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  1. #251
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickschoppers View Post
    Worth a call, but my understanding is they will stop issuing them January 1st, 2019 and they are still listed on their website as services.
    and they are valid for 6 month after the date of issue.

  2. #252
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    ^
    Even if the Thai government no longer accepts them after January 1st, 2019? They make the rules for their country, not the US or UK.

  3. #253
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    ^ The Thai government (immigration) accepts them, it is the embassies who has decided to stop issue them.
    Get the letter just before new year and you can use it until end of June.

  4. #254
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    ^
    Not as I understand it, just the opposite. Todd, or anyone who can read Thai, please verify this?

  5. #255
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Get the letter just before new year and you can use it until end of June
    Correct. The embassy issued letter is good for 6 months of issue. As stated as of today at immigration office.

  6. #256
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  7. #257
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    Yes, I already saw that. It still doesn't explain what precipitated the decision. Funny that the US Embassies following suit with the exact same wording as if it came from the Thai government who sets the rules for extensions. Are you still sure the embassies came up with this change?

  8. #258
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    ^ It is all in the link I gave you.
    I suggest that you contact your nearest immigration office since you obviously can't read or comprehend what you're reading.

  9. #259
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickschoppers View Post
    Are you still sure the embassies came up with this change?
    In a nut shell. Thai gov told embassies they must guarantee incomes. Embassy said cannot do so will no longer issue income letters. Thai gov agreed to accept embassy letter for 6 months.

  10. #260
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    So precipitated by the Thai government and not the embassies as Ion stated. Seems he is the one needing reading comprehension classes. As I previously said, Thailand sets the rules for their visas and subsequent extensions, not the US or UK.

  11. #261
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickschoppers View Post
    Yes, I already saw that. It still doesn't explain what precipitated the decision. Funny that the US Embassies following suit with the exact same wording as if it came from the Thai government who sets the rules for extensions. Are you still sure the embassies came up with this change?
    Think, confusion is not about the stat decs, or affidavits, many people can sign them, from teachers to cops, not accepted by Thai immigration, and most are free, or very cheap.

    Embassies have been acting as Thai immigration agents and charging for an income verification service and they haven't been verifying the income, but taking the money.

    My accountant can sign a income letter, his company, CPA not small, will happily sign, been paying him for over 10 years, don't use that service [yet].

    Look outside the square, this is Thailand and there, always another way to get things done.

  12. #262
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    One option is to reduce corruption by bribing an IO or pay a visa agent to do it for you.

  13. #263
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    I went in today and obtained my one year extension for my retirement visa using an income affidavit to show over 65,000 THB per month income. No problems, but the immigration officer said they will not accept them next year when I renew my extension. I asked if they would accept proof of over 65,000 THB per month next year and he said NO. Only 800,000 THB in the bank for at least three months would be acceptable. Since the Thai government has not yet officially stated how proof of income will work next year, I don't really think the officer knows for sure what will be accepted. We shall see.

  14. #264
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickschoppers View Post
    I asked if they would accept proof of over 65,000 THB per month next year and he said NO. Only 800,000 THB in the bank for at least three months would be acceptable.
    Yeah, your immigration officer was talking out of his ass.. You know that a thai can't EVER tell you they don't know something and instead will lie right to your face.

    AT THIS TIME <- meaning as of Friday afternoon at the main immigration office in Bangkok (the place where ALL the policy is written from) talking to the highest officer I could corrall and track down (which was higher than any other one I'd ever talked to) I can tell you with 100% accuracy that there is NO new policy written yet to address how people whose consulates are discontinuing the income affidavits but are using the monthly income method to meet the financial requirement.

    They did say that there were several draft versions being bantered around by the big-wigz that set policy but that none have been approved.

    So if any Tom, Dick or Somchai (thai or foreigner) tries to tell you how it will be next year they're so full of sh*t their eyes are brown

    These are the facts:
    Fact - 4 consulates are or have discontinued the income affidavit notary letters; UK, US, Australia & Denmark
    Fact - income affidavits are STILL valid for 6 months from the date they're issued (it's in its own police order)
    Fact - IF your extension is expiring before July 2019 and you got an income affidavit this year before your consulate stopped issuing them you CAN use it
    Fact - at this time there is no new policy on how people will prove income to the immigration office

  15. #265
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    Todd, for completeness sake, did you discuss with your informant the third option of combining lump sum with income and how it can be proved?

