Hi all - my annual marriage extension expires on the 26/11. So I'll be looking to submit the extension at some point within the 30 days preceding. This will be my fourth year of doing this, so I'm starting to get comfortable with all the paperwork. However, this year I have a challenge as I need to leave Thailand and return to the UK for around 4 weeks from mid November to mid December.

To be honest the timing of needing to leave is absolutely s%$#%! Unfortunately though, it's not really flexible (well not without costing me a lot of money). So I "think" I have a couple of options (that don't involve changing travel dates):

1) See if I can get immigration (Pathum Thani) to accept my annual extension early, at say 45 days. This would give me chance to do the extension & re-entry permit ahead of leaving the country. I've not yet asked immigration about this, but will pay them a visit once the flooding has subsided. However, I'm interested to hear if anyone has any experience of persuading immigration to do this - if so any tips on how to approach them? Would travel be a valid reason?

2) Submit the application, just before I leave Thailand. Then leave the country and return before the under consideration period ends. AI tells me this is allowed, but I'd need a re-entry permit for my "under consideration" stamp. I'm not entirely trusting of AI, so does anyone know if this is in fact the case? In addition, immigration haven't paid me a house visit for the past 3 years (they only did it for the first extension). However, that doesn't mean they won't do it this year, so what would happen if I wasn't there? Presumably this would result in the extension being declined?

3) Let my visa expire and start the process again with a new visa when I return. If I end up doing this, presumably I can just return with a new non-imm visa based on marriage and start the annual extension again once the timing allows? Any other downsides of doing it this way?

Does anyone else have any other suggestions of how to approach this, or even better, has anyone any experience of having to leave the country during the under consideration period and if so how did it work out?

Many thanks in advance!

5 minutes ago, Happychef said:

Does anyone else have any other suggestions of how to approach this, or even better, has anyone any experience of having to leave the country during the under consideration period and if so how did it work out?

First up... Clearly you are aware of options and have clearly outlined them.

#1 ask immigration if you can apply early has worked with eg showing flight ticket out and providing reason eg ill relative etc. Suggest business would not be sympathetic.

#2 AI is correct and what you outline is possible. The reentry permit would expire date they tell you to come back for final stamp.

Home visit would be issue if you have those

#3 also possible but PITA.

Have you previously obtained 60 day extension to visit wife from current chain of extensions?

If not that would be perfect to extend your renewal date

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up... Clearly you are aware of options and have clearly outlined them.

#1 ask immigration if you can apply early has worked with eg showing flight ticket out and providing reason eg ill relative etc. Suggest business would not be sympathetic.

#2 AI is correct and what you outline is possible. The reentry permit would expire date they tell you to come back for final stamp.

Home visit would be issue if you have those

#3 also possible but PITA.

Have you previously obtained 60 day extension to visit wife from current chain of extensions?

If not that would be perfect to extend your renewal date

Thanks Dr Jack, sounds like I’m on the right lines.

Re your final point on the 60 day extension. I think I might have done this on the initial visa when we moved here (before I started doing the annual extensions). Is this still an option? If so it would be perfect!

1 minute ago, Happychef said:

Thanks Dr Jack, sounds like I’m on the right lines.

Re your final point on the 60 day extension. I think I might have done this on the initial visa when we moved here (before I started doing the annual extensions). Is this still an option? If so it would be perfect!

No. If you obtained the 60 extension from the Non O then moved to 12 month extensions then you have burnt that option.

I hope you don't have to start over.

Suggest if that's the only option then obtain the Non O e-Visa while in UK.

Did you mention PT immigration.

You could consult with an agent eg TVC to see if hand holding using your financials could be possible to obtain extension early. eg 45 days prior. Will cost. Not cheap at a guess 8k

30 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No. If you obtained the 60 extension from the Non O then moved to 12 month extensions then you have burnt that option.

I hope you don't have to start over.

Suggest if that's the only option then obtain the Non O e-Visa while in UK.

Did you mention PT immigration.

You could consult with an agent eg TVC to see if hand holding using your financials could be possible to obtain extension early. eg 45 days prior. Will cost. Not cheap at a guess 8k

Ok that’s a shame, a 60 day extension would’ve been perfect.

And yes it’s PT. Hadn’t thought of trying an agent, will happily pay if that sorts this. I’ll definitely look into that as an option.

5 minutes ago, Happychef said:

And yes it’s PT. Hadn’t thought of trying an agent, will happily pay if that sorts this. I’ll definitely look into that as an option.

Not sure what @ThaiVisaCentre would advise however being located in Bangkok would be worth advice.

2 hours ago, Happychef said:

Hi all - my annual marriage extension expires on the 26/11. So I'll be looking to submit the extension at some point within the 30 days preceding. This will be my fourth year of doing this, so I'm starting to get comfortable with all the paperwork. However, this year I have a challenge as I need to leave Thailand and return to the UK for around 4 weeks from mid November to mid December.

From your previous extension applications, do Pathum Thani date the 30 day under consideration period from the date you apply, or from the date your current extension expires.

(Check previous stamps). If they date it from the expiry date (26/11), then obtain a re-entry permit to cover that 30 days, as you'll return mid December.

Many immigration offices are willing to work with you, if you can show them proof and let them know ahead of time. They might be able to process earlier/faster, or they might even be able to give you a longer "under consideration" period that covers your entire trip and allows you to return with a re-entry permit and pickup your extension. You won't know until you ask, though.