Marriage extension at Chiang Mai

[DRTH]

I submitted my extension on the 23rd November and received a "Under consideration" until 23rd December.

 

I was told at the time that I must remain local for the next 5 to 10 days for a house visit.

 

I received a phone call this Wednesday to say that I have to take a witness to the office by the airport the following day at 10am, I said that it was not possible as all the people we know are at work, I stated that I've no problem doing it later in the week as a friend was off work today, Friday, the officer said sorry but it had to be when he says. My wife spoke to him and he said he would have to get in touch with his boss and he would phone back later, my wife called him today and asked what was going on and he said he still has to get in touch with his boss.

 

Should they do a home visit, surely that's why they wanted a hand drawn map.

 

Are they going to reject my application? Or am I just panicking needlessly?  I think the decision is made in Bangkok but not sure, I've tried to phone 1178 numerous times today with out any success getting through.

 

Any advice would be great.

 

Many thanks.

 

[fishtank]

They are just trying it on.

Don't worry. It will be sorted.

[DRTH]

Is it possible to move this to the Chiang Mai forum, where people may have had the same experience.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, DRTH said:

Is it possible to move this to the Chiang Mai forum, where people may have had the same experience.

Moved

[NotEinstein]

A friend of mine changed from retirement to marriage early this year and had the home visit, but as he lives in a condo, the officer wanted them to take a Thai person to the office the next morning. My wife knows them well enough, having introduced them to each other, although we don't live near them. The officer asked many questions, but probably because my wife knew them well enough to give the answers.

They have to do their job, and there is nothing you can do other than wait, and if necessary, find out on the 23rd.

[silverhawk_usa]

I posted rather extensively on our experience here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141826-chiang-mai-immigration-q-a-info-and-reports-2020/?do=findComment&comment=15845577

 

[moe666]

They do the visit for ever marriage visa, no big deal. Also the friend to immigration is not new either. I changed back to a retirement visa to avoid all this stuff.

[DRTH]

17 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

A friend of mine changed from retirement to marriage early this year and had the home visit, but as he lives in a condo, the officer wanted them to take a Thai person to the office the next morning. My wife knows them well enough, having introduced them to each other, although we don't live near them. The officer asked many questions, but probably because my wife knew them well enough to give the answers.

They have to do their job, and there is nothing you can do other than wait, and if necessary, find out on the 23rd.

I understand they have to do their job, which I was told to be home for the following 5 to 10 days for a home visit. It seems to me that they want me to take a witness to them instead of them coming out to the house.

[DRTH]

16 hours ago, moe666 said:

They do the visit for ever marriage visa, no big deal. Also the friend to immigration is not new either. I changed back to a retirement visa to avoid all this stuff.

There was no mention of taking a witness to them, only that they would do a home visit.

[NotEinstein]

You have indirectly told them that you cannot produce a Thai witness if they make a working hours home visit, so they will probably stick to you taking someone to the office eventually.
Look at it positively - they are not suspicious enough to check out where you live and just want to complete the paperwork.

[DRTH]

11 minutes ago, NotEinstein said:

You have indirectly told them that you cannot produce a Thai witness if they make a working hours home visit, so they will probably stick to you taking someone to the office eventually.
Look at it positively - they are not suspicious enough to check out where you live and just want to complete the paperwork.

The problem I have is that there was no mention of a witness at the home visit or at their office, as stated, we said that we could take a witness on Friday but he was adamant that we took one on the time and date he gave us. The call was made on Wednesday at 3pm for an appointment for Thursday at 10am.

 

Does anyone know if the decision is made at Bangkok or can Chiang Mai reject my visa?

[Dante99]

2 minutes ago, DRTH said:

Does anyone know if the decision is made at Bangkok or can Chiang Mai reject my visa?

CM can reject your application but you can of course appeal to the Prime Minister.

 

Keep your toothbrush in your pocket.

[NotEinstein]

Relax, they will not escort you to the airport on Wednesday.
Understand the process from their point of view. They are tasked with verifying your statements and having a Thai national witness the facts. It is not a customer service, and the more you are on the back foot, responding upon request, the less chance of any deception taking place.

Chiang Mai have already accepted your application by passing it on to Bangkok. Worse case they may delay until the paperwork is complete.

[dingdongrb]

On 12/19/2020 at 3:48 PM, moe666 said:

They do the visit for ever marriage visa, no big deal. Also the friend to immigration is not new either. I changed back to a retirement visa to avoid all this stuff.

That must have changed over the past 4 years or so. I did the marriage visa for perhaps 8 yrs and never had a single home visit even though I provided the required hand drawn map every year.
 

I changed to Retirement visa about 4 years ago because it is much easier. Also get the stamp that same day rather than having to go back in after Bangkok approves it.

 

I am guessing the OP has elected to change to the marriage visa due to money in the bank requirement.

[DRTH]

12 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

 

 

I am guessing the OP has elected to change to the marriage visa due to money in the bank requirement.

