Successful Extension based on marriage at Korat immigration yesterday

[DennisE]

I just wanted to share this great experience at Korat immigration yesterday mostly regarding the monthly income method. 
 

I successfully completed my one year extension based on marriage today using the monthly income method. Aside from having to put out a few dumpster fires ???????? it went very well overall. A few little hiccups but I got it taken care of and the supervisor even called their head office for me to make sure something was ok and it was the head office says it’ll be approved no problem. She told me’ “good news the head office will approve your deposits so celebrate” SHE SAID ????. The IO ACTUALLY SAID THAT NO KIDDING. What happened was that a few of my deposits were a day early because of weekends and holidays I’m retired military 21 years of service and a 100% disabled veteran so I usually get paid on the first depending on weekends and holidays. But I still had 12 months of deposits exactly the correct way and I had to explain it a little and they totally understood after I explained the situation. So the boss called her head office and confirmed for me that my deposits were just fine as is. So great ???????? I’m satisfied and happy. GREAT SERVICE FROM THE KORAT IMMIGRATION SUPERVISOR TOO SHE WENT THE EXTRA MILE FOR US! 
 

They are by the book at Korat immigration and firm BUT THEY ARE EXTREMELY FAIR AND EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!!! I thanked the supervisor for going the extra mile just for me. I guess she figured I make 150 million plus baht a year (approximately 100K a month exchange rates fluctuates) so she made sure that they could approve it through their head office at Division 4. And I very vigorously thanked her the supervisor at Korat immigration she’s a FIRM but very nice, FAIR, and helpful lady. GREAT ???? LADY! GREAT ???? HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS!!! 
 

Thank God for immigration officers like her who use common sense and read between the lines and can see past the minor technicalities like I had. 

She knew it was just a minor technicality so I figured they’d hook me up and they did. So aside from a few fires I had to put out including one raging dumpster fire ???? but I ???? put it out ????, GREAT EXPERIENCE AT KORAT IMMIGRATION TODAY!!!! Wonderful experience! Although I was slightly stressed for a little while but they took care of me. 

 

Oh and IMPORTANT NOTE IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ANYONE IN KORAT!!!!!!!

 

At Korat immigration ALL BANK LETTERS AND STATEMENTS MUST BE DONE THE SAME DAY YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION. I learned that yesterday morning the hard way because we had to go back to the bank and get a new letter and statement effective for yesterday the SAME DAY we went to immigration, and no problems doing that. It was a hassle yesterday making two trips having to go back to the bank but I got it done and the only hassle was just that one technicality with a few early deposits but I was assertive enough and respectful with them so I got it done!!! Because I wouldn’t take no for an answer I was firm as well and after they let me explain each deposit they looked at them with me as I explained it to them at the same time going over my statement the IO eventually realized that I WAS ACTUALLY RIGHT FINALLY TOOK HER LONG ENOUGH THOUGH ????! 
 

So she told her supervisor and the supervisor without telling me actually called their Division 4 Head Office and ran it by them! ???? So then I’m sitting there getting all my paperwork stamped by the IO AND MAN I WAS NERVOUS ???????? BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW IF THEY WERE GOING TO ACCEPT IT!!! And I’m sitting there and the IO ACTUALLY FELT SORRY FOR ME AND PROBABLY MY WIFE AS WELL BECAUSE I WAS JUST SITTING THERE STONE FACE!!! Blank stare and she could tell I was nervous ????. I was, I kept thinking to myself “PLEASE GOD I DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO GO TO SAVANNAKHET AND GET A NEW NON O THAI WIFE” ???? “PLEASE GOD I WANT MY USUAL EXTENSION TODAY ????”. 
 

