Retirement visa extension in Jomtien requires marriage certificate

[Steven Pattaya]

Yesterday I applied for my first one year non-0 visa extension based on retirement at the Jomtien immigration office.  This would be my sixth extension of the same visa, with all previous extensions on the basis of marriage to a thai woman.  I want to be very clear that this was an application for an extension based on retirement.  When my ticket was called The Witch (my name for the well known officer at Jomtien immigration) took my application packet, saw it included all the necessary documentation for a retirement extension, but then stated since this is my first extension based on retirement and my previous extensions had been based on marriage, she required my marriage certificate to continue processing my application.  My TM7 form clearly indicates "RETIREMENT" under "Reasons of extension". Since my marriage certificate is not Thai, she required the official translation as well, along with my wife's ID and house registration.  None of the other documents normally required for an extension based on marriage (e.g. maps, photos, etc.) were requested.  I happened to have the original marriage certificate, wife's ID and house registration there, but since the copies were unsigned it appears The Witch would have refused my visa extension based on retirement application had my wife not been there to sign the copies.  Then she took my passport (she still has it) and 1,900 baht, gave me a number card and told me to come back today.  Has anyone else here been required to present a marriage certificate, etc. for an extension based on retirement (not marriage)?

[Steven Pattaya]

Also just wanted to add: all this happened at the _retirement_ desk/window at the Jomtien immigration office.  Apologies in advance if this has been discussed previously in the forums.

[ubonjoe]

It think the wanted all the extra documents as proof you are still married. They may of had people doing the change due to being divorced which would mean their existing extension was not be valid.

[DezLez]

17 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It think the wanted all the extra documents as proof you are still married. They may of had people doing the change due to being divorced which would mean their existing extension was not be valid.

So what happens to your extension (no pun intended) when you either divorce or your wife dies?

[EvetsKram]

3 minutes ago, DezLez said:

So what happens to your extension (no pun intended) when you either divorce or your wife dies?

Divorce gives you 7 days to leave once immigration are made aware, if she dies then you get to stay out your current extension

[ubonjoe]

42 minutes ago, DezLez said:

So what happens to your extension (no pun intended) when you either divorce or your wife dies?

In case of divorce your extension is no longer valid on the day it is finalized. You have to leave the country or apply for a different category of extension.

In the case of death your extension will remain valid to the day it expires.

[Steven Pattaya]

Thank you.  I was thinking the same, but had never heard of them doing this before.  Have you?

[jesimps]

Is "the witch" related to the dragon on counter 6?

[Tuvoc]

My guess is that all of that was required as proof of address. I provided all of that with my retirement application. Normally with a retirement extension they'd want to see a rental contract etc.

[Thingamabob]

Not surprising given that you were switching from Marriage to Retirement. Just give her what she asked for.

[chilly07]

Probably suspicious of your motives for changing so decided to check the validity of your previous extension. Most changes IO come across are probably from retirement to marriage to reduce financial obligations

[billsmart]

The exact same thing happened to me at Phetchabun Immigrations. I have an O-Visa and had been extending my stay based on marriage, but switched to retirement because that requires a lot less paperwork. I, too, had to show proof of my marriage and show my wife's IDs.

 

I asked about that, and was told (politely) that I would not have to produce those documents associated with my wife in the future if I extended my stay based on retirement.

 

I didn't ask why I had to produce them this time because I've lived in Thailand for almost 20 years and know better than to ever ask for an explanation about anything from Immigration (or most any place else). ????

[jimn]

On 5/12/2022 at 1:09 PM, Steven Pattaya said:

Also just wanted to add: all this happened at the _retirement_ desk/window at the Jomtien immigration office.  Apologies in advance if this has been discussed previously in the forums.

Are you sure you went to the retirement desk 8? No "witch" that I know of there. I think you went to the marriage extension desk.

[Steven Pattaya]

2 hours ago, billsmart said:

The exact same thing happened to me at Phetchabun Immigrations. I have an O-Visa and had been extending my stay based on marriage, but switched to retirement because that requires a lot less paperwork. I, too, had to show proof of my marriage and show my wife's IDs.

 

I asked about that, and was told (politely) that I would not have to produce those documents associated with my wife in the future if I extended my stay based on retirement.

 

I didn't ask why I had to produce them this time because I've lived in Thailand for almost 20 years and know better than to ever ask for an explanation about anything from Immigration (or most any place else). ????

Thanks, good to know I'm not special!