Warning: Don't be too nice to Immigration Officials. Extention Halved.

[tgeezer]

Sorry.

Visa: Non-Immigrant O Multi-Entry based on marriage.

Within the final 90 day Permission of Stay I went to get a 12 month Extention of Stay (to be followed by a multiple re-entry permit to come and go without hassle during the 12 months).

All docs correct. All accepted and extention granted. As I was leaving with it all done the senior pulled me over.

No biggie.

I don't understand all the visas and extensions but something in your history made the officer suspect your entitlement and your exuberance at getting the extension further aroused her suspicions, so she decided to review the position after six months. You didn't give her the opportunity to do that which if anything has made her doubt that she should have given you even six months!

What is the advantage of an annual extension based on marriage with a multiple re-entry stamp compared with the visa(s) you have presumably reverted to using now?

I am intrigued by your attitude; the officer is charged with making sure that everything is above board and would not have acted out of caprice and if you thought that she was, why didn't you protest?

As Mario has already pointed out, marriage extensions are not granted locally.

Your local office, rubber stamps under instructions from head office.

They do not grant or refuse locally and have no power to alter the date.

When you apply, you are given an 'under consideration' stamp.

You return 1 or 2 months later after head office have finished considering.

At risk f being pedantic by Mario says nothing of this sort at all! I had no idea that all applications of this sort are sent to Bangkok I get my extensions on the spot from head office.

[Dave 74]

What is the advantage of an annual extension based on marriage with a multiple re-entry stamp compared with the visa(s) you have presumably reverted to using now?

At the time I was here on the final 90 day PoS on the Non-O ME based on marriage.

Getting an EoTS and Multi-Re-entry Permit would mean not getting another ME Visa the next time I left.

That's the only difference really.

I am intrigued by your attitude; the officer is charged with making sure that everything is above board and would not have acted out of caprice and if you thought that she was, why didn't you protest?

Why would I protest? No biggie. Smile, wai, on my way.

[ubonjoe]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

[tgeezer]

What is the advantage of an annual extension based on marriage with a multiple re-entry stamp compared with the visa(s) you have presumably reverted to using now?

At the time I was here on the final 90 day PoS on the Non-O ME based on marriage.

Getting an EoTS and Multi-Re-entry Permit would mean not getting another ME Visa the next time I left.

That's the only difference really.

I am intrigued by your attitude; the officer is charged with making sure that everything is above board and would not have acted out of caprice and if you thought that she was, why didn't you protest?

Why would I protest? No biggie. Smile, wai, on my way.

Extension based on marriage, one visit to immigration per year, for two tasks: extend and re-entry stamps, present Non-O ME based on marriage. ( whatever that means) one visit to immigration per year for one task only. No brainer, I can't see why you bothered to go the extension based on marriage route at all!

[Dave 74]

I'm not too sure of what point you're trying to make tbh.

The difference would have been not needing to get a new ME Visa every 12-15 months when outside of Thailand. I come and go a lot, it's not a big deal, annual visit to Immigration, annual visit to a Thai Embassy when out of the country, same same as they say.

Edited March 21, 2014 by Dave 74

[kurnell]

Applying for my O visa extension was one of the more unpleasant experiences in Thailand

[thepool]

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What is the advantage of an annual extension based on marriage with a multiple re-entry stamp compared with the visa(s) you have presumably reverted to using now?

At the time I was here on the final 90 day PoS on the Non-O ME based on marriage.

Getting an EoTS and Multi-Re-entry Permit would mean not getting another ME Visa the next time I left.

That's the only difference really.

I am intrigued by your attitude; the officer is charged with making sure that everything is above board and would not have acted out of caprice and if you thought that she was, why didn't you protest?

Why would I protest? No biggie. Smile, wai, on my way.

Extension based on marriage, one visit to immigration per year, for two tasks: extend and re-entry stamps, present Non-O ME based on marriage. ( whatever that means) one visit to immigration per year for one task only. No brainer, I can't see why you bothered to go the extension based on marriage route at all!

A NoN "o" multiple entry visa cannot be obtained within Thailand. The visa only permits 90 day entries and to make maximum use of the visa regular border runs have to be undertaken.

[Procrastinator]

Good one Dave 74. I admire your attitude, i like your perseverance, and i glad you had your ducks in a row before the knives came out.

[tgeezer]

I'm not too sure of what point you're trying to make tbh.

The difference would have been not needing to get a new ME Visa every 12-15 months when outside of Thailand. I come and go a lot, it's not a big deal, annual visit to Immigration, annual visit to a Thai Embassy when out of the country, same same as they say.

The point I am trying to make is that it probably wasn't your happiness which motivated the immigration officer so I am trying to imagine another reason for her actions. As you say it is not a big issue for you since you have an alternative means of complying with the rules.

[seabass69]

you were such a pleasure to have in the office, they wanted you back sooner..........

