Changing Non-O from consulate valid 3 months to non-O valid one year

[Pouatchee]

Knowing that this has been done already, I apologize if I must restart a new thread on it but I cannot find the original. I am wondering what to do about my visa situation. I have just contacted the Thai consulate in Ottawa Canada and they tell me that their Non-O e-visa for marriage is valid for a period of three months. I am just wondering whether once I am in country if I can change it to a one year Non-O extension based on marriage so that I don't have to go in and out of the country again. I appreciate any help.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

I am just wondering whether once I am in country if I can change it to a one year Non-O extension based on marriage so that I don't have to go in and out of the country again. I appreciate any help.

You will obtain the single entry Non O marriage in Ottawa.

When you enter Thailand you will receive a Stamp giving permission of stay of 90 days.

Transfer 400k into Thai bank account.

In the last 30 days after funds have been in bank for 2 months you apply for a 12 month extension of your permission of stay. 

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

Just for clarity ...you are NOT obtaining a one year Non O, rather you are obtaining a 12 month permission of stay.

Referred to as annual extension. 

[Pouatchee]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You will obtain the single entry Non O marriage in Ottawa.

When you enter Thailand you will receive a Stamp giving permission of stay of 90 days.

Transfer 400k into Thai bank account.

In the last 30 days after funds have been in bank for 2 months you apply for a 12 month extension of your permission of stay. 

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only? 

Just for clarity ...you are NOT obtaining a one year Non O, rather you are obtaining a 12 month permission of stay.

Referred to as annual extension. 

 

Thanks... I have sufficient in thai bank already and it has been seasoned for a few years. I am just returning after 9 months in Canada... prior to that I was 20 years without leaving and that is why i am kinda clueless... thanks a lot and that sounds about right...

 

cheers

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Pouatchee said:

I have sufficient in thai bank already and it has been seasoned for a few years.

Great. 

Be aware that even though your funds (400k) has been seasoned for longer than 2 months......you still apply for the 12 month extension up  to last 30 days (45 in few offices) prior to expiry. 

Which immigration office? 

[Pouatchee]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Great. 

Be aware that even though your funds (400k) has been seasoned for longer than 2 months......you still apply for the 12 month extension up  to last 30 days (45 in few offices) prior to expiry. 

 

I probably will need to leave before the 3 months is expired because I probably have to come back for work... can I apply for extension after my first week there?

 

If not... am I better off with a tourist visa and apply for changing to extension based on marriage?

 

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

I probably will need to leave before the 3 months is expired because I probably have to come back for work... can I apply for extension after my first week there?

The window to apply for extension is 30 days prior to expiry of your permission of stay stamp up till day of expiry. 

Note some offices allow up to 45 days eg CW,CM, PHUKET etc.

However after application there is an under consideration period (typically one month) to receive final stamp.

 

You would need to check if travel plans fit these constraints. 

 

[DrJack54]

26 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

If not... am I better off with a tourist visa and apply for changing to extension based on marriage?

No.

First up you mean visa exempt entry then apply for Non O in Thailand.

Cannot jump to 12 month extension.

It's a two step process

1. Obtain a Non O (in Thailand or outside of Thailand)

2. Obtain a 12 month extension.

 

Your return to Canada early seems to make obtaining the extension impossible.

If you are planning a longer stay in Thailand later on then the first trip can just be done with visa exempt entry (currently 60 days) + 60 day extension to visit wife or standard 30 day extension. 

Subsequently you could obtain the non O plus extension on another trip to Thailand. 

 

Note: when you eventually obtain the extension you can exit and reenter Thailand a time if you obtain a reentry permit.

That permit protects your permission of stay period.

Can be single or multiple entry.

1000b and 3800b respectfully 

[Pouatchee]

the visa is 130$ cdn... so better I com in on a tourist visa then. I save the money and if i need to come back around x mas I can get the non O for my driver licence renewal. I likely will have to come back to canada after 1 1/2 monht in thailand... seems like a waste of money.

 

I already have my return ticket booked. anything else i need coming in on a tourist visa then? 10 000 or 20 000 bht cash? and I can't think of anything else. Don't need insurance ... thoughts?

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Your return to Canada early seems to make obtaining the extension impossible.

 

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

. I save the money and if i need to come back around x mas I can get the non O for my driver licence renewal

Yes you will need a Non O to be able to renew licences for 5 years..

With a visa exempt or tourist visa stamp they will only be renewed for 2 years..

9 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

I already have my return ticket booked. anything else i need coming in on a tourist visa then? 10 000 or 20 000 bht cash? and I can't think of anything else. Don't need insurance .

Just to be clear.... currently visa exempt entry is 60 days same as tourist visa.

You would not obtain tourist visa.

Flying to Thailand visa exempt the airline may/will want to see onward flight.

