A heads-up on tougher marriage O extension rules

[Bangkok Barry]

This might be specific to Kalasin IO, but it might not be so I'm posting it here rather the Issan forum.

 

I spent several hours today at said office to apply for a new Marriage O one-year extension. I've had one since, I think, three years ago, but due to complications because of travel during my renewal time (at least, Kalasin made it complicated) I had to return visa-free and get a three month O visa before applying again for the one-year extension.

 

And now the problem. There are new rules in place in Kalasin. There is a new boss, who replaced the old one who was seemingly one of the many arrested for being overly helpful with certain Chinese businessmen. And the new boss is doing the Thai 'crack a nut with a sledgehammer' thing and demanding new rules regarding us aliens - all of us, not just the Chinese.

 

This means not only a very, very thorough perusal of your documents, but an interview which was directed more to my wife than me, in which one of the questions asked was whether I had any brothers or sisters! Despite being married for over 32 years, she was asked how we met (she worked on the information counter at Tokyu in Bangkok, since some of you will be wondering), and a letter from the village head was demanded (we have never met each other, as far as I know). And they are doing a house visit, despite them having done one when I first applied for the one-year.

 

So be prepared for the application taking a lot longer than it has before, and more demands than before. I am guessing this is one boss acting alone, but several offices had officers arrested and so draconian rules might apply at those too.

[GarryP]

I know a few people who stopped doing the extension based on marriage once they hit retirement age and started doing retirement extensions instead (Bangkok). They said it was a much simpler process. It may be worth checking out. 

[cooked]

What do you think is going to happen when clever Farangs (and Chinese) keep finding new ways of getting around the rules? I remember when Photoshop started to be used, bank statements were forged, etc. The first time an officer visited us at home about 9 years ago, he told us that he had already arrested 19 people that year (February) for fraudulent marriage extension applications, mostly Africans. We are waiting for a visa decision right now but the application seemed to go very well. I hope. 

[Bangkok Barry]

26 minutes ago, GarryP said:

I know a few people who stopped doing the extension based on marriage once they hit retirement age and started doing retirement extensions instead (Bangkok). They said it was a much simpler process. It may be worth checking out. 

It is simpler, yes. But I have no burning desire to tie up 800,000 for months of the year. One day of frustration and agony per year is do-able.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Bangkok Barry

[CharlieKo]

40 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I spent several hours today at said office to apply for a new Marriage O one-year extension. I've had one since, I think, three years ago,

I think that is your problem, applying for a Non O based on Marriage when the last time you had such a visa was three years ago. Don't you think they would be suspicious of that three year gap? As far as they would be concerned you have to start all over, whence the questioning and scrutiny of documents and Home visit etc.

 

Hardly new rules for  Non O visa application.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I spent several hours today at said office to apply for a new Marriage O one-year extension. I've had one since, I think, three years ago, but due to complications because of travel during my renewal time (at least, Kalasin made it complicated) I had to return visa-free and get a three month O visa before applying again for the one-year extension

I don't understand much of this.

Was this your first extension to non O visa? .

Think your experience is not typical. 

 

[nigelforbes]

Your experience is nothing like mine. Mine has turned into a rubber stamping exercise, it's actually getting easier. There are no home visits or interviews, this years paperwork is almost a carbon copy of last years, all the key documents are already on file, nothing has changed.

[Bangkok Barry]

58 minutes ago, CharlieKo said:

I think that is your problem, applying for a Non O based on Marriage when the last time you had such a visa was three years ago. Don't you think they would be suspicious of that three year gap? As far as they would be concerned you have to start all over, whence the questioning and scrutiny of documents and Home visit etc.

 

Hardly new rules for  Non O visa application.

Read it again. I wrote that I've had one since, I think, three years ago. I didn't write that I hadn't had one for three years.

[poppysdad]

I spent at my own leisure 60-90 minutes of preparation and approx 2 reasonably easy hours at immigration, now simply waiting on the phone call to get the stamp entered into my passport. After 15 years of A-O I find that I simply need two copies of everything instead of just the one. Where is the hardship or difficulty in that. 

[Bangkok Barry]

57 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't understand much of this.

Was this your first extension to non O visa? .

Think your experience is not typical. 

