What is the latest on Marriage visas?

[expat888]

I have been out of Thailand for a year and just returned. I want to apply for a marriage visa. I have applied for and received a year non-o extention three previous times.

Specifically, can you apply for a non-o marriage visa when you are on a 30 day on-arrival visa? I am going to the Surin immigration to attempt this.

I read in this forum some time back that you could, but I know things can be very fluid about the visa rules.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Maestro]

You seem to be on a 30-day permission to stay based on a visa-exempt entry.

If you meet the requirements for the one-year marriage extension, you can apply at your immigration office for a single-entry non-O visa and subsequently for the extension.

[expat888]

Thanks.

I didn't want to make the long trip to immigration unless I had some level of confidence that I wouldn't be turned away for some rule change.

Thanks again for the late night reply.

[ubonjoe]

Sorry but you can only apply for a conversion to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry at Bangkok immigration based upon qualifying for an extension of stay based upon marriage. It takes 2 trips to Bangkok 15 days apart to get the visa/entry stamp.

Your best option is to make a trip to Savannakhet Laos (across the river from Mukdahan) to get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

Then you would apply for the extension at Kap Choeng immigration during the last 30 days of the the 90 day entry from the visa.

[Lite Beer]

As Joe said, probably easier to go to Savannakhet and get a Non Imm O Visa.

[expat888]

Are there specific days you can apply at Savannakhet Laos?

I know Bangkok can be quite contrary about non-o visas.

Has anyone had recent expereince with this?

[nowretired]

Are there specific days you can apply at Savannakhet Laos?

Open Mon - Fri excluding holidays !

[expat888]

Ok, it appears Laos is the way. Is that a 2-day process?

Application 1 day

Pick-up the next?

[expat888]

After doing some further reading, is it still true you don't need to show proof of income in Laos?

If not, I assume you need it for the year extention.

[Lite Beer]

Financials not needed in Savanakhet.

You can get a Multi Entry if you want.

400,000 in the bank or 40,000 income needed for 12 month extension.

[expat888]

Ok. Got it.

Thanks

[expat888]

Got back from Savannakhet and it was easy as far as the visa. The trip wasn't quite that easy and the only place to eat there is an expensive coffee shop. I mean really really expensive. Gourmet style. After getting info from here, my process was very easy. I believe Savannakhet is competing for business with the nothern Laos outlet. The accomdations were quite poor, but I didn't care because I was in and out of the visa process.

Thanks for those that gave me the prep info.