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Is it common for Thai immigration to conduct multiple home visits after visa application approval?

Thai immigrationNon-O visaimmigration compliancevisits by immigration officersexpat experiences in Thailandvisa regulations in Thailand
Aug 21, 2024
4 months ago
Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yesterday afternoon two immigration officers visited my residence two weeks after my consideration stamp was approved and they had already visited while I was under consideration. I was irate as I felt it was an invasion of my family’s privacy and an unwarranted visit. My son was very sick, I had to cancel work as they asked to see personally and right away. They told my wife it was a random second check and they would visit a third time if a random check arised again threatening to take my passport and cancel my visa if I had not complied. I was close to losing my temper and I nearly video recorded their visit. I feel if their is a third visit next time I will video record the incident and go to the media as now my wife feels unsafe. I would just like to know if this is common practice or if they are targeting to harass us as we are a first time Non-O at their office and they have something against us for some unknown reason. I am sure a third visit would be an illegal practice?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a recent frustrating experience of a Non-O visa holder who faced multiple visits from immigration officers shortly after receiving a consideration stamp. The individual felt this was an invasion of privacy, especially as their child was unwell at the time. The community's responses suggest that such visits, while not common, are within the rights of immigration officers and may be prompted by specific circumstances, such as recent moves or application details. Many commenters advise remaining compliant, patient, and accommodating toward the officers during visits to avoid further scrutiny.
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Vinny **************
Payed me 1 visit .never been back
4 months ago
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Coilean *********
I am on a marriage extension and have two registered permanent addresses where I divide my time. I have only had one visit which was the original first visit the address down south has never been looked at. They assess each application so there must be a question mark on yours to make them do this. My wife does all my paperwork and deals directly with immigration so get your wife to ask what's wrong she knows how to deal with authority without getting them angry.
4 months ago
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Roy ********
My wife didn't like having immigration visit our neighbors every year so I switched to the retirement visa. That is finished the same day. We were told they would come every year for the marriage visa because we don't have kids. But the day I renewed there was a Thai farang couple with kids and the farang dad spoke beautiful Thai and they were also being pestered.
4 months ago
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Kim *********
strange thing to get upset about - but maybe you are easily upset. Immi would be welcome here whenever they want. Their first visit was fine. They do this because some people cheat - it's their right to check when they want. Illegal you say. Not a chance
4 months ago
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Brett **********
I’ve had two visits within 2 months of my non-o based on marriage. First time they were very serious and professional (can’t remember if it was while I was under consideration or not ) and the second they were way more chilled chatting about the kids BMX bikes and even sitting on them, I offered them to sit on my big bike but they declined. It was almost like they had to do it as part of a new policy and they were just going through the motions.

I’m sure you don’t need telling but to just smile and go with it leads to a happier life - instead of fighting against your host countries system.
4 months ago
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Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett *********
 this is what I was looking for. Thank you for the clarity on what happened yesterday. I’ve never heard it happen to anyone before and it was a bad day for me. I wasn’t proud of how I acted and on another day it could have gone very differently.
4 months ago
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Brett **********
@Karl *******
 Understand Mate. Having your kid sick at home and being forced to be there instead of work I’m sure didn’t help. I sounded a bit high and mighty in my first comment as they caught me on a chilled day so it’s easy to say go with the flow but we all know what it’s like when everything’s not going so smoothly 😀

Did they make you get a Thai witness to sign a kind of affidavit to say you were who you were supposed to be ?

We just used the security guy on the gate !!!
4 months ago
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Brett **********
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Gabrio **********************
They can come and check you as many times as they like so you don’t have much ground to file a complaint
4 months ago
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Dany ********
As everyone says, go with the flow. Yes, it is troublesome and irritating but we are guests here and it is part of their jobs. Consider that as well as, even if you are in the right, we live in a time and place where they can find lots of reasons, real, valid or not, to deport you and your family. Keep your focus on the reason why you are here, keep reminding yourself why you want to stay here, keep cool...(been here 30 years and have seen quite many foreigners being deported fir nothing less than losing their temper with them immigration...) Good luck to you and your family...
4 months ago
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Jennifer ******
I understand they do that with marriage visas and will even interview neighbours of yours. It's their job to make sure you're here on legitimate reasons. You can kick a fuss and have them revoke your status and that would do you and your family no good. You can read on this group how many dumb people try to beat the system, find loopholes etc and that is why they check. If you want to get angry, do it at the morons who screw it up for the rest of us.
4 months ago
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Davey **********
If you have non-o and you are working, I think that is the problem? If i am not mistaken non-o is not allowed to work.
4 months ago
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Tod *********
@Davey *********
 you're mixed up a bit 🙂 , you can indeed hold a work permit and legally work here on a Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai or raising thai children.
4 months ago
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Davey **********
@Tod ********
 didn't know that.. have some friends who are married to locals but still used their non-b. Good to know. Thanks for the correction.
4 months ago
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Tod *********
@Davey *********
 the reason people get marriage extensions and then work is that IF you lose your job you don't lose the visa/extension

once your visa is based on marriage not employment it takes a lot of the leverage an employer has over you (visa/extension wise) away 😛

