Non-o Based On Marriage From Chicago Usa Thai Consulate

[mgjackson69]

I applied at the Thai Consulate in Chicago today for a Non-O multiple-entry visa based on marriage to a Thai national. The Thai lady was very pleasant and helpful, but she informed me that she could only give me a 90-day single-entry visa, and that I would have to do an Extension of Stay in Thailand.

I supplied the following:

- Application form requesting multiple-entry...she changed it to single entry

- Certified (in USA we call this "notarized") letter from my wife confirming the marriage. The letter also requested a Multiple-entry Non-O

visa...we see how much that helped

- Marriage certificate - I had both an original and a Certified True Copy. I told her that she could keep the Certified True Copy, but she

made a photocopy and gave the Certified True Copy back to me.

- Certified True Copy and Translation of my wife's ID card. The nice lady looked at it and gave it back, said she did not need it.

- My USA passport

- Two photos, 2" x 2"

- $65 US

It was about 12:10 when I went there, not busy at all and it took all of about 10 minutes at most. This is on Wednesday, she said I can pick up my passport on Friday afternoon.

It would appear that there has been some sort of directive from "Central Government" that is driving this policy change, as noted by posters in other topics in this forum. I suspect it is an effort to get some of the "control" and documentation into the hands of the internal Immigration Department, where it belongs, for those of us who are staying longer-term in the Kingdom. And to keep the embassies & consulates from becoming/being "visa mills".

This was not what I expected, but I guess my option is to deal with the extension of stay in the near future, rather than a year out as I had hoped.

[mgjackson69]

A follow-on question...is there a certain window for applying for the extension? The data seems to be unclear.

Thanks

[Maestro]

...is there a certain window for applying for the extension? ...

Apply any time the last 30 days of your permission to stay, preferable 3-4 weeks before your permission expires.

--

Maestro

[Lite Beer]

...is there a certain window for applying for the extension? ...

Apply any time the last 30 days of your permission to stay, preferable 3-4 weeks before your permission expires.

--

Maestro

Yes. And you or your Wife will need an income of 40,000 Baht a month.

[sriracha john]

I applied at the Thai Consulate in Chicago today for a Non-O multiple-entry visa based on marriage to a Thai national. The Thai lady was very pleasant and helpful, but she informed me that she could only give me a 90-day single-entry visa, and that I would have to do an Extension of Stay in Thailand.

It would appear that there has been some sort of directive from "Central Government" that is driving this policy change, as noted by posters in other topics in this forum. I suspect it is an effort to get some of the "control" and documentation into the hands of the internal Immigration Department, where it belongs, for those of us who are staying longer-term in the Kingdom. And to keep the embassies & consulates from becoming/being "visa mills".

OR possibility #3

Simply reduces the consulate's already low work load.

It's so much easier to pawn the reason off to a nameless, faceless "central government" thousands of miles away...

Chicago has NEVER been a "visa mill", so no need to protect themselves from becoming that.

[lopburi3]

I don't believe most official Consulates have been happy to issue multi entry for first time applicants for a number of years so doubt that it is something new on there part.

[mgjackson69]

Yeah, the Consulate in Chicago has been a bit of a pain in my ass more than once.

My visa history:

When I first started working in Thailand, I applied for, and received, a one year, multi-entry Non-B visa.

When that one expired, I applied again for a one-year, multi-entry Non-B visa...this time they gave me a single-entry Non-B.

After I used that one, I applied again for a one-year, multi-entry Non-B visa...they again gave me a single-entry Non-B.

When I next applied for a Non-B multiple-entry, with a intro letter from HP Thailand specifically requesting a multi-entry Non-B, and stating that I would be applying for a work permit, they gave me the multi-entry.

I am not sure if I would fall into the classification of a "first-time applicant" or not....I suppose that could be argued either way.

Thanks for the info on the window for applying for extension. The 40,000 baht/month income requirement I was aware of.

[mgjackson69]

I applied at the Thai Consulate in Chicago today for a Non-O multiple-entry visa based on marriage to a Thai national. The Thai lady was very pleasant and helpful, but she informed me that she could only give me a 90-day single-entry visa, and that I would have to do an Extension of Stay in Thailand.

