Marriage visa extension guide - Chiang Mai

[Falconator]

I just did my marriage visa extension at the Chiang Mai Airport immigration office. Rainbow Covenant volunteers were outside helping applicants as usual. Here's the process that I went through:

 

It's my 2nd time doing this. It will be easy if you are well organized, but frustrating if you're messy.

If you're neat and well organized, you'll get smiles from immigration officers since you've made their lives easy.

 

Remember this mantra: 2 copies of everything! And sign everything!

That means 2 application forms, 2 handdrawn maps, and 2 of everything. An immigration officer will mark one set as "original," and the second set as "copy."

You will be signing your name at least 20 times too, so try to see if you can come up with a way of signing fast yet legible signatures. It doesn't have to be the same as the signature on the front page of your passport, but it does need to be consistent.

 

 

THE PROCESS

 

(Family tip: Your wife needs to be with you. She should be by your side when you are called up to the immigration counters.)

(Parking tip: You can park your car at the parking across the street from the immigration office. It's 20 baht. No need to pay again if you just went out to lunch and came back again.)

 

1. After getting showered by disinfectant spays, you will be handed a blue heart sticker that says "screened".

2. Proceed towards the outside tent to the left of the main immigration office entrance, where volunteers will make sure that you have your documents in order.

3. Once you are finished, you will get a queue number that's in plastic. Give that to the immigration at the front counter right in front of the main door. They will give you a queue number that's printed on receipt paper (like the queue numbers that you get at Thai banks).

4. After waiting for your queue number to be called (which will be on an LCD screen with the counter number), submit your document at one of the inside counters, usually on the left side for marriage visa extensions. Wait times are not very long since the pandemic started, so don't go off to have a long lunch break and come back to an irritated immigration officer who has been waiting at the counter for several monutes!

5. Immigration officers will review your documents, and then you'll wait for maybe around an hour. You will be called again, asked to take a picture, and then they will give you your passport back with a 30-day consideration stamp inside it.

6. You will be given a 2nd appointment with an exact date and time, and also a counter number, to come back again (typically 1 pm). Your visa will then be extended for 11 months during the 2nd visit. There is no house visit and interview if this is your 2nd extension.

 

 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

 

Here is the list of requirements for 2021, which has remained the same since last year (2020).

 

Note that:

a. You will need to use a pen with blue ink, not black or red.

b. Make sure to get 2 sets of these documents, and organize them from front to back in this exact order (TM.7 goes first, then passport photocopies go second, etc.)

 

The documents that you will need are:

1. TM.7 form with 4x6 color portrait photograph of yourself (use glue, not tape). This is the main application form. Make sure to write your phone number and your wife's phone number on the back side too. You will need to fill out two of these forms, and so will need two photos. Write something short and simple such as "support Thai wife" as your reason for staying in Thailand.

2. Photocopies of the front page of your passport + every single page of your passport that has a Thai immigration stamp in it + departure card (both sides of the departure card just to be safe). Or just photocopy every page in your passport and put it all together with a paper clip. 2 sets of photocopies + your signature.

3. Two types of marriage certificates (3.1 and 3.2, below):

3.1. Kor Ror 3 - the official marriage certificate with the pink rose petal borders. 2 sets of photocopies + your signature + your wife's signature. You should keep the original Kor Ror 3 and only give the photocopies to immigration.

3.2. Kor Ror 2 - the population register marriage certificate, which looks like a detailed form. You will need to obtain at least 2 NEW copies (i.e., within 7 days) of your Kor Ror 2 at your local amphoe for 20 baht.

4. Birth certificate of child/children (no need if you have stepchildren that you haven't officially adopted). 2 sets of photocopies + both parents' signatures.

5. ID card of Thai wife (and/or children). 2 sets of photocopies + wife's signature.

6. House registration book (tabian baan) of Thai wife (and/or children). 2 sets of photocopies + wife's signature.

7. Bank documents (I very strongly recommend depositing 400,000 baht and not touching it for years, which would make visa extensions very easy) - recommended total cost of 400 baht:

7.1. Bank certificate (not longer than 7 days) certifying that you indeed do have 400,000 baht in your bank account. You will need to get this at your bank for 100 baht each, paid in cash (Bangkok Bank's fees; other banks may differ). You can get one copy and make another photocopy, but personally I would recommend getting two genuine copies to be super safe, so that immigration can't pick on you.