 

I've had three one-year non O marriage extensions before. I'll add that my last one expired last November. I went overseas for a week and was told by Kalasin, before I left, that I should re-enter with no visa and apply for a non O visa upon my return. I did, and that expires next week so I've applied for my fourth one-year, after a gap of five months.

 

The officer told me they have made it much harder now to get one. I was told the same thing two years ago by a different officer at the same office in relation to them insisting that the 400,000 remained in the account until the extension was received, common now but not in practise at Kalasin at that time. It would be nice to be told, for a change, that they are making it easier, but that won't happen. Will it.

 

As for not being typical, there were four other people also told to return after lunch for interviews. I wasn't singled out. They are cracking down on every application. In Kalasin, at least. The officer was friendly enough and admitted that it was indeed a reaction to the Chinese visa scandal and the new measures were initiated by his new boss. And for everyone, not just the Chinese.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Bangkok Barry

[Bangkok Barry]

7 minutes ago, poppysdad said:

I spent at my own leisure 60-90 minutes of preparation and approx 2 reasonably easy hours at immigration, now simply waiting on the phone call to get the stamp entered into my passport. After 15 years of A-O I find that I simply need two copies of everything instead of just the one. Where is the hardship or difficulty in that. 

How does this relate to my experience? At what office were you? You mention A-O. That isn't what I applied for, but then you don't make it clear that you did either ("after 15 years of A-O" etc - did you change?). I fail to see the relevance of your post.

[poppysdad]

I was actually supporting you but perhaps I shouldn’t have bothered. If you read what I wrote I’m simply stating that in my opinion and experience getting a marriage extension is no more difficult than an O-A and I’ve no regrets on the decision of making the change. I’ll leave you to fight your own battles in future. 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've had three one-year non O marriage extensions before. I'll add that my last one expired last November. I went overseas for a week and was told by Kalasin, before I left, that I should re-enter with no visa and apply for a non O visa upon my return. I did, and that expires next week so I've applied for my fourth one-year, after a gap of five months

Bit of a tip.

The reason your posts (in this thread) are confusing is that you keep including ancient history.

I keep having to read sentences several times.

 

Seems you returned last Nov on visa exempt and obtained a non O based on marriage.

Now applying for 12 month extension. 

Leave out everything else. 

 

BTW the 2000baht also confuses as that is fee for non O application.

For extension it is 1900b 

 

Marriage extensions always more scrutiny as not only require proof of marriage but also living together. 

Think you got a raw deal.

Perhaps gaps in your status in Thailand drew attention. 

 

[nightfox]

Thanks OP for the heads up. I have to do my yearly extension based on marriage next week at Kalasin immigration. I have a contact working there that provided me with a special service last year as I didn't have the seasoned 3 months bank requirement and I didn't have a letter from the village head and 3 guarantors that they wanted there to sign as well for my wife. Lets just say I was able to by pass those requirements for a fee to immigration themselves as they are the ones who offered me the service.

 

I'm not surprised that they had a shake up and have a new boss there now. I will contact my guy  there to see if he is still employed and if he can provide me with the same service again as I wont be able to get some of the requirement's like a letter from the village head or any guarantors if they need them to sign. If the service is not provided then I will just get an 60 day extension to visit my wife and go to Laos or use an agent I know that can bypass everything and get me the extension at Maha Sarakham immigration.

Edited April 20, 2023 by nightfox

[Bangkok Barry]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Bit of a tip.

The reason your posts (in this thread) are confusing is that you keep including ancient history.

I keep having to read sentences several times.

 

Seems you returned last Nov on visa exempt and obtained a non O based on marriage.

Now applying for 12 month extension. 

Leave out everything else. 

 

BTW the 2000baht also confuses as that is fee for non O application.

For extension it is 1900b 

 

Marriage extensions always more scrutiny as not only require proof of marriage but also living together. 

Think you got a raw deal.

Perhaps gaps in your status in Thailand drew attention. 

 

Nowhere have I mentioned 2000 baht. And at the risk of digging up ancient history, I've been married for 32 years, been living here for around 26 or so, and have I've had several non-O marriage extensions before. Kalasin told me to take the steps I outlined above, not to apply for a non-O again until now, and in the meantime the new boss has added new demands/checks, so my ancient history and long marriage and residence counts for zero. There is no 'gap' except as advised to do by Kalasin. And, as I said, everyone there today got the same treatment. We all got a raw deal.