So then the supervisor came out and said “GOOD NEWS HEAD OFFICE APPROVED YOUR BANK DEPOSITS” she smiled at me and she saw my face light up and she laughed and she actually said to me  “NOW CELEBRATING ????” no kidding she said that. I asked her “are you sure they’re ok my deposit bank paperwork?” And she said “yes approve and she did the ok ???? sign with her hand. Then as we were getting ready to leave after I got the consideration stamp and paid the 1900 baht fee the supervisor came out and made really nice and polite respectful conversation with myself and my wife as they were closing for the day, we were there 30 minutes after they closed yesterday and spent time having really nice and friendly conversation with the immigration supervisor. Stuff like where we met, my military back ground, what state I’m from, my favorite Thai food, just normal stuff. I thought she was nice ????. BUT SHE WAS MOSTLY ALL BUSINESS AND SHE WAS THE EXAMPLE OF A PROFESSIONAL!!! I liked her and respected her to. We really got along probably why she worked harder to help me. And we had some laughs even and I built a little rapport with her. So that’s always good making friends with the immigration supervisor in a small town like this rapport also helps plus those people at immigration also really like my wife because she’s got a really nice ???? personality. 

 

So for me this year was STILL BY FAR EASIER THAN LAST YEAR AND A LOT EASIER THAN THE OLD RULES, no more Embassy runs once a year for the income letter ????! EVER AGAIN! I don’t care what anyone says there’s no question THAT THESE RULES ARE A LOT EASIER!!! BUT, lot’s of paperwork which I HATE PAPERWORK JUST AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE PROBABLY MORE!!! ????. 
 

So overall great day got it done but it was a little bit more work than I expected but no problem now it’s done. STILL IT WAS THE EASIEST EXTENSION I HAVE EVER DONE EVER IN 5 YEARS! Regardless of a few problems in the beginning but I got that fixed thanks to the AWESOME ???? IMMIGRATION SUPERVISOR IN KORAT THEY WERE SO EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND!!!! I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT IMMIGRATION!!! 
 

The only suggestion I have for Korat immigration is please announce publicly that the bank letter and statement must BE DONE THE SAME DAY YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION. Because myself and many others didn’t know that. In fact when I was waiting in line I helped some dude because I told him I had to go back and get my bank paperwork redone at the bank and he said, “OH NO I HAVE TO DO THAT TO!” And he asked and he did, so he thanked me and went back to the bank because he made the same mistake I did ????. But be made it back and I helped him that’s what we should all try to do at least a little bit. I had been talking to him in line and I told him that I had to do that. But he made the same mistake I did. So I wish immigration would announce publicly that you have to go to the bank the same day before you go to immigration because that inconvenienced me big time but I dealt with it, no problem fun day ????. Get the bank paperwork the SAME DAY IN THE MORNING BEFORE YOU GO TO KORAT IMMIGRATION THAT IS A FACT I DEALT WITH IT TODAY SO PLEASE REMEMBER THIS. 
 

At Korat immigration they’re very firm, strict, and by the book, but even more helpful. GREAT ???? SERVICE AT KORAT IMMIGRATION! After we were done the supervisor spoke to my wife and I and she was cool ???? I liked her, she hung out with us for a few and made some nice small talk and I thanked her again for going the extra mile to help me get my extension APPROVED!!!! So tough day yesterday but over all great ???? day! 
 

BE SURE AND GET YOUR BANK LETTER AND STATEMENT THE SAME DAY! THAT IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS MOST CERTAINLY A RULE AT KORAT IMMIGRATION I KNOW I DID MY EXTENSION YESTERDAY. 
 

Anyway thank God that’s over with till 2021. Happy New Year ???? everyone!
 

 

 

 

[DennisE]

That was the first time in 5 years I ever ran into an issue at immigration but I handled it very well and I still got my extension done. Overall it was the easiest experience I’ve ever had at immigration aside from a few hiccups. So I’ll let people read about my experience at Korat immigration yesterday. It was great ????. I used the monthly income method no problem with it except a question I had to answer. 

[DennisE]

Oh and if anyone has any questions about my successful experience at Korat immigration yesterday renewing my extension based on marriage using the MONTHLY INCOME METHOD please go ahead and ask. I’ll answer when I can because I made a few important notes above especially about the bank statement and letter. So any questions? Go ahead shoot. Also no need for insurance everyone already knew that and good luck ???? to everyone else getting extensions I hope yours go well also as mine did. 

