Renewing the extension on a Non O Visa

Went to Nong Khai today to renew my 8th consecutive retirement visa.No problems at all. In and out in 1/2 hour.There were some subtle changes in the paperwork required which may be of interest. First the letter from the bank (BangkokBank) For the very first time showed two figures for deposits. One for local transactions and a separate figure for international transfers in.No comment was made by the immi officer, the letter was just accepted despite the International transfers in falling far short of the 800k required.This was because I often use a foreign ATM card to withdraw funds from abroad and then deposit them. Obviously this looks like a domestic deposit.So I don't know if this is a significant change or not.My wife feels its more to do with the banks policy than an immigration requirement.Time will tell.
The other change was in the Tabien Barn requirements. Other years I have just shown my yellow book and given them copies of the same. This year they really didn't want to know mine and insisted on seeing my wife's blue one, also requiring copies of that Luckily as an ex boy scout I was prepared and had it with me.
The supervisors explanation was that my wife is actually guaranteeing me during my stay in Thailand. So her book, not mine is required.Never heard that before.
The third requirement was to see our marriage certificate. Now as I am on retirement visa this threw me as Its never been necessary before.Anyway, having overcome the hurdles my passport was stamped until June 2010. So sorry lads you've got to put up with me another year
Whilst in there though there were two marriage visa refusals, apparently over the financial requirements. The details of which I don't know but the officers were very firm in their refusal. So whilst they are much friendlier than before they certainly aren't relaxing the rules.

More changes. Went to Nong Khai Immigration this afternoon to renew my Non-immigrant O-A (retirement) visa and was loaded for bear, had two copies of everything required. The kindly gent who sits next to the window took care of me. Couldn't tell if he was happy because he was wearing a mask the whole time. My paperwork started flying to the left and right in little piles until I became dizzy trying to keep up. The end result was a happy one, however. Received the stamp for another year and took care of my 90 day report at the same time.

Changes: he looked at my income declaration letter that I got from the US Embassy last year and punched in numbers on his calculator. Apparently satisfied with that figure (more than 800K) he did NOT even look at the letter I got from my bank yesterday, did NOT look in my savings passbook and did NOT look at the copies of every page from the passbook that I brought in but handed all of my financials back untouched. Nothing was even asked about our bank accounts. He said that I can use my embassy letter only one more time next year before I had to get a new one.

He did keep a copy of my yellow book and my wife's blue book along with a copy of her ID card. They did not ask to see our marriage certificate this year although last year it was required.

In and out of the place in 20 minutes. Not a bad experience at all. Hope these changes are permanent ones.

trubrit wrote: Other years I have just shown my yellow book and given them copies of the same. This year they really didn't want to know mine and insisted on seeing my wife's blue one, also requiring copies of that Luckily as an ex boy scout I was prepared and had it with me.
The supervisors explanation was that my wife is actually guaranteeing me during my stay in Thailand. So her book, not mine is required.Never heard that before.

Suspicions confirmed. Now I know why when I ask my TW why I don't have a "yellow book" she just says "you think too much, don't worry, not need". Now that I think about it, when I go to the Udon Police Department to do my 90 day notification, the whole transaction takes place between her and the official. All I do is present my passport. They have discussions in Thai, she signs papers, I get my certificate of notification and away we go. Same thing when I opened a bank account and bought a car. So she is the one doing the "guaranteeing", and I am just a bump on a log, so to speak. This is somewhat unnerving to me, being a former control freak (now retired), but I trust her implifcitly.....until I am hauled off an deported! I must read up on Thai law before it is time to renew my O-A visa in November!

when I go to the Udon Police Department to do my 90 day notification

how long have you been doing this, as i went there, quite some time ago, and was told they do not accept or issue 90 day reports.

trubrit wrote:The other change was in the Tabien Barn requirements. Other years I have just shown my yellow book and given them copies of the same. This year they really didn't want to know mine and insisted on seeing my wife's blue one, also requiring copies of that Luckily as an ex boy scout I was prepared and had it with me.
The supervisors explanation was that my wife is actually guaranteeing me during my stay in Thailand. So her book, not mine is required.Never heard that before.
The third requirement was to see our marriage certificate. Now as I am on retirement visa this threw me as Its never been necessary before.Anyway, having overcome the hurdles my passport was stamped until June 2010. So sorry lads you've got to put up with me another year

Not doubting you for a minute Val, but let's think through the logical extension of what they have asked you for.

If you are not married, does that mean you have no-one to guarantee your stay in Thailand. Did they ask to see your wife's bank book to confirm that she had sufficient funds to guarantee you?

The pr1cks seem to come up with something new (and not in the published regulations) every day. Based on Val's experience, I would say leave your Mrs at home when you go for an extension.

Based on my experience today I would say take your wife with you for the extension. Seems to me the rules have changed in our favor.

Last year when they wanted to see our marriage certificate the reason given was because we have a joint savings account. No such request this year.

laphanphon wrote:how long have you been doing this, as i went there, quite some time ago, and was told they do not accept or issue 90 day reports.

