I think I have a problem with an application for a 12 month extension of visa based on marriage to Thai wife. I'm due back on May 21 and fear rejection.

Bio Details : Uk male, 51, married to Thai wife, I have the first part of the Marriage visa extension, which is a non immigrant 'o' visa and have applied to extend 12 month based on marriage visa at the Immigration office at Laksi.

The story. Monday i visited the office 1 month before expiration of my visa as directed. I submitted the same paperwork as with my non - imm visa. We had all the necessary paperwork. The officer was much more officious than the previous one: asking me a number of pertinent questions, eg, how was I making a living, why hadn't I married earlier, etc, and picked up that we were effectively living in 2 places, Bangkok and Surat Thani. He also huffed and puffed a bit about the photos even though one is of us living together 8 years ago.

Anyway we were issued a case number, but just at the end he sprung a surprise and asked for us to come back within 48 hours with the tenancy agreement of our condo in BKK. This we could not find. The landlord just gave us a photcopy of the agreement, and it was only at the office that i realised it was in the wife's maiden name. Today we went back to Laksi. The original officer was not available so the paperwork was just left on his desk and someone or other told us the usual 'masi pen rai' stuff.

But I'm worried that it does matter, and what's more this officer will reject my application on the back of the poor supplementary paperwork. And that when I turn up at the office on May 21st, I will be refused. So I wanted some general thoughts by someone in the know if possible and specifically:

1. Should I do something else, like obtain new/amended tenancy agreement, or hire a lawyer to ensure things go smoothly?.

2. As my visa expires on 21st (same day as aplication), what would happen if I am refused?, would I get a 24 hour stamp or something to allow mw time to leave the country?

OP Here: Addendum: due back on Jun 24th (not May 21st).

The only concern would be the living is two places if not together as living as husband and wife is required. if you just mean part of year you both live together elsewhere is should not be an issue but proof of Bangkok residence is required to file in Bangkok so can understand why that proof was asked.

You would always qualify for a 60 day extension so I would not worry about negative decision on one year extension. If he has accepted paperwork there is very little chance of it not being approved unless total fraud found as it is his signature on the dotted line so he is not doing that without being sure.

The only concern would be the living is two places if not together as living as husband and wife is required. if you just mean part of year you both live together elsewhere is should not be an issue but proof of Bangkok residence is required to file in Bangkok so can understand why that proof was asked.

You would always qualify for a 60 day extension so I would not worry about negative decision on one year extension. If he has accepted paperwork there is very little chance of it not being approved unless total fraud found as it is his signature on the dotted line so he is not doing that without being sure.

Thanks for the quick answer, which is also clear and helpful.

Yes, i confirm we live together, mostly in Bangkok, it's just that we bought a house in Surat Thani, and the wife's tabien ban, and id card are registered there as well as her (our) business dealings.

I think I'll get the Bangkok tenancy agreement amended, or redone.

OK that would be another negative factor as wife should be registered in area you apply (although they know this is often not the case when living temporary in Bangkok so suspect they will not be too aggressive here). Can not hurt getting the right name on it.

You are 51. Why don't you switch to retirement visa? They are much easier to get and all you need is an income letter from your embassy. I know it may be a bit late in the day to get the letter, but if you are obliged to leave, as soon as you return, you could apply for one.

I know they don;t mind if you decide to switch as that is what I did a few years back.

As general rule Immigration officials are far better disposed to retirement extensions than they are to marriage extensions and they have greater authority to issue them off their own bat rather than having to submit the paperwork to a higher authority.

Good luck.

My NON O runs out on june 15th and im wanting an extension based on marriage fir 12 months.. When do i have to go to Korat to apply for this? .. Im hoping its not 1 month as ive past that date already

You can apply up to 30 days early, the 15th at the latest. But do go 2 or 3 weeks early, that gives you time in case you need an extra document or such. Your extension starts on the 15th, so you don't lose any days by doing it early.

