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Answered8 years ago

What are the recent challenges faced at Krabi Immigration for the Extension of Stay application for retirees?

Joe ***********
asked Apr 10, 2019
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Notice: Today a friend went to Krabi Immigration to apply for another one year Extension of Stay (Age 50 or over). My friend had planned on using the 65K Monthly Income method. He had visited this office a week ago and presented his documentation - asking is this good enough? Told Yes, if verifying documents were presented. Today was several days after the Big Change in the Thailand Immigration HQ Chief and three days after a New Chief I/O took control of Krabi Immigration. My friend entered the Imm. Office - planning to see the same I/O that he had had the preliminary discussion with... But was shuffled off to an assistant I/O... My Friend presented his American Passport and was immediately told that since his country will no longer issue an Income Affidavit / Letter that his only way to qualify was to present evidence of having 800,000 Baht in a Thai Bank - And with full documentation verifying that the 800K THB in the Thai Bank came from a source from abroad. Also the I/O indicated that the monthly income of 65K Baht application method would not be considered. My friend said he was not even allowed to show his 65K Baht monthly Income bank deposit records.
Answer summary
The discussion highlights the challenges faced by expats, particularly in Krabi, regarding the Extension of Stay for retirees aged 50 or over. A recent case illustrates that due to recent leadership changes at the immigration office, eligibility criteria have become stricter, requiring proof of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank rather than acceptance of monthly income verification. Various comments point out the difficulties with appeal processes and inconsistent application of immigration rules, leading to frustration among expats. Recommendations include potentially appealing directly to higher authorities or transferring funds through recognized channels, along with insights into the operational difficulties immigrants face in local offices.
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Tod *********
Tod *********
No matter what people say there is a definite appeals process IF you don't agree with an immigration office or officer's decision or what they're telling you. )

It takes you putting on your big boy pants and standing up to some pretentious official in a too-tight of government uniform BUT it can be done.

Legally If they are going to deny an extension application they have to give you a written denial outlining why you were not approved, they have to give you a written list of things to do that will get you approved AND they have to quote the actual immigration order, clause and sub-clause that you were denied for not following.

The thing is most foreigners here have abysmal thai skills (meaning they can barely string 3 thai words together in a semi-coherent sentence) and most immigration officers have equally abysmal engrish.

OR the foreigner goes to the immigration office with their thai signficant other (one who is sh*t scared of any thai in a uniform, doesn't know their ass from their elbow about immigration rules and is too afraid to argue with an officer who is telling you something that is incorrect). This can and does lead to problems..

All I can say is that I've filed appeals on quite a few decisions that I felt were bad from the initial immigration officer (actually in several different immigration offices back when I used to do "field trips") and gotten every one of the denials overturned on appeal. I wasn't doing anything but compelling the office to actually follow the rules as they're posted, not as they're pulled out of some power-tripping officer's backside :O

