Nonthaburi Immigration - Non O - warning!

[Johny67]

Two months ago we were given the wrong information by an immigration official at NONTHABURI IMMIGRATION OFFICE, to the degree that, due to their unprofessional and rather spurious advice, I will now have to leave my family and return to my home country. This is a warning to anyone planning to visit NONTHABURI IMMIGRATION anytime soon; do not believe anything they tell you because I am sure this very day that their only interest is to have you thrown out of Thailand, and they don’t care that your children or family will suffer for it.

 

To continue, my Thai wife and I were informed two months ago that Immigration is being lenient this year due to the changes in Thai law happening so fast (those that have been here for many years know that Thai immigration advice can be inaccurate, but that is Thailand and we bear it for our loved ones) – this point pertaining to all foreigners having a minimum of 400k in the bank to renew a marriage visa. We were informed 2 months ago that 40k would suffice this year, as long as the bank statement had the “TT”, or international transfer symbol due to transferring from my home bank to a Thai bank account. We did that and transferred 40k for the two months validity remaining on my visa.

 

My wife and I went to renew the visa today and we were rudely informed that the 40k per month wasn’t acceptable, that we were given the wrong information (by their own employee), and that we had one day to place 400k in the bank, and it must sit there for the 2 months, or the length of the extension visa they provided today at a cost of 1,900 baht (hmmm!). Are these people so desperate for money that they would separate family’s to do it…rhetorical question.

Ultimately, after taking out loans in access of 200k, combined with some savings, and considering their incompetent advice, they were still not willing to accept fault or to compromise. Now I also possess debt due to their incompetent, misinformation. Anyway, as mentioned more or less, two months ago we transferred the money as they advised, to my home bank and back again; yet, their unprofessional and spurious information/advice wasn’t a concern for them today, nor was the financial and emotional strain they have placed on my family. When my wife questioned this woman regarding this point, she simply shrugged, and said she was doing her job. 

 

When questioned further, “were you doing your job when you gave us incorrect information to the point that we owe money due to your incompetence?” NOT TO MENTION THAT IF WE WERE GIVEN THE CORRECT ADVICE INITIALLY I COULD HAVE ARRANGED FOR MORE MONEY TO BE SENT FROM MY HOME COUNTRY TWO MONTHS AGO! UP TO OR MORE THAN 400K. More shrugs..

 

To anyone that has a family, children, who might take out loans just to be with their families here in Thailand, who are genuinely trying to do the right thing, please be careful and weary of NONTHABURI IMMIGRATION, because they’re really not interested in the fact that you love your family, or are willing to do anything to be with your family, but, as of today, I am convinced that these people only wish to harm and separate family’s. I can assure you that it really isn’t about 400k or 40k, but I am sad to say that these people genuinely hate us. After 25 hers here I never wanted to admit this, but now I reluctantly do due to the fact that my wife sees this irregularity as much as I do, she is ashamed and disgusted by the actions of her own people, of her own country. Ultimately, with my inheritance coming soon, I don’t believe this is a country that favours mixed marriages, and we are discussing a more ‘ENLIGHTENED’ part of the world. I will of course return to my home country initially alone, as is the norm, and have my family follow later.

 

I would appreciate your prayers for my children and my wife, who will for a while lose a father and a husband due to a country that has no interest in humanity, but in a nationalistic concept that turns people into gregarious, misinformed sheep. God bless you all and I pray that you and your families will not have to go through what we went through today. I hope that this information will assist you in, well, not planning, as that is impossible in a country with no rule of law and/or a professional work ethic, but that it may help you to prepare emotionally for what may come. God Bless and good luck.

[ubonjoe]

You could apply for a 60 day extension to visit your to have a enough time to have the 400k baht in the bank for 2 months.

Unless you are from a country that can only apply for a visa in their home country you could get a single entry non-o visa from a nearby embassy or consulate.

They apparently gave you the correct information a proving the 40k baht income by doing transfers into the country. But was there a problem with showing the source of it when you went to immigration?

[Johny67]

Thank you for you reply ubonjoe...the 60 day extension is mentioned in the post above. And, no they didn’t give the correct information because as also explained above, more or less, they won’t accept 40k a month...only 400K. (the 40k or more has to be a “proven income” from your home country, or a pension of over 40k, “proven”. Nothing else will be accepted...

 

PS. What good is leaving the country for a NON O if you have to eventually repeat the process of providing income, photographs of your house, inside and out, personal life, bank statements etc, eventually, all of which would cost more money that I would not have needed to spend if immigration didn’t provide the wrong advice, not to mention a flight to a “nearby embassy”. I have 3 children in 3 schools in Thailand, each child costing me 40k or more per term, I really cant afford to be traveling every 3 months due to the incompetence of a few individuals at immigration. The one year marriage visa I have been using for the past 6 years is convenient as we only need to report not leave the country. 

