i'm US passport,married to Thai, came here Dec 2nd with no visa, and got 60 days on arrival so i have to figure out what to do on Jan 30th. we (my wife is wife me) have return tickets to US on March 17 so that's about 7 weeks to cover. in the past i was able to get a 60 days extension to a none O because married to Thai but now some people are saying that's not possible and even getting a 30 day extension might be a problem. 

 

i came to Thailand for 1 day while transiting to New Zealand in early November and i was in Thailand for 4 months last winter on a none-O

 

what are my options? i'd love to get a 2 months extension in Thailand obviously and i'll have my wife call a couple of immigration places where i could claim residence to see if they will help. if not, i'm thinking go to KL and get a none-O there. is that still possible?

 

thanks

 

If the 60 day extension attempt fails then just go out and get a tourist visa.  A lot less involved than a non-O.  And go to HCMC or Vientiane for it, KL never gets a good report.

13 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

what are my options? i'd love to get a 2 months extension in Thailand obviously and i'll have my wife call a couple of immigration places where i could claim residence to see if they will help. if not, i'm thinking go to KL and get a none-O there. is that still possible?

The 60 day extension to visit wife is available even from visa exempt entry. 

It should be noted that for some reason some immigration offices are not providing that extension. 

30 day extension was never an option. 

Obtaining a Non O is overkill. 

An exit and reenter visa exempt should be possible or obtain a SETV (eVisa). 

Where are you located? 

i'm in ko phangan and immigration here is the worst.. tourist visa in Vientiane sound great, thanks

15 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

tourist visa in Vientiane sound great, thanks

Be aware that online payment for eVisa not possible. 

You pay at the consulate/embassy.

To prove you are in Laos you provide copy of entry stamp. 

Reports of quick process time after payment. 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Be aware that online payment for eVisa not possible. 

You pay at the consulate/embassy.

To prove you are in Laos you provide copy of entry stamp. 

Reports of quick process time after payment. 

ok, so i would apply at the Thai consulate in person at Vientiane right? how long does it take to get a tourist visa? (we'd probably spend a week in Lao anyhow and have a look around)

1 minute ago, steve2112 said:

ok, so i would apply at the Thai consulate in person at Vientiane right? how long does it take to get a tourist visa? (we'd probably spend a week in Lao anyhow and have a look around)

You apply online, same as anywhere else.  The difference is you have to go to the Embassy to pay for the visa.  Then they email you the visa itself.

15 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

You apply online, same as anywhere else.  The difference is you have to go to the Embassy to pay for the visa.  Then they email you the visa itself.

ok thanks, i haven't done this before so sorry for the dumb questions. so i would apply online once i get to Lao right and show the Lao entry stamp as part of the application? is it pretty much 100% sure i'd get the tourist visa given i would have just left Thailand after 60 days visa exempt?

2 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

ok thanks, i haven't done this before so sorry for the dumb questions. so i would apply once i get to Lao right and show the Lao entry stamp as part of the application? is it pretty much 100% sure i'd get the tourist visa given i would have just left Thailand after 60 days visa exempt?

Yes, entry stamp and perhaps hotel booking confirmation.  Should be no issue with the visa.  You can prepare the application in advance, save and edit it after to add to Lao stamp,etc.

1 minute ago, Upnotover said:

Yes, entry stamp and perhaps hotel booking confirmation.  Should be no issue with the visa.

thanks, you mean hotel booking in where? Lao or on return to Thailand? we have a house here so no hotel needed but my wife can show tabien baan

 

good to know i have an option, i was worried id have to go back to US early.

1 minute ago, steve2112 said:

thanks, you mean hotel booking in where? Lao or on return to Thailand? we have a house here so no hotel needed but my wife can show tabien baan

 

good to know i have an option, i was worried id have to go back to US early.

I mean in Lao.  May or not be required.

18 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

I mean in Lao.  May or not be required.

ok, no problem as we plan to stay in hotels in Lao anyhow. we'd drive to Nong Khai, leave the car somewhere and take the bus to Vientiane. i assume no problem getting visa on arrival for Lao if going by bus?

Just now, steve2112 said:

ok, no problem as we plan to stay in hotels in Lao anyhow. we'd drive to Nong Khai, leave the car somewhere and take the bus to Vientiane. i assume no problem getting visa on arrival for Lao if going by bus?

No, visa on arrival no issue, $40 in clean notes and a photo, visa-free for your wife.  And you'll both need to complete the arrival register....https://immigration.gov.la/en/registration/arrival/arrival-info

33 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

so i would apply online once i get to Lao right and show the Lao entry stamp as part of the application? is it pretty much 100% sure i'd get the tourist visa given i would have just left Thailand after 60 days visa exempt?

Correct. 

Aside: don't quite follow, the idea of going to Laos given you are located Ko Phangan

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Correct. 

Aside: don't quite follow, the idea of going to Laos given you are located Ko Phangan

 

my wife is from Phetchabun and when we return from Lao we'll go to her village before flying from BKK. wife wants to visit Lao anyhow so it works out well

Just curious, Steve, -  did you bring an original copy of your marriage certificate? You won't need it now - but you would have, had you tried the 60 day visit spouse extension.

