Problems to get first extension based on marriage

[FarangFB]

Got married, got all papers that were mentioned in this other thread ( http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642693-getting-ready-for-the-1-year-extension-based-on-marriage/page-6#entry7754991 ), got 400,000 in the bank, got 45 days left on my non-0 visa. We went to the Jomtien immigration.

Still, the officer not only refused to do my first extension. Told I had to come back when I had exactly 15 days left on my 90 day non-o, but isn't it the deadline for applying for the extension? What if any of the documents isn't ok, then I'm in trouble if I can't get it in the same day.

In addition to that, the officer reviewed the documents and said we also have to bring these ones, that I've never seen mentioned in any thread here:

- Tabien Baan of the condo I rent (which even the owner doesn't know about)

- Tabien Baan of the owner of the condo unit I rent

- Pictures of not only me and my wife in front of the condo, but a third thai person (witness) as well (can't be a family member), and this person has to go with us to the immigration.

- Tabien Baan of the witness

The officer gave us a list and checked on the left the required items, in addition to that wrote (upper left) Tabien Baan tee chao, which means the one from the unit I rent.

Here is the list:

[johng]

Still, the officer not only refused to do my first extension. Told I had to come back when I had exactly 15 days left, but isn't it the deadline for applying for the extension?

What if any of the documents isn't ok, then I'm in trouble if I can't get it in the same day.

As far as I'm aware you can still apply for extension right up to the last day...and they will not give you an extension there and then

they will give you a 30 day "under consideration" stamp in your passport while they check you out but normally if documents are accepted they give the extension.

- Tabien Baan of the condo I rent

- Tabien Baan of the owner of the condo unit I rent (which even the owner doesn't know about)

Every household has a Tabien bahn also known as "house book" and " blue book" is the owner of the condo a foreigner ??? then maybe its a "yellow book"

Yes they want a witness on first extension you'll need copy of their ID and house book too as well as photos of you/wife with witness

they may question your witness about you and your wife ..... job, children, accommodation where you met etc so try to find someone who does actually know you both not someone just picked up off the street !

[FarangFB]

Still, the officer not only refused to do my first extension. Told I had to come back when I had exactly 15 days left, but isn't it the deadline for applying for the extension?

What if any of the documents isn't ok, then I'm in trouble if I can't get it in the same day.

As far as I'm aware you can still apply for extension right up to the last day...and they will not give you an extension there and then

they will give you a 30 day "under consideration" stamp in your passport while they check you out but normally if documents are accepted they give the extension.

- Tabien Baan of the condo I rent

- Tabien Baan of the owner of the condo unit I rent (which even the owner doesn't know about)

Every household has a Tabien bahn also known as "house book" and " blue book" is the owner of the condo a foreigner ??? then maybe its a "yellow book"

Thanks for the reply. The owner is Thai.

[ubonjoe]

There is no 15 day dealine to do your extension application. You can do it up to the last day.

Copies of the owners tambien ban and ID card is normal and was mentioned in the topic you did a link to.

There have been other reports of Jomtien wanting a witness now.

[vogie]

We took a witness to Jomtien last March, it was our first extention. He was the guy that worked in the office on our estate, had photos taken outside the house next to the house number and him sat in the house with us. I dont believe he needed his house book.

[FarangFB]

There is no 15 day dealine to do your extension application. You can do it up to the last day.

Copies of the owners tambien ban and ID card is normal and was mentioned in the topic you did a link to.

There have been other reports of Jomtien wanting a witness now.

The first line gave me some relief. Thanks as always Ubonjoe

[NickJ]

I got so tired of the hoops. On my tenth extension of stay they asked fo stuff I never even had heard of. I kept copies of everything I had submitted in the past all in order by year. Photos, maps, Bank letters. It took three months of under consideration stamps. The next year was my first extension based on retirement. The whole proceadure was 15 min. Then come back 3 the same afternoon to collect. They told me that all the extensions based on marriage had to be sent to BKK for final approval.I had just had enough.