[Bangkok Barry]

12 minutes ago, poppysdad said:

I was actually supporting you but perhaps I shouldn’t have bothered. If you read what I wrote I’m simply stating that in my opinion and experience getting a marriage extension is no more difficult than an O-A and I’ve no regrets on the decision of making the change. I’ll leave you to fight your own battles in future. 

Sorry if I offended but, as I pointed out, you were not clear on what you applied for, or where. I'm fighting no battles, just informing others of what the situation is now at Kalasin. You know, trying to be helpful.

[nightfox]

8 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Sorry if I offended but, as I pointed out, you were not clear on what you applied for, or where. I'm fighting no battles, just informing others of what the situation is now at Kalasin. You know, trying to be helpful.

I appreciate your help Barry as I have been going to Kalasin immigration for years and found they were the friendliest and easiest to work with compare to other offices like Bangkok and Pattaya. Good thing is that there are always other out there.

[riclag]

I just got my non o marriage extension done in January in Sakon Nakhon ( one of the Controversial provinces) at the time when suspicious reports we’re being levied.

I cant speak of Kalison( same controversies) but My Issan province  requirements were usual ,hopefully it just a one of a kind.

Im  leaving next month for a visit to the states and will apply for a re entry  before leaving with no drama coming back .

Edited April 20, 2023 by riclag

[Lemsta69]

@admin please change the title to append the name of the particular immigration office that is being discussed here.

[CharlieKo]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Read it again. I wrote that I've had one since, I think, three years ago. I didn't write that I hadn't had one for three years.

That makes no sense. Lets try again! when was the last time you had a Non O based on marriage? If there was a break between applications ie, one year you were on a different visa. And now applying for a new Non O based on marriage. Then you have to start all over again. Just because you had one "you think three years ago" means nothing, it doesn't entitle you to just pick up from you think three years ago. 

 

Normally you would just renew your Non O based on marriage yearly. They don't like breaks for the very reason that you may be paying some one to say there are your wife. 

 

And if you read my first reply, I did not say you never had a Non O visa. Read it again! 

Edited April 20, 2023 by CharlieKo

[nightfox]

23 minutes ago, CharlieKo said:

Normally you would just renew your Non O based on marriage yearly

I get your your point but even in a renewal they can still ask for the same or extra documents and make it harder then previous years especially due to that immigration office involvement in a controversy and being investigated for wrong doings.

[Bangkok Barry]

47 minutes ago, CharlieKo said:

That makes no sense. Lets try again! when was the last time you had a Non O based on marriage? If there was a break between applications ie, one year you were on a different visa. And now applying for a new Non O based on marriage. Then you have to start all over again. Just because you had one "you think three years ago" means nothing, it doesn't entitle you to just pick up from you think three years ago. 

 

Normally you would just renew your Non O based on marriage yearly. They don't like breaks for the very reason that you may be paying some one to say there are your wife. 

 

And if you read my first reply, I did not say you never had a Non O visa. Read it again! 

Jeez. I didn't write that I had one three years ago, I wrote I've had once SINCE three years. You need to brush up on your comprehension skills. I'll say it for a third time: I wrote that I've had one since three years ago. SINCE THREE YEARS AGO. Not that I haven't had one for three years. As for I might have been paying someone to say they are my wife, I've been married for 32 years, as the certificate clearly shows.

 

I had a break of six months for complicated and uncertain travel reasons, and know I had to begin again. I also know, as I explained, that there are now stricter rules in place than there were before, due to a new boss being installed. That was the whole point of my post, to inform others that things are not as they were.

You completely ignore the point I made that stricter rules are now in place at Kalasin for everyone, not just me, because of an over-reaction by the new boss after the old one was removed. Because of corruption involving members of the Kalasin officers concerning Chinese visas, applications from ALL nationalities are now under a microscope.  

I'm really not interested in your telling me what I should and should not do or what I've done wrong. I was trying to offer helpful advice to others, not looking for it myself. I know the situation, which is that there is a crackdown and a greater scrutiny of everyone.