It would appear that there has been some sort of directive from "Central Government" that is driving this policy change, as noted by posters in other topics in this forum. I suspect it is an effort to get some of the "control" and documentation into the hands of the internal Immigration Department, where it belongs, for those of us who are staying longer-term in the Kingdom. And to keep the embassies & consulates from becoming/being "visa mills".

OR possibility #3

Simply reduces the consulate's already low work load.

It's so much easier to pawn the reason off to a nameless, faceless "central government" thousands of miles away...

Chicago has NEVER been a "visa mill", so no need to protect themselves from becoming that.

Well, #3 is certainly plausible...but it would seem like an unlikely coincidence that many of these far-flung embassies and consulates seem to be taking this same stance more or less simultaneously, without some sort of directive from higher up.

If you think about it, it would be no more work for the Chicago consulate to issue me a 1-year Non-O multi-entry than it would be to issue me a 90-day Non-O single-entry. Indeed, longer-term it might be *less* work for them, if I was to need to return and get another 90-day Non-O.

Granted, with the 90-day that they gave me, if I do indeed get the extension as planned, "Chicago" may never see me again. But I find it a bit of a stretch to think that "Chicago" would be so concerned about reducing their workload that they would be worrying about seeing me once per year.

[mgjackson69]

A follow-on to this one...

When I went to pick up my passport at 2 pm, I was asked to wait, "it is not done yet". I waited about 20 minutes I suppose (one other person there getting service, one farang had come in behind me, gotten his passport, and left already). The nice Thai gentleman brought out my passport and pointed out that "they" had given me a single-entry Non-B rather than the Non-O as requested even though my application form specified Non-O on basis of marriage ...probably because the four Thai visas already in my passport were all Non-B (2 multi-entry, 2 single-entry). I reiterated to him why I wanted the visa, and he said he would change it. He disappeared with my passport, came back in about five minutes and showed me the visa. He had crossed out the "B" and written "O" beside it . I politely questioned this and he assured me that he changed it in the computer also, and when Immigration pulled it up it would be ok. I believe that he did change it "in the system"....but I was sure to get his name and contact info just in case.

I shall see what happens upon my return on 19 May.

[WISteve]

I applied at the Thai Consulate in Chicago today for a Non-O multiple-entry visa based on marriage to a Thai national. The Thai lady was very pleasant and helpful, but she informed me that she could only give me a 90-day single-entry visa, and that I would have to do an Extension of Stay in Thailand.

It would appear that there has been some sort of directive from "Central Government" that is driving this policy change, as noted by posters in other topics in this forum. I suspect it is an effort to get some of the "control" and documentation into the hands of the internal Immigration Department, where it belongs, for those of us who are staying longer-term in the Kingdom. And to keep the embassies & consulates from becoming/being "visa mills".

OR possibility #3

Simply reduces the consulate's already low work load.

It's so much easier to pawn the reason off to a nameless, faceless "central government" thousands of miles away...

Chicago has NEVER been a "visa mill", so no need to protect themselves from becoming that.

Yes, I would agree with option #3.

But you would never know it by their turn-around time in Chicago!

Sent my application for a tourist visa by express mail nearly three weeks ago and finally got it back yesterday.

Their website and the employee on the phone assured me it would only require five business days plus the travel time.

Just glad to have my passport back because my plane leaves in 48 hours!

~WISteve

[mgjackson69]

I have experienced less-than-expedient service from the Chicago consulate also. That is why I went there personally this time...not a trivial thing, 500 mile drive each way, three nights in a hotel. But I am only in USA for three weeks total, and I wanted it done before I start travelling to visit my son, my mom, etc....

The good thing is, with a bit of good fortune, I will not have to deal with them again.

[yeeowww]

i find it always preferable and MUCH less hassle getting my non-O visa every year stateside. it's painless, quick and i don't have to pay the bribe money that happens in thailand...

[lopburi3]

There is no visa issue inside Thailand if not in connection with extension of stay. Extension of stay costs 1,900 baht per year. There are no bribes involved and no 90 day border runs required.

[mgjackson69]

I entered Thailand on 21 May with my new "Non-B/cross out B, write O in pen" visa. No problem, no questions asked, and the "permitted until" stamp indicates Non-O.

Some I guess the kind gentleman at the Chicago Consulate did indeed change the visa "in the system".