You can apply up to 30 days early, the 15th at the latest. But do go 2 or 3 weeks early, that gives you time in case you need an extra document or such. Your extension starts on the 15th, so you don't lose any days by doing it early.

Thank you Mario

My NON O runs out on june 15th and im wanting an extension based on marriage fir 12 months.. When do i have to go to Korat to apply for this? .. Im hoping its not 1 month as ive past that date already

Huayrat????? Do you live in Buriram? If so also check about what office you will have to use. Looks like Kap Cheung is re opening. All Buriram residents will have o go there.

You are 51. Why don't you switch to retirement visa? They are much easier to get and all you need is an income letter from your embassy. I know it may be a bit late in the day to get the letter, but if you are obliged to leave, as soon as you return, you could apply for one.

I know they don;t mind if you decide to switch as that is what I did a few years back.

As general rule Immigration officials are far better disposed to retirement extensions than they are to marriage extensions and they have greater authority to issue them off their own bat rather than having to submit the paperwork to a higher authority.

Good luck.

I guess I applied for the marriage visa because I got married and it seemed the logical thing to do, which it is when you think about it.

Thanks for the heads up about the retirement visa option.

The person who accepts your paperwork plays no part in the decision process.

These extensions are all decided by a central office in Bangkok, by committee.

In the event of any suspicion that the marriage is not genuine, you will receive an unannounced home visit by immigration officers who will question your wife and neighbors to see if you are living together as man and wife.

The photos are supposed to be RECENT, something from 8 years ago will not be acceptable.

Edited May 24, 201214 yr by TommoPhysicist

The person who accepts your paperwork plays no part in the decision process.

These extensions are all decided by a central office in Bangkok, by committee.

In the event of any suspicion that the marriage is not genuine, you will receive an unannounced home visit by immigration officers who will question your wife and neighbors to see if you are living together as man and wife.

The photos are supposed to be RECENT, something from 8 years ago will not be acceptable.

This is what I wrote, "He also huffed and puffed a bit about the photos even though one is of us living together 8 years ago". Just the one photo from 8 years ago, and I was using it to stress the longevity of our relationship already.

Yes a home visit, fine with us, nothing to hide here!

I was using it to stress the longevity of our relationship already.

I married a girl two weeks after I met her, applied for married extension one month later, home visit happened, extension approved.

You have nothing to worry about.

The person who accepts your paperwork plays no part in the decision process.

These extensions are all decided by a central office in Bangkok, by committee.

In the event of any suspicion that the marriage is not genuine, you will receive an unannounced home visit by immigration officers who will question your wife and neighbors to see if you are living together as man and wife.

The photos are supposed to be RECENT, something from 8 years ago will not be acceptable.

The accepting officer just goes over the paperwork and passes it to an officer in charge for local approval and signs the stamps.

Not all extensions are approved in Bangkok. They go to the regional office office for the immigration office you have to use (mine go to Korat for approval). There is no committee it just has to be approved by a higher ranking officer than there is at immigration offices.

Unless there has been a change since opening of regional centers all marriage extensions are approved by committee in Bangkok - which is the reason for extended review time (and why it increased during the flooding last year). And the officer signing your paperwork is charged with getting it right and his signature on the form will be held against him if later review turns up something that he should have caught so that is the reason most will be very careful to double check.

Retirement extension is a local decision so at worst case a dressing down by next level officer - which makes it much easier for front line officer and applicant.

I know that mine are approved in Korat and had it explained to me an immigration officer in Phibun. Once when I went in for report back date and it was not done yet the officer called Korat to find out if it was done yet. I have also seen a faxed document from Korat to various immigration offices with approvals that they had made when I got my final stamp.

I know that mine are approved in Korat and had it explained to me an immigration officer in Phibun. Once when I went in for report back date and it was not done yet the officer called Korat to find out if it was done yet. I have also seen a faxed document from Korat to various immigration offices with approvals that they had made when I got my final stamp.

.

Indeed it will always be Khorat that is contacted as that is where the application was submitted. It is indeed Khorat that give the approval. Approval is, however, granted in Bangkok. For marraige extentions that is.

