Marriage Visa - But No Wife?.....

[Andyfez]

My marriage visa is up for its annual renewal once again.

My wife is never happy to come down for the annual 'guest appearance' at Korat immigration office, so I thought I'd try my luck with a different approach.

As I understand it, (correct me if I'm wrong) I am entitled to my marriage visa on the basis that I have children here in Thailand?

Therefore if for instance I was divorced and my wife was not talking to me, I should still be able to carry on my visa?

Anyway I tried this approach at Korat. They told me 'no wife, no visa'.

I explained that I should be entitled to one based on my children, and they told me they would need to interview the child. Interview a 3 year old???

I went on to explain that perhaps my wife wouldn't let me bring a 3 year old, and they said I should contact a lawyer. They couldn't explain what a lawyer was supposed to do.....

They also told me 'if we give you the visa, how do we know you will support the children???' I guess that's a Thai approach to the argument.......

Anyway, has anyone managed to get a marriage visa without the wife being present? I would be interested to know.

[Mario2008]

The rules clearly state that the mariage has to be real. You have to live together as man and wife and she needs to be interviewed. In your case you don't seem to be living together as man and wife, so their decision to deny is jutified.

That leaves the option of living with your children, but if you can't bring the children it seems to be questionable if you meet that requirement as well.

Note that you could try to get a 60 day extension to sort things out. In your case you might want to try to get a multiple entry non-O visa from abroad. You would have to leave the country every 90 days, but you could stay in thailand.

[lopburi3]

I read it as the wife just does not like visiting Immigration rather than not living with poster. But the answer is the same - no wife no visa. Unless you have custody of the children. In this case you do not appear to have any such legal, or even actual, custody.

The lawyer would be required for court action to obtain custody.

[Andyfez]

Thanks for the replies so far, but I understood you would be entitled to a marriage visa, marriage or no marriage - as long as you were supporting the children.

I didn't understand the rule as stating you had to live with them.

I understood the entitlement was based on the fact that you needed to stay in the country to support them?

Or have I misunderstood.

Where can I get a full list of the rules? as the information given to us by the officials is obviosly not complete?

[Geekfreaklover]

I think you may have to go out of the country and apply for a new non-im O visa using the childs birth cert.

I would be interested to know about this one too.

My visa expires soon and I have legal custody of my Thai kids, but am divorced. I think all that is required overseas is the childs birth certificate. Not sure if an extension will issued in thailand.

[lopburi3]

There is no such thing as a marriage visa. There is a non immigrant O visa which is issued to visit spouse or child. That allows a 90 day stay. And you should be able to obtain such a visa. But you have been talking about extensions of stay (Korat Immigration) and you do not obtain from my understanding. The rules are available at top for forum as a pinned item under useful information/laws/police order 777/2551

[Lite Beer]

The rule that deals with this is 2.18 While it does not say that you have to live with the Children I think you will find that Immigration will require it. Go and ask them.

The rule is in the first section. The requirements are towards the end of the document. 2.18.

[Tigs]

AndyFez

This all seems to be making a very simple procedure, very complicated. Whilst I do not know your personal circumstances, I can't help but feel your wife is being a bit unreasonable. If she wants you to be with her, then get her straight down to immigration. My wife would queue up for two days for an interview with Satan if it helped me. Have you asked her or are you trying to anticipate her displeasure and look for alternative solutions? Any cock and bull stories with Immigration will almost always end up in tears and could result with your disqualification for a visa for life.

[Lite Beer]

My Wife used to quite enjoy her trips to Korat Immigration for a chat with the lady Captain.