There is an interesting thread on the Thai Visa Forum web site which may be of interest to all. I would have included the site but I can't figure out how to do it with my abdroid tablet. The title is Udon Immigration
And is concerning renewing a marriage visa by a guywho has been here 11 years. I hope it's not an indication of what's ahead.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
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semperfiguy
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Udon Thani Immigration Office
Posted Yesterday, 16:17Svein66 wrote:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626 ... new-trend/
Just returned from Udon Thani Immigration and wondered was I given a convenient excuse or is there a new trend towards foreign nationals residing in Thailand?
Breif bit of history, been here almost 11 years, on non-O extensions based on marriage for the whole time. I did work in Bangkok, with a work permit, from 2003 - 04 since then been in semi-retirement. Married to a Thai lady and we have 2 children.
Previously I applied for the extension based on income however since the demise of the GBP, I changed to based on bank balance last year.
Last year was "relatively" smooth and we even ended up with a visit from the Immigration officers at our home a few weeks later where photographs were taken and a few beers were consumed and everyone left very happy.
My extension is due to expire on March 20th so we duly set off yesterday bright and early with the usual rain-forest of paperwork, photographs and a 'witness" in this case the "poo ya ban" from our village.
On arrival, the office looked quite normal, fairly busy but with plenty of staff and not packed with applicants. Having waited until our number was called, my wife and I approached the desk in a friendly manner and both sat down and proceeded to provide the relevant paperwork when requested. On either side of me were foreigners of various countries requesting extensions based on marriage and retirement. As we progressed with the young lady on the other side of the desk and she created her 2 identical piles of paperwork I noticed that both gents on either side had their requests for extension declined. One because his bank letter was deemed incorrect and the other because his photographs were deemed unacceptable
The young lady then declared she was satisfied with the contents of my application and approached the officer in charge for permission to proceed. She returned a few minutes later to say the officer had decided that my photographs were unacceptable. I reached into my bag and produced a total of 24 additional photographs for her to decide which ones were acceptable. She selected another 5 and once again approached the officer. This time she returned and said we did not have our "kor sor song" document.
OK, never heard of it before, so we returned home and obtained the document and heading back to Udon this morning.
Once again, took a number and waited until we were called and presented all the documents from yesterday to a different young lady. She duly placed them once again into the 2 piles and approached the officer for permission to proceed. This time, my bank document was declared unacceptable and a replacement was produced.
Back once again and now my wife and I were being ignored by the office staff. No-one seemed to want to deal with my application until eventually a gentleman had a look at our request. He then approached the officer, had a few words and returned, placed our docs on the desk and promptly disappeared.
After around 40 minutes had expired, the original girl from yesterday once again had a check through and once again everything appeared in order. She approached the officer (who resides in a separate office preventing direct dialogue)and returned with the astounding news that as my visa is due to expire on March 20th, I was to cross the border into Laos on Monday, obtain a 3 month non-Imm O and present myself back to the Udon office on Monday 25th March.
When I enquired as to why, she took us to an unused desk in the office and said very quietly that the Udon Thani Immigration office has a new boss who has directed, or been directed, to reduce the number of foreigners residing in the region.
Now I know that when put into an uncomfortable situation, Thais in general do not like to issue the phrase "I don't know". So was this a convenient excuse or has anyone else been through the loop at Udon Immigration?
This is all quite disturbing if it is true. Perhaps this is an issue that needs to be presented to the good Mayor of Udon with whom Prenders88 has a working relationship. Since the Mayor wants to make our lives more enjoyable here in Udon, perhaps this would be a good place to start.
Colossians 2:8-10...See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. For in HIM dwells all the fullness of the GODHEAD bodily; and you are complete in HIM, who is the head of all principality and power.
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Prenders88
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Udon Thani Immigration Office
"This is all quite disturbing if it is true. Perhaps this is an issue that needs to be presented to the good Mayor of Udon with whom Prenders88 has a working relationship. Since the Mayor wants to make our lives more enjoyable here in Udon, perhaps this would be a good place to start."
Where does it say I have a working relationship with the Mayors Office?
I just attended one meeting for the Songhran Festival and the One Stop Centre.
I don't think the Mayor has any sway with immigration cases.
Where does it say I have a working relationship with the Mayors Office?
