Udon Thani Immigration moving 7/8 Jan

I was at immigration this morning (airport) and saw sign noting they move to the police station on 7/8 Jan.
The sign mentioned apologies for disturbance caused, but I guess they will be closed in due cause?

BTW, I got my retirement extension renewal with letter from embassy, copy of passport main page, last arrival stamp, previous extension and original Non-imm O visa.
Was not asked to show bank account.
GF signed paper house owner I live at her place (although she agrees it's the other way round...)
Took 1 hour to process.

Well,you were lucky mister!I had ALL necessary papers for Marriage Visa.Boy! was I given the run around!
Firstly, I'm told" insufficient funds" Even though he had checked marriage cert, and other stuff and explanation "Why you want stay Thailand?" He thought I wanted Retirement Visa! (wife sitting next to me)
I have googled the "requirements " for a Marriage visa so many times so to make sure all OK.
Nothing any where I could see where.........Three photo's required of family,a plan of where your house is situated,Copy of House registration,copy of rent contract,AND a person sponsor you!
Sends me away, I go back and" photo's too small"( 2"x 2") Then photo inside house AND outside house! If a family, ALL include in one Photo!
One and half hours there in morning, ( waited one hour)Two hours in afternoon!(30 min wait)
The whole system seems chaotic too me.The Table is choc -o- block with rubber stamps.Every time they want one they fumble about looking for correct stamp.
Finaly he sends you to the big boss at the back of them.HE checks everything again. Also grilles the sponsor and copies ID . Then sends you back again where I was before.Then writes out more paperwork more signing!
Nightmare! I could understand if it were a country like US, Canada , or even er, UK
But I just want stay here with the family........Not 'kin emigrate!
BTW,I think The office is only moving temporary while they make improvements there.I asked where come after one month (Yes Back again!) he said "here" definitely.
....WOOF WOOF

Ah well then, how will we know where to go from day Z tyo day Y when they return to the airport?
The airport IS the better place.

I have a 90 days report to do on Jan 29.
Sure my 6 Jan visit for extension could not serve as reporting I AM staying in LOS right now?

All the stamps on the man's desk, Jeez...

Was at the temporary immigration office this morning. I understand they will return to the airport very soon, perhaps next week. Based on the signage at the airport and the wife's conversation with people working there, the temporary move has something to do with a "student's day" celebration at the airport facilities and things will return to normal following that event.

The temporary office is indeed, near the police station, but you will have to ask for directions if you go there. The office is about a block north and a half block east of the main police compound and is actually closer to Phosi Rd. than to the station. They were setting up this morning and it did not look as if they planned to be there long.

Mortiboy...

there are rules and the local offices interpretations of rules

When I need to do something in Udon Immigration, even though I've done it before in Pattaya, I ignore Google, go to the office check what I need in full and go away and get it then go back and apply with exactly what they want. Confirmed in English and Thai.

The desk maybe full of stamps, and it may look chaotic but they have to be one of the friendliest bunch of immigration officers going. And at the airport not exactly in the best working conditions

I'd also point out that like the other countries you mention they want to ensure that those applying for long term permits/ permissions to stay are bonafide. Why should they not apply similar rules to those that the US, UK etc apply?

Where is the Udon immigration office now (8 March 2010)? Did they stay near the police station or return to the airport?
Thanks

The Udon Immigration office is still in the airport building, far right of the building.

globalwanderer wrote:Mortiboy...

there are rules and the local offices interpretations of rules

When I need to do something in Udon Immigration, even though I've done it before in Pattaya, I ignore Google, go to the office check what I need in full and go away and get it then go back and apply with exactly what they want. Confirmed in English and Thai.

The desk maybe full of stamps, and it may look chaotic but they have to be one of the friendliest bunch of immigration officers going. And at the airport not exactly in the best working conditions

I'd also point out that like the other countries you mention they want to ensure that those applying for long term permits/ permissions to stay are bonafide. Why should they not apply similar rules to those that the US, UK etc apply?

Well I beg to differ on that. I went there for a retirement Visa. Unfortunately,I never had enough funds.
I asked " Can I get a marriage Visa?' "Yes" no problem he says.
What I need I ask.Usual stuff Marriage cert, house book, ect.
I go there again.Now he tells me.....Need photo of the happy couple IN THE HOUSE! (could be any ones house) Photo OUTSIDE house, Family? Yes!... photo also all together.
I return again with photos.Now says Photos too small want bigger ones They were 3"x4".
Then he wants a "witness verifying I good upstanding citizen!.
Also, direction plan of my house.
Surely, a form of information would be a benefit. Everything required set down. But I guess that would be to much work for them!
Yes nice people but

Perhaps they do not like the way you are dressed,Morti!

It would help if all the requirements for the 1 year extention of the O visa (Marriage) were printed on a sheet to save time going back and getting all the paperwork ready.

I'll save everyone time and state the requirements here.

Form TM7 with 2 photos
Tambien Baan original and 2 copies
Wife's Thai ID card and 2 copies
Marriage cert and 2 copies
6X4 Photos of family outside house, inside bedroom and lounge. 4 Photos.

Bank Book and current letter confirming balance and showing 400K not touched for 2 months prior to application.
Must show the money came from overseas.
Or 40K a month paid into your account from an overseas source.

A letter from a neighbour who is prepared to testify that you are of good character, and that they know you.
Map of house location writen in Thai.
Your passport, and two copies showing entry stamp and visa.
The fee of 1900 baht.

One of the immigration guys told me that all the applications are done in Korat.
I think the guys who work at Udon are really helpful and friendly, and do a great job with the limited resourses thay have been given.

Great post prenders.

Lee is there any chance of you putting the details that Prenders has put in his post as a sticky called something like..
"Current Udon Immigration requirements for a marriage visa" in the Thai Visa section...
Maybe locking it & then just unlocking & altering as things change??

oangh wrote:Perhaps they do not like the way you are dressed,Morti!

Oooo maybe you right. I was smartly dressed though! Sort micro skirt. size DD falsies, stilletos, Clean shaven(legs)
long black wig.
How they know it was poor morti!(Maybe the way i walked )

On the subject, ( have asked before with out response)
If one has a one year marriage Visa, and when expires, I have heard that if you change to a retirement visa,you need a signature of your Wife(or EX)?

With reference to some posts about the requirements for marriage visa, a couple of years ago it changed to photos, and the like withh all the necessary signatures and verification, it has not changed so what's the problem.

The problem is as always some person asks another person who is:
1. Not working for the Thai Immigration
2. Not an Immigration lawyer
3. Probably a person who he has just met in a bar
4. The questioner now has so many answers he is confused.

SO, Check Thai Immigration web site, or ask them in person, they will normally tell you what you want with a smile on their face, as if you come in with ALL the right documents their job is easier. Unfortunately in many cases foriegners act like Thai's, don't listen, don't ask, and think they know all the answers. So many times whle visiting Immigration I hear the sad tales of woe, I am too polite to say, you stupid person, I just state the obvious, it is their country they can ask for whatever they please, it is us who have to jump through the hoops, but of late I must say, they have been trying to reach out to us foreigners in a polite and helpful way.

Good advice KP, but have you been on the immigartion website? it has a link, documents required, guess what? the link goes no where,