Asking immigration about marriage visa requirements

[handdrummer]

here had been mention that the witness has to attend in person but this appears to be no longer the case.

If the witness doesn't have to attend in person, how can they be a witness? What other means of witnessing are there? A note, an affidavit?

They get a copy of ID card and Housebook. How hard do you think it is for Immigration to look up that person if they need to

YNWA

I was told to BRING a witness. If I talk to a different officer I may get a different answer. It's probably a good idea to bring a shovel to dig through all the BS.

[PET]

here had been mention that the witness has to attend in person but this appears to be no longer the case.

If the witness doesn't have to attend in person, how can they be a witness? What other means of witnessing are there? A note, an affidavit?

They get a copy of ID card and Housebook. How hard do you think it is for Immigration to look up that person if they need to

YNWA

I was told to BRING a witness. If I talk to a different officer I may get a different answer. It's probably a good idea to bring a shovel to dig through all the BS.

When did you last go for your annual visa, because it seems that the requirement for the witness to be present has recently changed ?

[handdrummer]

hen did you last go for your annual visa, because it seems that the requirement for the witness to be present has recently changed ?

I went for my visa last Sept. and I talked to Hua Hin Imm a week ago.

[buksida]

This is the problem with the entire system - there are no black and white answers with it, one person will go and have a completely different experience to the next regardless of what the 'official rules' state. It all depends how much of an ass the immigration officer on the day wants to be and how many unnecessary obstacles they want to make for you. Must be some kind of power trip that some of these bureaucrats have.

[handdrummer]

This is the problem with the entire system - there are no black and white answers with it, one person will go and have a completely different experience to the next regardless of what the 'official rules' state. It all depends how much of an ass the immigration officer on the day wants to be and how many unnecessary obstacles they want to make for you. Must be some kind of power trip that some of these bureaucrats have.

I think is may have to do with seeing how much of a bribe you'll offer. Money removes all the bumps in the road. It's all very tiresome.

Why would the paperwork for a marriage visa be more complicated than for a retirement visa?
Why would the money requirement be higher for retirement than for marriage?
Short answer: This is the land of everything done backwards, fueled by stupidity.

[europtimiste]

Why would the paperwork for a marriage visa be more complicated than for a retirement visa?

Because of fake marriages. 555

[GroveHillWanderer]

Why would the paperwork for a marriage visa be more complicated than for a retirement visa?

Because it's inherently more complicated to provide documentation showing: a) that you're married, b) that you're living with the person you're married to, c) where you live and d) that you have have a specified amount of money than it is to simply prove c & d.

[buksida]

Another factor is that retirement extensions are approved locally (in Hua Hin) whereas marriage extensions are done in Bangkok so they simply don't really want to deal with them.

[huahin4ever]

Another factor is that retirement extensions are approved locally (in Hua Hin) whereas marriage extensions are done in Bangkok so they simply don't really want to deal with them.

Spot on.They hate the work!

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[fabman]

Sorry guys, only just seen your replies.. Yes my visa was based on having a child here /dependants visa.

I got it sorted out eventually, but it was an extremely complicated and stressful business.

I am dreading going through the same process again next year. Which will be even harder due to financial requirements etc.

One women in particular, in the new immigration office clearly hates farangs. Will make things as hard as possible and look down on you.
But as soon as the higher ranking officer walks through the door, she is all creeping towards him.
I am sure you know the kind of person I am talking about.

[HHTel]

One women in particular, in the new immigration office clearly hates farangs.

Hates farangs and works in immigration! Then she's chosen the wrong branch of the RTP. My guess is that she loves 'hating' foreigners and enjoys the power she holds.

[buksida]

Yes my visa was based on having a child here /dependants visa.

I got it sorted out eventually, but it was an extremely complicated and stressful business.

I am dreading going through the same process again next year.

I had exactly the same experience when I tried to go for an extension based on offspring a couple of years ago in Hua Hin. Vowed not to do it again.

[HHTel]

But surely, an extension based upon marriage/dependent can't be decided locally so any hoops that you have to jump through is on the orders from Bangkok.

I'm not sure you can blame Hua Hin or indeed any individual immigration office.

[T.O.M.]

^^
Of course you can blame Hua Hin immigration and the immigration officer.....who can make it unnecessary difficult for the applicant with his/hers interpretation of the orders from Bangkok.....
Conclusion: They want us all to use agents, so they get get their share of the pie......"Cheap Charlie's" with all the correct paperwork and meeting all the requirements are frowned upon, since they don't contribute to the through.

[HHTel]

My 'mole' here says that you can't use an agent for the first time application as it requires face to face interviews and visits to the home etc. Following the approval for the first one, then it becomes a matter of routine.
He tells me that in this case, there is no 'interpretation' of the law and it's quite common for BKK to postpone a decision because they require more info/paperwork.

I did it once some years ago and the procedure was a real pain. The 'interview' was taken down on reems of paper which is then sent to BKK. You initially get 1 month permission to stay, often followed by another month until after 3 months, and as long as BKK are happy then the extension is granted for the remaining 12 months and following years become routine extensions.