 

btw, I have spent 4 million baht for our home, plus car, kids education for 12 years, this is not a consideration for immigration NONTHABURI, and that provides us with an indication of the true nature of immigration in Thailand, whereas in other more “ENLIGHTENED” countries these financial details would be a consideration.

 

Anyway, this is something we all should be aware of if we want to continue staying here, as it is getting much more difficult for farang in Thailand. But thank you anyway and I appreciate your advice.

[Johny67]

PSS...they knew who the “source” was, the initial immigration officer that gave me this spurious advice was sitting around the corner from us, at a desk less than 30 or so feet away. When my wife questioned him as we were leaving as to why he gave us the wrong advise, and, does he realise what he has done to our family, he replied, “I’m Sorry they should not be so strict”. 

[Centra]

I don't believe in God so I can't help you. Now if you believed in a caring person donating money I could help elevate your stress.

 

[Johny67]

2 minutes ago, Centra said:

I don't believe in God so I can't help you. Now if you believed in a caring person donating money I could help elevate your stress.

 

I have nothing to add here...this has nothing to do with money...please read the post carefully to fully understand the gravity of the situation

[UKresonant]

OP thank you for your information, I might start putting the 40k/m in the bank, as a possible back-up, the more stories like yours that I read, reminded me that nothing can be relied on now (not my previous view a few years ago). If I put 40k/m in the bank they would probably want 45k, if I actually applied, knowing  my luck. Anyway we shall avoid dealing with those people as long as practically possible. Thank you for your post...

[glegolo]

34 minutes ago, Johny67 said:

Thank you for you reply ubonjoe...the 60 day extension is mentioned in the post above. And, no they didn’t give the correct information because as also explained above, more or less, they won’t accept 40k a month...only 400K. (the 40k or more has to be a “proven income” from your home country, or a pension of over 40k, “proven”. Nothing else will be accepted...

 

PS. What good is leaving the country for a NON O if you have to eventually repeat the process of providing income, photographs of your house, inside and out, personal life, bank statements etc, eventually, all of which would cost more money that I would not have needed to spend if immigration didn’t provide the wrong advice, not to mention a flight to a “nearby embassy”. I have 3 children in 3 schools in Thailand, each child costing me 40k or more per term, I really cant afford to be traveling every 3 months due to the incompetence of a few individuals at immigration. The one year marriage visa I have been using for the past 6 years is convenient as we only need to report not leave the country. 

 

btw, I have spent 4 million baht for our home, plus car, kids education for 12 years, this is not a consideration for immigration NONTHABURI, and that provides us with an indication of the true nature of immigration in Thailand, whereas in other more “ENLIGHTENED” countries these financial details would be a consideration.

 

Anyway, this is something we all should be aware of if we want to continue staying here, as it is getting much more difficult for farang in Thailand. But thank you anyway and I appreciate your advice.

To me at least, you seems to be so damn stuck in your own misfortune so you lost completely the ability to think straight and to process eventuell help that are given to you.... UbonJoe is trying and you just dismiss it and are going back to complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. Take a grab of youself now mentally and try to SOLVE the situation you are in....... You are an adult for God sake.... and by the way, prayers are not helping, help yourself out of this mess..

 

glegolo

Edited June 18, 2019 by glegolo

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, Johny67 said:

What good is leaving the country for a NON O if you have to eventually repeat the process of providing income, photographs of your house, inside and out, personal life, bank statements etc, eventually, all of which would cost more money that I would not have needed to spend if immigration didn’t provide the wrong advice, not to mention a flight to a “nearby embassy”

I wrote single entry non-o not a multiple entry non-o visa. You could apply for the extension based upon marriage near the end of the 90 day entry from it.

You can travel overland to get the single entry non-o visa at the embassy in Vientiane or the consulate Savannakhet in Laos without showing financial proof. You would only need your marriage certificate, and copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card signed by her.

[MeePeeMai]

This is exactly the reason my wife and I have learned to NEVER ASK THEM ANYTHING as we have been given the wrong advice many times in the past only to show up again and be told that "we did not say that".  It seems to be some sort of game that they are fond of.

 

 

[Johny67]

14 minutes ago, UKresonant said:

OP thank you for your information, I might start putting the 40k/m in the bank, as a possible back-up, the more stories like yours that I read, reminded me that nothing can be relied on now (not my previous view a few years ago). If I put 40k/m in the bank they would probably want 45k, if I actually applied, knowing  my luck. Anyway we shall avoid dealing with those people as long as practically possible. Thank you for your post...

