Hello guys. After 5 years of using agents/agencies, I’m planning to handle my marriage visa renewal myself this year at Chaengwattana, Bangkok. Knowing how tricky Thai immigration can be based on the officer, is there anything specific I should look out for besides the standard paperwork? Thanks for any tips!

I think the first thing you'll need to do is leave the country, without a re-entry permit, and get a new non-O visa. Then apply for an extension in the last 45 days of the 90 day entry you'll get.

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

I think the first thing you'll need to do is leave the country, without a re-entry permit, and get a new non-O visa. Then apply for an extension in the last 45 days of the 90 day entry you'll get.

Thank you, but for the past 5 years. My visa was marriage. I just want to renew it, not change it to marriage.

CW does not like to see extensions from out side Bangkok they assume an agent funded the account, if your stamps are from outside they will check the previous years funds to check, that it was your money not an agents,

8 minutes ago, Salarb said:

Hello guys. After 5 years of using agents/agencies, I’m planning to handle my marriage visa renewal myself this year at Chaengwattana, Bangkok. Knowing how tricky Thai immigration can be based on the officer, is there anything specific I should look out for besides the standard paperwork? Thanks for any tips!

Thailandtravel guides

Have you been self-funding and using an agent just for the convenience? Or have you been using an agent for the "full service" with their funding?

If it's the former with extensions filed at CW, you can pursue getting the list of paperwork needed for DIY method. If it's the latter, then "burning" the current extension, leaving the country, getting a new Non O visa, re-entering and following the regular CW procedures to get an extension will apply.

Edited 49 minutes ago49 min by NanLaew

2 minutes ago, Salarb said:

Thank you, but for the past 5 years. My visa was marriage. I just want to renew it, not change it to marriage.

Yes I understand that, but they don't like you switching from agent obtained to DIY.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Have you been self-funding and using an agent just for the convenience? Or have you been using an agent for the "full service" with their funding?

full service. used to pay 40-50k. Go half days, and they used to send my passport back in a month with my extention. Money is sitting in my account this time a bit less than 3 months. Since I took the visa in other cities before. That's what is worrying me. cause I know they will make sure to find an issue to get some extra money.

1 minute ago, Salarb said:

full service. used to pay 40-50k. Go half days, and they used to send my passport back in a month with my extention. Money is sitting in my account this time a bit less than 3 months. Since I took the visa in other cities before. That's what is worrying me. cause I know they will make sure to find an issue to get some extra money.

I don't believe CW are into the "extra money" game. Your previous extensions were done in other provinces. They won't do anything until you start over with a new Non O visa from outside Thailand.

Edited 45 minutes ago45 min by NanLaew

5 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Yes I understand that, but they don't like you switching from agent obtained to DIY.

Yep, that's what I'm trying to bypass so I can do it myself afterwards. Even for a simple task at CW, they make sure to force you to go out of your way. Since I've never handled the marriage visa myself here, I'm definitely feeling the extra stress

2 minutes ago, Salarb said:

full service. used to pay 40-50k. Go half days, and they used to send my passport back in a month with my extention. Money is sitting in my account this time a bit less than 3 months. Since I took the visa in other cities before. That's what is worrying me. cause I know they will make sure to find an issue to get some extra money.

I do not think this will work at CW, with a stamp outside Bangkok they will want to see the previous year money was in the bank 2 months before you got the extension, if the money was not there, they will simply tell you to go to your agent,

Edited 44 minutes ago44 min by howerde

1 minute ago, Salarb said:

Yep, that's what I'm trying to bypass so I can do it myself afterwards. Even for a simple task at CW, they make sure to force you to go out of your way. Since I've never handled the marriage visa myself here, I'm definitely feeling the extra stress

As said, you'll need a new non O, unlikely there will be any way around that. The actual extension after that should not be any problem.

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I don't believe CW are into the "extra money" game. They won't do anything until you start over with a new Non O visa.

So you think there’s no other way to bypass this? Will I have to cancel my marriage visa and get a new one? I could do it in Samut Prakan instead since my wife's family is there, but I’d prefer to sort this out and get it from CW. All five of my previous marriage visas were legally obtained at immigration offices in other cities. Do you think they’ll still force me to get a new visa?

2 minutes ago, Salarb said:

So you think there’s no other way to bypass this? Will I have to cancel my marriage visa and get a new one? I could do it in Samut Prakan instead since my wife's family is there, but I’d prefer to sort this out and get it from CW. All five of my previous marriage visas were legally obtained at immigration offices in other cities. Do you think they’ll still force me to get a new visa?

You apply where you live, not where your wife's family lives. You don't have to cancel anything, just let it die by leaving the country.

7 minutes ago, Salarb said:

That's what is worrying me. cause I know they will make sure to find an issue to get some extra money.

4 minutes ago, Salarb said:

Even for a simple task at CW, they make sure to force you to go out of your way. Since I've never handled the marriage visa myself here, I'm definitely feeling the extra stress

You stated you have had at least previous extensions done without having the required funds in the bank. You knew what was going on and went along with it because it works and still will. But once you are in you are in. To get out you need to start over as has been said. CW is doing nothing to you or making you go out of your way. They are making you comply to the rules that apply to all of us in a "polite" way.

