Just came from Korat immigration

[Jinjo14]

Two months ago I had all documents ready (following advice on here - thanks again ubonjoe) to apply for one year extension based on marriage; bar the kor rhor 22 as the translation services I used had held up my marriage certificate (saying it was at the MFA wAiting to get stamped) so I couldn't register my marriage at my local amphoe.

I waited till the last day of my "permitted until date" for the damn document but it never arrived. Drove 120km to immigration, all documents ok but "no have paper marry". Taking a gamble, I showed them a translation I had and original marriage certificate in English but they wanted the kor rhor 22. Fair enough, my fault for not getting down to Bangkok before and doing it myself rather than relying on an agency. The officer (kind, smiling middle aged lady) said "tomorrow start pay 500฿ overstay, what can we do?" Luckily for me I knew about the 60 day extension from ubonjoe on this forum. I said meekly,"can I have hocksip wan extension please for visit and take care mia?" This attempt at 'poot' thai seemed to work my favour as after a chuckle went to speak to someone inside and came with paperwork, paid 1900฿ for two month extension to get kor rhor 22 and also 2 statements for witnesses (people from my street who verify that I really live here. Photos of them signing the statement and photocopies of their id's and house book are required. Last name must be different from wife maiden name. I walked out feeling exhausted but pleased with the outcome.

Next day (i sh*t you not)I got my marriage certificate and translated and authenticated. Went amphoe registered marriage for free, wife changed ID card (last name to mine) and they exchanged my prized authenticated certficates for the famed kor rhor 22. Mission accomplished.

This time round fearing something else will go wrong I went a week early (today) to avoid having the risk of overstaying.

120km drive again and promptly at 8 were seated, only two couples in front of us. One of them was an old German fella who got into a right tantrum with one of the officers shouting and gesticulating. Bad omen.

About ten mins later we were called in front of the lady officer which had served us before and now had a partner with she, obviously her superior. Humming and hawing around the documents and photos, seeming dissatisfied. The witness statements we were given two months ago by immigration are "outdated", new statements have been out since, and koror 22 good but they need original authenticated certificates also. Then I was asked to sign a document titled acknowledgement of rules of overstaying or something along that line. Basically it was something like this:

Overstaying (giving yourself up)

By 90 days - banned from return 6 months

By 6 months - banned from return 1 year

By 1year banned from return 3 years

By 3 years banned for 5

By 5 banned for 10.

Overstaying (apprehended)

Less than 5 years but more than 3 months get banned accordingly

More than five banned for life.

Something new I would guess given the recent enforcements .

Anyway wish me luck for tomorrow having already got the certificates from amphoe and new statements by witnesses done. Hopefully after another1000฿ diesel and 1900฿ fee I'll finally get this over.

By the way I have nothing but praise for the officers at Korat immigration. If you wai and treat with respect they will respect you back. If you act like a d*ck, they will treat you as one. Remember we need them not they need us.


Sorry for the elongated post lol took me the best of an hour but feel better now. Cheers






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[ubonjoe]

It seems you are almost there.

Anything over 30 days old can be to old. They at times will want to see originals of some documents.

I had to sign the overstay acknowledgement myself when I applied for my extension last week here in Ubon and got my 30 day stamp.

[paz]

Why your wife changed surname to your ? Her desire I suppose.

[Jinjo14]

Yep cheers joe. Hopefully tomorrow everything ok.

Pez, isn't that the norm?


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[paz]

Yep cheers joe. Hopefully tomorrow everything ok.

Pez, isn't that the norm?

It's not mandatory for the bride to change her legal name.

[Jinjo14]

It's not I know. We married in my country and that's the norm there. My wife didn't find any objection. Her sister married in Australia and she took her husbands name. So ... Jog on mate lol


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[96tehtarp]

Glad to hear everything is progressing for you. They told me the first extension is the most difficult.

