Buriram Expats
Buriram Province - General Category => Isaan Thai Visa => Topic started by: gotlost on June 30, 2015, 03:20:19 PM
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Under consideration for retirement extension.
As of today (and yes I have seen the stamp and passport) KCI is now issuing a UNDER CONSIDERATION STAMP until immigration comes to your residence to for verification. KCI even verified the individuals address by using Google Earth with GPS coordinates for the investigating i/o to use for no extra charge. This will require two trips to KCI for your retirement extension. Stay tuned for further updates.
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I can confirm this. Phil from Pakham had this happening to him : under consideration stamp in passport !!!
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ED (Voodo) just got his.. party3
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We'll see how this plays out over the next few days and weeks.. The wife and I have some interesting questions for them, when and if they call us and then show up at the house.. The biggest thing is if this is a one time thing because this is my first extension or is this going to be the norm every year.. Also, there was no warning anywhere on this.. So this has to be brand new otherwise they would not have researched and printed out a map free of charge.. We also want to know is if they'll be issuing instructions on how to apply for Non Immigrant visas that include this little tid bit? So far, looks like this just happened and caught them a little off guard as well.. This also means a second trip to KCI to get the extension done.. Interesting to say the least..
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Interesting.
Would be nice to know if any expat that already had a retirement extension has to get this check when getting a new extension.
Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system. My guess is that expats using visa services to get their extensions will be the next target. Subject to on-going graft.
I don't really have an issue with them checking out my humble abode, but I would hope they would issue the extension then revoke it if I provided false residence. Another trip to KCI within a few weeks is painful. Even with pleasure of seeing GL.
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Sorry to be so dumb, but by extension are you referring to the 90 day reporting or a new visa, as my 90 days is up later this month.
Regards TB
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Sorry to be so dumb, but by extension are you referring to the 90 day reporting or a new visa, as my 90 days is up later this month.
Regards TB
This is about applying for a new extension of stay from KCI Immigration based on Retirement and has nothing to do with doing 90 day reports or doing visa runs.
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An extension of stay is what you request when your "permitted to stay" by date has expired. That is obtained from immigration. With the correct documents you can apply for a 1 year extension based on retirement, marriage or taking care of your children.
A 90 day report is just that. You go to immigration, post or report online.
A visa is obtained outside of the country and is what is used to enter the Kingdom.
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Ok, thank you guys.
Regards TB
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Maybe this helps
Extension of stay retirement example
90 day report example
Thai Visa example
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Thank you iammike.
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I went on 25 June for my first retirement extension and got only until 31 July while they check where I live. I don't understand why that is necessary if I haven't been out of the country for a year. My problem is that we will be in Phuket for one week holiday when the extension expires (meeting my sister on holiday from Australia). The immigration man was understanding and aims to get everything done before we leave but ... who knows? smilenod
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Interesting.
Would be nice to know if any expat that already had a retirement extension has to get this check when getting a new extension.
Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system. My guess is that expats using visa services to get their extensions will be the next target. Subject to on-going graft.
I don't really have an issue with them checking out my humble abode, but I would hope they would issue the extension then revoke it if I provided false residence. Another trip to KCI within a few weeks is painful. Even with pleasure of seeing GL.
Packham Phil has lived here for many years,& has a Yellow House Book!!
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Cynical maybe but this coincides with the on line 90 day reporting. Perhaps IO's now have less to do so are out on the road justifying their existence
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Judging by the amount of people in Jomtien Imm yesterday doing their 90 day reports,not too many are doing it on-line
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But are the house visits happening there as well or is it just KCI turning the screws? If KCI ate leading the way on the on line reporting then maybe they now have time on their hands.
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Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system.
Care to enlighten me on how this is what you allege?
Perhaps this is a surreptitious way for immigrations to suggest<-read strong arm, foreigners into "expedited same day service" in the form of an under the table contribution which will not be reflected in your receipt.
I didn't notice this thread while Immigrations at Kap Choeng was open but I'll call 'em bright and early in the morning find out what excuse they give..
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Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system.
Care to enlighten me on how this is what you allege?
Perhaps this is a surreptitious way for immigrations to suggest<-read strong arm, foreigners into "expedited same day service" in the form of an under the table contribution which will not be reflected in your receipt.
I didn't notice this thread while Immigrations at Kap Choeng was open but I'll call 'em bright and early in the morning find out what excuse they give..
There have been efforts since the coup to better uphold the Thai "visas" based on things like there were a lot more English Teachers with a visa than actually were teaching, or there were marriages of convience just to get the foreigner a visa and into Thailand. There are also a group of expats that use a visa service to get them approved even if they don't meet the income requirements. Part of this service can include automatic 90 reports instead of the Expat doing it. These have been documented on several threads on this forum. So my statement means that maybe the Thai GVT is now taking on the retirement scammers.
But then that is just conjecture.
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Several posts deleted.
Tod Daniels: Even if you believe what you say is 100% solid truth,
This kind of language and phrases are not welcome in this forum.
Thank you for your understanding. sawadi
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Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system.
Care to enlighten me on how this is what you allege?
Perhaps this is a surreptitious way for immigrations to suggest<-read strong arm, foreigners into "expedited same day service" in the form of an under the table contribution which will not be reflected in your receipt.
I didn't notice this thread while Immigrations at Kap Choeng was open but I'll call 'em bright and early in the morning find out what excuse they give
Well did you call Immigration at Kap Choeng, Still waiting.
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Unfortunately, IMHO this is a result of Expats "gaming" the system.
Care to enlighten me on how this is what you allege?
Perhaps this is a surreptitious way for immigrations to suggest<-read strong arm, foreigners into "expedited same day service" in the form of an under the table contribution which will not be reflected in your receipt.