[dutchweller]

- Tabien Baan of the condo I rent (which even the owner doesn't know about)

- Tabien Baan of the owner of the condo unit I rent

- Pictures of not only me and my wife in front of the condo, but a third thai person (witness) as well (can't be a family member), and this person has to go with us to the immigration.

- Tabien Baan of the witness

All the documents requested were the same as we were asked for in the past

and we had the same issue Come back with 15 days or less remaining.

So it all seems standard

[NoshowJones]

I got so tired of the hoops. On my tenth extension of stay they asked fo stuff I never even had heard of. I kept copies of everything I had submitted in the past all in order by year. Photos, maps, Bank letters. It took three months of under consideration stamps. The next year was my first extension based on retirement. The whole proceadure was 15 min. Then come back 3 the same afternoon to collect. They told me that all the extensions based on marriage had to be sent to BKK for final approval.I had just had enough.

This is exactly what I was talking about in another thread only this week, I always try and be as positive as I can regarding Thai Immigration.

It is ridiculous the hoops you sometimes have to go through for the extensions based on marriage, I refuse to believe they cannot make it easier.

Thai IOs just do what they want, some will allow this and some won't, you get the impression they just love the power.

[b4n9]

Go to another country (have a trip) and apply for the Non O visa based in your marriage in the consulate somewhre, cut this immigration problem off from your life.

This guys from immigration are to much `mimimi` and it do not deserve our time. It is the main purpose I do not apply for a visa inside Thailand.

[Thaidream]

After 50 years of coming and living in Thailand- and having every Visa other than residency- I do believe Immigration has made it more difficult for those of us who are married to Thai citizens. I have had marriage visas in he past without all this added bureaucracy, none of which is really necessary. I am really starting to think about other options, not that I can't meet the requirement-but getting tired of the hassle.

[ratcatcher]

After 50 years of coming and living in Thailand- and having every Visa other than residency- I do believe Immigration has made it more difficult for those of us who are married to Thai citizens. I have had marriage visas in he past without all this added bureaucracy, none of which is really necessary. I am really starting to think about other options, not that I can't meet the requirement-but getting tired of the hassle.

Would it be unreasonable to ask in which area you live, just to add some perspective?

Many immigration offices seem to be easy enough to deal with once they are familiar with you and you've done a few extensions of stay.

Sometimes it seems that the hassles some expats receive are a tiny percentage of the huge total processed.

[roobaa01]

gdaya

what is a housebook of the rented condo-yellow book, chanod, rental contract ???

wbr

roobaa01

[Muhendis]

Two weeks ago I was at Kap Choeng doing my 90 day report knowing that on the 14th (tomorrow) I would be renewing my extension and changing to a marriage extension. I asked the immigration officer about the witness requirement and he said "No that is not required". I just spoke to my wife about this and she said that the difference would seem to be that I have my own house and don't live in a rented condo so my circumstances are different. We shall see tomorrow.

[roobaa01]

for subsequentt applications marriage extention of stay , jointiem immi requires a witness every year if the marriage is childless.

wbr roobaa01

[Muhendis]

I just got back from Kap Choeng immigration with a 30 day stamp in my passport pending my full year stamp following a visit by the Kap Choeng immigration officers. There was no requirement to have a witness either in the photographs or with us in person at Kap Choeng. The receptionist tried to get me to have a retirement extension but was unsuccessful. The amount of paper forms to fill in was quite formidable. It must have been something like thirty pages. This included getting a letter from the Amphur office next door. I was told to expect a visit after a week and then I can go back on the 14th of next month for my one year stamp. It will all need to be repeated at the end of each year so I had extra copies made of everything for my own personal reference. The whole thing took pretty well all day including the three and a half hour round trip.

To sum up: It is not difficult and there is no witness requirement but it will take quite some time.