 

Do you use Kalasin? If not, why do you care? If you do, then be prepared for greater scrutiny next time, even if you've been married for 32 years as I have. Or ignore my warning. I don't really care. Others have found it welcome.

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Jeez. I didn't write that I had one three years ago,

Stop defensive mode..

 

I am not the only person that has posted your posts are confusing .

 

Then you attack the posts..

 

Quite frankly you included so much extraneous information it just clouds your thread. 

 

So it's good you update Kalasin experience. 

Stay tuned. 

[Bangkok Barry]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Stop defensive mode..

 

I am not the only person that has posted your posts are confusing .

 

Then you attack the posts..

 

Quite frankly you included so much extraneous information it just clouds your thread. 

 

So it's good you update Kalasin experience. 

Stay tuned. 

Well, I'm confused that I'm told I mentioned a 2000 baht fee when I didn't, and that I wrote I had not had a marriage extension for three years, when I didn't say that either. Some were confused by what I wrote, equally some were not and understood and appreciated the warning. I'll side with those who understood perfectly well what I wrote. You can't please all the people all of the time.

Your point about brevity is taken on board though, and so here's the 10 second attention span version: Kalasin is now placing every application for a non-O marriage extension under increased scrutiny, no matter what your previous record with that office might be, and interviews and house visits can be expected.

Of course, there might be a U-turn next week.... :)

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[youreavinalaff]

4 hours ago, CharlieKo said:

That makes no sense. Lets try again! when was the last time you had a Non O based on marriage? If there was a break between applications ie, one year you were on a different visa. And now applying for a new Non O based on marriage. Then you have to start all over again. Just because you had one "you think three years ago" means nothing, it doesn't entitle you to just pick up from you think three years ago. 

 

Normally you would just renew your Non O based on marriage yearly. They don't like breaks for the very reason that you may be paying some one to say there are your wife. 

 

And if you read my first reply, I did not say you never had a Non O visa. Read it again! 

 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Stop defensive mode..

 

I am not the only person that has posted your posts are confusing .

 

Then you attack the posts..

 

Quite frankly you included so much extraneous information it just clouds your thread. 

 

So it's good you update Kalasin experience. 

Stay tuned. 

I really don't understand the confusion. The OP is quite clear and easy to understand.

 

The attacks on the OP goes somewhere to explaining why many members on here tend not to post anymore.

Edited April 20, 2023 by youreavinalaff

[Andycoops]

9 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've had three one-year non O marriage extensions before. I'll add that my last one expired last November. I went overseas for a week and was told by Kalasin, before I left, that I should re-enter with no visa and apply for a non O visa upon my return. I did, and that expires next week so I've applied for my fourth one-year, after a gap of five months.

 

The officer told me they have made it much harder now to get one. I was told the same thing two years ago by a different officer at the same office in relation to them insisting that the 400,000 remained in the account until the extension was received, common now but not in practise at Kalasin at that time. It would be nice to be told, for a change, that they are making it easier, but that won't happen. Will it.

 

As for not being typical, there were four other people also told to return after lunch for interviews. I wasn't singled out. They are cracking down on every application. In Kalasin, at least. The officer was friendly enough and admitted that it was indeed a reaction to the Chinese visa scandal and the new measures were initiated by his new boss. And for everyone, not just the Chinese.

I believe that because you broke the chain of extensions and now have a gap of 5 months since your last extension expired last November, you are being treated as a completely new applicant.

Therefore as far as Thai immigration is concerned your past history no longer counts.

[sherwood]

21 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

I believe that because you broke the chain of extensions and now have a gap of 5 months since your last extension expired last November, you are being treated as a completely new applicant.

Therefore as far as Thai immigration is concerned your past history no longer counts.

I am in the same boat.

Had to start a new non O after a short break. Two witnesses required just for the visa, not looking forward to the extension process. Korat office.

[bunnydrops]

I had the same problem as you and had to reapply. They always make the first extension the hardest, now with the home visit including the village head man, two  neighbors unrelated to your family. But I remember way back when, you had to bring the neighbors in to sign at the  immigration office. Also Korat office

Edited April 20, 2023 by bunnydrops
addition

[brianthainess]

13 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

a letter from the village head was demanded (we have never met each other, as far as I know).

And so did you have to go back and get one, and did you meet him?