I didn't notice this thread while Immigrations at Kap Choeng was open but I'll call 'em bright and early in the morning find out what excuse they give
Well did you call Immigration at Kap Choeng, Still waiting.
I was wondering about that also.
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Urleft, Thanks for high lighting my post, im very much a novice on laptop. oldmanwithstick
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Urleft, Thanks for high lighting my post, im very much a novice on laptop. oldmanwithstick
TD is not. He has more alias than the FBI has wanted posters up. :biggrin:
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I hope I don't get shot down in flames!
I have twice done a conversion from 'O' visa to marriage extension and both times immigration visited the house, for obvious reasons I think. The first time they didn't even tell me they were coming. (Anecdote: they didn't like the map I drew in Kap Choeng, which was a bit much as I worked as a surveyor. They redrew it and the officers phoned from somewhere near Korat accusing me of misleading them). They need confirmation that we actually do live together and they also need a day out and a decent meal plus petrol money.
However why retirement extensions should require a visit (apart from needing a day out, a decent meal plus petrol money) is beyond me. Maybe they expect to find Farang working,ask questions about who works on the farm and so on?
It is a fact that crafty Farang invents ever more sophisticated ways of getting around the system, so that things get more difficult all the time for the rest of us. The bureaucratic mind never thinks about how to simplify things but more about how to ensure that the laws and regulations are adhered to to the letter.
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I've had my village police come to my house unexpectedly.. 3 of them.. Asking my wife questions about if I work etc.. I think many more have had visits also and these ain't even the immigration cops..
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I've had my village police come to my house unexpectedly.. 3 of them.. Asking my wife questions about if I work etc.. I think many more have had visits also and these ain't even the immigration cops..
Both are "Royal Thai Police" and both use the same same data base. Just saying..
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No they are not Royal Thai police.. They are from the village police station.. Going around the village checking all Falangs passports .. Lots of others in Buriram have had these visits also and it has nothing to do with kap choeng..
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No they are not Royal Thai police.. They are from the village police station.. Going around the village checking all Falangs passports .. Lots of others in Buriram have had these visits also and it has nothing to do with kap choeng..
The so called local police or BiB are The Royal Thai Police same as my local police here is Kap Chong. Get a good look at their shields and ID both of them say Royal Thai Police and as I said they both use the same computer data base. This is why if your locals BiB's want to you could do your 90 day report with them, some people do. They are two separate departments but are both under one control The Royal Thai Police.
There is good info here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Thai_Police
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A couple of months ago the local BiB told my missus that I would need to take a copy of my passport (and visa pages) to the local cop shop. They said they were told to check on all Farangs in their area.
Infact we handed them over at one of their regular check points - they were happy with that.
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A couple of months ago the local BiB told my missus that I would need to take a copy of my passport (and visa pages) to the local cop shop. They said they were told to check on all Farangs in their area.
Infact we handed them over at one of their regular check points - they were happy with that.
I can just see those wanted posters going up with your mug shot AND profile. :D
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A couple of months ago the local BiB told my missus that I would need to take a copy of my passport (and visa pages) to the local cop shop. They said they were told to check on all Farangs in their area.
Infact we handed them over at one of their regular check points - they were happy with that.
I can just see those wanted posters going up with your mug shot AND profile. :D
I would expect it to be an Unwanted poster is his case. nono
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At present I only visit here but even so have had local officials request a signed copy of my passport and they've jotted down a few details about me too. I see this as nothing more than the wheels turning, in much the same way as sometimes but not always I have to show my passport and answer a few routine questions at police and army checkpoints on the way here.
In truth I'm left with the distinct impression that nobody in officialdom in Buriram or anywhere else in Thailand is particularly interested in me for so long as I don't start abusing the system - and of course abusing the system is something that I definitely will not do.
I don't think that there's any reason to become too worked up about a simple request for fairly routine information, but as someone who is seriously planning to move to Buriram in the future I am interested in the original premise of this thread ie that KCI are starting to make home visits to verify Retirement Visa extensions - even though if KCI are doing so I would not see that as a problem or reason not to move here.
So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
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At present I only visit here but even so have had local officials request a signed copy of my passport and they've jotted down a few details about me too. I see this as nothing more than the wheels turning, in much the same way as sometimes but not always I have to show my passport and answer a few routine questions at police and army checkpoints on the way here.
In truth I'm left with the distinct impression that nobody in officialdom in Buriram or anywhere else in Thailand is particularly interested in me for so long as I don't start abusing the system - and of course abusing the system is something that I definitely will not do.
I don't think that there's any reason to become too worked up about a simple request for fairly routine information, but as someone who is seriously planning to move to Buriram in the future I am interested in the original premise of this thread ie that KCI are starting to make home visits to verify Retirement Visa extensions - even though if KCI are doing so I would not see that as a problem or reason not to move here.
So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
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So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
Thanks for your reply.
I only noticed two others (the first two on the thread - perhaps I've missed one somewhere else) and neither of them appears to me to be first hand experiences, but if you tell me that there are nine then there must be nine I guess. Has any of these nine applicants posted about their experience on BE?
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So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
Thanks for your reply.
I only noticed two others (the first two on the thread - perhaps I've missed one somewhere else) and neither of them appears to me to be first hand experiences, but if you tell me that there are nine then there must be nine I guess. Has any of these nine applicants posted about their experience on BE?
Some of these are from other forums so you have to search also keep in mind that the majority of foreigners do not use any forum at all so what we see on these forums is only a trickle of the information. This info only became available June 30th 5 days ago. With immigration closed over the weekend I don't expect to hear anything tell tomorrow at the earlist.
