Immigration Want 20k. Again

[Grayo46]

Last year I changed from an Ed Visa to a Non-O and had to pay 20K to do so. Not being able to leave the country - I begrudgingly paid.

 

Now, with my visa is up for renewal in November, immigration is asking for another 20k because I don't reach the required 40k/ month. I DO have 400k in the bank (for over 3 months) and have a valid Work Permit. It seems to me they are 'finding problems' in order to get more $$. I have a young family here and would far rather put my hard-earnt towards them and not those suits at my local office.

 

What are my options?

 

Thanks in advance.

[youreavinalaff]

This happens quite often. You pay a corrupt official one time and you must continue.

 

They know you are a soft touch in these matters.

 

Sadly, they've got you where they want you. Non compliance this time could cause you problems. 

 

Unless you can move from the area and use a different immigration office, this could be happening to you every year,

[thaitom]

Call 1111  or is it 1178 ?

Edited October 11, 2021 by thaitom
wrong number

[Grayo46]

You are right. Naivety has cost me.

 

My sister-in-law lives in the neighbouring province (Saraburi) is there any law preventing me registering at her address and doing my visa there whilst really living at my current address? Having 2 addresses - as it were.

[FritsSikkink]

You tell them you will come with a lawyer and he can explain to him why he wants money.

Edited October 11, 2021 by FritsSikkink

[HashBrownHarry]

6 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You tell them you will come with a lawyer and he can explain to him why he wants money.

Generally these threats don't work if you call their bluff.

 

If you do however find a lawyer to come with you that's likely to cost more than 20K or he'll get in cahoots with IO then you're in a pickle.

[BangkokReady]

17 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You tell them you will come with a lawyer and he can explain to him why he wants money.

And if they explain to the lawyer that the OP bribed a government officer previously?

[JustAnotherHun]

18 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You tell them you will come with a lawyer and he can explain to him why he wants money.

Puh...dangerous.

[FritsSikkink]

Just now, BangkokReady said:

And if they explain to the lawyer that the OP bribed a government officer previously?

Do you really think they will admit that?

[FritsSikkink]

15 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Generally these threats don't work if you call their bluff.

 

If you do however find a lawyer to come with you that's likely to cost more than 20K or he'll get in cahoots with IO then you're in a pickle.

Not bluffing, got a lawyer as a friend and one in the family. Never needed them as i got my paperwork in order.

Edited October 11, 2021 by FritsSikkink

[BangkokReady]

2 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Do you really think they will admit that?

Is it worth taking the risk?  Is there anything a lawyer could do without incriminating the OP?

 

Sounds a little catch-22.  He cannot begin anything legal without incriminating himself.

 

And what if this aggravates the IO or the whole office?  What methods do they have up their sleeve of making OP regret it?

[phetphet]

Could you use an agent to do it for you? Never used one my self, but  others do on this  forum. Might work out cheaper.

[userabcd]

Do the official regulations allow a change of an ed visa to non O?

 

If yes then no extra to pay other than the official fee.

Edited October 11, 2021 by userabcd

[youreavinalaff]

4 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Could you use an agent to do it for you? Never used one my self, but  others do on this  forum. Might work out cheaper.

The agent will still need to use the same immigration office. The OP speaks about 400k in the bank which suggests he is going to get an extension based on marriage.

 

The problem with that is the final decision does not rest with the IO. It will be sent to the regional head office for final decision.

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Do the official regulations allow a change of an ed visa to non O?

It is not possible to change non immigrant visa categories.

He changed his extension from attending a school to marriage which is perfectly legit.

[FritsSikkink]

18 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Is it worth taking the risk?  Is there anything a lawyer could do without incriminating the OP?

 

Sounds a little catch-22.  He cannot begin anything legal without incriminating himself.

 

And what if this aggravates the IO or the whole office?  What methods do they have up their sleeve of making OP regret it?

You keep paying every crook who wants money from you then.

[userabcd]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is not possible to change non immigrant visa categories.

He changed his extension from attending a school to marriage which is perfectly legit.

Ok so it is within the rules so he does not have to use an agent or pay this 20000 baht fee.

 

He should report this incident to immig police and ask at imm head office at which other immi office he can submit his application for extension of stay.

 

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by userabcd

[StayinThailand2much]

34 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Do you really think they will admit that?

At best, it will be called a 'misunderstanding', at worst 'defamation'...

Edited October 11, 2021 by StayinThailand2much

[vinci]

the lawyer will charge you 20k, after that he will tell you there's nothing he can do about it.

[steven100]

55 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You tell them you will come with a lawyer and he can explain to him why he wants money.

DO NOT even consider this .......  This can get you into BIG problems. 

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Grayo46 said:

I have a young family here and would far rather put my hard-earnt towards them and not those suits at my local office.

Then do just that.

 

If you changed from the ed visa to the marriage visa and have all the docs you require, it's a big no, e.g. I paid last time and I will pay the 1,900 baht renew fee this time, if you want to decline me, then please do so now so I can escalate this.

 

The only way for YOU to STOP this behaviour is to be prepared to TELL them it's not on, either PUT UP or SHUT UP.

 

Might be an idea to take the wife with you, she can translate, e.g. my husband said he isn't going to pay 20,000 anymore, last time was a one off, see what happens then.

 

Worst case scenario he will get <deleted>ty but he will have to send off your application for approval, sick to the core of others giving into these corrupt p-ricks, but then again, it suites them and some I/O's think they can try it on with everyone.

[EricTh]

I'm confused.

 

Why change from ed-visa to non-O when you can get the Covid extension ? 

 

If you have a valid work permit then why do you need 40k per month to renew the visa?

 

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by EricTh

[JustAnotherHun]

Those who suggest to start a discussion with an IO or even threat to go public with the matter seem to forget in which country we are.

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by JustAnotherHun

[tonray]

As is usual with these threads....something doesn't seem right. Why switch to Non-O ? Why pay bribe ? in addition, knowing the office you dealt with is corrupt, why not take the 12 months you had and worked out a different office solution ?

[Opossum]

"Last year I changed from an Ed Visa to a Non-O and had to pay 20K to do so...."

 

May I asked if this happened with or without an agent?

[FritsSikkink]

47 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

At best, it will be called a 'misunderstanding', at worst 'defamation'...

You won't be asking about the past but ask to explain this fee to a lawyer

[lucky2008]

I have a feeling it's the Visa agent your using who's asking you for this and not the actual immigration office. 

[bbko]

I also don't understand, if the OP has a family in Thailand and already has 400K in the bank for 3 months, what's the hold up? Seems we're missing other information; undocumented marriage? non Thai family? 

[Grayo46]

Thank you. I know I am within the rules. It is blatant corruption. 

 

Grateful to all those who replied with suggestions. Though, I won't be hiring a lawyer haha

[Grayo46]

No agent was used.