7.2. Bank statement (not longer than 7 days) showing your bank account balance for at least 2 months (but do 3 months just to be safe). This also 100 baht each. Get two genuine copies for 200 baht just to be safe. You can also use your passbook, but having a bank statement is strongly recommended so that immigration officers won't be able to pick on you for (perceived) missing documentation. This is because not only do you have to season the 400,000 baht in your bank account for 2 months, but you actually have to show evidence of it actually being there for 2 months without ever being withdrawn. (There's also the 40,000 baht per month option, which is discussed in other threads and is generally more of a hassle.)

7.3. Photocopies of updated bank passbook (not longer than 7 days) - 2 sets of photocopies + your signature. Passbook updates often do not work at ATMs due to "barcode errors," it's best to do passbook updates in person with a bank teller.

8. STM-2 form. Fill out 2 forms and sign them. It's an acknowedgement of the terms and conditions for your temporary stay in the Kingdom of Thailand ("agreeing to the fine print").

9. Handdrawn map to your house, to be filled out in an immigration form. It's best for your wife or a Thai friend to draw it and label everything in Thai. Pencil is recommended, but pen (blue ink) is also OK. Make sure to fill out the address on top in pen (blue ink). You will need to fill out two of these forms, which means drawing two maps.

10. 2 printed color photos on A4 paper of you, your wife, and your children outside your house with the house number visible, and 2 printed color photos on A4 paper of you, your wife, and your children inside your house (1 of which needs of be inside your bedroom on / in front of your bed for the 1st and 2nd year extensions). Often immigration says you only need 3 photos, but prepare 4 just to be safe.

11. Landlord documents - 2 sets of photocopies + landlord's signature (this is only if you are renting your house):

11.1. Landlord's ID card - 2 sets of photocopies + landlord's signature

11.2. Landlord's household registration book - 2 sets of photocopies + landlord's signature

11.3. Landlord's rental contract - this can be a photocopy. - 2 sets of photocopies + landlord's signature + tenant's signature

13. 90-day report notification receipt (TM.30) - 2 sets of photocopies. This is for the 90-day report that you had done about 3 months ago.

14. TM.47 form - filled out and signed. This is to do your final 90-day report.

 

 

OFFICE SUPPLIES

 

Seems overwhelming? Let's go back to 20th century document organization before the days of hard drives and Windows folders. I strongly recommend buying these office supplies to prepare in advance:

 

1. An expanding file folder, which you can get on Lazada. Put the documents in order, and use tab 1 for TM.7 forms, tab 2 for your passport photocopies, tab 3 for Kor Ror 3 photocopies, and so forth. Label the tabs. Put at least 2 copies in each tab. Put 10 of them in each tab if you want to be prepped for 5 years' worth of visa extensions.

2. Paper clips will be appreciated by immigration a lot! Don't use staples, since immigration officers will have to use staple removers.

3. Binder clips to bundle up the 2 sets of documents.

4. A glue stick to paste your photo onto your main application form (TM.7).

5. At least 3 pens with blue ink. Pens often get lost, and some run out of ink, so bring multiple pens.

6. A pencil for drawing the map to your house. It's best for your wife or a friend to draw the map.

7. Optional, if you like reading: bring a good book to read so that the wait times will fly by fast.

 

I would recommend bringing some drinking water and maybe some snacks too, so you won't have to keep crossing the busy Airport Road to get over to the 7-Eleven.

 

 

TRIPS

 

Here are the trips that you'll need to make:

 

1. Bank trip: Make sure to get the bank teller to do three things: 1. certificate, 2. statement, 3. passbook update

2. Amphoe (local district office) trip: Get an updated Kor Ror 3. They need to make sure you haven't gotten divorced since then, so it needs to be obtained within 7 days of the visa extension application.

