Visa extension based on Retirement at Korat today

[DickThrust]

I’d like to post to describe my visit to Korat Immigration today.

Firstly, I am no serial immigration moaner/hater. I have received first class service in my 10 years dealing with the office - I am certainly not one of the “they don’t want us here” brigade.

I went on to complete my yearly extension based on retirement using the 800K method.

The girl checking my documents was forensically meticulous with my documents asking me to fill in info that was not asked for eg telephone number, repeat of my address. Then the first bombshell. There is now a requirement to supply a statement from the bank as well as the usual letter.

Off to the bank I went. The cashier there said that I wasn’t the first “farang” to return for a statement!!

Back to immigration for rechecking of documents, again a meticulous check especially of the bank stuff – usually it’s usually a cursory glance.

Documentation all checked then a long wait for my turn.                                                                   

Within seconds of sitting down the officer told my partner that she was going to be fined 800bt for not reporting my return after an out of province visit.  I quickly countered that I had successfully submitted 2 TM30 reports on the Immigration App. The officer seemed flustered and could not find my submissions on her computer. Luckily, I had done screen shots of the submissions together with the “summitted successfully” messages.

Increasingly flustered she called over a colleague. 15 minutes of faffing around, the 800 bt fine was forgotten.

Then second bombshell. She stated that I should submit my TM 30 on the app AND report in person to the office.

The officer then seemed to take great delight in forcing me to read a document stating all immigration dos and don’ts and forcing my partner to read some other document in Thai. This was not a personable experience – overzealous and no eye contact.

Eventually my extension was finalized but only after she had offered my wife a slip of paper to put in my passport (presumably a TM30 confirmation slip). She later got into a huff and withdrew the slip.

 

 I asked politely on three occasions to confirm that I had to submit TM30 via the app and visit the office in person. She did confirm.

 

Now, I am assuming that the TM30 stuff was just <deleted> (???) – she simply did not know what she was talking about, but I really did feel like some sort of criminal – it was not a pleasant experience.

 

I think next year I will try to use an agent – I don’t want to go though that again. I am genuinely disappointed.

[Maverell]

I reckon you got an inexperienced officer who didn't really have a clue.

[DickThrust]

No Maverell, experienced officer. Certainly knew about the 800 bt fine scenario!!

[ukrules]

9 hours ago, DickThrust said:

This was not a personable experience – overzealous and no eye contact.

They want to deny you the extension and are strenuously looking for any reason to say no and send you on your way.

[piston broke]

 

All the retirees i know down the local pub, use an Agent ...... smiles all round - Especially when you visit the imm office for the photo and jump the que ( i waited 3 hours last extension and watched dozens and dozens of folk jumping in, along with plenty of agents carrying handfuls of passports - boy was i frustrated )

 

Then, next day it's back to the Agent to pick up the stamped passport, all done and dusted - easy peasey (lemon squeesy).. Agent even gives you a plastic cover for your passport, with a ticket reminding you when the next 90 day rep is due !

 

No stress, no setbacks, no being told you've not got this, not got that, no come back tomorrow cos too many people here etc - in fact the hardest part is the ability to pay the Agent's fee over.

 

I'm reliaby in formed they are paying 12,500 baht all in, which includes them doing all the 90 day rep stuff - so literally 1 visit (photo) to imm p.a. - smashing in my book.

 

i'm seriously tempted to join the gang when mine is due later next year. cos at my age i'm finding it hard to deal with the stress....

.

[JohnOFphon]

I'm reliaby in formed they are paying 12,500 baht all in, which includes them doing all the 90 day rep stuff - so literally 1 visit (photo) to imm p.a. - smashing in my book.

 

i'm seriously tempted to join the gang when mine is due later next year. cos at my age i'm finding it hard to deal with the stress....

 

Yeah...That's 12,500 for the agent, and another 70,000 or so for the mandated insurance. If you maintain the Non O A. 

What a bargain huh?

 

[tgeezer]

This is really disgraceful. One ca’t help being cynical if we take this at face value. It isn’t civil service culture to think “800,000THB in the bank and nothing for me” but understandable.  The desk officer makes nothing out of one employing an agent and she has no discretion on what she asks for which is why she will not be contradicted, we wrongly call It  ‘face saving’.   Even if you put five hundred baht note in with your papers she wouldn’t be able to keep it because what she does has to be signed off.  

