Sisaket Immigration - New Boss & New Rules - 6Hrs+1Mth For Extension

[bangkokburning]

What I find so disturbing about the "marriage visa" is that it is essentially a retirement visa - with less money. Basic requirements are more or less same. Yet, not so much less, B400K is still well over 30K THB a month. Average BKK office worker pulls in about one third of that. So all this hassle for lets call it a junior retirment visa.

Every time I read these sorts of things, I flip out and just want to pack it in.

It is a bureaucracy that is not beholden to the public. You would think if the public knew the cost/waste of immigration they would go nuts. My hunch is that immigration money stays in Immigration and does not get to a general fund. So, they are free to tax and hassle us to the sky. Their own fifedom.

Edited January 30, 2012 by bangkokburning

[necronx99]

What I find so disturbing about the "marriage visa" is that it is essentially a retirement visa - with less money. Basic requirements are more or less same. Yet, not so much less, B400K is still well over 30K THB a month. Average BKK office worker pulls in about one third of that. So all this hassle for lets call it a junior retirment visa.

Every time I read these sorts of things, I flip out and just want to pack it in.

It is a bureaucracy that is not beholden to the public. You would think if the public knew the cost/waste of immigration they would go nuts. My hunch is that immigration money stays in Immigration and does not get to a general fund. So, they are free to tax and hassle us to the sky. Their own fifedom.

That's pretty much it.

As a bureaucracy it's like many others, I just don't know why they can't make it a bit simpler, less work for them.

e.g Renewals, here's a form with all your previous data. Has anything changed? No? Ok, 2000 baht and on your way then.

[moe666]

The Op needs to change to retirement extension if qualified or move. I had my extension to stay for retirement in 15 min even having to get another copy made 2baht. 2 hours total for extension, 90 day report,and re-entry permit. Chiang Mai is a zoo with all of the foreign workers but they do push the people thru. Just think of it as your lucky day.

[PoorSucker]

Hope you got a receipt for the extra 1000 baht.

[ratcatcher]

What I find so disturbing about the "marriage visa" is that it is essentially a retirement visa - with less money. Basic requirements are more or less same. Yet, not so much less, B400K is still well over 30K THB a month. Average BKK office worker pulls in about one third of that. So all this hassle for lets call it a junior retirment visa.

Every time I read these sorts of things, I flip out and just want to pack it in.

It is a bureaucracy that is not beholden to the public. You would think if the public knew the cost/waste of immigration they would go nuts. My hunch is that immigration money stays in Immigration and does not get to a general fund. So, they are free to tax and hassle us to the sky. Their own fifedom.

That's pretty much it.

As a bureaucracy it's like many others, I just don't know why they can't make it a bit simpler, less work for them.

e.g Renewals, here's a form with all your previous data. Has anything changed? No? Ok, 2000 baht and on your way then.

Sorry, but that would be a logical, efficient and realistic way to do things. However, T.I.T.

[gosompoi]

Hope you got a receipt for the extra 1000 baht.

are you kidding the 1000 baht note disappeared right in his pocket like it never existed.

[lopburi3]

Two posts removed to protect members. Please keep such material in PM channels.

[BookMan]

Yes, my wife she knows her place, she has a BA and two masters degrees and work as Thai government servant for more than 16 years. She laughs now when people ask her, "Did you meet you husband in Pattaya?" She knew how to answer the questions to keep some of our privacy and not cause anymore questions. But really now my wife has a police file with all her life information because she has farang husband. BUT IT IS NOT OVER! We still have the home visit and inspection and neighbor interviews this Sunday. And we have to explain to our children why men in uniforms dressed as police will be looking in their rooms, closets and talking their friends. AND STILL we still have to hope Korat says yes to the extension next month. I have always felt like a unwanted second class person by the Thai government except for my wallet they love. But today I think we got the hint loud and clear. What next trucks loaded with farang instead of dogs being smuggled to Loas? We are stuck hanging, tired and wondering should we still be here?

All sounds a bit stressful, knowing you have fulfilled the requirements, but having all these hoops to go through, with the threat of no extended visa. My sympathies go out to you and your wife.