[FarangFB]

Now I've finally made to the point where they accepted all my documents and gave me a "under consideration" 30 day stamp. They didn't mention anything about the visit.

Anything else I should be prepared for? If the documents are ok (I hope) will I get the 1 year stamp when I show up at immigration?

Since they told me to show up at the very last day of the extra month stamp, what happens if for some reason I don't get the visa? Will they allow me a few extra days or do I have to leave the country in the same day?

[Muhendis]

The immigration officers will need to visit you at home with your wife. You will also have to have two responsible people to verify that you are married and living together at the house. I had the village headman and one of the girls who works in the Amphur office. The visit lasts about an hour or so and they will enter more information into a laptop including scanned copies of the responsible persons ID's. This information will be faxed off to Bangkok where it will be checked before you are granted your extension. They will try to get it all done ready for your next due visit to the immigration office. You will be given a Bangkok phone number to call so that you can check progress. If your application is not processed in time then you will get another thirty day stamp in your passport when your first stamp expires.

Your documents are checked at Bangkok to make sure there are no errors. The information you gave to the immigration officer was already found to be ok before it is sent off to Bangkok. As soon as the immigration office receives the go ahead from Bangkok you can go there and get your one year stamp.

[Muhendis]

I'm off to Kap Choeng tomorrow to get my one year extension stamp based on marriage. Bangkok did what was needed with a couple of days to spare.

[ubonjoe]

I'm off to Kap Choeng tomorrow to get my one year extension stamp based on marriage. Bangkok did what was needed with a couple of days to spare.

Your application was not sent to Bangkok for approval. It was sent to immigration division 4 in Korat for approval.

All immigration offices in the northeast are under division 4.

I have done 8 extensions based upon marriage and all of them were approved by Korat.

[roobaa01]

@muhendis

i object the under consideration 30 day stamp is valid in excessof 30 days for valid until the extention stamp will be stamped into

the passport.

wbr

roobaa01

[Muhendis]

I'm off to Kap Choeng tomorrow to get my one year extension stamp based on marriage. Bangkok did what was needed with a couple of days to spare.

Your application was not sent to Bangkok for approval. It was sent to immigration division 4 in Korat for approval.

All immigration offices in the northeast are under division 4.

I have done 8 extensions based upon marriage and all of them were approved by Korat.

Begging your pardon Ubonjoe. I would normally bow to your excellent knowledge of these matters but I find myself torn between your information and the immigration officers. I asked him if the stuff would be going to Nakhon Ratchasima and he said no it goes to Bangkok but who cares. It's done.

[Muhendis]

@muhendis

i object the under consideration 30 day stamp is valid in excessof 30 days for valid until the extention stamp will be stamped into

the passport.

wbr

roobaa01

My "application for stay under consideration" stamp was dated 14th October at which date I was told I must return to the office for a new stamp if my application was still pending. However looking at the wording of the under consideration stamp things become a little ambiguous. The actual wording is:-

......Applicant must contact this office in person again on <date stamp>.

Being told to contact the office could be interpreted to give them a phone call. I think the officers instruction is what we should go by.

[ubonjoe]

I'm off to Kap Choeng tomorrow to get my one year extension stamp based on marriage. Bangkok did what was needed with a couple of days to spare.

Your application was not sent to Bangkok for approval. It was sent to immigration division 4 in Korat for approval.

All immigration offices in the northeast are under division 4.

I have done 8 extensions based upon marriage and all of them were approved by Korat.

Begging your pardon Ubonjoe. I would normally bow to your excellent knowledge of these matters but I find myself torn between your information and the immigration officers. I asked him if the stuff would be going to Nakhon Ratchasima and he said no it goes to Bangkok but who cares. It's done.

Many offices will tell you it goes to Bangkok but that is not always correct. Mine told me the correct info from day one.

When you get your extension you will have stamp something like this one under your extension stamp. It will show the info about the approval. You can see a 4 on the 2nd line.