I just attended one meeting for the Songhran Festival and the One Stop Centre.
I don't think the Mayor has any sway with immigration cases.
Udon Thani, best seen through your car's rear view mirror.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Sounds like BS to me. If the powers that be wanted to "reduce the number of foreigners residing in the region", they would officially raise the requirements to obtain a visa.
Per the OP's post, he showed up at the Imm. office with problems:
Bank letter incorrect
Unacceptable photographs
No"kor sor song" document
Visa due to expire in 5 days
All requirements that you would know about if you read the forums.
Sour grapes?:
Per the OP's post, he showed up at the Imm. office with problems:
Bank letter incorrect
Unacceptable photographs
No"kor sor song" document
Visa due to expire in 5 days
All requirements that you would know about if you read the forums.
Sour grapes?:
UFF DA!
Udon Thani Immigration Office
I somewhat agree. However, I won't go as far as saying the OP is making up the "foreigner reduction" bit. It wouldn't surprise me that the statement was made by that particular IO to cause fear or having power trip issues.Jello wrote:Sounds like BS to me. If the powers that be wanted to "reduce the number of foreigners residing in the region", they would officially raise the requirements to obtain a visa.
Per the OP's post, he showed up at the Imm. office with problems:
Bank letter incorrect
Unacceptable photographs
No"kor sor song" document
Visa due to expire in 5 days
All requirements that you would know about if you read the forums.
Sour grapes?:
What's odd to me is the OP claims to have been incountry for about 11 yrs. Why give himself only a few days to process his visa, 30 days is usually the norm required. Despite the hoop jumping he should know better, he's not new to the process and left himself open to having to make a trip across the border.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Would agree about now is the time to update the visa requirements re monies to maybe give a reality check on some farang living here.Visa amounts of 400k and 800k monies have been in place for many years now and have not been increased relative to all the price increases on everything here.
Is the Kor Sor Sung paperwork relating to who witnessed the wedding as this was requested from me last June when I extended so nothing new there.Am intrigued by the unacceptable photogragh syndrome immigration are suffering from Can understand specific requirements of photographs for Passports,only acceptability for any type of visa applying for is that it needs to be under 6 months old and the right size to fit on their application.
Immigration should therefore show the type of photograph that is required in a prominent position in their office so that we would all know exactly the type,smiling or not smiling,shirt n tie or egg stained t shirt etc
Anybody want to leave their mugshot in the Immigration for the rest of us to know what they want The photo part sounds a tad strange,no mention by the person what was wrong in his photo
Is the Kor Sor Sung paperwork relating to who witnessed the wedding as this was requested from me last June when I extended so nothing new there.Am intrigued by the unacceptable photogragh syndrome immigration are suffering from
Can understand specific requirements of photographs for Passports,only acceptability for any type of visa applying for is that it needs to be under 6 months old and the right size to fit on their application.Immigration should therefore show the type of photograph that is required in a prominent position in their office so that we would all know exactly the type,smiling or not smiling,shirt n tie or egg stained t shirt etc
Anybody want to leave their mugshot in the Immigration for the rest of us to know what they want The photo part sounds a tad strange,no mention by the person what was wrong in his photo -
Bandung_Dero
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Udon Thani Immigration Office
Not quite true, the process time can be up to 3 months for the OP's extension. They have to go to BKK (was Khon Khan) for final approval. 30 day temporary extensions are issued in the interim.Why give himself only a few days to process his visa, 30 days is usually the norm required.
From my experience and after 3 of them in the mid 2000's extensions based on marriage had always been a pain in the arse made worse by our mate, Mr Happy, in Nong Khai ---- but always obtainable. Around 2006 the goal posts had moved so far as to make that extension impractical in my case. Wouldn't surprise me to see more road blocks BUT -- IMHO they will only apply to extensions based on marriage and no other.
EDIT Pompui, I think the guy is talking about photos of the house, matrimonial bed etc.
Last edited by Bandung_Dero on March 16, 2013, 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sent from my 1977 Apple II using 2 Heinz bake bean cans and piano wire!
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Pompui
I think you may find the photos are not of passport size etc but the ones of you and spouse in front of your house, showing house number, in your lounge and in your bedroom...
This was one of the fences I fell at, there was no number in front of our house.
