Answered5 years ago
Can I apply for a 60-day extension while on a tourist visa if I am married to a Thai citizen?
Hello!
I entered on a Tourist Visa back in March 2021 and have since been on covid extensions. (UK passport)
In December 2021 I married my Thai husband.
I recently renewed my passport and got it back this week. I got everything transferred to my new passport yesterday. Unfortunately I don’t have enough time (15 days required) to transfer to a Non-O, my current extension expires on 21st March.
When I went to Chiang Mai immigration I asked one of the helpers if there was a 60 day extension I could apply for being married to a Thai, they said I should just apply for a COVID extension but maybe it will be denied.
Is the 60 day extension not available to someone who entered on a tourist visa? I literally have all my paperwork to transfer I just don’t have the time because I was waiting for my new passport with my new surname.
Thanks
I entered on a Tourist Visa back in March 2021 and have since been on covid extensions. (UK passport)
In December 2021 I married my Thai husband.
I recently renewed my passport and got it back this week. I got everything transferred to my new passport yesterday. Unfortunately I don’t have enough time (15 days required) to transfer to a Non-O, my current extension expires on 21st March.
When I went to Chiang Mai immigration I asked one of the helpers if there was a 60 day extension I could apply for being married to a Thai, they said I should just apply for a COVID extension but maybe it will be denied.
Is the 60 day extension not available to someone who entered on a tourist visa? I literally have all my paperwork to transfer I just don’t have the time because I was waiting for my new passport with my new surname.
Thanks
Answer summary
The individual entered Thailand on a Tourist Visa and has been extending it due to COVID. After marrying a Thai citizen, they sought to transfer to a Non-O visa but faced timing issues with their passport renewal. There were complications regarding their eligibility for a 60-day extension based on their marriage. Responses suggested that while typically the 'Visiting Thai Family' extension is available once per entry, they could apply for another COVID extension. After navigating the immigration process in Chiang Mai, they eventually secured their desired extension.
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Tod *********
and now that we know how the story ends (and that it was a happy ending too 😛 ) I think we're done,
Congrats Heather
Congrats Heather
Heather **************
OPOkay just a follow up. At Chiang mai and had all the paperwork ready for a 60 day extension. Either based on COVID or Thai family. The guys outside who guard the fort said I have to apply for my non -o even though I insisted I didn’t have enough days left… I urged I just wanted a 60 day extension but they didn’t listen and made me make two copies of everything and fill in all the forms etc. finally get the ticket to go inside and the guy at the info counter says I don’t have enough days left! So I said I know and whipped out all my paperwork for the Thai Family extension. Got sent straight to that counter and just waiting for my extension.
Possibly the most frustrating thing and wasted at least an hour of my morning- I should have tried to bypass the outside bit first but it’s their system here and I would have kept getting sent outside until I had my little entry card haha
Possibly the most frustrating thing and wasted at least an hour of my morning- I should have tried to bypass the outside bit first but it’s their system here and I would have kept getting sent outside until I had my little entry card haha
Kevin ***********
@Heather *******
Did you have an appointment? I did for my last visit and was told (by the first check-in station) to skip the document check and go inside. My appointment confirmation was in lieu of the ticket.Heather **************
OP@Kevin **********
ohhh I didn’t realise we could make an appointment, will definitely do that next time thank you! 🙏🏼 The people outside are trying their best, they are great with the COVID extensions. Just wish they listened to me or sent me inside if they didn’t know something themselves which they clearly didn’t in this case. Just so grateful to have this group so I always know what to ask for/what I need beforehand.Tod *********
@Heather *******
you make appointments for Chiang Mai here ********************************************
*****
Tod *********
@Kevin **********
ahh that's a good tactic to get away from those semi-clueless people who man the gate thereKevin ***********
@Tod ********
I know they can be a pain, but if they were not there all the people without forms, without forms filled out, without a clue, etc would all be in line inside! 🙂Tod *********
@Heather *******
i knew those wingnuts outside didn't know what they were talking about and glad you got the extension (y)Tod *********
The "visit thai family" extension can be applied for ONCE per entry and is clause 2.24 in the current police order.
BUT
With that being said you can just as easily apply for a 60 day covid extension and if you got it, it'd work too
All you're really trying to do is BUY the 21 days you need so you can apply for the in country Non-O visa at the Chiang Mai office and get thru the review time period.
Here's the english of that visit family clause
BUT
With that being said you can just as easily apply for a 60 day covid extension and if you got it, it'd work too
All you're really trying to do is BUY the 21 days you need so you can apply for the in country Non-O visa at the Chiang Mai office and get thru the review time period.
Here's the english of that visit family clause
Heather **************
OP@Tod ********
thank you Tod! Yeah exactly I am just buying days so I can sort my Non-O visa, I just really don’t want the dreaded 7 day stamp of doom. I will be heading back to the UK at some point this Summer for a couple of months so it won’t really matter if I used my one family extension.Tod *********
and here's the thai
it's in the current police order
it's in the current police order
********
that controls extensions
Brandon ************
It sounds like you are eligible for a Covid extension. This is a good thing, as the "Visiting Thai Family" extension is only available one time per entry to Thailand. You may be eligible for it but if you use it now, you won't have it for an emergency in the future.
So here's what I recommend.
Go to immigration and tell them you want to apply for another Covid Extension. Don't pay the fee, and ask them if you will be approved or not. They cannot give you a 7-day extension denied stamp unless you paid already. If they say you are eligible then pay and get your Covid extension and use that time to apply for your marriage visa.
If they say you will not receive Covid extension, then at that time you can ask for your 60 day visiting Thai family extension. But try to save that as a last resort.
So here's what I recommend.
Go to immigration and tell them you want to apply for another Covid Extension. Don't pay the fee, and ask them if you will be approved or not. They cannot give you a 7-day extension denied stamp unless you paid already. If they say you are eligible then pay and get your Covid extension and use that time to apply for your marriage visa.
If they say you will not receive Covid extension, then at that time you can ask for your 60 day visiting Thai family extension. But try to save that as a last resort.
Heather **************
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks Brandon! Yeah the problem is with Chiang Mai you have to get all your paperwork approved outside before you can get in front of an immigration officer. I will see if I am approved to go in with both sets of paperwork to ask. I will be heading back to the UK for a couple of months this summer so I don’t mind using my one time visiting Thai family extension. Thank you for your advice I am probably stressing over nothing! The guy just got me worried when he said lots of people have been denied.John **********
Assuming you're officially married and have proof of the marriage from the amphoe you should be able to get a 60 day visiting Thai family extension (if you've not had previously)
Heather **************
OP@John *********
yes I am officially married, have all the documentation from the amphur, husband’s house book, photos inside house etc and never had this extension previously. okay that’s good news, I was sure I could get a 60 day family extension. The guy only seemed to know about the year extension or covidJohn **********
@Heather *******
sounds like you need to just bypass the guy and go straight to the immigration officer. Take your husband along with you.Heather **************
OP@John *********
thank you so much, yes I will bring my husband. Going to have a much better sleep now I am not panicking about my immigration visit tomorrow haha thank you 🙏🏼
Anita *********
Maybe try this one . Get a letter from your embassy , explain them your situation and get a letter so the immigration can maybe grant you 30 days . That might help you to process your non-O visa .
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