Seems you will have that.

The 20k baht or equipment is good advice however will not  (almost certainly) be asked for by immigration when you arrive. 

 

No insurance is required. 

[Pouatchee]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

With a visa exempt or tourist visa stamp they will only be renewed for 2 years..

 

the visa i apply for at the embassy is visa exempt? I cannot get 5 year driver licence that?

 

sorry had to edit... unclear at first

[DrJack54]

Just now, Pouatchee said:

 

the visa i apply for at the embassy is visa exempt? I cannot get 5 year extension on that?

You do not apply for visa exempt entry.

As the name implies. It's visa waiver.

You are allowed to enter without a visa and (currently) that provides a 60 day stamp.

From that entry you can obtain a Non O marriage at local immigration office then subsequent 12 month extension.

However you do not have the time in Thailand to enable that.

 

Suggest you defer the annual extension plan till such a time you can commit to being in Thailand for entire process.

For the upcoming visit suggest you use visa exempt entry.

Then when you have plans for extended stay (3 month minimum) move to annual extensions.

At that time you can obtain the Non O e-Visa in Canada then when in Thailand apply for 12 month extension as outlined earlier

[DrJack54]

Somewhat unrelated....

As from May 1 to travel to Thailand you require a TDAC which is simple version of the old TM6.

Current thread running.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1356064-thailand-digital-arrival-card-tdac-system-is-online-but-not-announced-as-starting-yet/

 

 

[Pouatchee]

my concern around xmas is my driver permit renewal...

I will come in on tourist...

 

https://ottawa.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-visa-categories-f-b-im-ib-ed-m-r-rs-ex-and-o?page=5f22345fc9f293258979a013&menu=5f2cc21c3b772d569a487f46

 

this link says nothing about waiver... it says non-o valid 3 months... sorry for my difficulty understanding... you are really helpful thanks ahead

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

my concern around xmas is my driver permit renewal...

I will come in on tourist

Do you really need to renew your license. Be aware that expired TDL can be renewed up till one year expired.

Yes you are best severed to renew license when you have a Non O status. 

Don't concern yourself with the link you posted.

 

Visa exempt (visa waiver) entry is not listed. 

Here is (non gov) site brief explanation of "Visa Exempt" program.

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-visa-exemption-and-bilateral-agreement# 

 

If you look back at my posts ...I suggested visa exempt for this upcoming visit and then Non O e-Visa for trip in the future when you can spend more time in Thailand for the process.

 

FWIW: Here is thread that outlines process from visa exempt entry to Non O marriage and subsequent 12 month extension.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

[steve187]

here are 3 ways to enter Thailand other than with a re-entry permit those are

Visa exempt/visa waver at present it gives 60 days entry permission on entry , stamped in passport by immigration officer on entry to Thailand 

Tourist visa obtained out side Thailand this gives a 60 entry permission on entry 

Non immigrant 'O' visa this gives a 90 entry permission on entry. this can then in the last 30 days allow for a 1 year extension of your permission to stay stamp. either for marriage or retirement ( over 50)

Visa exempt and tourist visa can be converted within Thailand to a Non immigrant 'O' visa as part of a conversion process

 

if you list the dates of any planned trips someone could advise the best  course of action

[Liquorice]

What you can and can't do in Thailand is dependent on your Immigration status.

 

If you enter visa exempt (no visa required) or a Tourist visa obtained at a Thai Embassy, then your Immigration status will be as a 'tourist'.

You cannot apply for a 12 month extension based on Thai spouse as a 'tourist', and you are limited to only being issued a 2 year temporary driving licence.

Work is also prohibited .

 

If you enter on a Non Immigrant visa, then your Immigration status is just that, 'Non Immigrant'. (Not tourist).

You must have Non Immigrant status to apply for a 12 month extension of stay, and you can apply for a 5 year driving licence.

 

To be given the best advice, it would help if you stated your expected travel itinerary, date of arrival, length of stay, date of return to Canada and further return date to Thailand.

 

 

[Rob3016]

Given your particular situation, there may be a nuanced answer. Technically speaking the answers you have been provided are accurate, and personally, I would recommend following the procedures as outlined.

 

Changing from a 90 day visa to a one year extension is relatively easy and I have done it multiple times. 
 

It is also possible to work with a visa agency and they often have relationships with immigration such that the can expedite extensions. I am not recommending, nor recommending you do that, yet it may be worth exploring. 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, Rob3016 said:

Changing from a 90 day visa to a one year extension is relatively easy and I have done it multiple times.

The OP stated .....

"I probably will need to leave before the 3 months is expired because I probably have to come back for work... can I apply for extension after my first week there?"

 

So he can't even stay in Thailand for 3 months. Given that he would be applying for extension based on marriage it's unlikely that he could obtain the 12 month extension in time.