Mea Sai Immigration

[woralak]

Hi im British (English),ive been living in Thailand for 5years come November i am 62years old.

I live in Chiang Khong ive been here on a non imm "O" visa (retired) and ive had no problems at the Chiang Khong immigration office (very helpful),i went there in Feb to renew my 12month visa,i also wanted to change to a marriage visa,i was told the Chiang Khong brach no longer did visas and i had to go to Mea Sai,i also had to change my joint bank account to an account in my name (ok fair enough) i did this and went to Mea Sai,they issued me with a 60day visa (visit Thai family),this took me upto April 17th and cost 1900 Bt,i went again Mon (19th April) and again applied for a marriage visa,again we took photos marriage cert house book ect,answered a few questions and was given a 30day visa at a cost of 1900Bt,now i have to go back (yet again) on the 17th may,and im still not sure if they will issue me with a marriage visa,i also explained to the officer i had an army pension going into my account every month and asked him how much do i have to keep in my account because i have 30.000Bt going in monthly,he said you must have 400.000Bt in your bank (ALL TIME)?,i find this very strange indeed as when i was on retirment visa i was allowed to have enough in my joint account as well as my pension as long as totalled 800.000Bt.

So my questions are::Why cant i have a total income of 400.000Bt ie pension/bank balance

::Why have i had to do the same procedure twice when applying for a marraige visa

::Why have i had to pay 1900Bt twice

::Why do i have to bump stamp every 90days (IF) they give me a marriage visa,

ive heard certain peple only have to report once a year.

I hope someone can clear this up for me as i feel im being treated unfairly,thanks so much for any replies.

[beechguy]

I don't agree with having 400,000 Baht in the account for the entire year, but Item 6, under Section 2.18 it does state 40,000 Baht per month income or a balance of 400,000 Baht in savings for an "Extension of Stay" Based on marriage. See the attached.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/t...777-2551_en.pdf

Also, it's not unusual to have 30 day consideration periods for extensions concerning marriage and 90 day reports are required for everyone staying 90 days or longer.

[sarahsbloke]

Marriage extension is decided in Bangkok, they post the form off, so need 30 days.

Also an immigration officer might call round to your house in the next week to check the marriage is legit.

400kbht needed in bank for 2/3 months (before and during application)

or

40kbht a month income

They don't allow a combination for marriage as far as I know.

PS

i went again Mon (19th April)

Me too, but at CM, I only got 21 days under consideration (when my current Visa expires).

[woralak]

Marriage extension is decided in Bangkok, they post the form off, so need 30 days.

Also an immigration officer might call round to your house in the next week to check the marriage is legit.

400kbht needed in bank for 2/3 months (before and during application)

or

40kbht a month income

They don't allow a combination for marriage as far as I know.

PS

i went again Mon (19th April)

Me too, but at CM, I only got 21 days under consideration (when my current Visa expires).

Many thanks,im a bit fed up of the whole immigration saga,seems to be different strokes for different folkes i wish there was a clear cut system,but Thailand being what it is i dont think ill hold my breath.

Do you have to report every three months ?.

Did you pay twice ?.

When i go again on the 17th May that will be three visits in 4months did this happen to you ?.

Thanks again for the info you have given,and oh nothing was mentioned about a visit by an immigration officer,hey ho what can you do ill just keep eating the humble pie,cheers M8.

[woralak]

I don't agree with having 400,000 Baht in the account for the entire year, but Item 6, under Section 2.18 it does state 40,000 Baht per month income or a balance of 400,000 Baht in savings for an "Extension of Stay" Based on marriage. See the attached.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/t...777-2551_en.pdf

Also, it's not unusual to have 30 day consideration periods for extensions concerning marriage and 90 day reports are required for everyone staying 90 days or longer.

Thanks for that beechguy,my reading skills of tech data are not so good to understand the attached info but you have cleared the 400.000Bt/40.000Bt a month up and the reporting times.

Thanks again.

[lopburi3]

1. Extension of stay for Thai wife requires 40k income or 400k in bank account 2 or 3 months. There is no combination allowed.

2. You seem to have been provided the 60 day extension to allow time for you to meet the 400k requirement. If money in amount of 400k had been in account for the required time that would not have been required. This would also be the reason you have had to pay for extension of stay two times.

3. Thai wife extension of stay always has a 30 day return as decision is make by high level meetings in Bangkok rather than local office.

4. Everyone must report there address every 90 days that they are in Thailand without leaving. This is done with a TM.47 and you should have been doing this. The fine is 2,000 baht if more than 7 days late and could be up to 5,000 baht plus 200 baht per day if you refuse to pay/report. Until recently this has not been a priority and many did not report but times are changing.