Brother, thank you for your kind response...however, please be aware that placing 40k in a “Thai bank account” may not suffice, our 45k as you mentioned, I did that...but they want it to be a proven income from your home country. I live in Thailand and am retired, so I just send money I have saved from Australia plus pension. But if you are placing more than 40K from your home country and it is work related I don’t think you will have a problem.

[simon43]

I sympathise with your situation and wish you and your family all the best.  I've lived here for 18 years and I'm also leaving shortly to settle in a more welcoming country. 

 

Sad to say, but I honestly believe that 'good' people are being forced out of these country.  There is only so much hoop-jumping and incompetence that one can take...

 

<comment about a removed post removed>

 

 

Edited June 18, 2019 by ubonjoe

[DrJack54]

Really OP you are blowing this up. Ubonjoe (as usual) has given you precise suggestions of how to satisfy imm and your current situation. Read his advice carefully and act. 

[Johny67]

11 minutes ago, MeePeeMai said:

This is exactly the reason my wife and I have learned to NEVER ASK THEM ANYTHING as we have been given the wrong advice many times in the past only to show up again and be told that "we did not say that".  It seems to be some sort of game that they are fond of.

 

 

Thank you...the thing is this time they were aware of their mistake and admitted it. We confronted the guy that gave the wrong information. Also remember the only source of info we have is immigration, their websites are precarious at best, so if they can’t get it together we have no choice but to continue to depend upon an unprofessional immigration system in Thailand.

[Johny67]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Really OP you are blowing this up. Ubonjoe (as usual) has given you precise suggestions of how to satisfy imm and your current situation. Read his advice carefully and act. 

And I answered his suggestions politely...what part is it difficult for you to understand?

[Thaidream]

Very sorry for your situation and bad information.   As Ubon Joe mentioned- there are ways around this situation-

 

A..  The 60 day extension for visiting spouse can be obtained immediately from the local immigration Office.

 

B.  A 90 day Non Immigrant Visa- Single entry- can be obtained at Savannakhet , Laos or Ventienne.

 

C.  If you are from a country that provides the Embassy Letter- this could be obtained immediately.

 

The Immigration Office is wrong and actually the first Officer you spoke to a few months ago was correct according to the current police Order.  The provision of 40K per month exists and there is no mention in the order of it having to be a pension- just originated from abroad.  In addition, the former Immigration Commissioner did write a Memo indicating that in the first year of the new extension policy that leniency could be applied.

 

The 400K Money in the Bank can also be used and needs be seasoned for 2 months.

 

The written police order and leniency letter is pinned  in the General Thai Visa Website.

 

However, it appears Nonthaburi is now misinterpreting the police order so at some point the solution will be to place the 400K in the bank. However, by using the 60 day extension and then the 90 day Visa option you can buy some time until the money is seasoned and then apply for the actual extension.

 

Good luck to you

 

 

 

 

[ratcatcher]

19 minutes ago, glegolo said:

btw, I have spent 4 million baht for our home, plus car, kids education for 12 years,

Pardon me, but you don't appear to be too short of funds. You spend B120,000 a term on educating your 3 kids and with a 4 million baht house, my question is "Why didn't you set aside B400,000 in the bank and "forget about it" until extension time?

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Johny67 said:

And I answered his suggestions politely...what part is it difficult for you to understand?

Basically that you are suggesting your world has fallen apart, rather than opt for sensible and not too difficult solutions. 

 

Edited June 18, 2019 by DrJack54

[glegolo]

2 minutes ago, ratcatcher said:

Pardon me, but you don't appear to be too short of funds. You spend B120,000 a term on educating your 3 kids and with a 4 million baht house, my question is "Why didn't you set aside B400,000 in the bank and "forget about it" until extension time?

How did you manage that??? I did not write what you are qouting my friend. If I had 4 miljon baht I would have been so drunk now that I wouldn´t be able to put a sentence in english together, I think....hahahaha

 

glegolo

[Johny67]

I started this post to share and to assist those having issues with immigration. It is meant to provide others with information they should be aware of and the current status within the Thai immigration system, which is always changing. I have no interest in spending any more time with negative people that have no understanding of the issue and you will furthermore be reported if you persist. 

Edited June 18, 2019 by Johny67

[simon43]

Johny67, this forum is full of trolls - it's no surprise that both myjawe and ratcatcher are on my ignore list.

Edited June 18, 2019 by simon43

[mosan]

@johny67, I'm guessing that now you are clear on the rules, so just hop on over to Laos and get that Non-Imm O, and you've got 90 Days from then to put 400K into your bank account. No other financials required.  If need be, put a child into a public school for one semester to free up some funds--it will not kill them and they will certainly not fall behind based on the level of education being taught here. You did say you've been here 25 years unless I missed something-stop blaming the system, make some positive moves. As we say in my home country, get er done...

