Type O Visa and Marriage Extension Clarification

[Alaskan]

I have searched the forum and read a dozen threads on the topic but I am just managing to confuse myself more and more. I will try to list the facts of my situation clearly and concisely and would be very appreciative of an educated member who could provide a clear and concise answer.

I currently have a type B visa with one year extension of stay that expires on Oct 14th of this year. I have a multiple re-entry permit which expires on the same date.

I will be traveling to America for 10 days on Nov 20th, (37 days after my visa expires)

I am in my 30s, married to a Thai national, have over 400k in a Thai bank account for over two years, have a yellow house registration book, live in Bangkok and do not work.

I am told by Thai immigration in Bangkok that I will need to leave Thailand prior to the 14th of October and apply for a Non-Imm type O visa at a Thai embassy or consulate. When I receive that I will need to wait 60 days before applying for an extension of stay based on marriage. I was told that I could not get a re-entry permit for my trip to America during the interim and was further told to just leave Thailand on the 14th, go to a border, come back with a 30 day tourist visa exemption then do an extension to cover me until my trip and deal with the Type O visa upon my return. This just sounds so convoluted.

Am I better of attempting a Multiple entry O visa? Was I misinformed about the re-entry permit? If so, would a multiple re-entry permit be valid throughout the eventual validity of the marriage extension? Am I just better off to deal with this after my return in Dec?

Given the information above, how would one recommend I proceed with the goal of getting a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage?

Thank you for your time and comments.

[CWMcMurray]

Would make more sense to just extend 1 month before your current extension is finished and change reason to staying with Thai wife

Then you will be under consideration for 1 month... So just be sure to submit new ext with plenty of time to pick up before you leave

Then get re-entry permit

If they won't let you do the B to wife 1 yr extension... Maybe they will let you do the 1 time 60 day extension...

That will at least get you to your trip

[PoorSucker]

You can apply for extension of stay based on marriage Oct 14th.

The requirement is to have a non-immigrant visa, that you have.

You do not need a non-O you can apply on your non-B.

I did the same 6 years ago.

[ubonjoe]

How do you have an extension of stay if you are not working?

You should be able to change the reason for your extension of stay from working to marriage without needing to go out for a visa, You would need to cancel your current extension and then apply for the one based upon marriage.

If you got a non-o visa you could apply for a re-entry permit for the 90 entry and then apply for the extension when your return is what they were saying.

The other was to go out a visa exempt entry and apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

[Alaskan]

Thank you both very much for the very rapid replies.

I should have specified that I initially asked about extending on the Non-B and was told "You must get an O visa". This was over the phone with an immigration staff at Chaeng Wattana here in Bangkok. I had read from other's account on here that it is indeed possible. How to reconcile that with the ever changing whims of those at immigration?

Is the issue at all that my Non-B is for purposes of studying Thai which I will no longer be doing when going for the extension of stay based on marriage?

[ubonjoe]

So you have an extension of stay for going to school. Did you you have a non-b and then extend the entry from it for going to school?

You can change the reason for your extension to marriage without a problem.

[Alaskan]

If you got a non-o visa you could apply for a re-entry permit for the 90 entry and then apply for the extension when your return is what they were saying.

Ubonjoe, this was my original plan- get the Type O and then a single re-entry permit for the trip and apply for the extension when I returned. The woman I spoke with said I could not leave during that period though. Perhaps she didn't understand that I meant I would get the re-entry permit.

[Alaskan]

So you have an extension of stay for going to school. Did you you have a non-b and then extend the entry from it for going to school?

You can change the reason for your extension to marriage without a problem.

Yes, my reason for my last extension was for school.

Being able to switch this to an extension based on Marriage would be eternally easier. Now that I'm seeing multiple people confirm this is a possibility I will pursue it more earnestly. I was put off that option when told explicitly by an immigration worker, "you must have Type- O for marriage extension".

Again, many thanks for these quick and helpful responses.

[ubonjoe]

Trying to talk to immigration on the phone does not always give the best answers.

You could apply for the extension at any time now if you got a letter from your school stating you are no longer attending classes effective on the date you apply for it.

[Alaskan]

Trying to talk to immigration on the phone does not always give the best answers.

You could apply for the extension at any time now if you got a letter from your school stating you are no longer attending classes effective on the date you apply for it.

Excellent. I will give that a shot and get my papers in order to apply for the extension right away. Having this squared away prior to my trip would be ideal as I could then get the multiple re-entry permit for a year alongside the extension.

[Lite Beer]

The requirements are for a Non Imm Visa.


(1) The alien must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM).

(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.