  16. #266
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    Went for a visa extension today, the officer informed me, I can only give you a 30 day extension, and then on the 25th, I have to return again and will be issued a 60 day extension, but after the 25th they aren't giving any more extensions as the covid scheme extensions finish then

    Anyone know what the hell is happening after that?

    As I was told after that, I would have to apply for the retirement visa in Yasothon, because my kids are there and not in Ubon.

    Don't really want to go down that route as I'm supposed to be moving to Laos once all this crap with covid is finished

  17. #267
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    I rang my local immi office today to check if they still had the 60day extension after 90days stamp off a non ommi O, they don't. Utterly ridiculous.

    So no more 60day extensions on a non immi O

    (Sorry if this has already been stated)

  18. #268
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    Non Immigrant O Visa (Marriage) Extension

    Yuri and I attended the Immigration office in Surin yesterday with the intention of applying for and extension of my Non-immigrant O Visa, at the same time changing it from Retirement to Marriage.
    It did not go well.We presented the required documentation and photos we were advised to include. We made sure our document checklist matched the requirements advised: bank certificate; bank statement; copy of house book with statement from house owner; copy of passport and ID card all appropriately signed plus the right number of photos with the right subject matter.
    When we presented the docs and advised the reason for being there, the desk clerk immediately rolled her eyes becoming very animated, going into a long tirade.
    Yuri was quite taken back by the clerk's attitude. She translated the points raised by the clerk, summarised below:
    - All "Marriage" visa extension applications are sent to Khon Kaen for processing and may take up to a month to process
    - There is no guarantee an extension will be granted despite how carefully it is prepared. It needs a strong justification.
    - If a "Marriage" extension application is rejected, the visa held by the applicant is automatically extinguished and the visa holder must leave Thailand before applying for another visa. I would have to go through the whole process to reapply for a O Visa - Retirement after re-entering Thailand (see last point below).
    - She strongly asserted we shouldn't proceed with our application for an extension based on Marriage. Her attitude goes against Yuri's experience when she phoned Kap Choeng immigration office for advice on applying for the Marriage extension. Kap Choeng's advice and attitude could not have been more helpful.
    This morning Yuri spoke with Thai Immigration in BKK who confirmed the requirement to leave Thailand and apply for a new visa on re-entry if the Marriage extension isn't approved. The person she spoke with also advised a new O visa may not be automatically granted despite me having one previously.


    Any advice / assistance on this topic would be very much appreciated.

  19. #269
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    Quote Originally Posted by peciacake View Post
    Non Immigrant O Visa (Marriage) Extension

    Any advice / assistance on this topic would be very much appreciated.
    Mate
    Welcome to the circus you sound like you are being taught how to jump through the hoops.
    In all seriousness I do not like how the Immigration offices seem top have transitioned to having "Clerks" in between the client (you/us) and the actual Officers. They must not be able to get enough Officers trained or something so have to lessen the load by having the clerks do all the grunt work beforehand.

    Anyway I am seeing one reason why she would get antsy and that is she would have to do more work to change the Visa and I believe that there is a bit more involved in a Marriage application compared to a retirement Visa.
    I have never applied for or had a retirement Visa always gone the Marriage Visa route.

    Some questions:
    Did you leave enough time for them to 'process" the Visa i.e. when does your current Visa expire?
    Did you have a TM22 from the district Amphur stating your marriage is registered with them. Did you get married here or in Aussie?
    Are you adverse to using an Agent? Are you against oiling the squeaky wheels of the process?

    During my time here (22 years on and off) I have had interactions with many Immigration officers and some are good and some not so good but they can all have different ideas of what is required.
    And whether we like it or not they ARE God in the process as the law always has the clause "at the discretion of the Officer".

