My Khon Kaen Marriage Extention Details

[CountryThai]

This is a rundown of my trip(s) to Khon Kaen Immigration for an extension by marriage. (The first time I have done this. Usually we leave every 90 days and go for a holiday, to Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and such but with Covid, I thought this was a good idea).

 

Firstly, all of the officers I dealt with were professional and courteous. Things seemed to be done by the book, with all “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed.

 

I also tried to call their office in excess of 50 times over a few weeks, I emailed around 20 times and received one generic reply with the most basic information that did not cover what was really needed.

 

I did mine using income (more than 40,000 baht a month transferred from abroad)

 

The documents needed were; (Once you have all these, photocopy them)

TM7 – filled in, signed and a photo attached.

Kor Sor 2 (Marriage certificate certified and dated no older than 6 months from local office)

A copy of your original marriage certificate.

Bank book, updated on the day I was applying for my visa. (Found that out in the office)

A letter from the bank (guarantees you bank with them and the amount transferred into the account.)

12 months of official statements from the bank (stamped and signed each page)

House book- copy of first page and wife’s name (also children if you have like I do)

And a rental agreement for the property you live at if you are not living at the house-book address of your wife.

 Photos (6 in all) – One or two outside the property, showing the entrance, (Most important) a picture of you and the wife with the house number showing clearly. Some pictures inside the house in the living room, kitchen, dining room, (some will want bedroom, mine wasn’t needed ”I didn’t offer it”) I gave 6 in all.

Map or maps on how to get to your home from a major road.  (I used a good map and then drew the way using “Paint”.

 

Extra Paperwork she took from me.

Birth certificates of the children.

My foreign bank statements showing transfers to Thailand. (I was asked where my money came from, like what I did, I told her I was self-employed, I make my own money and transfer to myself. She asked if I had a letter from the company, proof of my work. I again explained and showed her the transfers from abroad and that I pay myself. Eventually this was fine.(So I thought)

 

Then you sign nearly all the paperwork (wife signs her documents and the photos).

 

I was then asked “Where/when did we first meet? How long have we been together? Was I working, a tourist when we first met?” She was completing a form in Thai. (I asked “What has this got to do with this visa, and she said it is information gathered for immigration.)

 

Eventually, I was asked to come back in 30 days to pick up the extension.

 

Then I got a call from the lady at immigration, late in the evening, she asked to speak to my wife and asked about my employment again. My wife was trying to explain to her. I took the phone and spoke to the lady and again explained, what I do to earn money, how I make and transfer money to myself. I work on the internet, I get paid in American dollars and other currencies at times but usually I only take US dollars. (I am sure she thinks I work in Thailand). I work on my computer in Thailand, but I pay taxes abroad, not here.)

 

Fast forward, 4 days, another phone call. I was asked to provided two witnesses at immigration in two days’ time at 10am, I explained I had clients and it would have to be the following week, preferably as early as possible. (I asked them about witnesses in my emails many times.) I took two people from the area I live, their house-book address must be the same area as you and their and ID cards (2 photo copies). Also, the name of your local Phu Yai Ban (Village head), and phone number. I went and he wrote something in Thai and also gave me a copy of his ID card. (On the day, it all went smoothly, they interviewed the witnesses and we went home.)

 

6 days before picking up my new visa, another call, we need proof of your employement, a letter from your company that you are employed and paid by them. (F#S). So, I typed a letter up on company stationery, stating I was employed by the company I own and run with my ABN number, printed it, signed it and sent it to them by registered email.

 

I eventually got a visa. I transferred 2.7 million baht into the country in the yearly statement from the bank, one month was only 45K and she mentioned that it was just over the minimum amount. I asked, why it mattered if one month was less than 40K but then the others were say 60, 80 or 100K, and the simple answer was “It is the requirement by law” (To me that is a little foolish).

 

I cannot do a retirement visa as I am too young; I could have brought 400K in 3 months before but apparently the paperwork in nigh the same.

 

It was a pain in the butt, but finally done. Sadly with Covid, I do not think the option of just flying out of Thailand or crossing a border for a few days or a week will be a normal thing for a long time to come. I would much rather do this, so much easier.

[RedReding]

Really interesting, thanks for all the details.