Edited December 25, 2019 by tgeezer

[BigStar]

19 hours ago, DickThrust said:

meticulous with my documents asking me to fill in info that was not asked for eg telephone number, repeat of my address

So prefill that info for next time. I got copies of the overstay penalties form and the terms & conditions form on my computer, already have my phone number typed at the bottom. (Don't wait for them to give you the form.) Other forms, just change the date and print out. Takes me 5 min, another 2 to sign. 

 

19 hours ago, DickThrust said:

There is now a requirement to supply a statement from the bank as well as the usual letter.

Now you know to get that at the same time, no big deal.

 

I'm not seeing much stress here, man. 

 

19 hours ago, DickThrust said:

She stated that I should submit my TM 30 on the app AND report in person to the office.

Probably wrong, as you weren't charged any penalty this time. I wouldn't worry about it much. You got a whole year before your next extension. Different time, different IO. Anyway the fine is quite affordable, a fraction of an agent's fee. Not sure what agents do for you w/ regard to TM 30. Anything? No doubt our agent fans will be along to inform us. 

 

Sounds like Korat has been loose before but now tightening up. Being meticulous may help get rid of more of the bad guys. However, the additional is still trivial, when you think about it. Could be more: You don't have to report back after 3 months w/ the bankbook evidently. In Jomtien we do. I have a beer and report, no problem. ????

 

Change happens. Roll with it. "Bombshells" is SO over the top. BTW, last time I was in the Immigration office, dealing w/ the same IOs, it was crowded with idiots as usual and I thought, "IO has gotta be the most miserable job in the world. HOW do they possibly stand it?" Cut 'em some slack, too. 

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by BigStar

[BigStar]

7 hours ago, piston broke said:

 

All the retirees i know down the local pub, use an Agent ...... smiles all round - Especially when you visit the imm office for the photo and jump the que

 

Then you look at your bankbook and note that the balance is down B12,500 or more. Smile fades. What else would that have bought? ????

 

Quote

( i waited 3 hours last extension and watched dozens and dozens of folk jumping in, along with plenty of agents carrying handfuls of passports - boy was i frustrated )

Tour agencies bring in dozens from their groups and the IOs have to accommodate them. Same everywhere, and not unreasonable, either.  

 

Perhaps you should find ways so that you aren't frustrated. If there's a long queue, a lot of supplicants, including me, leave and go have lunch, read a book, listen to music, drink beer, catch up on the latest from TVF, write some emails . . . about the same as you'd be doin' anyway. Why sit there and watch? 

 

Quote

Then, next day it's back to the Agent to pick up the stamped passport, all done and dusted - easy peasey (lemon squeesy).. Agent even gives you a plastic cover for your passport, with a ticket reminding you when the next 90 day rep is due !

Then next day it's back to the Immigration Office to pick up the stamped passport, all done and dusted - easy peasey (lemon squeesy).. Bank balance beautifully intact, smiles all around. And I don't need no cheap plastic cover included in the 12,500 to make me think I'm a VIP. Got the 90-day rep receipt from online filing already, no problem.

 

Quote

No stress, no setbacks, no being told you've not got this, not got that, no come back tomorrow cos too many people here etc

Exactly. I got it all already, no being told not got anything (which would be simply devastating), and I'm never told to come back tomorrow as I choose about the right times to hit the IO.

 

Quote

- in fact the hardest part is the ability to pay the Agent's fee over.

You've finally mentioned something actually stressful: being fleeced. ???? 

 

Quote

i'm seriously tempted to join the gang when mine is due later next year. cos at my age i'm finding it hard to deal with the stress....

It's only money, man. Remember, "your last suit ain't gon' need any pockets." 

Edited December 25, 2019 by BigStar

[Chongalulu]

What a huge contrast to my experience there on monday. We obviously had a different IO mine was a pleasant helpful and polite young man.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140158-successful-retirement-extension-without-international-payment-codes-in-korat/?tab=comments#comment-14888346

[phutoie2]

1 hour ago, nchuckle said:

What a huge contrast to my experience there on monday. We obviously had a different IO mine was a pleasant helpful and polite young man.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1140158-successful-retirement-extension-without-international-payment-codes-in-korat/?tab=comments#comment-14888346

Yep sure you did. Let's guess you turned up at immigration with a basket full of goodies next day for the IO's. 