  20. #270
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    G'day ootai,
    Thanks for your reply - very much appreciated. Please see answers below
    Some questions:
    Did you leave enough time for them to 'process" the Visa i.e. when does your current Visa expire? O Visa (Retirement) expires 12.12.22
    Did you have a TM22 from the district Amphur stating your marriage is registered with them. Yes
    Did you get married here or in Aussie? In Australia - provided a certified translated copy that was used in gaining the Retirement visa
    Are you adverse to using an Agent? Cannot see the need given we've put together all the documents required and successfully obtained the Retirement visa doing it by ourselves
    Are you against oiling the squeaky wheels of the process? Would rather not albeit we almost had to pay "coffee money" for the retirement visa

  21. #271
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    Quote Originally Posted by peciacake View Post
    G'day ootai,
    Thanks for your reply - very much appreciated. Please see answers below
    Some questions:
    Did you leave enough time for them to 'process" the Visa i.e. when does your current Visa expire? O Visa (Retirement) expires 12.12.22
    Did you have a TM22 from the district Amphur stating your marriage is registered with them. Yes
    Did you get married here or in Aussie? In Australia - provided a certified translated copy that was used in gaining the Retirement visa
    Are you adverse to using an Agent? Cannot see the need given we've put together all the documents required and successfully obtained the Retirement visa doing it by ourselves
    Are you against oiling the squeaky wheels of the process? Would rather not albeit we almost had to pay "coffee money" for the retirement visa
    peciacake

    1. You left enough time
    2. Not what is required. When we first applied for a Marriage Visa we needed a TM22(I think that's correct number) which is a document you get from the district office to show your marriage is registered there.
    In order to get a TM22 you need to take the certified (at the of Foreign Ministry Office in Bangkok) and translated copy of the certificate to the Amphur and register your marriage after which you can get a TM22. I have to get a new one of these every year to show our marriage is still registered and valid. Although the last time the "clerk: asked for the certified marriage certificate, long story not for here.
    3.Same as us and it has caused numerous issues.
    4. Same as me but I know several guys who do and wouldn't go back to dealing with the Immigration again. They reckon the 15 to 20 thousand per year is well worth being able to avoid the Immigration Office.
    5. My wife did once and I wasn't happy but when all else is hitting a brick wall it is a last resort.

    I will send you a PM and you can respond if you wish.

  22. #272
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    Gday

    Long time lurking on TD having a laugh, especially so on the good/drunk/burnt/dog food threads.
    All travel threads inc Chitty's On My Bike Threads are also most welcome.
    However, this ever changing Visa subject is no laughing matter.

    Regarding Non-Imm O Visa, I have some recent experiences to share post COVID times.
    It appears Thai Visa applications and availability have changed quite quickly.
    One being Thai eVISA applications online.

    1. I have also recently applied for Thai Non-Imm O Visa based on marriage.
    2. The applications being online via Thai eVISA. (numerous previous Visas Non-Imm O were thru' London/Penang/HKG).
    3. It is no longer reqd to submit supporting DOCS to Consulate by post.
    4. 2022/June: I completed an eVisa Application for non-imm O Single Entry as I cannot recall seeing option for multiple entry in the application drop down box.
    5. eVisa Application was submitted online on a Sunday and issued the next day/Monday. Valid for Single Trip, to be used within 3 months of issue.
    6. Thence I needed to follow-up Thai Pass etc. before travel. Once in Thai, I stayed for 88 days and did not try for extension as not reqd at that time.
    7. 2022/Oct: I completed an eVisa Application for non-imm O Multiple Entry, as the option was available and is more convenient for my circumstances.
    8. Again, eVisa was submitted online on a Sunday and issued the next day/Monday. (One Year, Multiple Entry, valid from date of issue)
    9. So this 2nd time, no need to flw-up any other docs/Thai Pass etc. (Only need to printout Thai eVisa and carry with passport as before).
    10.On entry to Thai/BKK, appropriate 3 month stamps applied.

    So in conclusion, in above 2 cases, the process to apply for a Thai eVisa appeared easier and more efficient than before.
    Fyi, in submission of above applications, I only submitted a Marriage Cert issued from outside Thailand (No TM22), which
    has also been the case in all previous applications, either online or in person.