 

Quote

Fast forward, 4 days, another phone call. I was asked to provided two witnesses at immigration in two days’ time at 10am, I explained I had clients and it would have to be the following week, preferably as early as possible. (I asked them about witnesses in my emails many times.) I took two people from the area I live, their house-book address must be the same area as you and their and ID cards (2 photo copies). Also, the name of your local Phu Yai Ban (Village head), and phone number. I went and he wrote something in Thai and also gave me a copy of his ID card. (On the day, it all went smoothly, they interviewed the witnesses and we went home.

This is insane, never heard of this before, especially the witnesses from your same area. Has anyone else had to follow all those steps in this forum ?

 

Do you think you had to give so many details about your work because you chose the 40k income-transfer method from abroad ? Do you think you'd have to provide all the details if you simply had 400k in your bank account sitting there for 2 months before applying (usually enough for what I read before on this site).

 

I'm planning to get married to my long-term girlfriend next year as border crossing doesn't seem to be an option anymore for a long time indeed, your post comes in quite handy especially since I'm self-employed as well (not my own company though, I'm a freelancer hired project by project).

[DrJack54]

OP, thanks for the report. 

It's only a suggestion. 400k is not a lot of money and only needs to be kept in bank 2 months prior + under consideration period.

You could consider money in the bank method next year.

[CountryThai]

32 minutes ago, RedReding said:

 

 

Edited October 6, 2020 by CountryThai

[CountryThai]

I had the Immigration officers Line account, I sent him pictures of the paperwork of two people from my wife's village and he sent back that they needed to be from the area I lived in. (I had never heard of this before as well. Or having the details of the Phu Yai Ban from my area.)

 

I will do the 400K next year if the borders are closed or you have to quarantine when entering the country and Covid is still causing havoc abroad. 

 

It was easier when we could go to Savanhaket and do the visa, spend a few days at the casino and then every 90 days fly or border hop somewhere for a week getaway.

Edited October 6, 2020 by CountryThai

[CountryThai]

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, thanks for the report. 

It's only a suggestion. 400k is not a lot of money and only needs to be kept in bank 2 months prior + under consideration period.

You could consider money in the bank method next year.

I will next year for sure if the current situation is still happening around the world. I was told the paperwork was virtually the same for either visa.

[CountryThai]

14 minutes ago, CountryThai said:

 

 

24 minutes ago, RedReding said:

Really interesting, thanks for all the details.

 

This is insane, never heard of this before, especially the witnesses from your same area. Has anyone else had to follow all those steps in this forum ?

 

Do you think you had to give so many details about your work because you chose the 40k income-transfer method from abroad ? Do you think you'd have to provide all the details if you simply had 400k in your bank account sitting there for 2 months before applying (usually enough for what I read before on this site).

 

I'm planning to get married to my long-term girlfriend next year as border crossing doesn't seem to be an option anymore for a long time indeed, your post comes in quite handy especially since I'm self-employed as well (not my own company though, I'm a freelancer hired project by project).

 I had the Immigration officers Line account, I sent him pictures of the paperwork of two people from my wife's village and he sent back that they needed to be from the area I lived in. (I had never heard of this before as well. Or having the details of the Phu Yai Ban from my area.)

 

I will do the 400K next year if the borders are closed or you have to quarantine when entering the country and Covid is still causing havoc abroad. 

 

It was easier when we could go to Savanhaket and do the visa, spend a few days at the casino and then every 90 days fly or border hop somewhere for a week getaway.

[Paiman]

That sounds terrible. A lot of work you had to go through.

 

You get the impression they let you run the gauntlet. For what reason, only they know.

[TaoNow]

 

OP, thanks for the trip report.  These are the most useful posts for this section of the Forum.

 

It's a grey area, but using Thailand as your base of operations while earning your living from work on the Internet is seen, by some in the government, to require a Thai work permit, and paying Thai taxes on your Internet income, etc.   

 

Obviously, enforcement is lax, given all the ex-pat vloggers living here and openly working on-line, presumably without work permits or paying Thai taxes.

 

However, I would be cautious about challenging the Immo officers when they pry.   Just be as politely cooperative as possible.

 

You don't want them to hold a grudge for any reason, valid or not.