Copy of one of mine.

[FarangFB]

The immigration officers will need to visit you at home with your wife. You will also have to have two responsible people to verify that you are married and living together at the house. I had the village headman and one of the girls who works in the Amphur office. The visit lasts about an hour or so and they will enter more information into a laptop including scanned copies of the responsible persons ID's. This information will be faxed off to Bangkok where it will be checked before you are granted your extension. They will try to get it all done ready for your next due visit to the immigration office. You will be given a Bangkok phone number to call so that you can check progress. If your application is not processed in time then you will get another thirty day stamp in your passport when your first stamp expires.

Your documents are checked at Bangkok to make sure there are no errors. The information you gave to the immigration officer was already found to be ok before it is sent off to Bangkok. As soon as the immigration office receives the go ahead from Bangkok you can go there and get your one year stamp.

Thanks for the information. Should I expect a phone call prior to the visit or will they show up in a random day?

[bunnydrops]

The immigration officers will need to visit you at home with your wife. You will also have to have two responsible people to verify that you are married and living together at the house. I had the village headman and one of the girls who works in the Amphur office. The visit lasts about an hour or so and they will enter more information into a laptop including scanned copies of the responsible persons ID's. This information will be faxed off to Bangkok where it will be checked before you are granted your extension. They will try to get it all done ready for your next due visit to the immigration office. You will be given a Bangkok phone number to call so that you can check progress. If your application is not processed in time then you will get another thirty day stamp in your passport when your first stamp expires.

Your documents are checked at Bangkok to make sure there are no errors. The information you gave to the immigration officer was already found to be ok before it is sent off to Bangkok. As soon as the immigration office receives the go ahead from Bangkok you can go there and get your one year stamp.

Thanks for the information. Should I expect a phone call prior to the visit or will they show up in a random day?

I was told that the visits are randomly done, you may not get visited at all. I was also given a phone number to call two days before the required office visit in case there were further paper work needed. This is in Korat.

[Muhendis]

The immigration officers will need to visit you at home with your wife. You will also have to have two responsible people to verify that you are married and living together at the house. I had the village headman and one of the girls who works in the Amphur office. The visit lasts about an hour or so and they will enter more information into a laptop including scanned copies of the responsible persons ID's. This information will be faxed off to Bangkok where it will be checked before you are granted your extension. They will try to get it all done ready for your next due visit to the immigration office. You will be given a Bangkok phone number to call so that you can check progress. If your application is not processed in time then you will get another thirty day stamp in your passport when your first stamp expires.

Your documents are checked at Bangkok to make sure there are no errors. The information you gave to the immigration officer was already found to be ok before it is sent off to Bangkok. As soon as the immigration office receives the go ahead from Bangkok you can go there and get your one year stamp.

Thanks for the information. Should I expect a phone call prior to the visit or will they show up in a random day?

In My case the officers said they would be calling "some time next week" and they took my wife's phone number to contact us which they did when they were on their way. That was about three hours before they arrived. I think there were a couple of other applicants they needed to visit in the same general area. The visit was quite pleasant and the officers had lots to do checking information and entering it into their computer.

[FarangFB]

Just updating the thread: all sorted out now.

Took me 3 visits to get the documents right, once they were accepted I got the 30 days under consideration stamp.

No visit from immigration officers, I went back there on the last day of the consideration period (it was a Friday) and the officer told me to come back on Monday afternoon. That was a scary weekend because I was in a limbo between the office's word and overstaying, if for some misfortune I was checked by the police on that weekend, would I be arrested?

I didn't go out much and Monday 1pm I went to the immigration office, quicky got my 1 year stamp (but it's on top of the last stamp I had, not the consideration period).

[ubonjoe]

The under consideration stamp allows you to stay until your extension is approved or denied. The date on the stamp is just a date to report back it is not the date the under consideration period ends.