 

P.S. I know hindsight is 20/20 but maybe 3.5 Mil on the house and 500K in the bank would have been a better idea--for the listeners out there...or better yet 3, Mil on the house and 1 Mil in the bank.

[ubonjoe]

Several inflammatory posts and replies to them have been removed.

[Johny67]

14 minutes ago, glegolo said:

How did you manage that??? I did not write what you are qouting my friend. If I had 4 miljon baht I would have been so drunk now that I wouldn´t be able to put a sentence in english together, I think....hahahaha

 

glegolo

You have a perfect inside into my life, you know exactly when I bought my house, how long I have been living here etc etc...Is my original post not clear to the majority of the detractors here? No one said anything about me not having 400k...the point is here that the wrong information has caused my family and I to spend more than necessary to fix a problem immigration created. Can the detractors here actually read more than one paragraph without being confused as to the context...what’s disturbing is that only 10 percent of the people posting here get that I have the money to place in the bank, but was informed it wasn’t necessary and now I have only a few days to repeat what has taken weeks to do...transfer a great deal of money, take more pics etc...please, from now on if you have no understanding better to remain silent and be thought of a fool...and so on...

Edited June 18, 2019 by Johny67

[Johny67]

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Several inflammatory posts and replies to them have been removed.

Thank you

[DavisH]

So you are also implying that if one was working in Thailand and earning more than 40K baht a month, they could also not qualify for the 0 visa based on marriage? This is the first I've heard of that, if that's the case. 

 

What visa/extension have you need on the last decade or so?

[Johny67]

2 minutes ago, DavisH said:

So you are also implying that if one was working in Thailand and earning more than 40K baht a month, they could also not qualify for the 0 visa based on marriage? This is the first I've heard of that, if that's the case. 

 

What visa/extension have you need on the last decade or so?

No I did not say that...I said if you have a proven income you will have no problem. I have money, it’s just not income but savings. I can place the 400k tomorrow, but was informed that I would only need to show 40k a month, but today was told it must be a proven income...letter from a boss, government pension etc.

[lujanit]

Johny67, I feel for you and your situation,  I have been dealing with Nonthaburi Immigration for 8 years and they can be difficult to the extreme.  You still cannot do 90 day reports online and trying to register for an online TM30 account (Section 38 app) has proved to be impossible.

 

I can confirm that Nonthaburi have changed their requirements drastically over the past 12 months.  I am on the 800k retirement extension however we had to put up with a home visit, lots of photos and prying into our personal lives.  The two Immigration Officers who came also spoke to neighbours.

 

Probably not a lot of help to you now however speaking to the (large) guy who checks paperwork and allocates queue numbers has proven to be helpful.  Having a Thai asking Q's also helps.

 

All the best to you.

[Johny67]

14 minutes ago, mosan said:

@johny67, I'm guessing that now you are clear on the rules, so just hop on over to Laos and get that Non-Imm O, and you've got 90 Days from then to put 400K into your bank account. No other financials required.  If need be, put a child into a public school for one semester to free up some funds--it will not kill them and they will certainly not fall behind based on the level of education being taught here. You did say you've been here 25 years unless I missed something-stop blaming the system, make some positive moves. As we say in my home country, get er done...

 

P.S. I know hindsight is 20/20 but maybe 3.5 Mil on the house and 500K in the bank would have been a better idea--for the listeners out there...or better yet 3, Mil on the house and 1 Mil in the bank.

u have a perfect inside into my life, you know exactly when I bought my house, how long I have been living here etc etc...Is my original post not clear to the majority of the detractors here? No one said anything about me not having 400k...the point is here that the wrong information has caused my family and I to spend more than necessary to fix a problem immigration created. Can the detractors here actually read more than one paragraph without being confused as to the context...what’s disturbing is that only 10 percent of the people posting here get that I have the money to place in the bank, but was informed it wasn’t necessary and now I have only a few days to repeat what has taken weeks to do...transfer a great deal of money, take more pics etc...please, from now on if you have no understanding better to remain silent and be thought of a fool...and so on...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

30 minutes ago, Johny67 said:

Brother, thank you for your kind response...however, please be aware that placing 40k in a “Thai bank account” may not suffice, our 45k as you mentioned, I did that...but they want it to be a proven income from your home country. I live in Thailand and am retired, so I just send money I have saved from Australia plus pension. But if you are placing more than 40K from your home country and it is work related I don’t think you will have a problem.

 

What did you understand them to mean about the "proven income" notion?

 

As best as you understand it, what did they want to see as to the source of the funds for the 40K monthly foreign transfers, and how did your transfers fail to meet what they wanted?