Years ago, a mate and I were going through immigration at the Don. My mate went through first and the female officer took ages looking at my passport, then at her screen, then at me, then my passport again, then at her screen, then at me again. Then she says, "Come with me". I asked her where we are going. She says "No, come here and look at this", and pointed at her screen. I went behind her desk and she started laughing. " Haha, you're wearing the same shirt now as last time you came here...and same shirt in passport!" She stamped me in and said "See you next time, wear same shirt".

[marko kok prong]

i was at the Phitsanoluk office on wednsday,only 3 other people there,we were dealt with almost immediatley,and the immigration officer was very pleasant,they even did some photocpying for us,application was processed in under an hour,have to go back in one month to get it,this was a marriage extension,we were quite and polite,i always make sure i give a good wai to the officials,hearing what goes on at some of the other offices,i must say i am very happy that this is the one we attend.

[OJAS]

So can we look forward in due course to a further thread from the OP titled "Warning: Be as nasty as possible to Immigration Officials. Extension Doubled", I wonder?

[FiftyTwo]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

All my marriage extensions (Chiang Mai) are approved in Bangkok.

[ubonjoe]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

All my marriage extensions (Chiang Mai) are approved in Bangkok.

What makes you think that?

You should look at the small stamp in Thai under your extension stamp that has info on the approval by the regional office.

[jimky]

That's not the correct stamp for a 1-year extension.

[alant]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.
Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

On the first occasion where you seeking a "change of visa" status as a first step toward obtaining an extension ?

[Mario2008]

I believe CM-immigration does not do conversion to a non-immigrant based on marriage.

[FiftyTwo]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

Me too.

(prior to that I had a 1 year non-imm O-A VISA)

[OMGImInPattaya]

A crock of shize story for sure.

[alant]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

On the first occasion where you seeking a "change of visa" status as a first step toward obtaining an extension ?

I was changing from retirement to married the 1st time. Edited March 21, 2014 by alant

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.
Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

On the first occasion where you seeking a "change of visa" status as a first step toward obtaining an extension ?

I was changing from retirement to married the 1st time.

That is interesting as what was being asked for was a simple change in the reason for an extension.

Was the retirement based on an extension or an O/A or Mutiple Entry Non "O" visa ?

Hopefully one of the Mods may be able to shed light on this conundrum !

Edit

"Mods" not "Moods" !

Edited March 21, 2014 by thepool

[falkan]

Same thing happened to me at Phuket immigration last year. The guy working the back desk put a 12 month extension stamp in my passport. He then handed it over to the female boss for sign off. She crossed out the 12 months on the stamp and then wrote 6 months in by hand.

On what basis were you getting the extension. If for attending a language school they did the correct thing because Phuket only does those extensions for 6 months.

wrong, they do give 1 year now since 2 weeks back..

[Chonburiram]

Dave 74,

Over your stamp should be stamped " ภรรยาไทย ", means: Paraja Thai = Thai wife.

In the real extension of stay stamp for married to a Thai national you are not asked to

" Leave the kingdom within the date specified ".

Edited March 21, 2014 by Chonburiram

[ajarnmarc]

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you were such a pleasure to have in the office, they wanted you back sooner..........

That's probably what it was.

It's not like they get many happy visitors,

so it's best to keep the happy ones coming back.

Helps boost the morale & all.

Cheers

Edited March 21, 2014 by ajarnmarc

[tiffanystoyz]

If I may suggest it seems those doing extensions or immigration business would be better served if they went to Hua Hin to get it done it is small office The longest I waited was The time I went to use bathroom there and that was my fault had some bad Phad Thai. So service quick helpful lady speaks english too and is very helpful pleasant person.

[tiffanystoyz]

Or you could do what I do if not wanting the hassle hire attorney give him doc's come back in two days stamped and good to go. Either way all good.

[ubonjoe]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

Chiang Mai is immigration division 5 headquarters and that would be the approval location.

It could be that the immigration officer though it was done in Bangkok. Or possibly to keep you from not understanding why you had to wait 30 days.

The 30 days is not an extension. You still get a full one year extension stamp from the date your permit to stay ended after the 30 day under consideration stamp.

[DGIE]

you were such a pleasure to have in the office, they wanted you back sooner..........

I cannot help but to....laugh to lemonjelly!

[CMMCB]

Not all extensions of stay based on marriage are approved by Bangkok. Only those that fall within the central region are done at Bangkok.

Northeast is Korat. North is Chiang Mai. South is Songkhla.

Not sure about that, Chiang Mai told me it had to go to Bangkok the 1 St time I did it. That and renewals all have the 1 month 11 months format.

Chiang Mai is immigration division 5 headquarters and that would be the approval location.

It could be that the immigration officer though it was done in Bangkok. Or possibly to keep you from not understanding why you had to wait 30 days.

The 30 days is not an extension. You still get a full one year extension stamp from the date your permit to stay ended after the 30 day under consideration stamp.

Can confirm that I was always told that the decision came from BKK when I used to get my extension based on marriage at CM Immigration. One year I had to go back eleven times, once each month, always to be given 30 more days and told they were waiting for approval from BKK. Puts today's problems into some perspective.