Various questions and my experience regarding Marriage and the extension of stay.

[craigp]

Hello all.

So, I did the 'freedom to marry' paper at The British colsulate in Chiang Mai. Translated it and got in stamped by the Ministry of foreign affairs. All good and easy. I though the 3000 Baht for the paper was steep. But never mind.

All was set to go to the amphur office and register the our marriage. I thought this would be the easy part, as I know other people who had an easy time doing this, however, mine was not....

The first 2 people we saw at the desk were friendly and helpful enough. Then we were told to go to another desk in a private room where this sour, hard faced Thai woman basically interrogated my wife about me. (My personal funds, how long we had known each other, how I'll support myself etc etc. She was staring at me like a piece of sh*t the whole time and also made my wife feel very uncomfortable...Not the way I would have liked to start a marriage..)

Please note this is only about getting married. Nothing to do with immigration or visas. I didn't think the office workers at the ampher had any right to behave like this. As far as I know, they can't refuse a farang and a Thai to marry. So why she acted such a cow is unknown to me.

Anyway, we got the marriage certificates and went on my way.

I have 400,000 seasoned in a Thai bank. I know I need a map of our address. What else do I need to do for applying for the year extension of stay?

I'm currently on a ED visa with 3 months left.

The freedom to marry paper, do I need to show this to immigration when I apply for the extension based on marriage? Or is this paper now finished with as I'm already married now.

Any direction or advise of where and how to go from here will be greatly appreciated.

Also, will having an extension based on marriage help me to get a work permit in the future?

[Lite Beer]

A Rough Guide.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Letter from your Thai Bank showing balance and up to date bank book.

OR.

If income from outside Thailand: Letter from your Embassy showing income. Now may also need proof of income as back up.

If Income from Thailand: Statements showing Income Tax receipts.

Marriage Certificate. (Kor Ror 3)

Marriage Registry entry. (Kor Ror 2)

Wife's Tabbien Baan and ID Card.

Your Passport.

Copies of everything.

Photos of you and your Wife in and around the house.

A map showing the way to your house.

Passport size photos and 1,900 Baht fee.

Take your Wife to be interviewed.

One or two witnesses may be required.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

[ubonjoe]

If you are now on an extension of stay (it is not a visa) for attending a school you will need a letter from the school stating you are no longer attending classes in order to change your reason for the extension to one based upon marriage.

Some immigration offices will want to see the affirmation of permit to marry for the first extension.

I don't think Chiang Mai requires witnesses.

[craigp]

Thanks ubonjoe.

I want to use the remainder of the ED visa (3 months) before I change to non O and go for an extension with the 400,000 baht in the bank route..

How can I do this? I'm unclear about changing the ED too non O then applying for extension based on marriage.

The guide to sent is helpful and seems easy enough at this stage, just switching visas I'm not sure of. How and where......

[ubonjoe]

Do a you have a non-ed visa entry or do you have an extension of stay from immigration.

You do not and cannot change visas.

If you have visa entry you will just apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

If you are on an extension of stay you just change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage.

[CWMcMurray]

If you are now on an extension of stay (it is not a visa) for attending a school you will need a letter from the school stating you are no longer attending classes in order to change your reason for the extension to one based upon marriage.

Some immigration offices will want to see the affirmation of permit to marry for the first extension.

I don't think Chiang Mai requires witnesses.

Ubon, actually they will want to see a letter from school confirming that you STILL Taking classes (unless things have changed recently)

I went through the change over from ED to Thai wife extension about 6 years ago..

As was told to me by the immigration officer at the time... Before giving you the extension for Thai Wife, they want to ensure your extension for ED is actually still valid

As your extension for studying expires the day you stop taking classes

So they need to confirm you did not quit school between the last extension and now and that is the reason you are now changing to Thai wife

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ubonjoe]

If you are now on an extension of stay (it is not a visa) for attending a school you will need a letter from the school stating you are no longer attending classes in order to change your reason for the extension to one based upon marriage.

Some immigration offices will want to see the affirmation of permit to marry for the first extension.

I don't think Chiang Mai requires witnesses.

Ubon, actually they will want to see a letter from school confirming that you STILL Taking classes (unless things have changed recently)

I went through the change over from ED to Thai wife extension about 6 years ago..

As was told to me by the immigration officer at the time... Before giving you the extension for Thai Wife, they want to ensure your extension for ED is actually still valid

As your extension for studying expires the day you stop taking classes

So they need to confirm you did not quit school between the last extension and now and that is the reason you are now changing to Thai wife

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The most recent report of changing the reason for an extension immigration wanted a letter stating the date they would no longer be attending classes. Otherwise they would not change the reason.

