Why is an attested marriage certificate required for a non-immigrant OA visa application in Thailand?

Question

Hi folks,

After submitting our non-immigrant OA visa applications 13 days ago, we got a request for additional documentation a week later. Most of it was straightforward and relatively easy to get, but they asked for an attested marriage certificate, something I’ve never seen mentioned in many months of following this subject.

I submitted the certificate we had attested in 2011, when I changed jobs here, but the following Monday, I learned that the UAE had restricted the validity of attestation to ten years, so we had to start again.

When I asked the agency obtaining the attestation why we needed it, they said it was because I was sponsoring my wife, but because she’s over 50, she had to submit her own application and prove access to the requisite level of funds, so why do we need this repeated attestation, which is costing a significant sum of money and putting our scheduled departure, and all the associated dependencies, including three cats, at risk?

I doubt the consulate will cancel the requirement and the UAE embassy in the UK is unlikely to speed things up, but if anyone can explain why they are questioning just short of 31 years of marriage, and no, she’s not Thai, she’s Japanese, I’d be very grateful.

Good night, all.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user shares their experience of applying for a non-immigrant OA visa in Thailand, highlighting a requirement for an attested marriage certificate that they had not anticipated. After obtaining their marriage certificate's attestation, they learned it was no longer valid due to a ten-year limit in the UAE. They express frustration over the seemingly arbitrary requirements given their long marriage and the additional complexities introduced by their wife's separate application. The comments reflect a range of opinions on dealing with Thai immigration bureaucracy and suggest that these challenges are common for expatriates.

Michael ******* · Answer

Patience Nick, it’s a developing country so bureaucracy is everywhere, visas, driving license, vehicle registration etc etc nothing insurmountable with a little patience . Sadly bureaucracy leads to corrupt practices, and you will find plenty of advice about agents who will help you , for a few shekels skirt round this, but many have fallen foul of this and in some cases been deported……if you are here with family, dependents changes everything in terms of impact if you make the wrong call - 7 years here and 20 in Africa, have been a learning curve about the dangers of shortcuts…….horses for courses at the end of the day.

Mike ******** · Answer

Yep, sorry to say but you'll find things like this happen all the time when dealing with Thai immigration. Unpublished, unpredictable, illogical and changing requirements are the norm. It's incredibly frustrating and can cause real stress and expense. Unfortunately there is no use arguing because the rules are the rules. Until they aren't. When they will be different.

And if you dare to express any sort of frustration or even raise the suggestion that perhaps, maybe, there might be a more efficient or practical way to do things... you'll be instantly mocked by experts online who will flippantly tell you to suck it up and/or give up and move somewhere else. As if the mere suggestion of a potential improvement is a hate crime against the country.

Don't let me put you off though. Once you get past that there's cheap rent and nice beaches...

Braulio ********* · Answer

If you are uncomfortable with the rules and immigration requirements, consider other options.

Brandon ************ · Answer

Each embassy is free to make their own requirements.

Why is an attested marriage certificate required for a non-immigrant OA visa application in Thailand?

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