Visa due to run out during covid-19

[Marcus2187]

Hi I was hoping some one may have some information regarding visas at this time as there must be many people in my position.

 So this is my situation.I have been in Thailand now continually for nearly 1 year on an ED visa which is due to expire at the end of August next month .I am now married to a thai lady  

and also have 400 k in a thai bank.I have been told I can not transfer my ed visa straight to a non O marriage visa within Thailand .The procedure as I understand  would be to leave the country and come back on a tourist visa ,then apply for the NON O visa baised on marriage either within Thailand or in Laos .However due to the current circumstances as it stands I am unable to visit a near by country and simply come back.Also I didn’t qualify for the current visa ammunisty as I was allready in the country before March . I would appreciate any information from anyone thanks 

[ubonjoe]

You cannot change non immigrant visa categories at immigration.

But could apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage of your current extension based upon attending school.

The rule for the amnesty is that you had to be in the country on March 26th not a entry after that day.

[Marcus2187]

Thank for the reply ubonjoe .

 My ed visa was for muaithai and will run out next month ,so would you advise to sign up with a school again then apply for a 1 year extension baised on marriage ? Thanks 

[ubonjoe]

Are you on a multiple entry non-ed visa issued by an embassy or consulate or a extension of stay issued by immigration.

If on an extension of stay it ended on the day you stopped training for Muay Thai.

Immigration would not know you stopped training and they will want a letter dated when you apply for the extension stating you stopped training on that day.

[Marcus2187]

I am currently still training muai Thai untill August 27 when my last extension expires so am I right I’m thinking I can go and extend for 60 days baised on visiting my wife because I have noticed my money did drop below 400 k which will give me enough time to have the money in the bank for the 2 month period 

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, Marcus2187 said:

I am currently still training muai Thai untill August 27 when my last extension expires so am I right I’m thinking I can go and extend for 60 days baised on visiting my wife because I have noticed my money did drop below 400 k which will give me enough time to have the money in the bank for the 2 month period 

You can  apply for the 60 day extension at anytime if you get a letter from the gym stating the day you apply for it is the last day you will be training to cancel your current extension. The letter is just a formality and does not mean you will have to stop training.

 

[MrKFC]

On 7/8/2020 at 12:17 PM, ubonjoe said:

You cannot change non immigrant visa categories at immigration.

But could apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage of your current extension based upon attending school.

The rule for the amnesty is that you had to be in the country on March 26th not an entry after that day.

Similar circumstance - was in country on Mar 26 on a US 90 day METV, expired Apr 25. 

 

Then came Covid and in the interim decided I'd apply for a non O retirement visa.

 

Went to Immigration in Chiang Mai a couple times, asked if there'd be any problems - one guy I asked was a Thai who's totally fluent and another from the US, so communication was good. Both said, no problem come down mid-July before the amnesty ends. They understood that they were going to 'recognize' the July 31 as an 'active visa'

 

Got all the paperwork together, 800K in the bank, went down today and was told that because my visa had expired on Apr 25 I'd have to leave and return before I can apply.

 

I know that's been the rule, but was told that they were going to recognize the July 31 as an 'active visa' was told today that's not the case.

 

No borders open at the moment, can't do a run. If they do open up by July 31, sounds as though I'd be required to do 14 days quarantine on both ends. 

 

Any ideas? 

 

Thanks

DS

 

 

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, MrKFC said:

Similar circumstance - was in country on Mar 26 on a US 90 day METV, expired Apr 25. 

Not really the same - he is on a running 'normal' extension now (ED-based).  Your 'normal' extension has ended, and you are on the "automatic covid-extension." 

In your case, some officies are fine with this - since the purpose of the auto-extension was to prevent travel to limit covid-spread.  Others, like your office, are blocking these, as some here predicted they might.
 

Quote

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Any ideas? 

 

Thanks

DS

You either have to relocate to an office where they will process it, or pay them off through an agent.  They know you cannot go out for a "new visa," so have significant-leverage on you.  

 

Someone reported there is an agent "next to the gas-station across the street" - could be worth asking.  Maybe someone from CM can message you with options.

[MrKFC]

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Someone reported there is an agent "next to the gas-station across the street" - could be worth asking.  Maybe someone from CM can message you with options.

Thanks - I knew I'm not in the same spot, but this was closest I'd seen.

 

The place across the street is called "The Colonel's" - rumor has it that it's owned by the local Colonel of Immigration (current or recent, hard to say)- for 20K baht (and up) and they'll sort out problems across the street.

 

I'm checking out  a couple of other options - one is that it's still possible that they'll extend another 30 days, either for free (seems unlikely) or pay the usual 1900 baht - and that might be a 'valid visa' that I can apply for the non O with. 

 

jai yen.

 

Thanks again,

DS