In fact some employers tell you that you can't work for them on marriage extensions 😮
4 months ago
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Tod *********
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TG *********
Jai yen bro
4 months ago
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Kim *********
@TG ********
 exactly 👍
4 months ago
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Kim *********
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Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ve lived here 11 years with a clean passport. I’ve taught at their schools and their children. I know I was wrong to get angry but wouldn’t you when you are constantly hassled for no good reason. The office immigration office was Korat.
4 months ago
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Peter ****************
@Karl *******
 Korat ? Well in all the time you used this imm. office, meanwhile you must know that it's one of the friendliest, helpful and correct office there is. Although rare, it was just a random check as they said.
4 months ago
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Lloyd ********
@Karl *******
 Maybe time to get another job and apply for the Non-B and work permit, that would stop home visits.
4 months ago
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Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 I’m sure they are re-checking due to me moving house a week before my application due to needing to move promptly due to a burst pipe in my old rented accommodation. I moved 15 houses down in the same village, and had the owner of the village vouch on their first visit as a guarantor. Also returning from the UK a few weeks prior to the application as I went home to see my dying grandmother. I know they don’t care about my circumstances but after all has been explained in the first visit I would think that’d be enough.
4 months ago
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Tod *********
@Karl *******
 I would say it was the chain of events that transpired which prompted the re-visit. Sorry to see it escalated to that, BUT I would say they wouldn't have been threatening about the visa had you not seemed confrontational

No problem holding a work permit on a marriage extension, so don't worry about the visa/extension category.

In fact a marriage/raising children visa gives you some control should you lose your job because you don't lose the employment visa.
4 months ago
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Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Thank you again. It is reassuring to hear. I just want to go about my daily life legally and get on with it with my family. I’ll try my best to be as accommodating as one can be should they visit a third time.
4 months ago
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Tod *********
@Karl *******
 sincerely good luck with it, (y) here's hoping it's smooth sailing from here on out 🙂
4 months ago
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Tod *********
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Tony *********
I agree with everyone else here as annoying as it was they most probably haven't singled you out...didn't they say it was random so you were probably just picked out of a hat.

If you were showing displeasure it's not a good look it may well mean another visit. Learn from this and as one suggested offer them something to drink and maybe something to eat. Make sure there is a well known Thai food item that will send them off happy.

Better luck next time 🙏🏼🙂
4 months ago
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Karl ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 Someone who talks with sense. Thank you. My wife had offered them coffee and given a box of quality streets last visit. Maybe, we were too accommodating first time. Never one visit for 11 years and then twice at once just because I did my first Non -O at their office?
4 months ago
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Karl ********
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Ni**
So you are working with marriage visa? No
4 months ago
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Henry *********
@Ni**
 You can get a work permit on a Marriage extension.
4 months ago
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Henry *********
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Chris ********
Expect a third, forth and fifth visit now as there are probably immigration officers in this group 🤣🤦🏼‍♂️
4 months ago
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Bradley *******
It’s their right,it’s their job.You are in the wrong,offer them a cup of tea and be pleasant.Do not get on the wrong side of the Thai authorities.
4 months ago
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Steve ***********
Jai yen yen goes a looong way in this country...Jai lon not so much. If you show them your anger it'll just make things worse. As hard as it is, better to go with the flow.
4 months ago
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Andy *******
Which immigration office? We are a guest in this country and have NO rights so we gotta suck-it-up and take it
4 months ago
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Greg *******
Be nice, patient and compliant and they will leave you alone!
4 months ago
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Peter *********
Agree with Lloyd...Last thing you need is immigration living on your doorstep..

Must be reason..

Play the game and they leave you alone....
4 months ago
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Dave **********
Maybe chill a bit. Accept you're in their country and go with the flow.
4 months ago
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Lloyd ********
First thing, immigration can check on you every single day if they like, that is part of their job, it sure ain't illegal. While follow up visits are rare, as you have found out, they can happen. Maybe there is a reason why they felt the need to re-check you? As for going to the media, lol, that would cause you so much hassle if you ever wanted to use that office again, tread carefully.
4 months ago
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Lloyd ********
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