I've always been on the multi-entry O visa because of the bureaucracy and potential corruption, obviously that went out of the window this year. We do miss our travels abroad!

 

 

[silverhawk_usa]

20 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

That must have changed over the past 4 years or so. I did the marriage visa for perhaps 8 yrs and never had a single home visit even though I provided the required hand drawn map every year.
 

I changed to Retirement visa about 4 years ago because it is much easier. Also get the stamp that same day rather than having to go back in after Bangkok approves it.

 

I am guessing the OP has elected to change to the marriage visa due to money in the bank requirement.

I don't know about the OP, but myself and others changed due to the health insurance requirement.

[dingdongrb]

19 hours ago, silverhawk_usa said:

I don't know about the OP, but myself and others changed due to the health insurance requirement.

What does health insurance have to do with the visa type, am I missing something?

 

Was never an insurance requirement when I was doing the marriage visa and currently I have no requirement doing the retirement visa.

[dingdongrb]

19 hours ago, DRTH said:

I've always been on the multi-entry O visa because of the bureaucracy and potential corruption, obviously that went out of the window this year. We do miss our travels abroad!

 

 

?????  Confusing to say the least. What does the visa type have to do with what you wrote?

[DRTH]

22 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

That must have changed over the past 4 years or so. I did the marriage visa for perhaps 8 yrs and never had a single home visit even though I provided the required hand drawn map every year.
 

I changed to Retirement visa about 4 years ago because it is much easier. Also get the stamp that same day rather than having to go back in after Bangkok approves it.

 

I am guessing the OP has elected to change to the marriage visa due to money in the bank requirement.

 

22 hours ago, DRTH said:

I've always been on the multi-entry O visa because of the bureaucracy and potential corruption, obviously that went out of the window this year. We do miss our travels abroad!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

?????  Confusing to say the least. What does the visa type have to do with what you wrote?

You are confused, aren't you! I think I've just seen a piece of your brain on my screen, I'll just go and wipe it off.

[dingdongrb]

3 hours ago, DRTH said:

 

 

You are confused, aren't you! I think I've just seen a piece of your brain on my screen, I'll just go and wipe it off.

<deleted> does 'bureaucracy and potential corruption' have to do with it? Duhhhhh...  That wasn't my brain, that was a fart!

[Rinrada]

I also always been on the multi-entry O visa just because it was so so easy....Once a year visit to RTE in London followed by a walk round the V & A or Science Museum then pick it up it following day ..good for another 12 months...then things changed. Got back just before lock down in March and decided maybe now time to finally go for the extension. Because we got married in UK...criteria was slightly different...requiring visits to MFA who needed verification from UK FCO...( embassy dont do it) and confirmation from RTE London.. Lots of paperwork but persevered and eventually had all the bits and applied..+ .400 K in the bank...Immigration were first class and very helpful...Last thing needed was a visit. 2 weeks later couple of chaps from Immigration came to the house  ..did the inspection and told me there and then ..No objections. My photograph on the wall when I did my time as a Monk went down well...Just done my first 90 day report at the Prom...took all of 5 minutes...easy. Also went back to our local Ampur and got a Pink ID card. Used it last week for a week end break in Patti...Airline accepted as did Holiday inn Hotel.....so sanuk...until next time...

[silverhawk_usa]

11 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

What does health insurance have to do with the visa type, am I missing something?

 

Was never an insurance requirement when I was doing the marriage visa and currently I have no requirement doing the retirement visa.

I don't know how you have missed this topic over the past year or more.  If you have an OA VISA you are now required to have an Immigration approved Health Insurance Policy that is on a list and database to extend your Visa.  If you have an O Visa it is not required.  Not only is the insurance expensive, but one may not be eligible depending on age or pre-existing conditions. One can only change their OA to an O by leaving the country reapply.   You may have an OA with Retirement extension or an O with Retirement extension.   Don't ask me for further explanation as there are pages and pages of posts on this. NOW in answer to my post, I have been on an OA Retirement since 2002.  FOR SOME UNKNOWN LOGIC the insurance is not required with an O or OA Marriage extension.  Thus my change.  Got it?? ???? Edit:  BTW, I do, and have had, health insurance for years here.  But it is not one that is on their approved list. Not worth the cost to change it. 

Edited December 22, 2020 by silverhawk_usa
Added Info

[BKKrichard]

Have applied for Marriage extension (seasoned 400K) last Monday 4 jan, Today 7 Jan immigration called my wife stating that we have to come to the office tomorrow 11.00, presenting a witness, we just moved here 6 months ago we know a few people around but nobody wants to come with us due to Covid-19 fear, have no idea how this is going to end.

Any advice?

[NotEinstein]

In order to complete their paperwork Imm. need a Thai national to sign a form. It doesn't have to be a neighbour, just someone prepared to say they know you both.

[canthai55]

4 hours ago, BKKrichard said:

 we have to come to the office tomorrow 11.00, presenting a witness

Our agent handles this

Money well spent

[BKKrichard]

agree with you, this was the last time without an agent, drama all over the place