Udon Thani Immigration Office

fdimike wrote:Just wanted to throw in my 2 baht worth here regarding renewing my annual O-A visa (retirement). To put it simply, it was a breeze. In and out in about 30 minutes for me and my Thai wife who is a US citizen and here on the same kind of visa I am on. They only wanted a completed application form, copies of the pages from our passports, a recent pic, copy and original housebook and the embassy letter showing the amount of my pension. The officer looked at the dollar figure and said all was ok and proceeded to assemble the package for final review by the supervisor. I paid our fee (1900 Baht each) and we were nearly finished. The supervisor looked over everything and we were done and on our way. In and out in about 30 minutes!

Incredible! Why, that's the same experience I always get!

fdimike wrote:Just wanted to throw in my 2 baht worth here regarding renewing my annual O-A visa (retirement). To put it simply, it was a breeze. In and out in about 30 minutes for me and my Thai wife who is a US citizen and here on the same kind of visa I am on. They only wanted a completed application form, copies of the pages from our passports, a recent pic, copy and original housebook and the embassy letter showing the amount of my pension. The officer looked at the dollar figure and said all was ok and proceeded to assemble the package for final review by the supervisor. I paid our fee (1900 Baht each) and we were nearly finished. The supervisor looked over everything and we were done and on our way. In and out in about 30 minutes!

I would like to ask if your Thai wife gave up her Thai citizenship?

All.

I have no idea as to what is being discussed about this new office. I just completed my 1 year retirement visa on the 10th at the airport immigration office and the only talk at that time was that they expected to be moving to the Provincial Hall at some future date. I was at the airport IO yesterday and today with a friend and all seemed to be working as normal. People were being processed through quickly with a minimal amout of problems. No raised voices, no nasty stares etc. All seemed to be ok. The only down side was that there is no air con other than in the supervisor's office so it can get a bit warm in the building.

Snowman

No she carries both American and Thai passports.

"No she carries both American and Thai passports"

Same same my wife.

fdimike wrote:Snowman

No she carries both American and Thai passports.

ok if your Thai wife has duel citizenship why does she have to get a visa to stay in Thailand?

Snowman

May I ask what is the point of this discussion?

fdimike wrote:Snowman

May I ask what is the point of this discussion?

I think I am seeking info in the wrong way. I did not intend to offend you. My Thai wife is studying for her US citizenship and from your post if she has dual citizenship she would need to get a visa to enter Thailand and I was thinking what is the point of her getting US citizenship if when we return to Udon she will be treated as a citizen of another country.So please no need for further comment , we will find out when we get there.

Snowman, my Thai wife also has dual citizenship (US and Thai). She entered Thailand with her Thai passport more than 3 years ago and didn't need a visa. When she leaves Thailand she will have to show her Thai passport but then when she enters the US she will have to show her US passport.

Why get dual citizenship? Besides the benefits of being a US citizen, we knew we would be outside of the US for more than 6 months so didn't want to risk letting her green card become invalid.

Back on topic. Congrats to those who were able to get their extensions by presenting their embassy letters at Udon Immigration. Hope this policy continues.

polehawk wrote:... be outside of the US for more than 6 months so didn't want to risk letting her green card become invalid...

Minor point of clarification: A US green card holder has up to a year to return to the US with no problems (see instructions for the green card application). Beyond that would require either advanced permission or a helluva good excuse (i.e. became a paraplegic and was unable to travel). Basically, a yearly "border run" to the US is good enough. The caveat is that despite the letter of the law, the USCIS agent has full discretion and could potentially be in a bad mood or have a Napoleonic complex the day one's wife wants to cross over.

Chaps;

Where is the current location of the Immigration office; airport, Provincial Hall ....

Thanks

Khun Stool

Airport - as of last Tuesday, at least.

jackspratt wrote:Airport - as of last Tuesday, at least.

Thanks for the reply "Jack", since had it confirmed 'tis the airport.
(good to see you the other day, sorry it was brief, I look forward to a lengthier session soon. Dero looked very fetching in those tight shorts ... oooh!!)

Alright Mate. I cannot change my name to Historian. So I am destined to be Boris.

Make of this what you will . Went to immigration this morning for a 90 day extension. Place almost empty, staff not in uniforms .Was greeted with a smile by a guy I had never seen before. told him for 90 day, gave him passport was beckoned to a seat .He gave my wife a black folder and asked her in Thai if she would tambon (make merit or luck )The folder contained a lot of photos of a ramshackle building that apparently was to become the new immigration office, and a list of donors and amounts to date . A quick tally of just two pages, totalled at least 25k. I declined to contribute and handed the folder back . I was then given my passport back, not smiling now, and noticed I hadn't been given another 90 days but just extended till the date my current visa expires . next month .Now I don't know if this is a change of policy to make 90 day reporting coincide with visa, or a result of my non contribution to funding a new office .
I will go for a visa extension next month with all financial requirements more than met. we'll see what happens ,but for sure I am not resorting to bribery how much they care to disguise it as " making merit"