3. Trip to see your landlord (or he comes to your house): make sure you get multiple photocopies of: 1. his ID card, 2. his household registration, 3. the rental contract

4. Trip to take your photo if you haven't already done so. 4x6 cm.

 

And of course, dress well and don't look like a sloppy backpacker. Iron your clothes, shave, do your hair, speak softly and gently, and be a gentleman, and you'll most likely get the same treatment back.

 

And that's it. Hope you enjoyed this handy-dandy guide to DIY, hassle-free marriage visa extension without having to use an agent.

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Falconator]

There is also a photocopy shop behind the immigration office, to the left (back left side of the immigration office lot). It's 2 baht per page to photocopy everything. It's usually 1 baht per page elsewhere in Chiang Mai, so prepare your photocopies in advance if you want to skip the queues and save a few baht.

 

If you need to go to the bank because you forgot to update your passbook or get your bank certificates, you can walk over to Airport Plaza, about a 5-minute walk right down the street, away from (not towards) the airport.

 

If you're hungry or need an ATM, there's a 7-Eleven and gas station right in front of the immigration office. Krungsri (which allows 30k baht withdrawals) and a few other ATMs are there.

 

As for Promenada? The one-stop immigration office is now on the 3rd floor of Promenada, behind Bangkok Bank, and right near the Krungsri Bank and the restrooms. It's just for 90-day reports now. Oftentimes the 90-day online reporting system doesn't work, so you'll need to go over to Promenada to hand them your passport + a TM.47 form. 90-day reports can be done within 14 days before or 7 days after your reporting due date (which is exactly 90 days after you had actually last reported, NOT 90 days / multiples of 90 days after you had last extended or received your visa).

 

And cranky immigration officers trying to force you to use visa agents by saying you're missing this and that document? Ever since the pandemic started, I haven't heard of these horror stories in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai immigration officers nowadays mostly seem to be good moods and are very polite, professional civil servants. There is no need to worry if you're not sloppy, cranky, or difficult to deal with.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Dmaxdan]

Thanks for the info.

I will be renewing my marriage extension at CM sometime next week.

I have a couple of questions.

 

Do they still require you to update your bank book on the day of your application? This isn't that much of a problem because I can do it on route. The only minor issue is doing the photocopies of the updated page in my bank book, which if an early arrival at immigration is needed can be a problem, particularly if the volunteers who check your documents won't give you a queue number until everything is correct.

 

Which leads me on to my second question.

 

Do we need to arrive stupidity early?

Last year, the whole process was very quick and efficient.

Hopefully this year should be the same, if not better.

Nobody wants to be hanging around anywhere longer than they have to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Falconator]

DIVISION OF LABOR

Here are the documents that you need, organized by each individiual's responsility.

 

Foreign husband's documents:
1. TM.7 form (main application form), with 4x6 cm photo. 2 forms.
2. Passport photocopies. 2 sets.
3. Bank documents - certificate + statement + updated passbook. Get 2 copies of each at the bank within 7 days of the visa extension application.
4. STM-2 form (agreement to terms and conditions). 2 forms.
5. Family photos, color on A4 paper. 2 sets x 4 photos on A4 paper = 8 pages total.
6. 90-day reporting documents (TM-30). You need to photocopy and sign both the 90-day report acknowledgement receipt AND the document stating when you are supposed to do your 90-day report again.
7. TM-47 form, which is to apply for your final 90-day report right before your visa expires.
8. Birth certificate of child (if any, and if born abroad). 2 sets.

Trips to make: Husband needs to go to the bank, within 7 days.

 

 

Thai wife's documents:
1. Wife's Thai ID card (baht pratchachon). 2 sets.
2. Wife's household registration book (tabian baan). 2 sets.
3. Kor Ror 2 (marriage certificate that looks like a detailed form, without any rose petals), from the amphoe office. Get this within 7 days of the visa extension application. 2 sets.
4. Kor Ror 3 (marriage certificate, with the rose petals), from the amphoe office. Keep the original and give the photocopies to immigration. 2 sets.
5. Handdrawn map to house. 2 forms needed, so draw this 2 times.
6. Birth certificate of child (if any, and if born in Thailand). 2 sets.