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So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
Thanks for your reply.
I only noticed two others (the first two on the thread - perhaps I've missed one somewhere else) and neither of them appears to me to be first hand experiences, but if you tell me that there are nine then there must be nine I guess. Has any of these nine applicants posted about their experience on BE?
I posted on this board and I'm one of the people who got an Under Consideration stamp in his passport.. That was on the 30th of June.. So I am a first hand account that this is happening at KCI.. I am awaiting my home visit..
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So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
Thanks for your reply.
I only noticed two others (the first two on the thread - perhaps I've missed one somewhere else) and neither of them appears to me to be first hand experiences, but if you tell me that there are nine then there must be nine I guess. Has any of these nine applicants posted about their experience on BE?
I posted on this board and I'm one of the people who got an Under Consideration stamp in his passport.. That was on the 30th of June.. So I am a first hand account that this is happening at KCI.. I am awaiting my home visit..
Thanks for your helpful and informative reply.
I hope that all goes well with your home visit when it takes place, and I look forward to learning more about this new retirement extension requirement as and when further info becomes available.
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So, has anyone other than the original poster any experience (preferably first hand) of an "Under Consideration" stamp being issued by KCI prior to sending an official to their home to verify their address for a retirement visa extension?
There are a minimum of 9 that I know that are waiting on this house call. Go back through this thread and you will see at least 3 others.
Thanks for your reply.
I only noticed two others (the first two on the thread - perhaps I've missed one somewhere else) and neither of them appears to me to be first hand experiences, but if you tell me that there are nine then there must be nine I guess. Has any of these nine applicants posted about their experience on BE?
I posted on this board and I'm one of the people who got an Under Consideration stamp in his passport.. That was on the 30th of June.. So I am a first hand account that this is happening at KCI.. I am awaiting my home visit..
Thanks for your helpful and informative reply.
I hope that all goes well with your home visit when it takes place, and I look forward to learning more about this new retirement extension requirement as and when further info becomes available.
Thanks for the reply and as I get verified info I shall post. As for me I'm on my fourth marriage extension which was renewed last month and only the first one did I have a visit.
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Like banging your head against the wall.. My police station does not and never has had Royal Thai police in it.. character4
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Like banging your head against the wall.. My police station does not and never has had Royal Thai police in it.. character4
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. :P
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So, I was doing the 800 KBaht retirement extension so that I could get it done all at once, vs the family extension with it's "under consideration" and home visit. If I switch to the 400 KBaht family extension for my next renewal, I'll be treated the same as if I did the retirement extension. Correct?
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So, I was doing the 800 KBaht retirement extension so that I could get it done all at once, vs the family extension with it's "under consideration" and home visit. If I switch to the 400 KBaht family extension for my next renewal, I'll be treated the same as if I did the retirement extension. Correct?
At KCI that would appear to be the case.
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I truly am sorry for the coarse wording of the now thankfully deleted post. Perhaps I was (as is my style) using a sledgehammer to pound in a pin.. I have a gift of being able to alienate people right out of the gate.
BUT,
I cannot wrap my head around the abject fear some foreigners have here dealing with anyone in a too-tight uniform with a bunch of baubles hangin' off it!! In your home country you'd wouldn't take being treated like that for a second. Yet here you tip toe around like you're on eggshells, bowing, scraping, tugging your forelock. You guys aren't guests here! You apply for permission to live here a year at a time. However, once they put that stamp in your passport, you have the RIGHT according to thai immigrations law to be here.
Surprisingly (or not), contrary to some posters assertions; I DON'T have more alias's that an FBI wanted poster! I post on almost EVERY forum related to the glorious "Land 'O Thais" under some permutation of my name Tod Daniels.
I did call them Friday and got the "boss man not in" call back Monday. So I called Tuesday, again I got the "boss man not in". I ended up talking to the gurl who was unlucky enough to answer the phone. She had 'so-so-engrish-skills' so we conversed in thai. I got the "we must check everything for the first year". When I said, "I'd been getting extensions based on "being old" at Kap Choen for years now, but was told to come back" she tried the "new government" as the next a lame excuse. That's when I said the Police Order which controls extensions and visas hasn't been changed last August..
I then countered her sputtering with there's NO official policy even remotely saying there is a 30 day review for yearly extensions of stay based on อายุ๕๐ปีเกินไป ใช้ชีวิตบั้นปลาย (being over 50 and living out the end of your life); the REAL clause wording for what is called "retirement". I asked who the head of Kap Choeng Immigrations was but she wouldn't tell me, even though I'd already googled it and it appears to be พ.ต.ท. สมศักดิ์ วงศ์ชัยประเสริฐ..
Then I played the trump card and said, "I heard a rumor that there is a บริการด่วน (express service) where I don't have return in 30 days, but get the extension on the spot. She said it was "case by case". I asked if it involved ค่าน้ำร้อนน้ำชา (tea money) and speculated it was a policy made up by Kap Choeng as a technique to รีดเงิน <- (wring money) out of foreigners who have to drive several hundred kilometers there and back.
That's when she went off, as in literally came unstuck, almost shouting at me on the phone! She said NO one there has ever asked or suggested anything of the sort! She almost screeched, If I had proof I should call the government hot line. I asked her name/rank and she hung up the phone!
That's both so sad and very bad.. Don't forget, they're the same people who wouldn't process mail in 90 day reports unless there was an added "incentive" in the envelope. Then when they got caught out on that they totally stopped taking mail in reports. Of course this was before online reporting came into effect.
You know I live in Bangkok and I deal ONLY with Chaengwattana. BUT I peruse the inter-web, reading forums all over the country. I've called offices from Chiang Rai to Hat Yai checking, vetting and asking them about stuff I read to see if it's an isolated incident or a policy change by that immigrations office..