2 minutes ago, marin said:

You stated you have had at least previous extensions done without having the required funds in the bank. You knew what was going on and went along with it because it works and still will. But once you are in you are in. To get out you need to start over as has been said. CW is doing nothing to you or making you go out of your way. They are making you comply to the rules that apply to all of us in a "polite" way.

The funds were in the bank, and it's in my bankbook to prove it, but they weren't there for the full two months

2 minutes ago, Salarb said:

The funds were in the bank, and it's in my bankbook to prove it, but they weren't there for the full two months

Your bank book proves that you did not meet the requirements. You really have only one option if you don't want to use your agent again

1 minute ago, Upnotover said:

Your bank book proves that you did not meet the requirements. You really have only one option if you don't want to use your agent again

Thank you. Appreciate it.

17 minutes ago, Salarb said:

3 minutes ago, Salarb said:

The funds were in the bank, and it's in my bankbook to prove it, but they weren't there for the full two months

full service. used to pay 40-50k. Go half days, and they used to send my passport back in a month with my extention. Money is sitting in my account this time a bit less than 3 months. Since I took the visa in other cities before

You have lost me. What were you paying 40-50,000B a month for if you had the money in the bank?

1 minute ago, marin said:

You have lost me. What were you paying 40-50,000B a month for if you had the money in the bank?

Hassle free process. Just 20 days before the visa, put the money in the bank, pay the agent/agency, and that's it. but now becoming hard to pay that much for something that I can do with abit of more planning.

2 minutes ago, Salarb said:

The funds were in the bank, and it's in my bankbook to prove it, but they weren't there for the full two months

The funds have nothing to do with this.

If you want to start doing your own, self-funded extensions at CW, the ONLY option is to leave Thailand and apply for a new Non O visa. After you re-enter on that new visa, you can proceed with getting a new 1-year extension at CW.

CW will not entertain issuing a new extension if your previous extensions have not been issued at CW, which they have not

Edited 27 minutes ago27 min by NanLaew

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The funds have nothing to do with this.

If you want to start doing your own, self-funded extensions at CW, the ONLY option is to leave Thailand and apply for a new Non O visa. After you re-enter in that new visa, you can proceed with getting a new 1-year extension at CW.

CW will not entertain issuing a new extension if your previous extensions have not been issued at CW, which they have not

I understand now. Thank you. But is it worth a shot to go there in person and at least try? My visa expires in 50 days.

4 minutes ago, Salarb said:

I understand now. Thank you. But is it worth a shot to go there in person and at least try? My visa expires in 50 days.

No, as stated they will not do it.

3 minutes ago, Salarb said:

Hassle free process. Just 20 days before the visa, put the money in the bank, pay the agent/agency, and that's it. but now becoming hard to pay that much for something that I can do with abit of more planning.

I can't follow your thread.

Are you sure the agent has been doing extensions based on marriage.

BTW: You don't have a "marriage visa"

Assume you are over 50 . You could have been using agent for extensions based on retirement.

Cost approx 17k .

I don't follow what you actually have.

Extension based on marriage is sent to divisional head quarters.

For those extensions agents don't cover the financials.

It's just a hand holding exercise.

6 minutes ago, Salarb said:

I understand now. Thank you. But is it worth a shot to go there in person and at least try? My visa expires in 50 days.

Others have already tried, and failed.

5 minutes ago, Salarb said:

I understand now. Thank you. But is it worth a shot to go there in person and at least try? My visa expires in 50 days.

No. Except it would confirm what you have been told here. And it's your extension that expires, you don't have a visa.

6 minutes ago, Salarb said:

But is it worth a shot to go there in person and at least try? My visa expires in 50 days

Are these serious questions.

You apply for extensions at immigration office where you live.

What address have you been using for 90 day reporting.

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I can't follow your thread.

Are you sure the agent has been doing extensions based on marriage.

BTW: You don't have a "marriage visa"

Assume you are over 50 . You could have been using agent for extensions based on retirement.

Cost approx 17k .

I don't follow what you actually have.

Extension based on marriage is sent to divisional head quarters.

For those extensions agents don't cover the financials.

It's just a hand holding exercise.

Previously, I used the Thai Visa Center agency, but then I changed to a solo agent. My visa literally has a stamp that says 'THAI WIFE.' Can you kindly explain to me what the difference is? I'm lost here. The process is that after the TM30 issue came up—since I got the visa in another city—I have to do my 90-day report update in person at CW. In order to do that, I have to pay an 800 THB fine in cash at CW to change the TM30 city in their system (as they say). Only then will they process the 90-day report for my current Bangkok address. I did this before for the past 2-3 years.

1 hour ago, Salarb said:

Since I've never handled the marriage visa myself here, I'm definitely feeling the extra stress

Understandable. Best ways to reduce the stress, given your circumstances, is:

1) Stay on the agent train.

2) Take charge, take responsibility for the next and future extensions, by killing off the current one and starting fresh with a new non-O.

There really isn't a 'middle way'.