    My above experiences may indicate that it is now easier to apply for a visa online as the process
    has been completed quickly and successfully.

    Good Luck for peciacake and I hope you are successful in obtaining the requested visa extension
    in Thailand and that TD may receive some feedback on yr result.

  23. #273
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    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    In order to get a TM22 you need to take the certified (at the of Foreign Ministry Office in Bangkok) and translated copy of the certificate to the Amphur and register your marriage after which you can get a TM22. I have to get a new one of these every year to show our marriage is still registered and valid. Although the last time the "clerk: asked for the certified marriage certificate, long story not for here.
    The trip to the Amphur to have the documentation provided so I could get the TM22 completed was something I'd rather forget. Four trips in total. The most painful experience of all my dealings with Thai bureaucracy since arriving here permanently in 2020. It would take a 5 page chapter to recount the level of incompetence, laziness and nepotism witnessed during this process.

  24. #274
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    Quote Originally Posted by peciacake View Post
    The trip to the Amphur to have the documentation provided so I could get the TM22 completed was something I'd rather forget. Four trips in total. The most painful experience of all my dealings with Thai bureaucracy since arriving here permanently in 2020. It would take a 5 page chapter to recount the level of incompetence, laziness and nepotism witnessed during this process.
    I am sorry you had such a hard time, from what I hear you are not the only one. But it is not the same at all locations, in Khon Kaen (KKC) where we live, at the Immigration office they are helpful, pleasant , and professional.
    I was there yesterday to get an Non O based on marriage (I came back visa exempt) and we were in and out in less than 30 minutes.
    We just came back from Greece where I have secured a Greek Passport, and Greek ID card, and you have not seen nothing until you experience Greek bureaucracy. Dont get me started!!!
    I left there without having been able register neither my wife and daughter who without such registration can only stay there 90 days with in 180 day period. This means that since we were there 90 days this year, now we cant go back for six months. Well, I can go but my wife and daughter can not. If I tell you what I have to do to register my wife and daughter you would laugh and feel much better about your Thai experience.
    As far as having the things such as marriage certificate, and passport certified by your goverment . I am not sure if this is true for every country,(I am American) but I send my passport and marriage certificate to the American embassy in BKK with an agent. I don't remember the exact cost, but I remember that it would have cost us more to go there from KKC.
    It might had been possible because of covid at the time.
    The fact that they have to send the application to the regional office for approval and that it might take a while to do should not be of concern because once you apply for the extension to stay based on marriage you get an under consideration stamp and you are safe until they approve or reject, but it is unlikely that they reject it , because your local office has reviewed your documentation and would not had send it if it was incomplete.
    Anyway. good lock and let us know how it turned out.
    Last edited by Buckaroo Banzai; 03-11-2022 at 06:58 PM.
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  25. #275
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    And whether we like it or not they ARE God in the process as the law always has the clause "at the discretion of the Officer".
    God is at head office, Bangkok.



    The local IO administrators run the process according to the "local office printed English rules".

    Some local office rules, shall I say, are not translated correctly.

    For an O Visa Extension the "local office printed English rules" at my local IO, state the financial requirement:

    "In the case of being a family member of a Thai national (applicable only to parents, spouse, children, adopted children, or spouse’s children):

    7. Proof of income from work not less than 40,000 Bhat per month
    ...."

    Whereas the Thai Immigration Bureau - Royal Thai Police web page:

    Visa Extension – สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง – Immigration Bureau


    O Visa Extension


    "!8. Visa Extension - In case of being a family member of a Thai National.
    In the case of being a family member of a Thai national (applicable only to parents, spouse, children, adopted children, or spouse’s children):

    Criteria for Consideration

    In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual incomeof no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year."

    Which, if your monthly international deposit, lands in your Thai bank one day out. A refusal may be decided.

    The Thai local office administrator follows the local printed rules, the Thai IO likewise. If requested to check with God, they may do so and say to you, "That's the news to me" with a smile.

    As in many areas of life, be prepared. Research and have a copy of the local IO "rules" and research and have a copy of "god's rules".








    Last edited by OhOh; 04-11-2022 at 01:20 AM.
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