[thequietman]

3 hours ago, DennisE said:

Thank God for immigration officers like her who use common sense and read between the lines and can see past the minor technicalities like I had. 

She had to call head office to check if a payment made on the 3rd of the month instead of the usual 1st of the month was OK, and you are saying that she has common sense.

 

It shouldn't matter when the payment is made, as long as it is made in the month specified. If other payments are in each month WTH would it matter. Incompetent the lot of them. ????

[henry2109]

1 hour ago, DennisE said:

Oh and if anyone has any questions about my successful experience at Korat immigration yesterday renewing my extension based on marriage using the MONTHLY INCOME METHOD please go ahead and ask. I’ll answer when I can because I made a few important notes above especially about the bank statement and letter. So any questions? Go ahead shoot. Also no need for insurance everyone already knew that and good luck ???? to everyone else getting extensions I hope yours go well also as mine did. 

You seem to be very excited about how you and the IO did in extending your marriage visa. Good for you. May be you want to write a book about it? Then everybody can profit.

 

To me it sounded rather than science and deeper psychology to get the visa, so I stopped reading after ten lines.

 

 

[thequietman]

3 hours ago, DennisE said:

At Korat immigration they’re very firm, strict, and by the book, but even more helpful. GREAT ???? SERVICE AT KORAT IMMIGRATION! After we were done the supervisor spoke to my wife and I and she was cool ???? I liked her, she hung out with us for a few and made some nice small talk and I thanked her again for going the extra mile to help me get my extension APPROVED!!!! So tough day yesterday but over all great ???? day! 

So ..... did you give her a gift? Bet ye did.

[thequietman]

1 minute ago, henry2109 said:

You seem to be very excited about how you and the IO did in extending your marriage visa. Good for you. May be you want to write a book about it? Then everybody can profit.

 

To me it sounded rather than science and deeper psychology to get the visa, so I stopped reading after ten lines.

 

 

Yes, isn't it strange that people get excited when an IO actually follows the rules laid out for them and doesn't try to make life difficult.

It's a poor indication about the quality of the IO here in my opinion. Can't stand any of them. ????

[DennisE]

2 minutes ago, thequietman said:

She had to call head office to check if a payment made on the 3rd of the month instead of the usual 1st of the month was OK, and you are saying that she has common sense.

 

It shouldn't matter when the payment is made, as long as it is made in the month specified. If other payments are in each month WTH would it matter. Incompetent the lot of them. ????

I’m retired military 21 years I receive my 100% VA pension to SCB automatically. And no they’re just by the book is all but they were able to read between the lines and clear it with the head office and I was approved. Not incompetent AT ALL! In fact very competent! But you’re right that date doesn’t necessarily matter and they eventually figured that out yesterday and they worked extra hard to help me SO I REALLY APPRECIATE KORAT IMMIGRATION THEY ARE THE BEST! ???? 

[DennisE]

2 minutes ago, thequietman said:

Yes, isn't it strange that people get excited when an IO actually follows the rules laid out for them and doesn't try to make life difficult.

It's a poor indication about the quality of the IO here in my opinion. Can't stand any of them. ????

She did more than that she went ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR ME! Calling the Division HQ just for me. Awesome ???? 

[DennisE]

I was not entitled to her extra help at all but she did it anyway the head supervisor did! 

[DennisE]

6 minutes ago, thequietman said:

So ..... did you give her a gift? Bet ye did.

No! 

[DennisE]

In some people’s eye immigration can’t do anything right, and that’s wrong. They work hard! 

[DennisE]

9 minutes ago, henry2109 said:

You seem to be very excited about how you and the IO did in extending your marriage visa. Good for you. May be you want to write a book about it? Then everybody can profit.

 

To me it sounded rather than science and deeper psychology to get the visa, so I stopped reading after ten lines.

 

 

Actually I put out an important note. At Korat immigration your bank letter and statement MUST BE DONE THE SAME DAY YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION. Most people there yesterday didn’t know including me but I fixed it. And that applies to BOTH income options monthly as well same day bank letter and statement. If you take anything away from this take that. 