I know you guys are a tight knit group, that's good, you should be, BUT you should also call thais on the carpet in person or complain to the hotline when they "move the bar" only because they believe they can and are secure in the fact no one will question or challenge it.
Again, I am sincerely sorry my earlier post was so coarse. Hopefully this one is a "kinder, gentler Tod Daniels".. It's as close as I can get..
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Informative post as normal Tod punk
Again, I am sincerely sorry my earlier post was so coarse. Hopefully this one is a "kinder, gentler Tod Daniels".. It's as close as I can get..
Lots of chat in the shoutbox after your last post Tod but on the whole your posts are gratefully received,some of these provincial forums are more akin to Thaivisa ,as is their moderation and Teakdoor-esk posts can offend those that like the more protected social mediums :)
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I hafta say, this forum appears to be composed of people who are willing to help each other out, rather than shout somebody down for asking the same question again.
That is a really GOOD thing, you guys seem to look out for, and if not take care at least provide as accurate advice as you can about the different topics.
I wish there was a forum like that in bangkok, alas it's T/V or the highway, and having been banned from there eons ago over a dispute with a forum sponsor, I won't go back..
I freely admit I'm one hard-core m/f and quite possibly an asshole at the best of times, but with that being said, I am a stand up guy who tries to do what I say I'll do.
Thank you, one and all for letting me stay a member of the forum. I will do my best to "color inside the lines" from now on..
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I will do my best to "color inside the lines" from now on..
Please don't. Some of us appreciate when you stray.
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I hope we can get ground truth for this issue and find out exactly what is happening.
I have some hear-say, unconfirmed immigration talk based on guys trying to get their visas (yes extension is the right term).
1. It seems KCI is the starting point, this supposedly is a Nation Wide effort against scammers to include false income.
2. There is a specialized team assembled checking the KCI area based out of Buriram.
3. The criteria is evolving, expect changes.
However, as I have stated this is all hearsay so far and not confirmed. Hopefully more Expats will report their immigration interactions so the issue can be bounded. But I think (yes this is not a fact) that Thailand has a issue and is starting to deal with it at KCI, expect changes. As I previously mentioned changes have already happened since the coup with a new form acknowledging penalties and an updated stay form. More changes may be on the way.
Hopefully people post their experiences without being flamed on this issue. The first step in problem solving is to define the problem, and as yet we do not have that problem defined.
I am getting some back-channel input as some do not want the hassle from posting and have provided input to me as I seem to be a ready target.
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Okay, first off, know that I'm not throwing stones, I'm asking questions.
Why would a back water immigrations office (which KCI most definitely is) be the trial balloon for a nation wide effort against scammers? In Surin province foreigners are THIN on the ground (compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, heck even compared to Udon). In your neck 'o the woods the majority of illegals are Cambodians, NOT white people!! Even in Buriram you guys ain't exactly thick as ticks on a hound-dog's back.
I mean it just doesn't make sense. It's right up there with Richard Barrow (the crazy blogger) writing about 90 day reporting getting tougher because Samut Prakan requires certain things no where else does..
I'm still standing by my original premise that this is just a tactic to squeeze foreigners for tea money. There is NO official rule about this new policy, but KCI seems to be an entity unto itself..
I was just at Chaengwattana (easily the busiest immigrations office in the entire country by a wide margin) with two foreigners. One from Oz and one from the US. Now BOTH of them were using the letter provided by their embassies to meet the financial requirements to extend their stay another year based on being old.. NEITHER of them were questioned in the least by immigrations and the letters were taken at face value as "real".. Whether they were actually backed up with income from their country wasn't my concern, that's on those guys.. But both their yearly extensions sailed thru and were issued on the spot..
Again, I am NOT saying what urleft relates isn't true, but this "back channel" stuff is just conjecture.. Call 'em up, talk to 'em, see what they say. Christ I live in Bangkok so if I can do that, anyone who lives up there can too..
I am hoping on the 17th of this month with the "Thai Licensing Facilitation Act" comin' into effect that it can be used to bring all immigrations offices into line, accepting the same documentation and doing things the same way. Of course that's once I find someone to "push that rope" with them!! We'll see, but it's the most promising piece of legislation I've seen next to the recently published changes to the corruption laws here..
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I spoke to a friend of mine that recently changed over from an extension based on retirement to a marriage extension.He was told by KCI that he would receive a house visit and they phoned to set a date.
A small group of immigration officials arrived at his house at about 11am on the arranged day and after making themselves at home by putting their feet up on his sofa they then asked his wife for 2000 baht for diesel.They sort of half hinted to his wife that if the 2000 baht was not given freely then his visa application may have problems.
Why should my friend pay for the diesel for a visit he never asked for ?? , I think it is fairly obvious to most that the 2000 baht was to pay for a jolly-up and a free meal out for the Local immigration officers.I guess their new rules for retirement extension are just another way for the KCI officers to have free day out at the expense of some of the local ex-pats.
Tod's post is on the money IMO .
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Perhaps if enough people complained, then something can be done. Hotline is 1155 or you send a complaint / enquiry using this link http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=comment (http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=comment)
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Perhaps if enough people complained, then something can be done. Hotline is 1155 or you send a complaint / enquiry using this link http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=comment (http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=comment)
I think you will find that most people wont complain because of the fear of any comebacks. As we all know, we are here as only guest's ::)
Has anyone else had a visit for KCI and been asked to pay for diesel ???
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I have heard that is it very common for the marriage visa visit.