Have done it twice now, last time was in May. As I wrote in a previous post, the first time we were told by a bunch of cops on the first floor that we could not do it. My TW sought out a lady policewoman in the hall and she directed us to the second floor, a desk with a big sign "Alien Registration" or something like that. No problem, it seemed quite routine for the guy doing it, he had all the forms, etc. Gave me my "RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION OF ALIEN'S ADDRESS", properly stamped and signed (I guess). The consulate in Los Angles, where I got my O-A Visa was very clear that I had to report my address every 90 days to Thai Immigration OR MY LOCAL POLICE OFFICE.

every 90 days to Thai Immigration OR MY LOCAL POLICE OFFICE

agree, has always been on the books, but you are the first to report that it is possible, thank you for info. a bit more dependable than mail ins, though never had a problem with them either. but instead of spending 10 minutes at post office, and crossing finger, spend 10 at UPD, and no worries, i like it, thanks again.

The TM.47 is an Immigration specific report (it is not an address report and is not called that - it is a report of staying 90 days) and is not done at a normal police station and what you get back is "receipt of notification". What you do at a police station is a different report done each time you arrive but in most cases police would prefer not to do it. Home owner also has to make a report. It all reports were being make police would have no time to do anything else but file paperwork.

lopburi3 wrote:The TM.47 is an Immigration specific report (it is not an address report and is not called that - it is a report of staying 90 days) and is not done at a normal police station and what you get back is "receipt of notification". What you do at a police station is a different report done each time you arrive but in most cases police would prefer not to do it. Home owner also has to make a report. It all reports were being make police would have no time to do anything else but file paperwork.

Oh-oh Jimbo,

If you haven't done a 90 day report of staying, you might want to take a look at this link. Hopefully you can convince the Imm people it was just an misunderstanding. If they determine you haven't reported the fine is 2000bt for failing to report.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... age=90days

laphanphon wrote:

every 90 days to Thai Immigration OR MY LOCAL POLICE OFFICE

agree, has always been on the books, but you are the first to report that it is possible, thank you for info. a bit more dependable than mail ins, though never had a problem with them either. but instead of spending 10 minutes at post office, and crossing finger, spend 10 at UPD, and no worries, i like it, thanks again.

Just curious, but where did you see that. It's not stated here:

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... age=90days

Your not confusing it with this:

Notification of residence of foreigners for businesses

According to section 38 of the 1979 immigration act, "House owners, heads of household, landlords or managers of hotels who accommodate foreign nationals on a temporary basis who stay in the kingdom legally, must notify the local immigration authorities within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the foreign national." If there is no immigration office in the province or locality of the respective house or hotel, the notification is made to the local police station. In Bangkok the notification is made to the Immigration Bureau. The notification of residence of foreign nationals is made by the manager of licensed hotels according to the hotel act, owners of guesthouses, mansions, apartments and rented houses using the form TM. 30.
The notification of residence of foreign nationals within 24 hours can be made in a number of ways to make the notification as convenient as possible:

* In person at the respective office, or
* Through an authorised person at the respective office, or
* By registered mail, or
* Via internet.

papaguido wrote:
Oh-oh Jimbo,

If you haven't done a 90 day report of staying, you might want to take a look at this link. Hopefully you can convince the Imm people it was just an misunderstanding. If they determine you haven't reported the fine is 2000bt for failing to report.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... age=90days

You mean I'm now an illegal alien? I wonder if the Thai government will now give me benefits and free medical care like the US government does for their illegals?

Seriously, that conflicts with the guidance I got from the Thai consulate general in Los Angeles, in writing. Here's the link that clearly states that I can report at the police station in my residence area. I discussed this very point with the consul at the time:

http://www.thai-la.net/visa/visa-non-im-oa.htm

It's down towards the bottom of the page under "Recommendations for the Alien".

The link from Immigration says "Notification of staying in the Kingdom over 90 days". I am on an O-A visa and my visa is stamped for permission to stay for one year, at which time it has to be renewed, so why would I have to notify that I am staying over 90 days? But there I go, applying logic to the Thai immigration process. There does seem to be a conflict in the guidance. That's the first time that has ever happened in Thailand.

All I know is that at the PD I get a form entitled "Receipt of Notification", signed and stamped, and the officer told me to be sure and keep it with my passport. I think I will just wait until visa renewal time and plead my case. But thanks for the info, I will continue to do some research into this.

Consuls have nothing to do with reporting and often provide incomplete or false information. You need to be using a TM.47 form and reporting to Immigration if you stay longer than 90 days in Thailand. Fine for not doing so can be 5,000 baht and a daily fine of 200 baht until you do so. Although the normal fine if you report (not arrested) is 2,000 baht. This is being enforced more tightly each year.

Did you fill out a TM.47? Your previous post says "RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION OF ALIEN'S ADDRESS" but your last post changed it. The bottom of the TM.47 should say "immigration officer" where signature is required.

1. Every 90 days, the alien must report to the Immigration office or the police station in the alien’s residence area.

from jumbo's link LAX Thai embassy which usually has better up to date info. knew i wasn't senile yet, knew i saw it somewhere, as i use to refer to that site alot.

guess we will find out when he renews, if a problem.

Yeah sure LA, make me the guinea pig.

Lop, I did not fill out any forms. The officer did all the writing, filling out various forms. The top of the form he gave me says "Receipt of Notification". Later below it says "Have Received Notification of Alien's Address". I can't read the signature or the stamp as it is in Thai script. Have to wait until the long haired translator gets home from work.

So I guess I better get my butt up to Nong Khai and get to the bottom of this. My next 90 day is due in two weeks, so the timing is right. Then a strong letter to the Thai consul in LA if I have been doing it wrong. I'll let you guys know what I find out. Do they let you send emails in Thai prisons awaiting deportation?

Seriously, thanks to all for all the info. This forum rocks!