[craigp]

Do a you have a non-ed visa entry or do you have an extension of stay from immigration.

You do not and cannot change visas.

If you have visa entry you will just apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

If you are on an extension of stay you just change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage.

Ubonjoe, I have a 1 year ED visa and I'm on the last few months of it. Then I need to do what ever I must do to stay with my wife. How do I change visa from ED to non O then apply for the extension.

[craigp]

Need to figure that one too then.....Immigration want a letter from the school staying I'm stopping classes, or have been attending classes..........Maybe a letter stating both will do it. They're very helpful at the school I think they'll help me out with this. (I hope!)

[ubonjoe]

Do a you have a non-ed visa entry or do you have an extension of stay from immigration.

You do not and cannot change visas.

If you have visa entry you will just apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

If you are on an extension of stay you just change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage.

Ubonjoe, I have a 1 year ED visa and I'm on the last few months of it. Then I need to do what ever I must do to stay with my wife. How do I change visa from ED to non O then apply for the extension.

So you have a multiple entry ED visa and and are making border runs every 90 days. If this is the case you can apply for the extension based upon marriage during the last 30 day on any of your 90 day entries. You will not need the letter in this case.

As I said before you cannot change from one class of non immigrant visa to another. A non immigrant visa of any class is all you need to do the extension.

If you actually have an extension of stay (it is not a visa) you applied for at immigration with documents from the school you will need the letter. It would state you have been attending classed and would stop doing it on the date you apply for the extension based upon marriage.

[craigp]

Do a you have a non-ed visa entry or do you have an extension of stay from immigration.

You do not and cannot change visas.

If you have visa entry you will just apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

If you are on an extension of stay you just change the reason for your extension to one based upon marriage.

Ubonjoe, I have a 1 year ED visa and I'm on the last few months of it. Then I need to do what ever I must do to stay with my wife. How do I change visa from ED to non O then apply for the extension.

So you have a multiple entry ED visa and and are making border runs every 90 days. If this is the case you can apply for the extension based upon marriage during the last 30 day on any of your 90 day entries. You will not need the letter in this case.

As I said before you cannot change from one class of non immigrant visa to another. A non immigrant visa of any class is all you need to do the extension.

If you actually have an extension of stay (it is not a visa) you applied for at immigration with documents from the school you will need the letter. It would state you have been attending classed and would stop doing it on the date you apply for the extension based upon marriage.

The school arranged all my paperwork. I had to go to Vientiane to get my ED visa and I had to extend it twice at Chiang Mai immigration. Now, I just have to go to immigration in Chiang Mai to report my address every 90 days until the visa/extension expires. I'm a little confused because I always thought my ED visa was/is a 1 year visa from when I started at the school. But it sounds like an extension from what you're saying. (I know you know your stuff, I clearly don't) So, a letter is required as you've mentioned. So, with all the documents and copies etc mentioned before, plus a letter from the school, I should be ok. Can I do this at Chiang Mai immigration then?...... Hopefully I'm not missing anything.

[ubonjoe]

You seem to of got it now. You will apply at Chiang Mai immigration if that is where you are living.

If you look at the stamp immigration has put in your passport it says extension of stay permitted to. It does not say visa.

[craigp]

Ubonjoe.

I've just looked in my passport and the 'Receipt of notification' stapled in my passport from when I last reported to immigration says - "This is not an extension of stay. Please notify your address again on 30 July 2014. Fine of overdue notifications not exceeding 5,000 baht"

The visa is a non immigrant ED visa, started in 8/8/13.

what to do?!? Visa agent? none of them in Chiang Rai, I've already looked......

[ubonjoe]

Look at your passport page where immigration did you last extension..

You are looking at your 90 day report slip which is not an extension.

[craigp]

I guess the extension of stay was longer than, the 'Receipt of notification' is just an reporting of my address. of the previous extension. They don't stamp my passport when I report, just staple this receipt thing in it telling when to report next time.....

[craigp]

Look at your passport page where immigration did you last extension..

You are looking at your 90 day report slip which is not an extension.

Last stamp says 'Application of stay is permitted until 6/8/14'

When and how is the best safest way to try and get things right for the non O based on marriage.

Just go to Chiang Mai immigration with everything mentioned before plus a letter from the school......When would be a good time to do this before the ED expires? 1 week?

[ubonjoe]

You can do it up to 30 days before your current extension runs out.

Just go to immigration with your wife and the required documents.and apply for the extension.