Edited May 25, 201214 yr by puchooay

I know that mine are approved in Korat and had it explained to me an immigration officer in Phibun. Once when I went in for report back date and it was not done yet the officer called Korat to find out if it was done yet. I have also seen a faxed document from Korat to various immigration offices with approvals that they had made when I got my final stamp.

.

Indeed it will always be Khorat that is contacted as that is where the application was submitted. It is indeed Khorat that give the approval. Approval is, however, granted in Bangkok. For marraige extentions that is.

I know that mine are approved in Korat and had it explained to me an immigration officer in Phibun. Once when I went in for report back date and it was not done yet the officer called Korat to find out if it was done yet. I have also seen a faxed document from Korat to various immigration offices with approvals that they had made when I got my final stamp.

.

Indeed it will always be Khorat that is contacted as that is where the application was submitted. It is indeed Khorat that give the approval. Approval is, however, granted in Bangkok. For marraige extentions that is.

I have been told by an immigration officer at the Ubon Ratchaithani immigration office located in Phibun that the entire process is done at the regional headquarters in Korat.

Like I said the process is taken care of in Khorat but the approval is granted in Bangkok. Even those of us who use Khorat Immigration have to wait for upto 30 days while approval is received from Bangkok.

HI

I have applied for marriage visa extension;

6 may: apply for marriage visa extension

6 June: Original visa expire

6 July: Report back date.

Question:

do I need to do a visa-run, since the "Report back date" is later than the "Original visa expire" ?

HI

I have applied for marriage visa extension;

6 may: apply for marriage visa extension

6 June: Original visa expire

6 July: Report back date.

Question:

do I need to do a visa-run, since the "Report back date" is later than the "Original visa expire" ?

You have been granted extension of stay on grounds of being under consideration for a one year extension, that's what it says on the latest stamp, am I correct ? If I am, just report at immigration on 6th of July to get your final 1y stamp, do not exit Thailand without a re-entry permit before it.

A visa is just a permission to enter Thailand, what matters is the permitted to stay until stamp.

The original Visa is irrelevant.

Go back to Immigration on the date they put in your passport.

This OP again.

I'm due to go to immigration again this week. Tis is what the small purple stamp says "THAI WIFE- Application of stay is under consideration applicant must contact again in person on 24 Jun,2012.

2 things I'm worried about:

1. 24th June is Sunday isn't it?

2. The 24th is also the day when my first Non 'o' stamp runs out, thus after that day I'm overstaying.

Should I go earlier, say 21st and explain my concerns?

If my application is rejected, what can I do?

Go before 21 or 22.If for some reason rejected go for retirment visa.Good luck. I think and hope you get your extension

Going on 25th should be ok but no harm in turning up on 22nd.

If you were going to be rejected you would have heard by now.

Don't worry.

Two things

1. That return on date stamp is now your permission to stay - original visa entry would not matter even if expired last week (as most peoples would have. Not to worry.

2. Visiting immigration on first workday after expiration of stay would not result in overstay or fine.

When applying last time my 30 days came around in the middle of the Songkran holiday.

I was told not to go early but report after the holiday.

That return on date stamp is now your permission to stay - original visa entry would not matter even if expired last week (as most peoples would have. Not to worry.

Just came back from Jomthien, the paperwork from BKK hadn't arrived (sounds lame, as I applied two months ago already) and the officer just gave the passport back without any new markings and told to come back on Friday. Guess I'll be illegal for a couple of days then

That return on date stamp is now your permission to stay - original visa entry would not matter even if expired last week (as most peoples would have. Not to worry.

Just came back from Jomthien, the paperwork from BKK hadn't arrived (sounds lame, as I applied two months ago already) and the officer just gave the passport back without any new markings and told to come back on Friday. Guess I'll be illegal for a couple of days then

Don't worry, it is not that uncommon that it takes longer. It is also normal that they don't stamp your passport with a new date.