[thequietman]

1 minute ago, DennisE said:

In some people’s eye immigration can’t do anything right, and that’s wrong. They work hard! 

They make what is supposed to be a very straightforward thing, difficult.

 

They add unnecessary documents that really aren't required. Eg, get a bank letter stating balance, but also get us a copy of your updated bank book. Do they not trust the bank? If so, why ask for anything!

 

Pictures outside your home with the number. What does that prove. Take the number of your home and add it to any random home. Take a picture and submit and it is accepted! <deleted>!

 

Pictures of you and your wife sitting on your bed! WTH does that prove????

 

and the list goes on and on. How about this for a suggestion ......

 

"excuse me sir, have any of your details changed since your last extension? No, fine, please give us copies of your updated bankbook showing necessary funds. You have been approved, thank you."

 

Nah, that would be too easy, straightforward and logical. 3 things that you definitely won't find here in the Land of Scams. ????

[thequietman]

5 minutes ago, DennisE said:

Actually I put out an important note. At Korat immigration your bank letter and statement MUST BE DONE THE SAME DAY YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION. Most people there yesterday didn’t know including me but I fixed it. And that applies to BOTH income options monthly as well same day bank letter and statement. If you take anything away from this take that. 

But, you see, you are missing the point!

 

The immigration website has no such stipulation. They make it up as they go along. ????

[thequietman]

9 minutes ago, DennisE said:

In some people’s eye immigration can’t do anything right, and that’s wrong. They work hard! 

They work hard to make easy things ......... difficult. That's the extent of their efforts.

[henry2109]

1 minute ago, thequietman said:

They make what is supposed to be a very straightforward thing, difficult.

 

They add unnecessary documents that really aren't required. Eg, get a bank letter stating balance, but also get us a copy of your updated bank book. Do they not trust the bank? If so, why ask for anything!

 

Pictures outside your home with the number. What does that prove. Take the number of your home and add it to any random home. Take a picture and submit and it is accepted! <deleted>!

 

Pictures of you and your wife sitting on your bed! WTH does that prove????

 

and the list goes on and on. How about this for a suggestion ......

 

"excuse me sir, have any of your details changed since your last extension? No, fine, please give us copies of your updated bankbook showing necessary funds. You have been approved, thank you."

 

Nah, that would be too easy, straightforward and logical. 3 things that you definitely won't find here in the Land of Scams. ????

+ 1

 

I had to kiss my wife in the amphur office and in front of the officers, before getting married to her, because the marriage seemed dubious to him. It was simply ridicilous.

[thequietman]

12 minutes ago, DennisE said:

I was not entitled to her extra help at all but she did it anyway the head supervisor did! 

Yes, you are entitled to help, otherwise, what is her function there? A monkey can shuffle and check papers if you teach it.

 

She is a government employee and because I pay taxes, she works for me. ???? The sooner they realise that if there are no expats, her office will come redundant and she will have to go work somewhere else, the sooner they will start to do their jobs and assist when necessary.

[thequietman]

1 minute ago, henry2109 said:

+ 1

 

I had to kiss my wife in the amphur office and in front of the officers, before getting married to her, because the marriage seemed dubious to him. It was simply ridicilous.

Are you **&&%% serious ??>?? and this is the extent of their work.

 

I honestly would have told them to stick their extension. Really. This makes me so angry to read this. ????

[CharlieH]

Posts with excessive use of ALL CAPS have been removed.

Please do not do it, leave the CAPS off.

[DennisE]

I mostly left the caps off this time sorry sometimes I use the caps to emphasize stuff I’m not trying to be argumentative or anything just trying to emphasize something but I edited my post a lot though because you’re right I was a little excessive with the caps I apologize CharlieH. 

[DennisE]

I was just impressed as to how much Korat immigration cared I felt like a VIP or a valued customer at Korat immigration. And service with a smile, and able to read between the lines and they even cleared a small technicality for me with their head office at Division 4, to help me. Because they knew it was just a technicality and I do get paid monthly just one or two deposits a day early. And guess what next year I’m leaving my International Direct Deposit AS IS. Because it works fine you might get questions about a few early deposit dates throughout the year but I get paid ALL 12 months so the easy way I do my automatic direct deposit through the VA works just fine at they confirmed with their Division 4 head office that it is acceptable and it’s approved.
 