Last year I witnessed that and gave the stupid tw-t both barrels. 

 

[Chongalulu]

25 minutes ago, phutoie2 said:

Yep sure you did. Let's guess you turned up at immigration with a basket full of goodies next day for the IO's. 

Last year I witnessed that and gave the stupid tw-t both barrels. 

 

With that tone and language,mostly associated with a poor upbringing and education, you sound like the sort of 'tw-t' (sic) that puts himself at a disadvantage as soon as he walks in the door. 

[jesimps]

19 hours ago, BigStar said:

So prefill that info for next time. I got copies of the overstay penalties form and the terms & conditions form on my computer, already have my phone number typed at the bottom. (Don't wait for them to give you the form.) Other forms, just change the date and print out. Takes me 5 min, another 2 to sign. 

 

Now you know to get that at the same time, no big deal.

 

I'm not seeing much stress here, man. 

 

Probably wrong, as you weren't charged any penalty this time. I wouldn't worry about it much. You got a whole year before your next extension. Different time, different IO. Anyway the fine is quite affordable, a fraction of an agent's fee. Not sure what agents do for you w/ regard to TM 30. Anything? No doubt our agent fans will be along to inform us. 

 

Sounds like Korat has been loose before but now tightening up. Being meticulous may help get rid of more of the bad guys. However, the additional is still trivial, when you think about it. Could be more: You don't have to report back after 3 months w/ the bankbook evidently. In Jomtien we do. I have a beer and report, no problem. ????

 

Change happens. Roll with it. "Bombshells" is SO over the top. BTW, last time I was in the Immigration office, dealing w/ the same IOs, it was crowded with idiots as usual and I thought, "IO has gotta be the most miserable job in the world. HOW do they possibly stand it?" Cut 'em some slack, too. 

 

"Being meticulous may help get rid of more of the bad guys."

 

I've met literally thousands of farang since I arrived here 13 years back, but I'm still waiting to meet one of these bad guys. To read posts from you rosey specs types, you'd assume every other retiree was pond life. There must be a word to describe folk who hate their own kind, seems to go against what nature intended.

Edited December 26, 2019 by jesimps

[alanrchase]

Did you have photocopies of your bank book for a complete year with your bank letter? Just wondering if they will still accept that or if they will only accept a one year set of bank statements.

[DennisE]

Nothing you wrote is anything new. When you go down there especially in Korat I know from experience they are by the book but they won’t give you a hard time for no reason but if your paperwork isn’t right it’ll make the process a little bit difficult which was obviously the case in your story. 
 

Also, “There is now a requirement to supply a statement from the bank as well as the usual letter.” This is definitely nothing new either it’s been the procedure for about a year now especially if you use the monthly income method I received in person confirmation from immigration that they want to see your one year bank statement earlier this month last time I was down there.
 

But that story sounds about right. Last year I had to pay the 800 baht as well because the year prior to that I had been using an agent in Bangkok which I don’t do anymore so I don’t have that problem anymore. The last time I used an agent was back in January 2018. I actually prefer doing it the right way now that immigration has gotten their stuff together last year it’s much easier these days after all now that the new procedures went into effect last year for income.
 

The new rules actually does make the process a lot easier. Definitely a lot easier than going all the way down to Bangkok for an embassy letter EVERY SINGLE YEAR. 
 

The only thing good about the agent I used to use in Bangkok before was that I used to be able to pay money to get my marriage extension done the SAME DAY but now I have to wait like everyone else because I do it myself now which I actually prefer now that I know exactly how it works. I’d rather do it the right way than the fast way anyway so I don’t run into problems later whenever I do my first 90 day report for the year after I get my extensions done. You actually can’t do it the way I used to do it anymore as of December 2018 anyway. In over 5 years last year was my first time doing my extension by myself without an agent and I honestly prefer doing it myself now, in fact I had to pay that 800 baht as well last year in Korat because I had been using an agent in Bangkok prior to that. 
 

But anyway your story sounds pretty routine and I can tell that your paperwork wasn’t in order because that’s exactly what happens when your immigration paperwork isn’t perfect. And you actually said it wasn’t you didn’t know about the bank statement and that’s been the rules now for exactly a year technically since about May or June ever since the income affidavits from the embassy officially went away about 6 months ago. 

[Henryford]

When you say "statement" in your first post do you mean a bank statement showing the 800K? I always assumed this was necessary as well as the bank letter. I always copy my bank book showing the 800k as well as getting a letter from the bank.

