Last Friday I went to Udon Immigration to extend the 90 day Non O based on having a Thai spouse.

We had to have 1 witness in attendence with photocopies of Tabien baan and ID card.

1 week later ,today we had the home visit by 2 Immigration Officers. It lasted about 30 minutes and we had to have a further 2 witnesses who were questioned on how long they had known us and if we were in a normal married relationship.

Again we had 2 provide 2 copies of each witnesses Tabien baan and ID card and they had to sign.

We had to have a photo taken of all of us together with both witnesses signing the paperwork and then a photo of us all outside the front of the house.

No wonder some married guys over 50 opt to do extensions based on retirement.

Thanks for report. Useful info

9 minutes ago, mlkik said:

Last Friday I went to Udon Immigration to extend the 90 day Non O based on having a Thai spouse.

We had to have 1 witness in attendence with photocopies of Tabien baan and ID card.

1 week later ,today we had the home visit by 2 Immigration Officers. It lasted about 30 minutes and we had to have a further 2 witnesses who were questioned on how long they had known us and if we were in a normal married relationship.

Again we had 2 provide 2 copies of each witnesses Tabien baan and ID card and they had to sign.

We had to have a photo taken of all of us together with both witnesses signing the paperwork and then a photo of us all outside the front of the house.

Is this a yearly marriage visa extension? Did they call before the home visit? Is this normal?

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Is this a yearly marriage visa extension? Did they call before the home visit? Is this normal?

It would be annual extension.

Offices vary. Some don't even have home visit.

A phone call prior would be usual M.O

Just now, Hummin said:

Is this a yearly marriage visa extension? Did they call before the home visit? Is this normal?

Geez, where we are now, first couple years, I couldn't even do that, as don't know or socialize with folks in the neighborhood.

Even our first marriage extension, was done with a total stranger (our witness), and was a PoPo friend of the wife's brother, also PoPo, that lives 100+ kms away from us, but close to Imm office. Sent a photo of him, so we'd know who he was when meeting at IO.

Wife luckily knew old neighborhood gal, that husband was stationed at Wing 5, and I was even on their Blue book for a short period. Yea, I was apparently living on the air base 🤣 as was one of the Imm officers 🙄 Go figure.

That was a hassle, a couple times, since we live 100 km from Imm, as witness had to plan the day with us, so switched to retirement reason to stay.

Thankfully living in Udon, the witness for marriage or support of Thai national wasn't in force, or enforced at the time, 2000-2006. Then I turned 50, and eventually changed support of Thai to retirement, somewhere along the line.

Would have been a hassle, especially in the beginning, when Imm office was at Nong Khai, until local office at UT opened 2012.

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Geez, where we are now, first couple years, I couldn't even do that, as don't know or socialize with folks in the neighborhood.

Even our first marriage extension, was done with a total stranger (our witness), and was a PoPo friend of the wife's brother, also PoPo, that lives 100+ kms away from us, but close to Imm office. Sent a photo of him, so we'd know who he was when meeting at IO.

Wife luckily knew old neighborhood gal, that husband was stationed at Wing 5, and I was even on their Blue book for a short period. Yea, I was apparently living on the air base 🤣 as was one of the Imm officers 🙄 Go figure.

That was a hassle, a couple times, since we live 100 km from Imm, as witness had to plan the day with us, so switched to retirement reason to stay.

Thankfully living in Udon, the witness for marriage or support of Thai national wasn't in force, or enforced at the time, 2000-2006. Then I turned 50, and eventually changed support of Thai to retirement, somewhere along the line.

Would have been a hassle, especially in the beginning, when Imm office was at Nong Khai, until local office at UT opened 2012.

I knew some immigration offices did spot checks, but requiring witnesses for an annual extension seems a bit over the top. A neighbour renewed at the same time we did last year, and from what I understand, he wasn’t asked for any witnesses at all. Not even a home visit as far as I know.

Witnesses is not a problem, it is just the hassel

Just now, Hummin said:

I knew some immigration offices did spot checks, but requiring witnesses for an annual extension seems a bit over the top. A neighbour renewed at the same time we did last year, and from what I understand, he wasn’t asked for any witnesses at all. Not even a home visit as far as I know.

Witnesses is not a problem, it is just the hassel

If they would have done that, or if I had to jump thru the same hoops as OP for extension back than, in UT, having to go to NK to extend, I probably would have left TH.