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Hi Jackie-Boy.. I had my visit 1 week ago about my retirement visa.. Had no such request for any money.. In fact they never went in the house.. Everything was done on the patio to the house. They did not ask for nor receive any money from us. My guys were in a KCI truck but they work out of Buriram.. Once of them lives close to us.. I had no problems at all except for trying to find our Pooyi Bahn.. They wanted him there and as many character references/witnesses as we could provide.. They came with a camera, a laptop, and a printer.. They did a whole lot of paperwork which all of us had to sign and went over my passport with a fine tooth comb.. They also checked the financial end of things as well.. I provided my bankbook from Bangkok Bank and statements from my account in the US.. They want to know where your money is coming from and where it's going to.. They also checked our marriage paperwork, for what reason I have no idea, since it's a retirement visa.. They showed us pictures of a number of people that they were looking for.. Most of them were middle eastern, eastern European, and east indian. These guys were very professional, straight forward, and to the point.. They gave us their personal phone numbers and we were asked to contact them if we spotted any of the people they showed us pictures of.. They're looking for phony passports and phony immigration stamps.. These guys were not your normal immigration or thai cops.. They were from their suppression unit and were dressed like our SWAT teams in the US.. The whole thing took about an hour and when they were done they politely left.. No mention of any tea or diesel money.. I guess we were lucky.. The A Team showed up at our house and they never asked for a single baht. Again, I guess we were lucky.. We got to deal with the real pros.. The same was true when we filed the paperwork at Kapcheong.. The wife offered a bit of tea money but they firmly refused to take it.. Sorry your friend had to go through the crap he went through..
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The A Team showed up at our house
I think my friend had the C Team turn up :biggrin:
I can't see a problem with home visits as long as everything is aboveboard.I've never had a home visit but when I applied for my first marriage extension I did have to go for an interview at the local Police station with the in-laws and the local village-headman.
Also in all the years I have used KCI I've never had a problem and always found them helpful. biggrin1
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I spoke to a friend of mine that recently changed over from an extension based on retirement to a marriage extension.He was told by KCI that he would receive a house visit and they phoned to set a date.
A small group of immigration officials arrived at his house at about 11am on the arranged day and after making themselves at home by putting their feet up on his sofa they then asked his wife for 2000 baht for diesel.They sort of half hinted to his wife that if the 2000 baht was not given freely then his visa application may have problems.
Why should my friend pay for the diesel for a visit he never asked for ?? , I think it is fairly obvious to most that the 2000 baht was to pay for a jolly-up and a free meal out for the Local immigration officers.I guess their new rules for retirement extension are just another way for the KCI officers to have free day out at the expense of some of the local ex-pats.
Tod's post is on the money IMO .
Nah. I paid money for diesel, fair enough, ฿400.-. Everybody got a good meal and I made sure that the village big lady, obertor and local shop owner were present to make sure no further funny business would be going on. I screwed up at Immigration when they asked me how much I paid my wife (as if she was a maid) every month, and I said 'nothing'. She just gets what she asks for, generally. I showed them the garden, talked about chickens as far as I was able, and they went away.
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One thing that has been recommended is that you start to get a new extension as soon as you are able, I think that is 45 days beforehand.
I have been putting it off to try to keep the 90 day reports to 3, but with on line reporting I don't really care if I have to it 5 times.
And hopefully others like Voodoo will report their experiences as they occur as I expect to report mine in January.
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You know what I find very weird it that I NEVER got hit for teamoney , NEVER happened in 13 years ... NEVER had any problem with my retirement extention , NEVER had the wive with me to do it ... my next extention will be before the 18th of march next year ... I must be the golden exception in LOS ... thank you Lord Boudha.
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and it all happened in KCI the last years ...
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I received my visit from three gentlemen from Kap Choeng Immigration yesterday at 5pm - they called to let us know one hour before and then later for directions to the house. We were in Buriram city (after golf) so had to drive back to the village near Krasang. They were well set up with laptop, printer and camera (phone only). I believe that two were from the suppression unit. The main guy spoke good English and we chatted about golf and other things for an hour while the pooyai baan and his assistant were questioned and filled out paperwork. The main guy spoke about the farang who sit inside their homes and do not socialise - he wants to bring them out into local social circles and suggested we put up on the KCI board details of our golf group so that visitors have the opportunity to get out and meet people. No suggestion of payment for their visit. First question was about a marriage certificate but I said we weren't married (retirement visa) though planned to do so next year (been together two years now). All business was done at a table under our house and nobody went inside. I tried to slip in a question about why they were doing this visit but the answer was extremely vague. My wife said the main guy had moved to KCI from Phuket. I explained my problem about being in Phuket when the temporary extension expired. He asked if I'd told the KCI man on my visit and I said yes then showed him my email with electronic ticketing for Nokair (he didn't look closely). Apparently they have to send the paperwork to Korat so I'm hoping it can all be settled in nine days. Otherwise I'm without a valid visa for about four days before I get back here. I've been reassured that they will take care of us but ... I'll believe it when it happens. Apart from the issue of not being able to get to KCI three days before the temporary extension expires, I have been quite happy with the way we have been treated. I still don't understand why a house visit is required for a retirement extension. When we visited KCI in late June there was a comment made about having very little work to do so maybe someone has come up with a good idea to get out into the field and fill in some time!? Or maybe as suggested above, they are looking for people who have dodgy papers.
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Just an addition to my comment above - I was not asked about my income. I provided an Embassy statutory declaration showing my monthly income from Australia and that has not been questioned (yet).
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Interesting stuff guys.
If some of you speak to Urleft or Tod Daniels they will probably lend you a few paragraphs which will make your posts much easier to read......
oldmanwithstick
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One thing that has been recommended is that you start to get a new extension as soon as you are able, I think that is 45 days beforehand.