[DennisE]

49 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

Did you have photocopies of your bank book for a complete year with your bank letter? Just wondering if they will still accept that or if they will only accept a one year set of bank statements.

Yes you definitely need that also. I know for sure you do in Korat. They want to see your bank letter, one year bank statement, your bank books, yes photo copies of all the pages in your bank books for the whole year, and yes your one year bank statement as well as that other stuff. That’s just what I remember off the top of my head last time I was at immigration earlier this month in Korat. I might post a topic about my current extension in a few weeks maybe.
 

I’m pretty sure they meant for me to bring them the copies of my bank books AND the bank letter and bank statements I’m pretty sure that was what she meant I don’t think she meant either or.
 

Ubonjoe do you know do you normally need your copies of the bank book and the letter and statement? I’m pretty sure that’s what she meant. 

[DennisE]

6 minutes ago, Henryford said:

When you say "statement" in your first post do you mean a bank statement showing the 800K? I always assumed this was necessary as well as the bank letter. I always copy my bank book showing the 800k as well as getting a letter from the bank.

I don’t know if you need the statement for the money in the bank option I think that’s normally only for monthly income. In fact I remember them telling me that at immigration earlier this month. 

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, DennisE said:

Ubonjoe do you know do you normally need your copies of the bank book and the letter and statement? I’m pretty sure that’s what she meant. 

For the 800k baht option it depends upon the office you go to. Some are wanting a 2 or 3 month bank statement with the bank book. In some cases it might be due to the bank book not showing all transactions.

[EricTh]

8 minutes ago, DennisE said:

I don’t know if you need the statement for the money in the bank option I think that’s normally only for monthly income. In fact I remember them telling me that at immigration earlier this month. 

No. It's a new requirement.

 

I did my extension on 800k deposit in Chiang Mai and NOT monthly income option, they still require the bank statements of the last few months of transactions even though my Fixed Deposit account already showed that.

 

Every year they require us to do more and more documentation.

 

TM30 for out of province and bank statements in addition to the photocopies of passbook.

 

Welcome to the land of hard-knocks (not smiles)!

Edited December 26, 2019 by EricTh

[EricTh]

17 minutes ago, Henryford said:

When you say "statement" in your first post do you mean a bank statement showing the 800K? I always assumed this was necessary as well as the bank letter. I always copy my bank book showing the 800k as well as getting a letter from the bank.

Many people are confused over this. There are three requirements now.

 

1. Bank letter

 

2. Bank passbook pages showing detailed transactions over past few months.

 

3. Bank statement showing detailed transactions.

 

In the past, item #3 was not required. I don't see the difference between #2 and #3 even though they are different documents showing the same thing.

 

[moe666]

On 12/25/2019 at 7:49 AM, JohnOFphon said:

I'm reliaby in formed they are paying 12,500 baht all in, which includes them doing all the 90 day rep stuff - so literally 1 visit (photo) to imm p.a. - smashing in my book.

 

i'm seriously tempted to join the gang when mine is due later next year. cos at my age i'm finding it hard to deal with the stress....

 

Yeah...That's 12,500 for the agent, and another 70,000 or so for the mandated insurance. If you maintain the Non O A. 

What a bargain huh?

 

My agent is only 3,000b but in the end you have to do all the leg work of getting the paper work together

[Orton Rd]

If they have the letter and a bank book updated to the day you apply the statement is pointless, next they will want a map of the bank and photo of you standing outside, it's getting ridiculous

[BigStar]

3 hours ago, jesimps said:

"Being meticulous may help get rid of more of the bad guys."

 

I've met literally thousands of farang since I arrived here 13 years back, but I'm still waiting to meet one of these bad guys.

Too busy lookin' in the mirror. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. 

 

Next stop: Cambodia

 Or maybe you were just lucky. ???? Personally, I think the number of obvious undesirables on the streets has markedly decreased in part because of tighter Immigration rules. We may agree to disagree. 

 

Quote

To read posts from you rosey specs types, you'd assume every other retiree was pond life. There must be a word to describe folk who hate their own kind, seems to go against what nature intended.

Exaggeration doesn't help your case. Nor does bigotry, whining, and crying, soiling your knickers over every little bump in the road. Yeah, life gives you lemons, make lemonade and all that. ???? In other words, just grow a pair and learn to be happy in Thailand without blaming them for your problems. 