Trips to make: Wife needs to go to the amphoe, within 7 days.

 

 

Landlord's documents:
1. Landlord's Thai ID card (baht pratchachon). 2 sets.
2. Landlord's household registration book (tabian baan). 2 sets.
3. Rental contract, signed by the landlord. Keep the original and give the photocopies to immigration. 2 sets. If the landlord hasn't done this before, you can download a 1-page template online and have the landlord fill it out.

Note: Landlords are often busy people, so ask for many sets (I'd recommend at least 6) of these documents months in advance if possible.

 

Now sort them all into the exact order listed above, and combine into 2 sets.

 

If you think of everything in terms of organized checklists and flow charts, the process will be smooth and easy.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Falconator]

Hi Dmaxdan,

 

No need to arrive very early. Those are the pre-COVID days of Thailand being flooded by foreigners. Now it's just dedicated long-term expats such as missionaries, serious teachers, and foreigners with Thai families, so queues aren't long.

In fact, there are fewer people in the afternoon, so 1 pm could actually be a good time to arrive.

I arrived at 11 am and was finished at 2 pm, and had a nice 1-hour lunch break in between. This year was faster. Last year I arrived at 10 am and finished at 3:30 pm.

 

Bank book - no, it does not need to be updated on the day of the application. You just need to do it within 7 days. But my recommendation is, the less time, the better. I would recommend doing your bank documents the day before.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Falconator]

This year (2021) also had the nicest crowd of applicants that I've ever seen in Chiang Mai.

 

Before, the immigration office would be flooded with all the stereotypical sleazy-looking foreigners who look like they've just come out of a dumpster, bar, or rehab facility.

 

Now you just see families, genuine university students, business owners, white-collar workers, and the like.

 

It looks like Thai immigration's "good guys in, bad guys out" policy is working. Their 400,000 baht deposit / 40,000 per month income requirement might not be such a bad idea after all. Also, visa runs have virtually disappeared, Thailand has gotten somewhat pricier and more developed, and immigration is getting stricter.

 

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Falconator]

Also, Dmaxdon, there is a long Buddhist holiday coming up.

Check http://www.chiangmaiimm.com/en/

 

Try applying this Thursday or Friday if your visa is expiring very soon.

 

Buddhist Lent will be from Saturday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 28. Immigration will reopen on Thursday, July 29.

Thai government offices enjoy frequent holidays, so ALWAYS check their website for upcoming holidays that many Westerners are generally unaware of.

This is another reason you should always try to do your visa extension about 2 weeks in advance, not 1-3 days before your visa expires. You can apply for an extension up to 30 days before your visa expires.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by Falconator

[Falconator]

Correction to my first post (I can't seem to edit it):

 

2. Amphoe (local district office) trip: Get an updated Kor Ror 2 (not Kor Ror 3). This looks like a detailed form and will be rubber stamped and signed by the amphoe officials. The process should take no longer than 30 minutes. They need to make sure you haven't gotten divorced since then, so it needs to be obtained within 7 days of the visa extension application.

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, Falconator said:

Buddhist Lent will be from Saturday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 28. Immigration will reopen on Thursday, July 29.

Immigration will be open on the 27th. That added holiday was canceled by the cabinet on June 29th..

[Gottfrid]

12 hours ago, Falconator said:

It looks like Thai immigration's "good guys in, bad guys out" policy is working.

Yeah, sure! And what you are saying has, according to you, nothing to do with the Covid situation?

 

I can tell you, that the only policies working is the ones created for make it hard to enter the country due to the pandemic.

[Maybole]

I have been using a KR22 marriage certificate without any problem (so far). It is for a marriage contracted outside of Thailand.

[DrPhibes]

Very, very detailed.  Thank you very much for the effort!  Just to question for completeness: 

 

How early before previous extension expiration can you put in the application for the next one?

 

Is the 400k seasoning two months before submitting paperwork for the next extension or the previous extension expiration date? Able to use all of the 400k after next extension granted, correct?

 

Thank you again for your time on this.

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

How early before previous extension expiration can you put in the application for the next one?