I think you may find the photos are not of passport size etc but the ones of you and spouse in front of your house, showing house number, in your lounge and in your bedroom...
This was one of the fences I fell at, there was no number in front of our house.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
From my readings (I don't 'do' internal Immigration offices myself.. ) I think that Dero has summed it up fairly accurately.
None of the Northern Offices have ever been especially helpful on the extension based on marriage & that does appear to be getting harder to comply with all their requirements.
That could be because the officers are resentful that the actual decision to grant (or not) the visa is taken elsewhere, centrally.
It could equally be that the central processing office has demanded that the local officers supply a great deal more information in submitting the extension. I have read 'sabre rattlings' in the press about fraudulent marriages, although, strangely if the newspaper tales are to be believed, I have never actually read about a case of somebody being caught & prosecuted.
If there was a desire by the Udon Immigration Unit to reduce the number of foreigners living in the area then you would have thought that it would also be becoming more difficult to obtain an extension based on retirement. I have not read anybody saying that they had found it more difficult, only for the extension based on marriage.
) I think that Dero has summed it up fairly accurately.None of the Northern Offices have ever been especially helpful on the extension based on marriage & that does appear to be getting harder to comply with all their requirements.
That could be because the officers are resentful that the actual decision to grant (or not) the visa is taken elsewhere, centrally.
It could equally be that the central processing office has demanded that the local officers supply a great deal more information in submitting the extension. I have read 'sabre rattlings' in the press about fraudulent marriages, although, strangely if the newspaper tales are to be believed, I have never actually read about a case of somebody being caught & prosecuted.
If there was a desire by the Udon Immigration Unit to reduce the number of foreigners living in the area then you would have thought that it would also be becoming more difficult to obtain an extension based on retirement. I have not read anybody saying that they had found it more difficult, only for the extension based on marriage.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Ok not your actual photo I humbly apologize ,photo with the house number has been known for sometime through a few threads that have appeared here and others.Bank letter has to be worded in a certain way which has also been mentioned alongwith the additional paperwork on top of the marriage certificate.So the person should have known what was required well in advance if he has been here ages.If someone is a member of Thaivisa they are also more likely be a member on this forum if from Udon.
I can relax again Am more stressed thinking that either a baggage holder from Heathrow or Swampy is going to nick my prized corn tortillas from my packed luggage soon 
,photo with the house number has been known for sometime through a few threads that have appeared here and others.Bank letter has to be worded in a certain way which has also been mentioned alongwith the additional paperwork on top of the marriage certificate.So the person should have known what was required well in advance if he has been here ages.If someone is a member of Thaivisa they are also more likely be a member on this forum if from Udon. I can relax again
Am more stressed thinking that either a baggage holder from Heathrow or Swampy is going to nick my prized corn tortillas from my packed luggage soon Udon Thani Immigration Office
Another, new, ThaiVisa thread on difficulties with a marriage extension..
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626 ... only-400k/
Not Udon office.
Officer will not accept 40K a month proof of income, wants to be shown 400K in the bank...
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/626 ... only-400k/
Not Udon office.
Officer will not accept 40K a month proof of income, wants to be shown 400K in the bank...
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Anyone done a retirement extension with just a bank letter showing Monthly deposits. I've used that method for years. But, normally I have the letter from the Embassy I missed their visit this year. Do I need to plan a trip to Bangkok?
Or will they accept the deposit from out country bank letter?
Never did it that way before just HUA this year [-o<
Or will they accept the deposit from out country bank letter?
Never did it that way before just HUA this year [-o<
Udon Thani Immigration Office
bumper wrote:Anyone done a retirement extension with just a bank letter showing Monthly deposits. I've used that method for years. But, normally I have the letter from the Embassy I missed their visit this year. Do I need to plan a trip to Bangkok?
Or will they accept the deposit from out country bank letter?
Never did it that way before just HUA this year [-o<
They want an income letter. I extended mine 4 months ago, Embassy income letter was all that was required (no bank statements/letter). There's a consular visit planned for Khon Kaen, not sure of the dates.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
June 12.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Experience tells me not to worry about a one-off negative report from an immigration visit. A person goes in with the wrong attitude, the wrong paperwork (but thinking his paperwork is in order), or something in the person's paperwork that appears fishy (a near empty bank account until a few days before renewal when there's a big deposit). The op may be perfectly honest in his report.......but until I read of another similar incident, I'd not worry too much about it.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
I agree it seems to me to be a one off and although the officer may have said a negative comment it was probably aimed at the Op who was probably being atad awkward.
