Changing Non-O Retirement Ext. to Non-O Marriage Ext.

[NanLaew]

Currently here on an expired visa-exempt entry and the last 60-day extension for having a Thai spouse before applying for a Retirement Extension.

 

There's a possibility of some employment coming up in Thailand in the next couple of months. I won't be able to engage in work with the Retirement Extension.

 

Can a 1-year Retirement Extension be changed to a Marriage Extension during its period of validity or only when it is due for renewal?

 

Or should I go for the Marriage Extension from the get-go?

 

My understanding in pre-Covid times is that a WP could only be issued against either a Marriage Extension OR a new Non-O or Non-B visa issued outside Thailand. Personal experience, albeit over 10 years ago in Bangkok, is my employer could not obtain a WP on my then current Marriage Extension. I had to get a new visa from the Thai Embassy in the UK with a tome of supporting docs.

 

Thanks!

NL

[ubonjoe]

You would not be able to change the reason for your extension until it is near the expiration date.

Best to apply for the extension based upon marriage now.

You will first have to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category 0) entry at immigration before applying for either one year extension. Requirements based upon marriage is here. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/06-edit_NON-O.pdf

You can apply for a work permit with non-o visa issued by immigration. When the application is done you will include a copy of your marriage certificate to get the application accepted.

Were you working for a BOI company or such when they said they could not get the work permit with your extension based upon marriage.

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

You would not be able to change the reason for your extension until it is near the expiration date.

Best to apply for the extension based upon marriage now.

You will first have to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category 0) entry at immigration before applying for either one year extension. Requirements based upon marriage is here. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/06-edit_NON-O.pdf

You can apply for a work permit with non-o visa issued by immigration. When the application is done you will include a copy of your marriage certificate to get the application accepted.

Were you working for a BOI company or such when they said they could not get the work permit with your extension based upon marriage.

 

Thanks ubonjoe, that seems to be the path of 'least resistance'.

 

The initial Non-O will be valid for 90-days so that should give enough time for this tentative work offer to firm up. Are there any rules on how soon the extension needs to be applied for once the 90-day Non-O is issued?

 

My previous experience was with a regular Thai business and the position I filled was not BOI enabled. At the time, my Marriage Extension had been issued by Udon Thani immigration (where I lived) and that may have been the issue, or maybe the HR people at my north Bangkok employer either weren't connected enough with their local labor office or just couldn't be bothered.

[ubonjoe]

28 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Are there any rules on how soon the extension needs to be applied for once the 90-day Non-O is issued?

No

You can do it at an time during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the visa.