Edited October 6, 2020 by TaoNow

[bwpage3]

All that just to live in Thailand.

 

No thanks.

[faraday]

6 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

All that just to live in Thailand.

 

No thanks.

Never mind Brandon you probably wouldn't fit in.

 

Solly na.

 

????

[farmerjo]

Thanks for the report,i will be off to do same at KK.

Can i ask how many days early you went to get extension and is it busy at the moment.

The witnesses sounds a pain in the bum as i've got a 200km plus turn around trip to get there.

[billd766]

I did my second marriage extension at Kamphang Phet in August using income only and had far less of a problem.

 

Having said that I am 76 and get 3 pensions and I have been going to the office for a few years so the IO knows me.

[CountryThai]

1 hour ago, Paiman said:

That sounds terrible. A lot of work you had to go through.

 

You get the impression they let you run the gauntlet. For what reason, only they know.

I tried to contact them for so long, as I had read each office is different. They never answered their phone, not once in at least 50 calls, I got one email that stated 5 things I needed to take. I was not expecting all of this as well.

[CountryThai]

1 hour ago, TaoNow said:

 

OP, thanks for the trip report.  These are the most useful posts for this section of the Forum.

 

It's a grey area, but using Thailand as your base of operations while earning your living from work on the Internet is seen, by some in the government, to require a Thai work permit, and paying Thai taxes on your Internet income, etc.   

 

Obviously, enforcement is lax, given all the ex-pat vloggers living here and openly working on-line, presumably without work permits or paying Thai taxes.

 

However, I would be cautious about challenging the Immo officers when they pry.   Just be as politely cooperative as possible.

 

You don't want them to hold a grudge for any reason, valid or not.

What I do is not on any Thai restricted list. I think the Thai economy get a fair share of me already. The officer was polite and I was polite back but could not understand why they need to verify how I earned the money. She asked if it was a pension (I am too young for that) . I will do 400k next year if the current situation still exists. 

[CountryThai]

53 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I did my second marriage extension at Kamphang Phet in August using income only and had far less of a problem.

 

Having said that I am 76 and get 3 pensions and I have been going to the office for a few years so the IO knows me.

Yes, I had read many threads and what they needed, what I had to do was more than anything I had read about. I might try the 400K in the bank next year, will wait and see.

[fishtank]

1 hour ago, Paiman said:

That sounds terrible. A lot of work you had to go through.

 

You get the impression they let you run the gauntlet. For what reason, only they know.

Not at all.

Been extending at Khon Kaen for years.

In and out in less than an hour.

Edited October 6, 2020 by fishtank

[CountryThai]

1 hour ago, bwpage3 said:

All that just to live in Thailand.

 

No thanks.

We usually spend time in Thailand, Australia, America and other places, but ATM that is not possible. Living in Thailand is great, I live on a large plot of land, no neighbours, a house with pool that cost less to build than just my driveway and shed in a Australia. The people here are awesome, police are friendly, quality of life fantastic, and crazy cheap. I'd much rather be here than anywhere else. In my opinion, you might be a bit of a sad sack.

[CountryThai]

1 hour ago, farmerjo said:

Thanks for the report,i will be off to do same at KK.

Can i ask how many days early you went to get extension and is it busy at the moment.

The witnesses sounds a pain in the bum as i've got a 200km plus turn around trip to get there.

I went around 12 days early, I was peeved about the witnesses as I had asked them in emails if I needed to bring them the first time but they never replied. I am lucky, only 100klms away ????

[whitefarang]

Married to a Thai ,  does an immigration office really need birth certificates of any children ? I believe a birth certificate of a child is only necessary in case of applying for a non O based on being the parent of a Thai child , right ?  

Why did immigration ask for the original marriage certificate ? I read on the immigration website that they only need proof of a relation , being married , so that would be either the original one from abroad OR the Thai version . Not both . Can anyone explain that to me ? 

[TheFreqFlyer]

5 hours ago, TaoNow said:

 

OP, thanks for the trip report.  These are the most useful posts for this section of the Forum.

 

It's a grey area, but using Thailand as your base of operations while earning your living from work on the Internet is seen, by some in the government, to require a Thai work permit, and paying Thai taxes on your Internet income, etc.   

