Can I leave Thailand while my 1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage is "Under Consideration"?

Dec 14, 2022
2 years ago
Martynus ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm waiting for 1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage. With the stamp "Under Consideration" can I leave the country in the meantime? TIA ๐Ÿ™
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry revolves around leaving Thailand during the 'Under Consideration' period for a 1-Year Extension of Stay based on marriage. While there are mixed opinions in the community, it is generally suggested that one can leave the country if they purchase a re-entry permit. However, it's crucial to ensure that you return before the expiration date of the 'Under Consideration' stamp. Some users advise checking with local immigration offices for specific requirements, as a home visit or additional interviews may be needed during this period. It's important to communicate any travel plans to the immigration officials when applying for the extension.
Tod *********
and I think we beat this topic to death

CHECK with your immigration office and if you have plans to leave the country when you're applying for a year extension that has an under consideration period, TELL THEM when you apply, SHOW proof of when you're going to be out of the country and when you come back.
Trevor *******
I had no problem with Pattaya.

Indeed, they were decent and helpful enough to give me a two month period before collection of the extension.
David *******
Literally did this this morning with the wife in Chiang Mai. She is now under consideration until Jan 13, and they EXPLICITLY said to not leave, because we need a house visit by the police to verify our marriage. After the visit, we will receive a call to update the visa to 1 year and then we can leave freely. I would double check if I was you.
Matti *********
@David ******
why would you buy multi re-entry as its valid only until the under consideration period.

I have left the country couple of times during the under consideration period with single re-entry permit. As Todd said it's ok as long as you are back before the stamp expires.

Buy multi re-entry only once you have the annual extension stamped.

If you tell them you need to take quick trip but will be back before the under consideration stamp expires they will sell you single re-entry.

Or if you apply but early and have previous extension with multi re-entry valid you can just travel as long as it's within the expiry of previous extension and you are back on the day you need to report back for your new extension.
Mikkel *******
@Matti ********
that last part is not correct. The re-entry is only valid for the current stamp, which have expired during your "under consideration" stamp. The "under consideration" period is part of the new year extension. So any re-entry permit you already had expired on the date your last extension expired. You will need a new re-entry for the under consideration period. And then again a new one for the remaining 11 months.
Mikkel *******
Unless you apply early, up to 30 days most places, then you would of course be able to leave within the timeframe of your current stamp and come back. But not after that and during thw 30 day under consideration, without it's own permit
Matti *********
@Mikkel ******
exactly. As I said if you apply say 30 or 20 days early you can still travel with the current multi re-entry when "under consideration" for new extension.

Very much possible and I have the passport with stamps to prove it.

There is also post on the group as I did ask and got good advice from the admins here.
David *******
Sorry tod have to disagree with you this time. They explicitly would not give us a multi reentry UNTIL after we receive the 1 year. When they asked for the 1900 we asked about multi entry and were told not until the popo check us and we get the followup stamp
Tod *********
@David ******
of course you wouldn't waste the money getting the multi-re-entry permit ๐Ÿ˜• it'd only be good for 30 days. ๐Ÿ™

you can tell them you're leaving and get a single re-entry permit,

in fact you can even have them move the under consideration date further out if you're not gonna be back in time when they first go to give it to you.

Don't believe everything a paper-pushing, passport stamping low level gov't official tells you..

There is NOTHING in the rules that says you can't leave. You have to coordinate the home visit, but you certainly can leave..
Tod *********
@David ******
if you'd have told them you had plans to leave during the 30 day under consideration period they would have told you to buy a re-entry permit and they'd have coordinated the home visit for a time you're there.

There is nothing in the rules that says you can't leave, only that you have to be back by the expiration date on the stamp ๐Ÿ™‚
Ellie *******
Remember, also your province office may do a home visit or witness interviews during the under-consideration period. You'd definitely want to be there if and when your office call for that.
Martynus ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Thank you! The home visit was already ๐Ÿ˜‰
Tod *********
@Tomasz *********
then just show up on the date it says to in your passport and you'll be fine. and right after you get the year extension inked in BUY a re-entry permit so you can leave the country and not cancel your stamps
Tod *********
You can IF you buy a re-entry permit <- which will be valid only for the under consideration period

AND

It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) you need to be back on or by the date that stamp expires to go to the immigration office to get your extension inked in
Martynus ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
One more thing ๐Ÿ˜‰

If they don't complete my application within the mentioned 2 weeks, can I apply for a Non-O Visa in Thailand to start the whole process over or do I have to do it in my home country? TIA
Tod *********
@Tomasz *********
you go back on the date that stamp in your passport says to go back and you will get the year extension stamp.
Martynus ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Thank you! Oh, that's bad news...

I hope they do everything before the planned flight... Fingers crossed, more two weeks.(Stamp until 28.12-my flight 28.12 ๐Ÿ˜‚)
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