Annual Extension Based On Marriage, Now Not Married.

[misterme]

Initial visa was Non-B

I have 6 months left on my last (latest) annual extension.

Since the last extension, ex-wife and I did the divorce at the amphur.

I am trying to prepare for my next extension. I understand that if I change the type of extension (extension based on work permit, for instance) at the end of the year, I may have to drop the current one, and reapply, starting the whole cycle over again. I want to extend this one (my 3rd extension) to be able to apply for residency next year.

I also understand that I can still get a marriage extension if, by the time this visa extension ends, I have a new wife, money in the bank for 3 months, etc, that I can extend my current visa another year.

A few questions:

• Is the above situation correct. If I change the type of extension that I qualify for, they will not extend the current one and will force me to get a new visa outside of Thailand first?
  
• If I am married and all the paperwork is ready in time, will I still qualify to extend based on marriage, even if it's with a new wife
  
• Planning for the new marriage, I currently have my divorce certificate. Can we just go the amphur to register the new marriage? Or do I have to get another notarized letter from my embassy that I am single, translated, and stamped by foreign affairs in BKK? I divorced early this year and have not left Thailand since.
  

Appreciate any input and/or experience. Thanks in advance.

[beechguy]

The way I understand it, your current permission to stay is no longer valid, and will have to start the process all over again.

[beano2274]

sorry but your extension to stay ended the day you got divorced, you are now illegally here. So you need to change to a Non Immigrant B based on work as soon as possible.

To marry again you will have to have all the documents including the affirmation to marry from your Embassy, and all the running around.

Also since you have to start the process again, your previous 2 years are down the drain.

[misterme]

Anyway to keep this visa alive?

[beano2274]

Anyway to keep this visa alive?

No, since you are divorced the reason to remain has ceased to be applicable. When did you get the divorce? As if only a couple of days ago, you might be able to get it changed to a Non Immigrant B, but you would need all the company papers as applicable.

[BuckarooBanzai]

As with all things here in Thailand there are exceptions. Having been here for a lotta years under a retirement visa I hit a roadblock do to the exchange rate and was forced into a situation of insufficient yearly income under retirement visa provisions. Since I was married the immigration officer went through the extensive computer input procedure to provide me with a married visa but I think still kept me under the stamp of a retirement visa. The next year the exchange rate improved and I was again registered as a retirement visa with no repercussions. Some of these officers are caring people who have hearts of gold. I realize this does not help the OP as this is an opposite scenario but I thought it worthy of mentioning. Positive things help us all cope with the negative. If you can, maintain a retirement visa so you can fall back on a marriage visa if necessary.

[misterme]

Many months ago. Of course, everyone in Immigration recognizes us and the last thing I want to do is zigzag. I only want to try to keep it alive if there is a 'legal' way to do it.

If I have to start from scratch, I may just do the old way, external visa with 90 day runs. As the years pile on, I may even have to consider working outside too. And only a few years 'til I qualify for retirement anyway. A shame if I screwed up the residency process....

[lopburi3]

You appear to have been here illegally since divorce and have been working illegally since then as you do not have the required visa/extension of stay for valid work permit. Did you not sign a paper during your last extension that you understood your stay was dependent on maintaining the reasons it was granted and would end if that ended (has been a requirement for several years now in Bangkok - but suspect some do not read it)? I am sure immigration will try to be helpful but suspect there is little they can do at this point. Also sure you are not the only person in such a situation and am quite sure that is the reason they have started the requirement to sign the extra paper on each extension of stay.

[TommoPhysicist]

Many months ago. Of course, everyone in Immigration recognizes us and the last thing I want to do is zigzag. I only want to try to keep it alive if there is a 'legal' way to do it.

If I have to start from scratch, I may just do the old way, external visa with 90 day runs. As the years pile on, I may even have to consider working outside too. And only a few years 'til I qualify for retirement anyway. A shame if I screwed up the residency process....

As a married person you should have applied for citizenship, not residency.

Shame you missed out on that really.

[evadgib]

The OP or others in his position should be aware that his ex wife or anyone with an axe to grind could send him down the swanee if he's not careful (one way ticket to IDC without passing "Go" or collecting GBP 200!).

[Mario2008]

Several posts deletd as this subject turned into a shouting match. Please stick to the topic and keep it civil.

Thai nationailty is dicussed in this thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Story-Thai-Citizenship-Applicatio-t121353.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Citizenship-t29423.html&view=findpost&p=301032