I have been putting it off to try to keep the 90 day reports to 3, but with on line reporting I don't really care if I have to it 5 times.
And hopefully others like Voodoo will report their experiences as they occur as I expect to report mine in January.
The official immigration regulation states 45 days. KCI, like several others, work on 30 days.
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Visited Mapthaphut Immigration today-Noticed a new sign titled-Visa extension procedure------------------------------------------------------------1.Fill application form(TM)2.Take a queue card.3.Pay the fee.4.The officer considers your application and make an appointment for result hearing.5.Come on the appointed date and application approved or not approved. The "English"is as quoted from the new sign.I don't think this sign was there last September when I did my last retirement extension,as they did it on the spot with only minor hassles-extra photocopies of bank book etc.I thought 2 copies should be enough,the officer wanted 3!!!
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One thing that has been recommended is that you start to get a new extension as soon as you are able, I think that is 45 days beforehand.
I have been putting it off to try to keep the 90 day reports to 3, but with on line reporting I don't really care if I have to it 5 times.
And hopefully others like Voodoo will report their experiences as they occur as I expect to report mine in January.
The official immigration regulation states 45 days. KCI, like several others, work on 30 days.
KCI works on the 45 days.
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Excuse me for thinking out of the box here, but.........
If this really is a new idea to crack down on scammers, why are immigration targeting people who are going to immigration and making a legitimate application to extend their stay?
Does a house visit make an income affidavit or a bank book and letter more "real" than it would be when checking in an office?
I can fully understand a visit for marriage, maybe for the first year anyway, but retirement?
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As mentioned before on this thread, instead of asking around in the neighbourhood if you are really living with your wife, they ask around if you are working, farming. cutting sugar cane...
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Is farming not allowed? Would I need a work permit to help the family with the farm?
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Near the top of the list of prescribed occupations for non-Thais is farming. Everyone in the village has seen me helping in the rice fields and knows that I am building an extension. I also drive a motorised vehicle, come to that, which is also on the list ( driving mechanically-propelled carried or driving non-mechanically-propelled vehicle, excluding international aircraft piloting;) so that idea of buying a buffalo cart will have to be abandoned.
I know one Belgian guy that works on a tractor 12 hours a day not far from Lamplaimat and from Thaivisa I know that there are others.
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Good point Davureborn, and a point that also highlights and emphasises my previous point.
Why target those that are going to immigration with all of the correct forms?
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Went to KCI today.. Very quiet over there.. Was there for about an hour and was one of only 3 people who came in about visa extensions.. One Italian guy got the same treatment I did and walked out of there Under Consideration.. They had told me to call and make sure the paperwork was back, approved, before I showed up there.. Called 3 times over the past 3 weeks and was told it wasn't back yet.. The last call was on Tuesday.. Showed up there today since that's what the Under Consideration stamp in my passport told me to do.. It was also the last day before my visa expired. They had my file sitting right there and processed it along with a multi reentry permit to go along with it.. Phone calls don't cut it.. They want to see you, in person..
One thing I did notice is that my file had more than doubled in size since my original application.. It was over an inch thick.. GL was right about the cavity search.. The last time I had a file that thick was for my security clearance when I was on active duty with the USAF..
Kind of odd that it was so quiet there.. Either there are a lot of people Under Consideration or this house cleaning they've been doing is starting to work.. Either way, I will start the paperwork earlier next year and after hearing about the most recent events out of Nongkai I may just stick with my retirement visa.. Now I'll get a chance to check out this 90 day reporting via email and if that works the next time KCI will see me is next June
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Went to KCI today.. Very quiet over there.. Was there for about an hour and was one of only 3 people who came in about visa extensions.. One Italian guy got the same treatment I did and walked out of there Under Consideration.. They had told me to call and make sure the paperwork was back, approved, before I showed up there.. Called 3 times over the past 3 weeks and was told it wasn't back yet.. The last call was on Tuesday.. Showed up there today since that's what the Under Consideration stamp in my passport told me to do.. It was also the last day before my visa expired. They had my file sitting right there and processed it along with a multi reentry permit to go along with it.. Phone calls don't cut it.. They want to see you, in person..
One thing I did notice is that my file had more than doubled in size since my original application.. It was over an inch thick.. GL was right about the cavity search.. The last time I had a file that thick was for my security clearance when I was on active duty with the USAF..
Kind of odd that it was so quiet there.. Either there are a lot of people Under Consideration or this house cleaning they've been doing is starting to work.. Either way, I will start the paperwork earlier next year and after hearing about the most recent events out of Nongkai I may just stick with my retirement visa.. Now I'll get a chance to check out this 90 day reporting via email and if that works the next time KCI will see me is next June
Can you do a 90 day report via email??
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Went to KCI today.. Very quiet over there.. Was there for about an hour and was one of only 3 people who came in about visa extensions.. One Italian guy got the same treatment I did and walked out of there Under Consideration.. They had told me to call and make sure the paperwork was back, approved, before I showed up there.. Called 3 times over the past 3 weeks and was told it wasn't back yet.. The last call was on Tuesday.. Showed up there today since that's what the Under Consideration stamp in my passport told me to do.. It was also the last day before my visa expired. They had my file sitting right there and processed it along with a multi reentry permit to go along with it.. Phone calls don't cut it.. They want to see you, in person..
One thing I did notice is that my file had more than doubled in size since my original application.. It was over an inch thick.. GL was right about the cavity search.. The last time I had a file that thick was for my security clearance when I was on active duty with the USAF..
