Under Consideration - 2 months

[JustinCredible]

Often happens at Khon Kaen. 

 

[sanook 1]

1 hour ago, Dr. Zorg said:

Consideration stamp is 30 days after the expiration date of the visa extension date.

In the past I got the final stamp within a week or two after my application, without even a home visit.

Since 2021 there is always a home visit and I can only get my final stamp on the final date of the consideration stamp.

This is correct info.

[fittobethaied]

And Udon Thani it would only be 30 days unless you go in 30 days early for the extension, then you have to wait 60 days to get your permanent stamp.

[nerjaron]

Several of the above replies confirm the information but that doesn't make it right or just. I have been married to my wife for 10 years and it infuriates me that I can't get the full approval whilst I am standing there in front of the IO instead of hanging around in limbo for 2 months because some Indians tried to manipulate the system years ago. Can't the IO's use a bit of initiative when the application is from a long term married applicant and give the full stamp while I'm there instead of another 60 mile round trip and another wasted day?

[Dmitry2222]

30 days from the day of submitting documents - Chachoengsao.

I.e. you can submit your application up to 45 days before your current extension expires. The new extension will be granted for the next year, even before your current extension ends. The processing time is 30 days from the date of document submission (may be delaied a bit).
 

[Briggsy]

3 hours ago, Muhendis said:

One would think that long term marriages would be processed quicker. The home visits for marriage verification stopped after the first two visits for me.

Yes, after a number of renewals and perhaps with children, you might think there would be a streamlining of the process. But no, all marriage extensions have to be approved by the regional authority.

[sandyf]

On 1/18/2025 at 9:37 PM, connda said:

Like I said, the return date is a full two months from the date of extension. I asked but didn't get an answer.
This is no big deal other I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen too.  Or maybe BKK immigration was getting backlogged and is pushing out "under consideration" periods. That crossed my mind which is why I'm asking.

It is not out of the question, mine also goes to BKK and last year it went from the Fri to Wed for collection. When my wife asked about the delay she was told it was due to immigration having to check the financials on agent applications more thoroughly. Agents may have been busy following the holiday period, combined with the introduction of e-visas in neighbouring countries.

[sandyf]

6 hours ago, Muhendis said:

One would think that long term marriages would be processed quicker. The home visits for marriage verification stopped after the first two visits for me.

Indeed. I have recently had my 6th in about 8 years, and that was done on the day of application. Got home about 3pm, home visit came at 4pm, didn't help the processing any.  Always something different, this time it was witnesses in the photos, good job they live next door.

[GroveHillWanderer]

2 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

30 days from the day of submitting documents - Chachoengsao.

I.e. you can submit your application up to 45 days before your current extension expires. The new extension will be granted for the next year, even before your current extension ends. The processing time is 30 days from the date of document submission (may be delayed a bit).

Same in Hua Hin, in my experience. I've done 3 marriage extensions now, and have always been given a date to return 30 days (give or take) from the day I handed in the paperwork.

[sandyf]

8 hours ago, Dr. Zorg said:

Consideration stamp is 30 days after the expiration date of the visa extension date.

In the past I got the final stamp within a week or two after my application, without even a home visit.

Since 2021 there is always a home visit and I can only get my final stamp on the final date of the consideration stamp.

I went on 12the Dec with visa extension expiring on 1st Jan. Return date was 10th Jan but had contractors at the house so went on 14th for final stamp.

[jeffandgop]

16 hours ago, nerjaron said:

Several of the above replies confirm the information but that doesn't make it right or just. I have been married to my wife for 10 years and it infuriates me that I can't get the full approval whilst I am standing there in front of the IO instead of hanging around in limbo for 2 months because some Indians tried to manipulate the system years ago. Can't the IO's use a bit of initiative when the application is from a long term married applicant and give the full stamp while I'm there instead of another 60 mile round trip and another wasted day?

Absolutely agree...My wife and I have been married over 33 years! Longer than some of the IO's have been on planet earth.....

[BrandonJT]

20 hours ago, nerjaron said:

Can't the IO's use a bit of initiative when the application is from a long term married applicant and give the full stamp while I'm there instead of another 60 mile round trip and another wasted day?

Initiative is frowned upon for Thais.  It can and will get you demoted or fired from your job, just for questioning the rules or your superiors.  You do what you are told, you check all the boxes on the list, and you don't ask questions.  That is how you keep your job and keep your bosses happy. They learn from this very young starting in school and it continues through their entire life.

[Old Croc]

A couple of years ago my Under-consideration stamp was for 2 months. I went back after 1 month; it was ready, and they altered the stamp to the 1-month date at that time.

[Rob Browder]

On 1/19/2025 at 11:53 AM, Briggsy said:

There was widescale fraud in the Nong Bua Lamphu office chiefly. Indians were registering marriages with locals but the marriages were not real. They did this to obtain permission to stay. This led to the permission to approve extensions based on marriage being taken away from local Immigration offices and passed up to the regional level. It was felt local officials had betrayed the trust given to them. All this happened years ago.

So ... this is only required of Indians, right?  Just sarcasm - but insane to do this to everyone over ONE office and ONE foreign ethnicity. 
If the applicant is from a country where "under the table" illegal-work in Thailand pays more than a legit-job where they come from, then it makes some sense to apply more scrutiny.

Note also that this change added about 10K Baht to the cost of an agent-acquired marriage-based extension to cover the district sign-off.

[Rob Browder]

On 1/20/2025 at 2:47 PM, sandyf said:

... When my wife asked about the delay she was told it was due to immigration having to check the financials on agent applications more thoroughly. ...

Checking for the brown-envelope, which bypasses the financials?