 

Obviously, enforcement is lax, given all the ex-pat vloggers living here and openly working on-line, presumably without work permits or paying Thai taxes.

 

However, I would be cautious about challenging the Immo officers when they pry.   Just be as politely cooperative as possible.

 

You don't want them to hold a grudge for any reason, valid or not.

Yes but with borders closed you would think that they would get this. And as far as most educated officials are concerned, it is not a problem working here online if you are working for an overseas based entity with no Thai clients. Farang who do nothing can't be expected to draw on an income, unless they're retired.

 

I mean, they want us to provide proof of income but you're saying you can't work online? I mean, damned if you do, damned if you don't. Without income, you can't meet the requirements for an extension, period. 

 

I personally would also be a bit irate if too many questions are asked. I'm showing them I have income coming from abroad. That should be enough. 

Edited October 6, 2020 by TheFreqFlyer

[TheFreqFlyer]

2 hours ago, whitefarang said:

Married to a Thai ,  does an immigration office really need birth certificates of any children ? I believe a birth certificate of a child is only necessary in case of applying for a non O based on being the parent of a Thai child , right ?  

Why did immigration ask for the original marriage certificate ? I read on the immigration website that they only need proof of a relation , being married , so that would be either the original one from abroad OR the Thai version . Not both . Can anyone explain that to me ? 

I just got my extension done and I didn't mention my children. It's irrelevant. I applied for a marriage extension not a child extension. 

[HashBrownHarry]

11 hours ago, CountryThai said:

I will next year for sure if the current situation is still happening around the world. I was told the paperwork was virtually the same for either visa.

Pardon me for asking but the letter from the bank should be in Thai, or needs translated to english?

 

Thx

[HashBrownHarry]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, thanks for the report. 

It's only a suggestion. 400k is not a lot of money and only needs to be kept in bank 2 months prior + under consideration period.

You could consider money in the bank method next year.

What paperwork or chase around does this eliminate as opposed to the month amount route?

 

Thx

[fishtank]

35 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

Pardon me for asking but the letter from the bank should be in Thai, or needs translated to english?

 

Thx

Thai.

[fishtank]

35 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

What paperwork or chase around does this eliminate as opposed to the month amount route?

 

Thx

Makes it a bit easier to prove 

[Jeffrey346]

12 hours ago, RedReding said:

Really interesting, thanks for all the details.

 

This is insane, never heard of this before, especially the witnesses from your same area. Has anyone else had to follow all those steps in this forum ?

 

Do you think you had to give so many details about your work because you chose the 40k income-transfer method from abroad ? Do you think you'd have to provide all the details if you simply had 400k in your bank account sitting there for 2 months before applying (usually enough for what I read before on this site).

 

I'm planning to get married to my long-term girlfriend next year as border crossing doesn't seem to be an option anymore for a long time indeed, your post comes in quite handy especially since I'm self-employed as well (not my own company though, I'm a freelancer hired project by project).

My marriage extension went exactly the same way in KK. I went back 6 times before I actually got my visa. 

[mrwebb8825]

other than waiting 6-7 weeks while "under consideration", this year was pretty much like every year for my married extension. Our home has been the same for 16 years but we are on our 3rd immigration office.

They don't make us bring witnesses any more as their boss lives 3 houses down and my wife's father IS the Phu Yai Baan.

Working on getting the 400000k in the bank to cut down on the paperwork for extensions though. It will involve fewer people to get things from.

[ubonjoe]

13 hours ago, RedReding said:

Do you think you had to give so many details about your work because you chose the 40k income-transfer method from abroad ? Do you think you'd have to provide all the details if you simply had 400k in your bank account sitting there for 2 months before applying (usually enough for what I read before on this site).

It was all about using the 40k baht income by showing the transfers came from abroad they want proof of the source of your income.

Providing proof of the source of your income can be the most difficult part. I have shown proof of my pension (social security payments for me) income for my 2 extension now and that is accepted. If no pension then proof of savings, investments and etc can be used. If working proving you income could and would be very complicated.

If you are from a country whose embassy still provides proof of income for the 40k baht it is also much easier.

If using the 400k baht in the bank for 2 month there is no need for the proof.

[RedReding]

Quote

If using the 400k baht in the bank for 2 month there is no need for the proof.

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Good news.