Kind of odd that it was so quiet there.. Either there are a lot of people Under Consideration or this house cleaning they've been doing is starting to work.. Either way, I will start the paperwork earlier next year and after hearing about the most recent events out of Nongkai I may just stick with my retirement visa.. Now I'll get a chance to check out this 90 day reporting via email and if that works the next time KCI will see me is next June
Can you do a 90 day report via email??
IMO that is a typo and he meant report via Internet ;)
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Sorry but that was a mistake on my part.. Should have been internet.. Thanks for pointing it out..
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Phone calls don't cut it.. They want to see you, in person..
You have to go to Immigration to get your passport stamped,it can't be done over the phone .Like you have said,turn up on the day the stamp specifies and your paperwork should be there for you and if it isn't they will give you a new stamp with a date to return on .By keep phoning them all the time wont help you get your extension any quicker (http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/smileys21.gif)
One thing I did notice is that my file had more than doubled in size since my original application.. It was over an inch thick.. GL was right about the cavity search.. The last time I had a file that thick was for my security clearance when I was on active duty with the USAF..
The longer you say here the bigger your file gets,the Thais do love a photocopy, nothing untoward or to worry about really :)
Kind of odd that it was so quiet there.. Either there are a lot of people Under Consideration or this house cleaning they've been doing is starting to work..
Or it could have been just a quiet day,I have been to KCI many times over the years and been the only farang there, so nothing odd in the least.
Either way, I will start the paperwork earlier next year and after hearing about the most recent events out of Nongkai I may just stick with my retirement visa..
Always best to give yourself plenty of time when renewing your extension, so you have time if the Immigration wants any additional paperwork or requirements. And don't believe all those horror stories,most are just bar talk, I've always found Immigration very helpful and those will the correct paperwork,smartly dressed and polite are treated in a manor they portray cool1
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Thanks Jackie-boy.. Appreciate the info.. Been back here less than 2 years and still learning the drill.. Sometimes I wonder what the drill is.. Totally agree about KCI personnel.. I've always been treated very well there..
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Is farming not allowed? Would I need a work permit to help the family with the farm?
Many years ago when I was Pattaya based, a group of us went to refurbish & repaint Father Rays orphanage on Sukumvit Road even though it was voluntary work a temporary work permit had to be obtained.
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My temporary extension for a retirement visa was until 31 July but I was travelling within Thailand from 23 July to 4 August. On Thursday 23 July I rang the immigration man who did our home visit to say I was leaving that afternoon. He said if I had an overstay by returning after 31 July it would not be good for me so he suggested going to Kap Choeng to either get my full extension or another temporary extension. We drove the 220km round trip and fortunately the paperwork had come back from Korat so my one year extension to 1 July 2016 was processed and stamped in the passport. The young school girl helping out in the office also did a new 90 day report so I didn't have to come back for another three months. Only one glitch which was handled with a warning and processing of appropriate paperwork - my (defacto) wife had not notified immigration that I was staying at her house so she had to fill out a form for this. She was told that this notification could only be done at Kap Choeng Immigration (not police station or local pooyai) - it only needs to be done once and changed only if we move to another house. Immigration people were accommodating and helpful but this temporary extension stuff with home visit still seems unnecessary for a retirement extension.
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Are they still doing the same thing,,,,,,I've heard of no new cases recently
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Are they still doing the same thing,,,,,,I've heard of no new cases recently
Looks like they are Nookie... What Lindsay said was the same thing I went through.. Looks like KCI has now got their policy set and talking points down pat... Looks like this is going to be the way it is from now on or at least the next month or until the next change comes along.. Who knows????
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Are they still doing the same thing,,,,,,I've heard of no new cases recently
I would think ( as nobody is 100% sure ) the visits are for fist time applications only and once you have been validated, then you should be 'good to go' on subsequent re-renewals. The reason why some married ex-pats use the retirement options is because its has always been a 'one-stop-shop' and a visit one month after the application to the Immigration Office was never needed ( unlike a Marriage extension ) ....fingers crossed for those that go down the retirement route ! :)
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Are they still doing the same thing,,,,,,I've heard of no new cases recently
Looks like they are Nookie... What Lindsay said was the same thing I went through.. Looks like KCI has now got their policy set and talking points down pat... Looks like this is going to be the way it is from now on or at least the next month or until the next change comes along.. Who knows????
Are they still doing the same thing,,,,,,I've heard of no new cases recently
Looks like they are Nookie... What Lindsay said was the same thing I went through.. Looks like KCI has now got their policy set and talking points down pat... Looks like this is going to be the way it is from now on or at least the next month or until the next change comes along.. Who knows????
Think you're right.. It was my first extenseion.. But was told they could come out again at any time just to say Hi... But I do think you're right.. As long as you check out clean and don't change addresses they shouldn't be out every year.. After what they showed me and who they're after, they have better things to do.. As for the Under Consideration thing.. From what they told me this is the new deal and will remain that way.. They even suggested that we change to a marriage visa the next time around because it's cheaper and you're allowed to work, with the proper work permit..
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Went for to KCI for my first O-A extension (retirement). As reported, received my 'under consideration' stamp - the only thing odd was that while my 'permitted to stay' is September 18 (2-years since first entered), the 'under consideration' stamp has me returning October 17th - think they made a mistake so will question the 'visiting' party as to whether I am actually now permitted to stay a month beyond my 'permitted to stay' stamp from the airport immigration, or whether I will be running up 30 500 baht overstay days.