5 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

Just curious, Steve, -  did you bring an original copy of your marriage certificate? You won't need it now - but you would have, had you tried the 60 day visit spouse extension.

we have the original marriage certificate here so good idea to take that to  immigration. i'll have my wife call Surat Thani immigration and find out what they say about a 60 day extension and i'll report back

Last time I did the evisa,  I noticed it said unfinished applications will be deleted after 14 days , so that limits how far in advance you can prepare the application. 

21 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Last time I did the evisa,  I noticed it said unfinished applications will be deleted after 14 days , so that limits how far in advance you can prepare the application. 

i need to apply after i enter Lao right? so I guess i apply then go to the embassy/consulate to pay the next day right? is that how it works?

1 minute ago, steve2112 said:

i need to apply after i enter Lao right? so I guess i apply then go to the embassy/consulate to pay the next day right? is that how it works?

You have to be in Laos to apply, as you need your entry stamp in the application.  They will send you a notice for payment which you need to print and take with you.  You have to wait for that notice to come before going to pay.  Last report I read it was sent the next day but it's not guaranteed.

Just now, Upnotover said:

You have to be in Laos to apply, as you need your entry stamp in the application.  They will send you a notice for payment which you need to print and take with you.  You have to wait for that notice to come before going to pay.  Last report I read it was sent the next day but it's not guaranteed.

 

ok, thanks, so would it work i apply online as soon as i cross the border, then hang out in Vientiane to pay, then go travel around until my visa is approved?

6 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

 

ok, thanks, so would it work i apply online as soon as i cross the border, then hang out in Vientiane to pay, then go travel around until my visa is approved?

Yes, that will work.  Vientiane is a great place for a few days, catch the train to Luang Prabang and back via Vang Vieng would be my ideal week.

7 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Yes, that will work.  Vientiane is a great place for a few days, catch the train to Luang Prabang and back via Vang Vieng would be my ideal week.

sounds good, but i think my first choice is extend here if i can. if not, i'll definitely do that

since the extension i would be applying for is "visiting a thai spouse", would it be better to say my wife is living here and not with me in the US? (she has a green card but i know no reason why thai immigration would know that)

27 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

since the extension i would be applying for is "visiting a thai spouse", would it be better to say my wife is living here and not with me in the US

You wouldn't go into any of that. 

She is Thai. 

You are married. 

Normally you can apply for 60 day extension to visit wife. Even from visa exempt entry. 

As mentioned previously some offices have decided not to facilitate that. 

Ko Phangan I suspect may refuse. 

 

 

my wife just called Surat immigration and they confirmed i can get a 60 day extension, just need to bring marriage certificate, tabien baan and id card. no bank balance requirement. so although i do like the idea of a Lao trip, this sounds far easier.

 

6 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

i can get a 60 day extension, just need to bring marriage certificate, tabien baan and id card. no bank balance requirement. so although i do like the idea of a Lao trip, this sounds far easier

Excellent. 

Your wife needs to attend immigration with you. 

Most likely require TM30.

From visa exempt stamp you provide a TM87

 

Here is thread with some chat aabout the 60 extension. 

My first posts has some links and post from Tod Daniels list required docs. 

Not all offices will require all. 

 

 

18 minutes ago, steve2112 said:

my wife just called Surat immigration and they confirmed i can get a 60 day extension, just need to bring marriage certificate, tabien baan and id card. no bank balance requirement. so although i do like the idea of a Lao trip, this sounds far easier.

 

 

Please allow time for it all to go south and you need a trip to Vientiane. 

 

The general experience of others where I live is it all goes south as soon as wife starts talking to Imm. officers.

 

Wish you well.

On 12/10/2025 at 9:34 AM, steve2112 said:

how long does it take to get a tourist visa? (we'd probably spend a week in Lao anyhow and have a look around)

 

I applied for a Thailand tourist visa in Vientiane a couple of days ago. Once I filled in all the information correctly, I got my e-visa within 24 hours.

 

However, upon entering Thailand I was taken apart and questioned by the supervisor, but I was allowed entry. The reason for that was because this year I stayed 4 months in Thailand already and it made them suspicious about not being a real tourist. 

On 12/10/2025 at 10:21 AM, steve2112 said:

ok, no problem as we plan to stay in hotels in Lao anyhow. we'd drive to Nong Khai, leave the car somewhere and take the bus to Vientiane. i assume no problem getting visa on arrival for Lao if going by bus?

If you are going across by bus I would suggest getting an evisa for Lao beforehand, you need to get through as quickly as possible. When we went on the bus I had a visa and went through quite quickly but my wife had her neice with her who didn't have a passport. Although they had been to the office the day before for the pass, getting through the day pass queue was quite slow and the bus driver was threatening to throw the bags off the bus, they don't want to wait.

If you are planning a week, I would also suggest you take the HS train up to Luang Prabang. There is a bus to the new station and train takes about 2 hours. A very nice town and well worth a visit, but bear in mind at this time of year a bit cooler than here.