[villagefarang]

The 90 reporting can be done by mail but make sure you include a self-addressed stamped envelop. Last time I was there they had a stack of letters that did not include the envelop. Hard to believe.

To avoid confusion, I have always found it better to go to the source. Ask the officers in charge what they want. Talking about it with buddies over beer, will only lead to confusion.

There is a small plastic filing cabinet by the door with all the forms you might need. Take copies home so you can fill things out in advance.

Again, ask the officer in charge what he wants. No use telling him later that some guy on TV said it was okay.

[woralak]

1. Extension of stay for Thai wife requires 40k income or 400k in bank account 2 or 3 months. There is no combination allowed.

2. You seem to have been provided the 60 day extension to allow time for you to meet the 400k requirement. If money in amount of 400k had been in account for the required time that would not have been required. This would also be the reason you have had to pay for extension of stay two times.

3. Thai wife extension of stay always has a 30 day return as decision is make by high level meetings in Bangkok rather than local office.

4. Everyone must report there address every 90 days that they are in Thailand without leaving. This is done with a TM.47 and you should have been doing this. The fine is 2,000 baht if more than 7 days late and could be up to 5,000 baht plus 200 baht per day if you refuse to pay/report. Until recently this has not been a priority and many did not report but times are changing.

Thank you lopburi3',Yes i was doing this (reporting every three months) but that was on retirment visa,i was led to believe that once you were on married visa you did not have to report every three months,only every 12months,thank you very much for your reply,regards Woralak.

[woralak]

The 90 reporting can be done by mail but make sure you include a self-addressed stamped envelop. Last time I was there they had a stack of letters that did not include the envelop. Hard to believe.

To avoid confusion, I have always found it better to go to the source. Ask the officers in charge what they want. Talking about it with buddies over beer, will only lead to confusion.

There is a small plastic filing cabinet by the door with all the forms you might need. Take copies home so you can fill things out in advance.

Again, ask the officer in charge what he wants. No use telling him later that some guy on TV said it was okay.

@villagefarang,Thank you i get your drift (talking over a beer) your quite right i did discus this over a beer or two but in a soberly fasion,great info on the post didn't know you could do this.Cheers,i did try and talk to the officer but i was told (you have to do what we say) end of conversation!,that was that,sign and pay goodbye.

[villagefarang]

After 5 years you should understand that 'why' is a counterproductive word when dealing with bureaucrats and government officials. If you are really nice they may tell you both 'what' and 'how' but they do not have the time or inclination to have a long philosophical discussion on their justifications for what they do and why they do it that way.

I would simply ask what they want and perhaps how that might be accomplished. Smile and be patient and things usually workout just fine.

I sympathize with your frustration but I have found the Mae Sai branch to be the least difficult and most accommodating of offices that I have dealt with.

[sarahsbloke]

When i go again on the 17th May that will be three visits in 4months did this happen to you ?.

Went for Visa on 19th

Return Visit "under consideration" booked for 10th

First report required on 17th

So pretty much same as you, but I didn't need an extension of 60 days as I already had money in the bank.

This was pretty much a last minute effort for me, was going to fly back to the UK and get a 1 year non-immigrant "o" but the cheapest ticket was over 30kbht and my wife was scared I wouldn't come back to her (why are Thai ladies so insecure?).

[woralak]

After 5 years you should understand that 'why' is a counterproductive word when dealing with bureaucrats and government officials. If you are really nice they may tell you both 'what' and 'how' but they do not have the time or inclination to have a long philosophical discussion on their justifications for what they do and why they do it that way.

I would simply ask what they want and perhaps how that might be accomplished. Smile and be patient and things usually workout just fine.

I sympathize with your frustration but I have found the Mae Sai branch to be the least difficult and most accommodating of offices that I have dealt with.

Well to be honest in the past ive only ever dealt with the Chiang Khong branch so i cant comment on other places apart from Mea Sai and i found them not very accommodating,but that is just my opinion.

I thought i was very respectful and humble and smiled at the right times but hey everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[woralak]

When i go again on the 17th May that will be three visits in 4months did this happen to you ?.

Went for Visa on 19th

Return Visit "under consideration" booked for 10th

First report required on 17th

So pretty much same as you, but I didn't need an extension of 60 days as I already had money in the bank.

This was pretty much a last minute effort for me, was going to fly back to the UK and get a 1 year non-immigrant "o" but the cheapest ticket was over 30kbht and my wife was scared I wouldn't come back to her (why are Thai ladies so insecure?).

I had money in the bank but it was a joint account so i had to open a new account in my name only,i guess this was the reason for the for the 60 days.

The reason Thai ladies are so insecure is (no comment) sorry.