[craigp]

If everything is correct documentation wise and funds in a Thai bank, have you ever know the extension to be refused to anyone? Or if the criteria is met then they can't refuse?

From my experience so far, the immigration officer I always get is a little evil and intimidating. I don't enjoy going to Chiang Mai immigration one bit!!

[craigp]

You can do it up to 30 days before your current extension runs out.

Just go to immigration with your wife and the required documents.and apply for the extension.

Do I need to make an appointment? Or I can just turn up there?

[ubonjoe]

If you can get an appointment date that is early enough to do your extension it would save you a lot of time waiting at immigration. If not you can just show up.

[TerryLH]

"If you are now on an extension of stay (it is not a visa) for attending a school you will need a letter from the school stating you are no longer attending classes in order to change your reason for the extension to one based upon marriage."

What would a person do who wants to change to an extension based on marriage, but wants to continue studying?

To be eligible to get a WP would be a valid reason to change.

Terry

[ubonjoe]

You get a letter from the school saying no longer are attending classes and then keep going to school. There was report of that being needed to change to and extension based upon retirement recently.

[Blackfox]

Lads,

I'm in and out on a tourist visa but plan to marry year end.

Do I apply for the non O marriage visa outside of Thailand and when issued, how long may I stay within the country at any one time before having to leave to satisfy visa requirements again.

I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[ubonjoe]

Lads,

I'm in and out on a tourist visa but plan to marry year end.

Do I apply for the non O marriage visa outside of Thailand and when issued, how long may I stay within the country at any one time before having to leave to satisfy visa requirements again.

I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

After you get married you can get a single or multiple entry non-o visa at an embassy or consulate.. A multiple entry would give you 90 day entries for a year.

You can apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage to a Thai at immigration during the last 30 days of the 90 entry the non-o visa allows you to get.

[CWMcMurray]

You get a letter from the school saying no longer are attending classes and then keep going to school. There was report of that being needed to change to and extension based upon retirement recently.

Ubon, if you get the letter from school advising that you are no longer studying and you are on an extension of stay for studying ...

Wouldn't that mean that you would need to change visa status on the final day of study ?

As if on extension of stay for purpose of study, then the first day you are not studying, your reason for stay would no longer be valid and you would need to leave the country

I don't want to doubt what you are saying but it is very different than what I needed to do when changing from extension for studying to extension for Thai wife

As when I changed reason for extension, I was still studying and they required a letter saying I was still studying to ensure my current extension was in fact still valid... Which also seems to make more sense.. As for every other type of extension, the day your reason for extension is

Not valid.. Your extension is cancelled and you must leave the country.

In my case, my visa extensions are in Jun every year and I finished at university in Dec...

I changed from extension for studying to Thai wife in the June before I finished.

Immigration officers asked me why I wanted to change reason for extension.. And I told them that I will graduate in Dec, so better to change reason for extension now when doing normal annual extension rather than wait 6 months and then have to change at that time

They didn't have a problem with changing even though still studying

As you Can legally study on any type of visa extension, no need to be Ed

Are you sure the OP should stop studying and get a letter saying he is no longer studying?

As if letter says he has stopped studying since last month... Are you sure immigration would Not just tell him that he should have come and cancelled his extension of stay for reason of study on the last day of study and that he is currently on an overstay?

As that is what required on extension of day for purpose of work if leaving your job or if getting divorced and on extension of stay for marriage ...

And that is how it was explained to me by both my university and immigration when I had extension for reason of study .. I was told that my visa extension was only valid so long as I was studying

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[ubonjoe]

If you get a letter saying you are no longer attending classes it will have a date on it that states the date that will happen and on that date or before you apply for another extension.

I am just passing on the experiences that others have had when the tried to change the reason for their extension. It can vary from one immigration office to another. What your experience was could be entirely different at another office.

[Blackfox]

Thanks Ubonjoe.

I actually went to Chang Wattana yesterday for a different purpose but took the time also to learn about requirements for extension of stay based on marriage.

Do you think it may become difficult for us in the future; western men married to a Thai, without or without children?

It makes me worry about ever investing here in BKK.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[ubonjoe]

Thanks Ubonjoe.

I actually went to Chang Wattana yesterday for a different purpose but took the time also to learn about requirements for extension of stay based on marriage.

Do you think it may become difficult for us in the future; western men married to a Thai, without or without children?

It makes me worry about ever investing here in BKK.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

In my opinion visas and extension of stay based upon marriage or having a Thai child requirements are the least likely ones to be changed because they are done for humanitarian reasons.