Good Luck to one and all.
Robert *******
Robert *******
And as there is nothing more to contribute to the situation I close the commenting. Most foreigners do get Extensions of Stay, some get denied. The reason of not getting the Extension of Stay or even he could not apply is for reporting that Immigration Offices do not allow applications important. Just a friend has all his documents in order is for me not enough reason to belief this office ignore the Police Order.
Sven **********
Sven **********
Luckily, the friend has a friend who can write. ;) Influential friends are always important and you do not have to do anything yourself. My friend always says ... "Stupidity creates leisure!"๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜…
Rolf *********
Rolf *********
A friend....
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
Appeal? Easier said than done. My friends current Extension of Stay will expire on April 18... no time to mount an appeal. He will just fly off to get a Tourist Visa.
Robert *******
Robert *******
@Joe **********
Yep, that is why the majority of foreigners do not have problems, a small group of them post their success stories on this page and others claim friends are denied due to Immigration Politics, internal power plays etc.
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
@Robert ******
- Wishful thinking... Thai Politics in Immigration Rule and may have nothing much to do with Expats - rather just internal power plays - challenges of authority. Farangs are often just bystanders who get caught up in the Immigration Department power battles
Robert *******
Robert *******
@Ron ******
a Friend was denied weeks ago as mentioned, so I do not think it all has to do with the recent developments at the top of Immigration. And to be honest, it is always friends and they always had all the documents in order. We only can read what is written down, correct or not that is the question.
Ron *******
Ron *******
@Robert ******
from what I'm seeing with refusals today at entry points and turmoil at immigration offices, imo, there is some kick back on its way due to the garbage posted all over social media since Friday.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Nope, I only learned the rules at Krabi Immigration, very nice people working there. At least the ones I know, maybe some staff changed since I left the area last year.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Even Krabi Immigration can not make up their own rules.
Richard *********
Richard *********
@Joe **********
Krabi Immigration must be one of the hardest places to go. If they simply do not like you they will try their upmost to make it difficult for you. And use their management descresion to make up other rules. They are quite entiteled to do so also, they can back this up by saying it is for the security and safety of their province... Pretty sure they are reading this page also and are getting very anoid, haha...
Robert *******
Robert *******
Immigration is open all day tomorrow.
Chris ********
Chris ********
Just a question regarding this. If I transfer the 800,000 baht using TransferWise will this be sufficient to show that it has come from overseas
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
One Expat cannot easily fight the local powers in an Immigration Office. Especially with the turmoil of the National Imm Officer and Local Imm officer being shunted aside in the same week. One is dealing with "Policy of the Moment"
Ron *******
Ron *******
You may wish to tell Hua Hin too that are flatly refusing to deal with any less than 12 months of income.

You don't need to give them the notice, as they give you one!
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
@Robert ******
- tell that to the Krabi Imm I/O
Robert *******
Robert *******
does not matter as it is NOT a requirement for an Extension of Stay.
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
TransferWise documents will prove or not prove anything depending on local office or I/O policy
Robert *******
Robert *******
As I said, take he police order and show them. Demand to speak to a supervisor. There is no requirement that for an Extension of Stay the money must come from abroad.
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
@Robert ******
- Another friend in Krabi was denied an Extension only a few weeks ago because he did not show the money coming from abroad... England (sale proceeds of a house)
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
Chris ********
Chris ********
Thank you I just wasnโ€™t sure
Barry ******
Barry ******
yes transferwise transfers will show it.
Robert *******
Robert *******
If you apply for an Extension of Stay there is NO requirement that the money has to come from overseas.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Just to make it clear: You need to apply at the Immigration Office that serves the area where you're residing. If he lives in Krabi, he can not just go to other office without moving the address first.
Samantha ******************
Samantha ******************
Go to a different office
Jay **********
Jay **********
Sounds like he's gotta make a trip back to visit family! Getting the 1 year retirement from your home country is much easier anyway
Joe ***********
Joe ***********
OP
@Jay *********
- Yes, that's the plan
Ron *******
Ron *******
Jomtien Immigration have a great appeals process. It go's like this.....'Go and use another immigration office we refuse to deal with you'.
Richard *********
Richard *********
How long would an appeal take? Maybe you are out of time already by this point?
Robert *******
Robert *******
If you sit on the desk, appeal and demand to speak to the person in charge, it does not take days to see him. Maybe a few minutes or longer if he is busy with other things.
Ron ******************
Ron ******************
Am I correct in saying that you can only appeal if your application has been turned down. You can thus not appeal if they dont accept your application. Thus by refusing to accept an application you are denied the right to appeal.
Ron ******************
Ron ******************
@Robert ******
thanks thats good to know and I think that should be the next step.
Robert *******
Robert *******
No, you can directly ask to appeal and see the man or woman in charge.
Jim ********
Jim ********
Ouch !!
Robert *******
Robert *******
Just go back and show the police order.
John ********
John ********
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