Over the years the marriage Visa and subsequent extension has been getting harder, maybe it is due to other nationalities causing problems so rather than target specific nations it is a coverall fro all nationalities to comply. I remembr it wa difficult 10 years ago and doubtless harder. I do thank my Thai friend who said stick to the retirement visa, a lot easier, and so it has been over the years.
Individual stories which purport to emmnate from incidents at an Immigration office , are mainly unforunded , our friend in Nong Khao was an exception, in fact if my memory serves me correctly there were more than one officer there who was awkward. These days there are few problems unless the customer is being particularly obnoxious or just plain stupid.
Immigration officers don't like dealing with problems anymore than we do, but it never fails to amaze me that even those with Thai spouse/g-friends can not seem to talk to them before any due date to ascertain how to overcome a problem or even to seek advice. hence we often see a foreigner with his Thai other half getting upset, basically because they have failed to understand or are just plain silly.
Immigration officers I am sure get fed up with idiotic foreigners and sometimes their attitude reflects that, just like any professional person who has to deal with the public they normally cannot tell them what they really feel, in some ases I can imagine it is ' why the hell are you even here' or words to that effect.
Over the years the marriage Visa and subsequent extension has been getting harder, maybe it is due to other nationalities causing problems so rather than target specific nations it is a coverall fro all nationalities to comply. I remembr it wa difficult 10 years ago and doubtless harder. I do thank my Thai friend who said stick to the retirement visa, a lot easier, and so it has been over the years.
Individual stories which purport to emmnate from incidents at an Immigration office , are mainly unforunded , our friend in Nong Khao was an exception, in fact if my memory serves me correctly there were more than one officer there who was awkward. These days there are few problems unless the customer is being particularly obnoxious or just plain stupid.
Immigration officers don't like dealing with problems anymore than we do, but it never fails to amaze me that even those with Thai spouse/g-friends can not seem to talk to them before any due date to ascertain how to overcome a problem or even to seek advice. hence we often see a foreigner with his Thai other half getting upset, basically because they have failed to understand or are just plain silly.
Immigration officers I am sure get fed up with idiotic foreigners and sometimes their attitude reflects that, just like any professional person who has to deal with the public they normally cannot tell them what they really feel, in some ases I can imagine it is ' why the hell are you even here' or words to that effect.
Udon Thani Immigration Office
I believe the OP completely. These people are out for tea money from anyone they think is going to give it to them. We've not had any probs with the retirjent visa for my wife & I but have been hit up for 1000 baht to move a visa into my new passport and another 500 baht for the free address letter and another attempt which went no where. I've never paid them anything extra and don't intend to in the future. The problems sited by theOP all sound like IO created probs in order to extort some money. I especially like the quiet room part to discuss things. A close friend of mine who speaks fluent Thai along with a number of other languages witnessed a similar incident to what OP posted. The don't like him very much because he understands every little comment these pass whether it's in Thai, Lao or Isaan.
An ex-pat in the Land of Smile
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welshwizard
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Udon Thani Immigration Office
Negative ,wrong attitude, wrong paperwork. awkward,unfounded.obnoxious,stupid.
You people who call these names to people who have problems with immigration should be ashamed of yourselves.I have been to immigration a lot of times and have never seen a farang not being polite. Most of them look humble and nervous.
Those of you on retirement visas none of this concerns you as you will never have problems as you are considered desirables in thailand so better to stop telling people how lovely the imm officers are and that you never have a problem.I also think those of you who think people who dont have as much money as you are scum which is the attitude i see on here is obscene.
Increase the 800k a year, why ? So you can live here by yourselves and have all the young girlies. Not many people in the world have pensions of 1350 pounds a month so just because a few of you do , don`t you think that other people should be able to live here ?
Immi officials target marraige extensions and imm o extensions .Most people including myself have loads of paperwork , more than i need but imm just change the rules in that office to make it awkward for you.