 

The sixty day extension is a lifesaver (thanks Joe) it can buy you the extra time needed to get your ducks lined up in a row, or season your money in the bank etc.

 

Are you expecting a home visit from immigration?

[Jinjo14]

They haven't mentioned anyone visiting. Maybe we live too far. I suspect that's why they gave me affidavits for neighbours to sign.

Yes mate it hasn't been that easy or convenient and quite costly with translations and verifications and stuff. A visa would have been cheaper i suspect but in the long run it pays off I guess.

I just hated the 90 day border hop


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[96tehtarp]

They haven't mentioned anyone visiting. Maybe we live too far. I suspect that's why they gave me affidavits for neighbours to sign.

Yes mate it hasn't been that easy or convenient and quite costly with translations and verifications and stuff. A visa would have been cheaper i suspect but in the long run it pays off I guess.

I just hated the 90 day border hop

 

I loved my border hops and always made a short vacation out of them.

 

Maybe you won't get a home visit. They did our affidavit with a neighbor during their visit here at our home. Different immigration offices have different directives.

 

Good luck.

[Aceman80]

So immigration really does these home visits,i though that was legend.

They have right to enter your house?

´Cause i understand that even police cannot enter house without search warrant.

[Mario2008]

So immigration really does these home visits,i though that was legend.

They have right to enter your house?

´Cause i understand that even police cannot enter house without search warrant.

 

I am sure you can deny, but I am also sure that in that case your extension will not be approved.

[puchooay]

After you get your new extension, I'm sure you will as Khorat are " firm but fair", I suggest you get a new car.

 

1000 baht diesel for "120km drive" ???????

 

 

[96tehtarp]

So immigration really does these home visits,i though that was legend.

They have right to enter your house?

´Cause i understand that even police cannot enter house without search warrant.

 

They really do home visits, yes. Not everywhere but some districts do them. Normally these visits are made during the "under consideration" period. 

 

I honestly don't know anything about search warrant laws in Thailand. I suspect that refusal by an applicant to allow the immigration police to enter the home would guarantee a rejection of the application for extension of stay.

[paz]

After you get your new extension, I'm sure you will as Khorat are " firm but fair", I suggest you get a new car.

 

1000 baht diesel for "120km drive" ???????

I suggest you get a new "thinking aid"

 

Try 120Km x 2 on a diesel pick-up.. oh!

[noahvail]

So immigration really does these home visits,i though that was legend.
They have right to enter your house?
´Cause i understand that even police cannot enter house without search warrant.

 
They really do home visits, yes. Not everywhere but some districts do them. Normally these visits are made during the "under consideration" period. 
 
I honestly don't know anything about search warrant laws in Thailand. I suspect that refusal by an applicant to allow the immigration police to enter the home would guarantee a rejection of the application for extension of stay.

I changed my retirement extension to a marriage extension last December in Udon Thani. I can confirm that the day after we put the paperwork in, two nice young plain-clothes IOs (whom I had seen in the back of the immigration office the day before) phoned and asked if we were available. Yup, come ahead. Well mannered, took pictures of us in front of the house, then went to talk with the neighbors who had attested to us living together. They took a quick walk through the house, touched nothing, but could see it was pretty obvious we were legit. Less than half an hour, all smiles, all done. BKK had a bit of a backup, so we were about a week late getting the final approval, but the nice people at immigration said not to worry about the date of the under consideration stamp, you're still legit. I'm really quite happy with immigration at Udon.

[Jinjo14]

After you get your new extension, I'm sure you will as Khorat are " firm but fair", I suggest you get a new car.
 
1000 baht diesel for "120km drive" ???????

I suggest you get a new "thinking aid"
 
Try 120Km x 2 on a diesel pick-up.. oh!

Yes it's a hundred twenty from amphoe, from home about 135km. Make that x2. So about 800-900฿

1000฿ I clock about 320km. Car 6 month old ford ranger 2.2l. I do have a/t wheels so probably that doesn't help with the consumption!


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