Picture Rule For Marriage Visa Renewal

[steveb]

Just came back from renewing my marriage visa. This will be my 3rd time and was asked to produce home pictures. They said it's a new rule for all renewals. After waiting 4 hours to see an officer I was told I would have to come back again with the pictures.

The officer tried to convince my wife to change to a retirement visa as I have enough money in the bank. She asked my wife if I am working and she told her that I am free lancing. She said I can have my one year stamp immediately but if I wanted a marriage visa I would have to produce pictures and come back 2 more times to finish the process. She said if you work part time on a marriage visa without a work permit or retirement visa it's the same meaning it's prohibited but it's sort of okay.

I opted for the retirement visa but worried would I loose my grandfathered marriage visa status.Did I do the right thing? It seems being married is a disadvantage in this country and the visa process is difficult. If you have money your are given a 1 year visa on the spot with no questions asked. So it seems they value money over marriage.

[Lite Beer]

They push you into the retirement option as it is less work for them.

Same thing happened to me in Samui last year.

When I extended this year I went to Korat Immigration and asked about going back to the marriage option.

They said that it was possible and that is what I did. 400,000 Baht in the bank.

I do not thing many offices will do this but Korat is very helpful.

[lopburi3]

Actually it is an advantage to be over age 50 as you have the option to use the less invasive retirement option if you can prove a higher income level.

The photos have always been wanted by Bangkok, although it was not a set in stone policy. Recently they have been requested with most applications using family as a help to prove the real relationship.