[oldcpu]

@ DickThrust, I had an experience this year where I went to Phuket Immigration for my 90-day reporting (on a Type-OA Visa).  I was asked during the initial excellent screening if I had proof of residency (such as via the TM-30), and I noted it had been submitted (my Thai wife had entered it on-line).

 

When I went to the counter for the 90-day reporting paperwork, the  IO advised there was no entry in the TM30 database for myself.   My Thai wife was with me, and she noted she had entered it, and we showed the IO a screen print.  The IO noted again there was no database entry, and noted that the screen print we showed the IO was done BEFORE the save function initiated, and not from a search in the database AFTER the TM30 submitted.  So the IO re-iterated it was not in the TM30 database, and advised us to leave, enter AGAIN the information in the database, and come back again for the 90-day reporting.     The IO did not volunteer to enter the information themselves, although they had the database open (and had our screen print).

 

So we went home, resubmitted the TM30, this time being careful to do a search AFTER the TM30 submission (confirming TM30 entry accepted), and went back to Phuket Immigration for my 90-day reporting.

 

Everything went through fine this time. The Phuket immigration officials were very polite and professional the entire time (as were my wife and myself).

 

Neither my wife nor myself were fined.  I also note my wife-and-I own the foreign freehold condo in which we live, and offered to show that paperwork, although I suspect that made no difference.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think the TM30 database software is as fool proof as one might like.

[thurien]

not on a visa but on new passport: went to Khorat Immi. on Tuesday with old and newly issued passports plus TM 6 plus Embassy letter to Immi that "please move visa to new pp".  No queue, the checker girl told me to get all pages of old, photo page of new pp plus TM6 copied: Volunteer helped me, copied all stuff in a jiffy at no charge. Back to Immi again, nice chat with officer while she stamped away the afternoon. Out after 45min - splendid Khorat experience, nice people

Edited December 26, 2019 by thurien

[thaipo7]

OK Guys - I will share an experience with Korat Immigration on 25 Dec as soon as I have time.  I have also been going to Korat Immigration for years.  How do I open a new subject or just enter it here?  My problem was of a different kind.  This was the who purpose of getting rid of the letter from the US Embassy so these bottom feeders can charge a fee from those of us who get fed up with this new <deleted> at Immigration.  The more hands in your pocket - the better.

[fceligoj]

My reaction to this, somehow the I/O had to save face (the Thai culture thing) when the farang put it in his/her face that he had submitted it online and had the copies of the online transactions.  Oh yes, the bank statement has been a requirement for quite a long time.  The recommendation don't cause the I/O to be embarrassed in front of his/her peers.  The other thing, "how were you dressed?  Was it shorts/t-shirt/sandals?  Or were you dressed like you should when going into any government office?"

[oldcpu]

42 minutes ago, fceligoj said:

My reaction to this, somehow the I/O had to save face (the Thai culture thing) when the farang put it in his/her face that he had submitted it online and had the copies of the online transactions.  Oh yes, the bank statement has been a requirement for quite a long time.  The recommendation don't cause the I/O to be embarrassed in front of his/her peers.  The other thing, "how were you dressed?  Was it shorts/t-shirt/sandals?  Or were you dressed like you should when going into any government office?"

In my case where we went to Phuket immigration for my 90-day reporting (where the TM30 entry made by my Thai wife was not showing up in the Thai database) I was wearing clean newly pressed long pants, a yellow short sleeve shirt (with Thai Royal emblem), recent hair cut, and I had shaved that morning.  I was thou, wearing sandals. 

 

Possibly my ok appearance, and both my wife and I trying very hard to be polite (and  also our having the screen print proof of the TM30) was the reason we were not fined. And we did then (after being instructed to do so) go straight home, reenter (again) the TM30 info into the Thai TM30 database, and return again to the Immigration office within an hour.  My 90-day reporting then went quick and very smooth.  Its fortunate we live very close to the immigration office in Phuket.

 

I have a couple of yellow shirts, and I typically save wearing them for occasions when I need to go to a Thai government office.  I figure as a foreigner I am a guest here, and I should attempt to be as non-offensive as possible.  

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

How do I open a new subject or just enter it here? 

You click "Start new topic" at the of the top of the main page of this forum. Probably best to post it in this topic since it is about the same office.