Hello,

For a seaman working 90 day rotations of 3 months on 3 months off.

Last rotation applied for and got 60 day extension at Jomtien based on marriage for 1900 baht. 30+60 =90 and that was perfect.

Next time can I apply for a 12 month extension at Jomtien while here on a 30 day (admitted-until) visa waiver and no visa?

I see here on Thaivisa that retirees can do the above by somehow changing their status/visa without need to get a non-imm visa first. As a married person applying for 12 month extension based on marriage is that possible for me as well?

I'm over 50 and can meet the monthly income requirement from my employment for an extension based on retirement and I'm pretty sure my embassy would give me an affidavit. My employment contract states I earn over 200,000 baht per month x 12 months per year.

I'd prefer to do an extension based on marriage.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Jomtien cannot do a conversion based upon qualifying for extension of stay based upon marriage. Only Bangkok immigration can do it.

If you can qualify for an extension based upon retirement that would be the best way to do it because of the need to be here during the 30 day under consideration period you will get when you apply for an extension based upon marriage.

You could go to your embassy and get the proof of income as soon as you arrive. Then go to Jomtien immigration within 15 days of arriving and apply for a non immigrant visa entry. According to recent reports they will do the non immigrant visa entry and extension of stay all in one visit there.

You would need to complete a TM87 form for a non immigrant visa application (2000 baht) and a TM7 extension application.form (1900 baht).

After getting the one year extension you would need to get a multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht).

I am in the same situation, working 2 month rotation, however I am not of retirement age.

My next plan on arrival is to go to Savvankhet and try for the Non Imm o multi entry, based on marriage. Hopefully they are still not requiring proof of funds at the time

Could be another option for you ?

Jomtien cannot do a conversion based upon qualifying for extension of stay based upon marriage. Only Bangkok immigration can do it.

If you can qualify for an extension based upon retirement that would be the best way to do it because of the need to be here during the 30 day under consideration period you will get when you apply for an extension based upon marriage.

You could go to your embassy and get the proof of income as soon as you arrive.

Then go to Jomtien immigration within 15 days of arriving and apply for a non immigrant visa entry. According to recent reports they will do the non immigrant visa entry and extension of stay all in one visit there.

You would need to complete a TM87 form for a non immigrant visa application (2000 baht) and a TM7 extension application.form (1900 baht).

After getting the one year extension you would need to get a multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht).

Thanks very much for the quick reply ubonjoe.

I can't do the TM87 for non immigrant visa application based on marriage in Bangkok because I don't live in there?

The only difference I can see between the two types of 12 month extensions (married vs. retired) is I cannot get a work permit based on a retirement extension. I don't plan to apply for a work permit so I am not concerned with that, and I would like to avoid a trip to Laos if possible.

The retirement extension looks like the best option for me if I can't do a TM87 application in Bangkok.

Thank you again.

If you go to Jontiem they will send you to Bangkok to do the conversion.

You do not have to live in BKK to do the conversion there. Upon conversion you get 3 months and than (after 60 days) can apply for a 1 year extension. Fir this extension you go to your local immigration office.

You could do the conversion in Bangkok but the entire problem is timing. You would need your wife to meet you in Bangkok when you arrive with all the required documents to do the conversion which is the same as needed for an extension, You wold need to get the income letter. You would then apply for the conversion and they will tell you to come back in two weeks to get the visa/entry stamp. You will then have a 90 day entry from the date you applied.

Then 45 days after the visa/entry date stamp you could apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage at Jomtien and be given a report back date 30 days from when you apply. On that date if the approval is done you would get your one year extension stamp. If the approval is not done you would have to wait until it is done.

Unless you plan on quieting your current job during the coming year I would get the extension based upon retirement first. Then next year apply for the extension based upon marriage instead of retirement.

You could do the conversion in Bangkok but the entire problem is timing. You would need your wife to meet you in Bangkok when you arrive with all the required documents to do the conversion which is the same as needed for an extension, You wold need to get the income letter. You would then apply for the conversion and they will tell you to come back in two weeks to get the visa/entry stamp. You will then have a 90 day entry from the date you applied.

Then 45 days after the visa/entry date stamp you could apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage at Jomtien and be given a report back date 30 days from when you apply. On that date if the approval is done you would get your one year extension stamp. If the approval is not done you would have to wait until it is done.

Unless you plan on quieting your current job during the coming year I would get the extension based upon retirement first. Then next year apply for the extension based upon marriage instead of retirement.

Thank you. It is clearer now. For an extension based on marriage I would probably need more than ninety days to do it.

I'd have to bring my wife to Bangkok once, and 2 weeks later I'd need to return again to Bangkok, and in the end I may have to return to my ship-board work before the extension is completed. That would make it a waste of time and money.

I meet both the age and income requirement for the extension of stay based on retirement so I'll go with that.

I can't see any differences between the two types of 12 month extension (retired vs. married), other than for an extension based on retirement employment is prohibited. Are there any other difference between the two types of extensions?

Thanks again ubonjoe and mario2008 for the brilliant advice and clarifications.

Edited July 13, 201411 yr by trep

Being able to get a work permit and work is the only big difference.

You can always change to marriage later if you want to.

But keep in mind that with a conversion, you are stuck to that reason for staying in Thailand.

If you would like to switch, you would need to go abroad for a new visa. (Not a big deal, just a little inconvenience).