Thirty days at most offices.

19 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

Is the 400k seasoning two months before submitting paperwork for the next extension or the previous extension expiration date? Able to use all of the 400k after next extension granted, correct?

The 400k baht has to be in the bank for 2 months on the day you apply.

Many offices want the 400k baht to remain in the bank until you return on the report back date and your extension is stamped in your passport.

[DrPhibes]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Thirty days at most offices.

The 400k baht has to be in the bank for 2 months on the day you apply.

Many offices want the 400k baht to remain in the bank until you return on the report back date and your extension is stamped in your passport.

Thanks Joe, informative as always!

[zhounan]

Thanks!

Finally, a complete list of all the documents needed to extend the marriage visa.

I saved the list so I don't forget it anymore!

[IvorBiggun2]

On 7/20/2021 at 7:47 PM, Falconator said:

Birth certificate of child (if any, and if born in Thailand). 2 sets.

Why when you're obtaining a marriage visa/extension? The children don't come into the equation.  They're Thai by birth.

Edited August 3, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Why when you're obtaining a marriage visa/extension? The children don't come into the equation.  They're Thai by birth.

Some offices want the children's birth certificate as further proof it is valid marriage. 

[JeffersLos]

1. Give the documents to an agent, along with a few thousand baht. 

 

2. Go home and relax. 

[IvorBiggun2]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

Some offices want the children's birth certificate as further proof it is valid marriage. 

That is absolute Bull from the IO as a copy of the KR 2 obtained on the day should be enough. Showing photos of them is also Bull as there is no confirmation as to when the photos were taken.

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

That is absolute Bull from the IO as a copy of the KR 2 obtained on the day should be enough. Showing photos of them is also Bull as there is no confirmation as to when the photos were taken.

The Kor Ror 2 is only for proof you that you are still married. 

The birth certificates are related to this in the immigration order. 

"(3) In the case of spouse, the relationship must be de jure and de facto:"

The photos are just to prove you are living together as family.

[IvorBiggun2]

15 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The photos are just to prove you are living together as family.

Sorry to to be dogmatic but the photos prove nothing other than the family got together for a photograph. No proof of when that was or that they indeed are our children. I just see it as another unnecessary hoop that farangs have to jump through.

Edited August 3, 2021 by IvorBiggun2

[stoicccc]

I will be doing my second extension soon, will the photos be needed for every extension and first extension only?

[stoicccc]

On 7/20/2021 at 7:47 PM, Falconator said:

3. Bank documents - certificate + statement + updated passbook. Get 2 copies of each at the bank within 7 days   of  

 

I thought that these need to be done on the day of the application?

[IvorBiggun2]

7 minutes ago, stoicccc said:

I thought that these need to be done on the day of the application?

Depends on your office. Best to indicate which IO you use when asking Imm questions.

[ubonjoe]

2 hours ago, stoicccc said:

I will be doing my second extension soon, will the photos be needed for every extension and first extension only?

Photos and all other documents are needed for every extension application.

[stoicccc]

On 7/20/2021 at 7:47 PM, Falconator said:

3. Bank documents - certificate + statement + updated passbook. Get 2 copies of each at the bank within 7 days of the visa extension application.

 

Could someone please be kind and let me know what the name of the certificate (proving account ownership) is in Thai?
I had some trouble last year getting it since we didnt understand each other.
 

[mancub]

On 8/3/2021 at 12:57 PM, ubonjoe said:

Some offices want the children's birth certificate as further proof it is valid marriage. 

Although they don't need to see the children. right ?????

[ubonjoe]

3 hours ago, stoicccc said:

Could someone please be kind and let me know what the name of the certificate (proving account ownership) is in Thai?

Example of the letter from the bank confirming you account is here. bank letter.pdf

[ubonjoe]

3 hours ago, mancub said:

Although they don't need to see the children. right ?????

Yes

But you will need to show a photo of you and your wife and the children together.

[IvorBiggun2]

3 hours ago, mancub said:

Although they don't need to see the children. right ?

Buriram Office require a show of birth certificates and photo of children plus photocopies. Better to be safe than sorry.