wife and I had to catch a taxi/BTS back to Police HQ, pick up the errant record, and go back to Immigration. Managed to see one of the ladies again after lunch.

Definitely one feels under scrutiny there/criminal?, and I fail to understand why year after year one has to submit the same birth certificates of my children, blue book copies for my wife and children, etc. There has to be another way, or why my wife has to fill in forms that include the same info as shown on my TM7. It also seems like I will have to obtain a police record every year (which entails a visit to immigration before the application date to get a request letter typed up by one of the senior ladies).

Copies were of course required of TM30, 90 day report, etc.

Requirements seem to get worse by year, and to put the icing on the cake, at the end of interview officer asked my to make copies of half of my pack of documents - is this something new?

As the whole process is stressful for my wife and family, I may consider relocating next year, or get a Non O from Laos.

[cornishcarlos]

While it is still available, the multi entry Non O is the least hassle option for me. I'll be a bit stuffed if they stop issuing them !! Work commitments don't allow me the luxury of hanging around for under consideration period...

[TSF]

Writing's really on the wall these days. Seems like they'll just keep coming up with things to make life difficult for the farang. I've got a feeling that what we are seeing now is just the start, lord knows what they'll be demanding from us next year and the year after.

[HampiK]

This seems to be some extra documents which (thanks god not all foreigners need to have) make it more complicated.

For the most foreigners the extension based on marriage is not that bad except maybe the 30 days waiting period, which means 2 trips to Chaeng Wattana!

[BertM]

I had a great experience yesterday at CW in Bangkok. In & out in less than 30 min. Definitely a record for me. Was kind of worried because I was switching from retirement to marriage. Was dropped off at front entrance, walked downstairs to get updated bank book & bank letter. That took less than 15 min. Went back upstairs and waited about 10 min while the IO officer and agent reviewed the docs together, then we were called in for a pic and we were done. It couldn't have gone any better...

Edited September 5, 2019 by BertM

[moe666]

Some guys have all the luck

[villerupt]

hi,

POLICE RECORD is a new document to show now?

last year, i didn't need this...

 

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, villerupt said:

hi,

POLICE RECORD is a new document to show now?

last year, i didn't need this...

 

It is only needed for those from certain nationalities. (read the OP again).

[gamini]

for many years I did a retirement Visa instead of marriage because I thought the latter was more difficult, this did not turn out to be the case.. iT was very easy no problems, only 400 K in the bank for two months the only real difference being that you have to wait a month to get the visa. but I didn't have to go pick it up myself, a friend of mine did it for me.

[chilly07]

You are lucky to find an Agent that does Marriage Extensions! Normally the fee isn't sufficient to cover all eventualities!

[StevieAus]

On 9/4/2019 at 5:17 PM, TSF said:

Writing's really on the wall these days. Seems like they'll just keep coming up with things to make life difficult for the farang. I've got a feeling that what we are seeing now is just the start, lord knows what they'll be demanding from us next year and the year after.

Your comment is interesting never had a problem with Immigration in the years I have lived here or when leaving or arriving in Thailand.

Recently asked 8 Expats if they had any problems a mix of marriage visas and retirement extensions none of them have had problems

Strange that some people claim to have problems and others don’t.

[TaoNow]

@SteveAus:  Unfortunately, over the years, this section of the TV forum has become a dumping ground for those who can't adjust to Thailand and need a place to slander Thais and Immigration out of indignation.  As you and I seem to know, the vast majority of ex-pats who truly love and respect Thailand have found ways to live here without hassles.  It stands to reason then that most of them have no reason to visit this forum or, let alone, post.  That is why the discussion is so skewed to the negative experience.

 

Thus, the only reason for successful ex-pats in Thailand to post here is to provide some counter-examples of how it is possible to live here in peace and harmony.

[Number 6]

My first extension had a hiccup but all's smooth sailing last five years. I've been employed at a few good schools and put my permit on top. The IO changed my pick up date twice bc of it. Thx.

 

Once we are seated it's 15 minutes then maybe another 5 waiting for the boss to look it all over. Those blocks are broken in two by some waiting maybe anywhere from 5-20 mins

 

Give them everything they need and let them toss the extra back.

 

Have your letter from day before. Update your book, get a photocopy and slip before opening hours.

[OJAS]

On 9/4/2019 at 4:56 PM, Johnny Rotten said:

As the whole process is stressful for my wife and family, I may consider relocating next year, or get a Non O from Laos.

If you think that the marriage extension process is stressful, I shudder to think as to how you are likely to cope when your South African passport next falls due for renewal - assuming, of course, that the linked thread below from 2016 is still relevant in this context!

 

 

Edited September 7, 2019 by OJAS

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, StevieAus said:

Your comment is interesting never had a problem with Immigration in the years I have lived here or when leaving or arriving in Thailand.

Recently asked 8 Expats if they had any problems a mix of marriage visas and retirement extensions none of them have had problems

Strange that some people claim to have problems and others don’t.

So a selective sample of 10 had no problems....out of perhaps an estimated 500,000. I think I would get similar results if I asked at the Expats Club. But sitting waiting my turn at immigration, I seem to see more. 

[Peterw42]

OP, what requirements are different this year from last year ? 

 

Besides your unique Police document, it sounds like you are just quoting the usual documents required every year, and usually its 2 copies

 

What are the documents your wife is required to fill in ?

 

Maybe I am missing something but It doesn't appear to be any changes from the process or the documents that are always required.

Edited September 8, 2019 by Peterw42