[IMA_FARANG]

Original Poster:

4. New survey form quality of service I received at the local immigration office.

Just out of curiosity...what did you enter on that form?

(just joking)

[Bpraim1]

I did a marriage visa. same one I have done for 5yrs. My wife and I are 2 yrs apart, she has a bachelors degree and never worked in a bar, I'm not the most handsome, but I am polite and open to Thai policy ideas. (tea money)

I was not asked for 1000bht, nor had to fill out any back ground info. They never even said one word about come'n to my house. Though they did 2yrs ago (free of charge).

I had a lady office take my app, the same one I have used for 3yrs. since she was assigned to PhuSing immigration. Use a Man for 2yrs before that.

Maybe this is your first time applying? So you got some extra hoops.

I'm guessing it is as you did not know your app would be sent to Korat for review. ( all apps go there)

Funny how some people get singled out for some extra activities. Sorry you had to be the one.

Maybe next time try bringing some nice cheap things with you.

Whiskey goes a long way, fruit, chocolate, you know what I mean.

Just some grease for the wheel, you will find that it will get you along way in Thailand. I fought the system here for a longtime, now just go with the flow. And my life could not be better.

[gosompoi]

I did a marriage visa. same one I have done for 5yrs. My wife and I are 2 yrs apart, she has a bachelors degree and never worked in a bar, I'm not the most handsome, but I am polite and open to Thai policy ideas. (tea money)

I was not asked for 1000bht, nor had to fill out any back ground info. They never even said one word about come'n to my house. Though they did 2yrs ago (free of charge).

I had a lady office take my app, the same one I have used for 3yrs. since she was assigned to PhuSing immigration. Use a Man for 2yrs before that.

Maybe this is your first time applying? So you got some extra hoops.

I'm guessing it is as you did not know your app would be sent to Korat for review. ( all apps go there)

Funny how some people get singled out for some extra activities. Sorry you had to be the one.

Maybe next time try bringing some nice cheap things with you.

Whiskey goes a long way, fruit, chocolate, you know what I mean.

Just some grease for the wheel, you will find that it will get you along way in Thailand. I fought the system here for a longtime, now just go with the flow. And my life could not be better.

Yep, first 1 year extension for this visa. Did one four years ago and it took 30mins in/out nothing like this time of six hours. Hopefully it was just an experiment and not norm for the future.

[MJo]

I thought house visit was actually in the rule book and they just got around with it by allowing photos. I.e. for the convenience for themselves ? My brother in-law (thai) had the house visits in Bangkok as well when married to Cambodian girl. Same thing, interviewing neighbors etc.

I got the same questioning / police reports etc filled for myself and the wife when i got yellow tabien baan book in Bangkok district office couple of years back. All friendly and done by the big boss himself so did not take any offence. Took something like three hours and he filled the reports in himself so boring afternoon yes.

Looks like you were getting by the book treatment and then some more. Most likely due to first application.

[merijn]

So far i know the house visit is only required ( if they so it at all ) for the first extension based on marriage.

The following extensions don’t require those house visits.

I’m living in Phuket they don’t do house visits at all.

Only the house picture and location map are required for this purpose.

Also the extension rules are not changed a lot in Phuket during the last few years.

Only the marriage certificate can not be older then one year any more, this is to confirm that you are still married and not divorced during the last year.

Edited February 1, 2012 by merijn

[lopburi3]

Marriage certificate is only issued when married so can be much older than one year. But new requirement is both KR2 and KR3 are required so the ledger entry must be current and that would reflect current status. For most people new copy can be obtained from any District Office.

[Mario2008]

KR3 is the flowery wedding certificate, that remains the same. It is the KR2 form that immigration might want to see a new one of every year. This is the entry into the wedding register and confirms you are (still) married.

[Colorado]

I have the flowery KR3. Never heard of the KR2. What does it look like? Where do I get one?

[rawhod]

I have the flowery KR3. Never heard of the KR2. What does it look like? Where do I get one?

You should have received a KR2 from the Amphur along with your KR3 when you married. It is a double sided white document giving both parties details, in Thai, as entered in the register at the Amphur Office, stamped and signed on both sides by the issuing Officer. I believe you can get a further copy from the Amphur Office where you married.