Why don`t they just follow the rules laid down by their government ? The first time i went to the Laos 96yrs ago )consul i thought i could get a 12 month imm o multi visa. The Thai embassy website said any consul outside Thailand , the laos website said yes and had the forms and the price then 5000 baht. I telephoned the ministry for foreign affair in bk and they said yes any consul outside thailand. When i got there the girl said no . I pointed out the thai embassy and their website said yes and the MFA in bkk said i could . She said they said yes i say no. How can she put her own rules ahead of her governments?
i am 58 yrs old lived here for 6 yrs have a monthly income of 30,000baht, my wife is a teacher and has a monthly income 25,000.In 2 yrs i have a small army pension starting .I have a house (wifes name) a 4 yr old boy which is my wifes grandson but has lived with me from 6 months. I love my wife and my family and son who has known no one else but me for a father and at 4 speaks english and thai. I worry all the time one day i will have no visa and will have to leave my wife and son. WHY should i have this worry because of an ingnorant corrupt imm official ?
Fdmike you are correct . It is all about baht. From paying 35$ to got to laos even though you get your laos visa in 20 mins.No reason for the thai consul to take in passport in the morning and give back in the afternoon . Just want you to pay for hotel for the night . Moving the consul from in the city where yo could get to by bus to outside ensuring you have to get taxis.
ww
You people who call these names to people who have problems with immigration should be ashamed of yourselves.I have been to immigration a lot of times and have never seen a farang not being polite. Most of them look humble and nervous.
Those of you on retirement visas none of this concerns you as you will never have problems as you are considered desirables in thailand so better to stop telling people how lovely the imm officers are and that you never have a problem.I also think those of you who think people who dont have as much money as you are scum which is the attitude i see on here is obscene.
Increase the 800k a year, why ? So you can live here by yourselves and have all the young girlies. Not many people in the world have pensions of 1350 pounds a month so just because a few of you do , don`t you think that other people should be able to live here ?
Immi officials target marraige extensions and imm o extensions .Most people including myself have loads of paperwork , more than i need but imm just change the rules in that office to make it awkward for you.
Why don`t they just follow the rules laid down by their government ? The first time i went to the Laos 96yrs ago )consul i thought i could get a 12 month imm o multi visa. The Thai embassy website said any consul outside Thailand , the laos website said yes and had the forms and the price then 5000 baht. I telephoned the ministry for foreign affair in bk and they said yes any consul outside thailand. When i got there the girl said no . I pointed out the thai embassy and their website said yes and the MFA in bkk said i could . She said they said yes i say no. How can she put her own rules ahead of her governments?
i am 58 yrs old lived here for 6 yrs have a monthly income of 30,000baht, my wife is a teacher and has a monthly income 25,000.In 2 yrs i have a small army pension starting .I have a house (wifes name) a 4 yr old boy which is my wifes grandson but has lived with me from 6 months. I love my wife and my family and son who has known no one else but me for a father and at 4 speaks english and thai. I worry all the time one day i will have no visa and will have to leave my wife and son. WHY should i have this worry because of an ingnorant corrupt imm official ?
Fdmike you are correct . It is all about baht. From paying 35$ to got to laos even though you get your laos visa in 20 mins.No reason for the thai consul to take in passport in the morning and give back in the afternoon . Just want you to pay for hotel for the night . Moving the consul from in the city where yo could get to by bus to outside ensuring you have to get taxis.
ww
Udon Thani Immigration Office
Hi there
Just to put people's minds at rest. My non immigration O visa 12 month extention based on marriage was due to expire on the 3rd March 2013. Applied in Feb 5th 2013 for another 12 month extention. Handed in all the necessary paperwork/pics. Was told that a visit to my home from immigration officers would not be required. I was told to report back on April 3rd 2013. Recieved a phone call yesterday to collect my visa extention stamp for all my paperwork had returned from Bangkok.
Andy
Just to put people's minds at rest. My non immigration O visa 12 month extention based on marriage was due to expire on the 3rd March 2013. Applied in Feb 5th 2013 for another 12 month extention. Handed in all the necessary paperwork/pics. Was told that a visit to my home from immigration officers would not be required. I was told to report back on April 3rd 2013. Recieved a phone call yesterday to collect my visa extention stamp for all my paperwork had returned from Bangkok.
Andy