spouse visa 2 month extension

[bkkexplorer]

Hi,

 

I am on a spouse O visa which was up for renewal on the 22nd July. I went in on the 20th, had all the paperwork with me but did not meet requirements as the 400k in the bank was a week less then the required 2 months. The officer then gave me a 2 month extension which extended my visa to the 17th of Sept. I have to go in again before that date with another set of required documentation to apply for another years renewal. No problem, pretty straight forward...

 

Now, I have just been requested to do a project outside of Thailand which starts on the 1st week of Sept that goes on for about 6 weeks. This project does not allow me to take a break once started. My question is if i can go to immigration before the 17th Sept for the yearly renewal and get another 2 month extension before picking up the approved yearly visa. Is this possible?

 

I have been on the yearly extension for many years and every year they only give me 1 month to go back in to get my passport stamped,.. hence my query.

 

I would appreciate any advise from those in the know. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

 

[elviajero]

30 minutes ago, bkkexplorer said:

My question is if i can go to immigration before the 17th Sept for the yearly renewal and get another 2 month extension before picking up the approved yearly visa. Is this possible?

No. You are only allowed one 60 day extension per entry. You could ask if they’ll make an exception, but it’s unlikely they’ll bend the rules.

 

It seems you will to let the current extension go, apply for a new non ‘O’ whilst abroad, and apply for a new 1 year stay once you’re back in the country. No real downside unless you were planning to apply for PR based on the last few years extensions.

[bkkexplorer]

Only one 60 day extension per entry...

 

Ok, as I'm writing this I am actually outside of Thailand. I departed Thailand a week ago (with single reentry permit) I'm going back at the end of this month. As the next time I'm In Thailand would be another entry, would i be able to get another 2 month extension?

 

3 minutes ago, elviajero said:

No. You are only allowed one 60 day extension per entry. You could ask if they’ll make an exception, but it’s unlikely they’ll bend the rules. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

You can't get another 2 month extension but surely your money is seasoned by now so why not just do the 1 year extension? You do not have to wait until the expiration date. Most offices will let you do it up to a month in advance.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[bkkexplorer]

22 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You can't get another 2 month extension but surely your money is seasoned by now so why not just do the 1 year extension? You do not have to wait until the expiration date. Most offices will let you do it up to a month in advance.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

From experience, if I do the 1 year extension now immigration will want me to go in and get my passport stamped in a month's time. This means i have to be here in Sept and wouldn't be able to do the project overseas.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, bkkexplorer said:

Only one 60 day extension per entry...

 

Ok, as I'm writing this I am actually outside of Thailand. I departed Thailand a week ago (with single reentry permit) I'm going back at the end of this month. As the next time I'm In Thailand would be another entry, would i be able to get another 2 month extension?

It’s not technically a new entry because you’re continuing an existing permit to stay using the re-entry permit. When you apply to extend your stay every year it has effectively been extending the permission to stay granted by the original non ‘O’ entry.

 

It might be worth asking the question at immigration, but I doubt they’ll do it.

[bkkexplorer]

Yeah, I also doubt they'll do it. They seem to follow everything by the book at Chaeng Wattana.

 

This is a bummer as possibly have to turn work away. Still hoping there's another way round this.

 

tks for the responses..

[elviajero]

5 minutes ago, bkkexplorer said:

Yeah, I also doubt they'll do it. They seem to follow everything by the book at Chaeng Wattana.

 

This is a bummer as possibly have to turn work away. Still hoping there's another way round this.

 

tks for the responses..

Why are you concerned about letting the current stay end and starting again from a new non 'O' entry?

 

The only way around it would be to apply for the 1 year extension, get a re-entry permit to cover the under consideration period, then fly back to pick up the 1 year extension. When you collect the extension get another re-entry permit to protect that new stay whilst you're away working. Not sure I see the benefit, but it's an option.

[bkkexplorer]

2 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Why are you concerned about letting the current stay end and starting again from a new non 'O' entry? 

 

The only way around it would be to apply for the 1 year extension, get a re-entry permit to cover the under consideration period, then fly back to pick up the 1 year extension. When you collect the extension get another re-entry permit to protect that new stay whilst you're away working. Not sure I see the benefit, but it's an option.

The very first time I applied for a O spouse was over 10 years ago and have kept it going ever since. I was once told by the immigration (Suan Plu office) there was some benefit to not having it lapse and starting a new one. I think the only reason you'd want to do that is if applying for residence as you mentioned. If that's the case and as I don''t see myself applying for PR then maybe I might just have to let it lapse and apply for a new one. Thanks for your suggestions and taking the time to respond.

 

I think you've mentioned the 2 options available to me, tks for your time

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, bkkexplorer said:

From experience, if I do the 1 year extension now immigration will want me to go in and get my passport stamped in a month's time. This means i have to be here in Sept and wouldn't be able to do the project overseas.

Are you sure of this?

 

Most imm offices will do it on the spot, stamp and all, up to 1 month in advance.

 

It is many years since I had to use Bkk imm but back when I did, they would do it 2-3 weeks in advance only, which still might work for you. I suggest you go there and inquire, explaining your travel plans.

 

 

[elviajero]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

Are you sure of this?

 

Most imm offices will do it on the spot, stamp and all, up to 1 month in advance.

 

It is many years since I had to use Bkk imm but back when I did, they would do it 2-3 weeks in advance only, which still might work for you. I suggest you go there and inquire, explaining your travel plans.

They only issue extensions based on retirement on the spot. Applications for spouses are always under consideration for 30 days.

[Phuket Man]

Applications are always given 30 days under approval.

There is no exception.

[ubonjoe]

5 hours ago, bkkexplorer said:

rom experience, if I do the 1 year extension now immigration will want me to go in and get my passport stamped in a month's time. This means i have to be here in Sept and wouldn't be able to do the project overseas.

You can do your extension up to 45 days early at Chaeng Wattana immigration.

Do the application as soon as possible and ask them about getting a longer report back date. Immigration can do the report back date up to 30 days after your current extension ends as per the police order for extensions.

If they will do that you will need a re-entry permit for the under consideration permit that will be valid for entry up to the report back date.

[bkkexplorer]

Updates as I went in today,.. couldn't get another 2 month extension so letting it expire. Also learnt something new which made the decision easy, was told that if I come back in with a tourist visa, I can get another O visa at immigration office, no need to get one from outside the country. That can then be used to reapply for the yearly extension. Lets see how that pans out... cheers guys.