Marriage Visa

[justwilliam]

This week I submitted the application for renewal of my marriage visa. I'm just entering my fourth year in Thailand, so this was my fourth such application, and it included two unexpected new demands.

By way of background, we had lived in what is best described as my wife's family compound in Phetchaburi for the first 2 1/2 years, and moved to a rented house in Hua Hin in July this year to spend some time looking around to determine whether we wanted to purchase a property here. In addition, I have used the Hua Hin immigration office more than a dozen times since the day it opened eighteen months ago, and the officers know me well by sight, and address my wife by her familiar name.

I submitted all the usual documents, all in good order. Then the immigration officer said he wanted to see our landlord, and that we had to bring him in person to the immigration office. Our landlord was kind enough to consent to this, and the immigration officer interviewed him for about ten minutes, and then required him to sign a statement. This included some details of our lease agreement (not the amount), and also a paragraph that said that the landlord confirmed that we were living as husband and wife in his property. There was no wiggle room for him in the wording, no "in my opinion" or suchlike.

Furthermore, since my wife had not changed her thabien baan address from Phetchaburi, the immigration officer then requested that we physically bring a person from that same moo baan to the immigration office in Hua Hin to confirm that we had lived there previously as husband and wife. This person could not be a relative, and even though my wife had lived in that moo baan for more than 40 years, it wasn't easy to find someone who was willing to present such testimony on our behalves to the police. Nevertheless we did so, and I had the task of driving to Phetchaburi to bring him to Hua Hin (and then taking him back to Phetchaburi after the event). Again, the immigration officer interviewed him for ten minutes, and required him to sign a statement to the same effect as the landlord, and with the same precise wording.

Since these were both pre-printed letters on immigration department letter-heading (but no TM-number), I assume these demands are not uncommon. Can anyone please enlighten me on that?

I wonder what would have happened had we previously lived in Chiang Mai, and not in Phetchaburi.

[Firefan]

I recall recent interview with top emmigration officer where he mentioned that part of the new tightening of visa rules they wanted to ensure that marriage visas were based on "real" marriages where the partners "love each other"

Sounds like you experienced one officers interpretation of those new guide lines.

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

There appears to be extreme concern, rightly or wrongly, about people using marriage of convenience to obtain long term extensions of stay here. A birth certificate seems to be the best proof of it being a genuine relationship. As you made a move to a tourist (employment) area this year it probably flagged you as someone to check.

[Casanundra]

I am still puzzled how it is they can determine if the couple love each other or not. What is it they are after, a display of affection over the immigration counter?

Proving that you have lived together for a period of time proves nothing and although I can understand that they are simply trying to weed out those with sham marriages in order to get a visa, they haven't clued onto the fact yet that being married to a Thai doesn't actually give you a visa per sae so why would anyone bother to have a sham marriage in the first place.

If someone ever tried to question if the wife and I loved each other, I would just simply step back two paces and watch as the wife let rip into who ever was doing the questioning because I am sure she would have something to say about it if questioned on it.

Edited December 8, 2006 by Casanundra

[Roger Dodger]

Remember that LOVE CONQUERS ALL, William, buddy.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (and, of course, 800k in the Bank ).

Seriously though, these folks really just want the best for you and your loved ones. They're our gurdians. Defenders of the greater good. This matter here requires our complete and abiding devotion to their will. We're all in the same boat here... Decent folks will always be welcome here in the Land of Smile! Bear with these officials as they try and get a handle on these new policies. It ain't easy for any of us!

[whopper]

last year I had to drag a neighbor to immigration at chiang mai, this year they came by my house. I will be prepared if they want to see my landlord now..thnks for the post

[Firefan]

a display of affection over the immigration counter?

He,he - good one! CHeers!

Edited December 8, 2006 by Firefan

[justwilliam]

Thanks for your responses.

This whole situation is made more difficult for me to understand when you take into account the facts that (1) we have been married since 1999 (obvious from the documents submitted), and (2) that we lived in the US for three years and my wife holds a US green card, a fact known to the immigration officers in HH.

[whopper]

Thanks for your responses.

This whole situation is made more difficult for me to understand when you take into account the facts that (1) we have been married since 1999 (obvious from the documents submitted), and (2) that we lived in the US for three years and my wife holds a US green card, a fact known to the immigration officers in HH.

Logic is sometimes a problem here, just expect the unexpected and be prepared to jump through various hoops.