Edited February 3, 2012 by rawhod

[lopburi3]

If you were married in recent times the KR2 is available online at any District Office. If older you may have to visit original office but believe all are getting entered so that may not still be the case. Those married more than about a decade ago did not receive KR2 when getting married, only the KR3 was provided previously.

[Colorado]

_{Eight years of wedded bliss. But neither the wife or I can recall receiving that particular document. We'll be back in Thailand next month and will check with the Ampur Office. Thanks for the information.}

Edited February 3, 2012 by Colorado

[Maestro]

Example of K.R.2

[samran]

You have to remember that they hate you and despise you living here.

If that was true, they wouldn't give you a visa to come in the first place.

[JohnC]

Note I live here on retirement extension, if they make it any worse I'll go somewhere else where the sun shines.

+1

[galvheim]

Seeing this tread make me understand more about why I, araound 3 weeks ago, had not less than 3 policemen arriving in poice-car at me and my wifes home. I have stayed in this place (outside Khukhan) many times before for up to 8 months without this happening before. I'm here on a Non-immigrant Visa O. They arrived in the car, and parked beside our house, making a lot of our neghbours looking at us, wondering what was going on. They asked for my passport together with my marriage certificate and some other documents. They had brought a camera and one of them was busy taking pictures of the pages in passport, and the other documents my wife brought to them. They asked many questions to her about where I worked, how I could stay here without a job, what was my work here (none) etc.

They said they where doing this on behalf of Immigration officers since they didn't have time to go here in person. They was sitting here around half hour, chatting with my wife. I just sat looking them and said very little.

After they went from here, the neighbour came quickly to ask what was going on and what they wanted. It also turned out that they had talked with some people around here too around me and what I was doing here.

I'm still not fully sure why they came, since I have not seen this before.

But from reading this post, it seems like the new boss, is keeping a more watchful eye on the farangs in his province than before.

All in all I can only say that it's not a good feeling thinking how I may feel for my wife too, to get such attention on her up in this farmer-land.

Anyone else from Sisaket who have had similar encounters lately?

[merijn]

I received the KR 2 when i married 10 years ago. ( time is flying )

This KR 2 has to be renewed every year ( when you apply for the extension ) to prove that you are still married.

The KR3 paper is issued only once when you got married. ( i believe that this KR3 can not be renewed and does not have any official value )

[Bpraim1]

I received the KR 2 when i married 10 years ago. ( time is flying )

This KR 2 has to be renewed every year ( when you apply for the extension ) to prove that you are still married.

The KR3 paper is issued only once when you got married. ( i believe that this KR3 can not be renewed and does not have any official value )

I have never had to have this KR2 renewed. Nor has anyone I know, had too. You better check that fact and report again!!

[PoorSucker]

I have never had to have this KR2 renewed. Nor has anyone I know, had too. You better check that fact and report again!!

I have to get new one every year for Samui immigrations.

[Mario2008]

A lot depends on where you apply. Koh Samui for instance is known to ask a new K.R. 2 form every year.

[merijn]

I received the KR 2 when i married 10 years ago. ( time is flying )

This KR 2 has to be renewed every year ( when you apply for the extension ) to prove that you are still married.

The KR3 paper is issued only once when you got married. ( i believe that this KR3 can not be renewed and does not have any official value )

I have never had to have this KR2 renewed. Nor has anyone I know, had too. You better check that fact and report again!!

I know my facts ( and i work with those issues on almost a daily basis ) very well thank you.

I don't know where you do your extensions but at Phuket immigration ( and most all other immigration offices ) you WILL require a new KR 2 certificate ( max 1 one year old ) from your Amphur.

I think your where just luckily that they never send you to the Amphur to get a new one.

Edited February 19, 2012 by merijn

[lopburi3]

The KR3 has up-most value as it is your marriage certificate and without it you will not obtain a visa or extension of stay. The KR2 has recently been asked by many immigration offices as proof the marriage is ongoing and further proof the KR3 is not a forgery.

[merijn]

You will need the KR 3 off-course for your marriage extensions and has value off-course. ( wrong choice of words from my side )

I only meant to say that only the KR 2 needs be reissued again at the Amphur for the visa extension.