Was already divorced from wife within first year here, which means I wouldn't have taken in my village orphan or had valid reason to be in TH, since under 50 yrs old.

Border bounces, which many did, wouldn't be my choice to stay, so back to US, or elsewhere. What a different life I'd be living now, if even alive, as wasn't nearly as 'reserved' as I am now 🤣

35 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No wonder some married guys over 50 opt to do extensions based on retirement.

Thanks for report. Useful info

Yes previously I was on extensions based on retirement and it was much quicker and no hassle at all.

I did have my doubts about the whole marriage extensions when preparing all the paperwork.

However as we were well prepared and have not had any problems ,I will continue to do extensions based on marriage as it involves tying up half the amount of ฿ as retirement.

39 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Is this a yearly marriage visa extension? Did they call before the home visit? Is this normal?

It was the 1 year extension of the 90 day visa. So yes the yearly extension.

We were told when submitting the extension application that we would get a visit.

We had a phone call about 2.5 hours before the visit,so had time to do witness photocopies.

Edited 25 minutes ago25 min by mlkik

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If they would have done that, or if I had to jump thru the same hoops as OP for extension back than, in UT, having to go to NK to extend, I probably would have left TH.

Was already divorced from wife within first year here, which means I wouldn't have taken in my village orphan or had valid reason to be in TH, since under 50 yrs old.

Border bounces, which many did, wouldn't be my choice to stay, so back to US, or elsewhere. What a different life I'd be living now, if even alive, as wasn't nearly as 'reserved' as I am now 🤣

I think it’s different at our immigration office than in Udon Thani. I can’t say I’ve heard of witnesses being required where we are. Maybe for the first application, but not for a renewal.

2 minutes ago, mlkik said:

Yes previously I was on extensions based on retirement and it was much quicker and no hassle at all.

I did have my doubts about the whole marriage extensions when preparing all the paperwork.

However as we were well prepared and have not had any problems ,I will continue to do extensions based on marriage as it involves tying up half the amount of ฿ as retirement.

Hopefully it will pay off in the future, because I doubt the retirement visa income requirement will stay at its current level for much longer. Hopefully Thailand will also develop better options for marriage visas through beneficial bilateral agreements. At least one can hope.

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I think it’s different at our immigration office than in Udon Thani. I can’t say I’ve heard of witnesses being required where we are. Maybe for the first application, but not for a renewal.

This is for the first application as the orriginal 90 day Non O was obtained in the U.K.

When I return to the Immigration office for my passport stamp,I will ask if witnesses will be needed every year.

Incidently my application for extension was on 24th July and my under consideration stamp in my passport is to return 5 weeks later on 30th August.

This I presume is because of the 3 day holiday this week.

1 minute ago, mlkik said:

This is for the first application as the orriginal 90 day Non O was obtained in the U.K.

When I return to the Immigration office for my passport stamp,I will ask if witnesses will be needed every year.

Incidently my application for extension was on 24th July and my under consideration stamp in my passport is to return 5 weeks later on 30th August.

This I presume is because of the 3 day holiday this week.

Ah, okay, understood. Hopefully it’s not something that happens every year. I’ve stayed at the same address for five years now, and even though I missed one year in between, I’ve been on a retirement extension for almost seven years. I made my visa in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I think it’s different at our immigration office than in Udon Thani. I can’t say I’ve heard of witnesses being required where we are. Maybe for the first application, but not for a renewal.

We've only had to have a witness, here, PKK, Hua Hin Imm office. 2016/17 onward, and they still require, though been doing for retirement at least pass 5 yrs, I think.

Finally got around to marrying wife, 2014, still in UT, after living 8 yrs together. Think first 3 extension here, PKK, 2016-17-18,were marriage w/witness, then had enough of that. Back to retirement, and so much easier.

18 minutes ago, mlkik said:

I will continue to do extensions based on marriage as it involves tying up half the amount of ฿ as retirement

Income method is an option and that does not tie up funds.

Monthly transfers that most need to live off so it's a good option

11 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I think it’s different at our immigration office than in Udon Thani. I can’t say I’ve heard of witnesses being required where we are. Maybe for the first application, but not for a renewal.

Since the OP was changing from retirement to marriage, maybe this triggered the home visit and witnessing rigmarole? With growing evidence of across-the-board enforcement of the existing immigration rules and regulations, annual home visits and witnessing will probably be par for the course moving forward.

Of course the vagaries and whims of disparate immigration offices and officers still apply.