So next year I am not changing anything I am doing it perfectly now the way I’m currently doing it is perfect for me. I don’t want to take money out for my TSP in the United States I rather just use my pension of about a 100K a month and I’m going to keep doing that. 

[Pib]

DennisE,

   Was your underlying visa a Non-OA or Non-O for your marriage extension of stay renewal?

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, Pib said:

Was your underlying visa a Non-OA or Non-O for your marriage extension of stay renewal?

It is a non-o visa, He is less than 50 years old.

[Moonlover]

On 1/7/2020 at 1:34 PM, thequietman said:

On 1/7/2020 at 1:27 PM, DennisE said:

Actually I put out an important note. At Korat immigration your bank letter and statement MUST BE DONE THE SAME DAY YOU GO TO IMMIGRATION. Most people there yesterday didn’t know including me but I fixed it. And that applies to BOTH income options monthly as well same day bank letter and statement. If you take anything away from this take that. 

 

On 1/7/2020 at 1:34 PM, thequietman said:

But, you see, you are missing the point!

 

The immigration website has no such stipulation. They make it up as they go along. ????

My bank statements were downloaded from on-line banking. I never keep my passbook up to date and my bank letter was dated a week prior to my application. There were 27 income entries throughout the year without any consistency regarding dates and not a single one had an 'international code'.

 

The IO at Sakon Nakhon was quite happy with the package and didn't need to call anyone.

 

How's that for inconsistency!

 

As @thequietman says, 'their website has no such stipulation'. How can there be? There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to income based applications.

[DennisE]

12 hours ago, Pib said:

DennisE,

   Was your underlying visa a Non-OA or Non-O for your marriage extension of stay renewal?

Yes NON O and no insurance required for ANYONE at Korat immigration. I was so impressed with how much the IOs and especially the big boss ACTUALLY WANTS to help you! Great ???? immigration Office firm but fair, AND nice at the same time! 

[DennisE]

11 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is a non-o visa, He is less than 50 years old.

Yep I’m a baby I’m only in my late 40’s ???? thanks Joe. It’s ok I love you Joe. I’ve been retired here in Korat Thailand for over 5 years now. I’ve had some experiences with immigration but this year aside from two fires I had to put out, this year was MY EASIEST EXTENSION EVER!!!!! Very happy ????! 

[DennisE]

10 hours ago, Moonlover said:

 

My bank statements were downloaded from on-line banking. I never keep my passbook up to date and my bank letter was dated a week prior to my application. There were 27 income entries throughout the year without any consistency regarding dates and not a single one had an 'international code'.

 

The IO at Sakon Nakhon was quite happy with the package and didn't need to call anyone.

 

How's that for inconsistency!

 

As @thequietman says, 'their website has no such stipulation'. How can there be? There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to income based applications.

Well sounds like you got lucky ???? if you’re using the monthly income method as I do. I don’t like to take money out of my savings and I don’t touch my TSP unless I’m buying a house otherwise the IRS will pounce like a Tiger and get their cut. 

[Pib]

56 minutes ago, DennisE said:

Yes NON O and no insurance required for ANYONE at Korat immigration. I was so impressed with how much the IOs and especially the big boss ACTUALLY WANTS to help you! Great ???? immigration Office firm but fair, AND nice at the same time! 

Well, not for a Non-O, but I'm sure it's required for people on a Non O-A Retirement.

[Moonlover]

46 minutes ago, DennisE said:

Well sounds like you got lucky ???? if you’re using the monthly income method as I do. I don’t like to take money out of my savings and I don’t touch my TSP unless I’m buying a house otherwise the IRS will pounce like a Tiger and get their cut. 

I don't think I 'got lucky' at all. I presented solid evidence that I had a monthly income from a foreign source. And that, in essence, is what Immigration want to see.