Moderately crowded for an August Tuesday - but a bunch of the seats were occupied by a 'school teacher' contingent. One of the other spouses complained to my wife about the 'under consideration', obviously it is still news to some.
steve
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Went for to KCI for my first O-A extension (retirement). As reported, received my 'under consideration' stamp - the only thing odd was that while my 'permitted to stay' is September 18 (2-years since first entered), the 'under consideration' stamp has me returning October 17th - think they made a mistake so will question the 'visiting' party as to whether I am actually now permitted to stay a month beyond my 'permitted to stay' stamp from the airport immigration, or whether I will be running up 30 500 baht overstay days.
Moderately crowded for an August Tuesday - but a bunch of the seats were occupied by a 'school teacher' contingent. One of the other spouses complained to my wife about the 'under consideration', obviously it is still news to some.
steve
What they did is not odd at all but normal. The 30 day under consideration is tacked on to your original O-A visa and takes effect when it expires. The 30 days becomes part of your new 12 months extension when approved. The 30 day under consideration is not an overstay so you can put that idea to rest, you will not be fined.
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Just heard from an American I helped. He is a bachelor living in a Buriram apartment. He successfully got his first retirement extension at KCI with no home visit required.
The home visit criteria seems to be elusive.
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Sadly I got the short straw, I guess. I downloaded and pre-filled all the forms from this thread. They didn't accept my request for re-entry, because I have to go back in a few weeks, after the police visit. They said they'd give me the re-entry permit after that. This would have been my second extension.
I guess since the retirement extension is being treated the same a family extension, I'll switch to leaving 400KBaht in an account for 90 days, instead of 800.
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Sadly I got the short straw, I guess. I downloaded and pre-filled all the forms from this thread. They didn't accept my request for re-entry, because I have to go back in a few weeks, after the police visit. They said they'd give me the re-entry permit after that. This would have been my second extension.
I guess since the retirement extension is being treated the same a family extension, I'll switch to leaving 400KBaht in an account for 90 days, instead of 800.
If you go family money only needs to be seasoned for 60 days not 90 and that 60 is every year. Also will need about 3 photos of you and your boss about the house with your address in one of them. Also will need your original marriage certificate and every year a new KR 2 from the amphur that show your still married. And KCI has a 7 page packet of forums I advise that you get beforehand to take home as 4 of these are in Thai that your wife fells out. Cheers.
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Sadly I got the short straw, I guess. I downloaded and pre-filled all the forms from this thread. They didn't accept my request for re-entry, because I have to go back in a few weeks, after the police visit. They said they'd give me the re-entry permit after that. This would have been my second extension.
I guess since the retirement extension is being treated the same a family extension, I'll switch to leaving 400KBaht in an account for 90 days, instead of 800.
If you go family money only needs to be seasoned for 60 days not 90 and that 60 is every year. Also will need about 3 photos of you and your boss about the house with your address in one of them. Also will need your original marriage certificate and every year a new KR 2 from the amphur that show your still married. And KCI has a 7 page packet of forums I advise that you get beforehand to take home as 4 of these are in Thai that your wife fells out. Cheers.
Sheesh. It just keeps getting worse. It was a big enough pain to get them to recognize our marriage the first time, since it occurred overseas.
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Sadly I got the short straw, I guess. I downloaded and pre-filled all the forms from this thread. They didn't accept my request for re-entry, because I have to go back in a few weeks, after the police visit. They said they'd give me the re-entry permit after that. This would have been my second extension.
I guess since the retirement extension is being treated the same a family extension, I'll switch to leaving 400KBaht in an account for 90 days, instead of 800.
If you go family money only needs to be seasoned for 60 days not 90 and that 60 is every year. Also will need about 3 photos of you and your boss about the house with your address in one of them. Also will need your original marriage certificate and every year a new KR 2 from the amphur that show your still married. And KCI has a 7 page packet of forums I advise that you get beforehand to take home as 4 of these are in Thai that your wife fells out. Cheers.
Sheesh. It just keeps getting worse. It was a big enough pain to get them to recognize our marriage the first time, since it occurred overseas.
Has your marriage been registered with the MFA and then registered with the amphur?
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Sadly I got the short straw, I guess. I downloaded and pre-filled all the forms from this thread. They didn't accept my request for re-entry, because I have to go back in a few weeks, after the police visit. They said they'd give me the re-entry permit after that. This would have been my second extension.
I guess since the retirement extension is being treated the same a family extension, I'll switch to leaving 400KBaht in an account for 90 days, instead of 800.
If you go family money only needs to be seasoned for 60 days not 90 and that 60 is every year. Also will need about 3 photos of you and your boss about the house with your address in one of them. Also will need your original marriage certificate and every year a new KR 2 from the amphur that show your still married. And KCI has a 7 page packet of forums I advise that you get beforehand to take home as 4 of these are in Thai that your wife fells out. Cheers.
Sheesh. It just keeps getting worse. It was a big enough pain to get them to recognize our marriage the first time, since it occurred overseas.
Has your marriage been registered with the MFA and then registered with the amphur?
Yes. In the US with our county, state, US State Department, and Royal Thai Embassy. Then in Thailand - translated - certified by attorney, then registered withe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finally the Amphur decided we must actually be married and let her change her surname.
I'm gaining lots of trump cards over her complaints about dealing with the USCIS for all those years.
Edit: At least there she was able to go to night school for a couple months, take the citizenship exam, and get them out of her life forever.
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Amen to that KhunG. Been down that pathe myself..
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Exactly same thing here. Thank goodness it's done!
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We are three weeks away from filing Gob's N400 for naturalization as a U.S. citizen. She can see the end of the immigrant process but I can only see increasing evidence that Thailand would be just as glad if all western expats left. They need tourists and low wage workers (e.g. peons from neighboring countries and English teachers willing to work for a pittannce) but we are not needed or wanted.
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Sad to say but I agree with your assessment Mudcat.. The harder they make it the more of us leave or never come in the first place...