This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Should I go to Immigration in person on the specified date to finalize my marriage visa extension?
Marriage VisaVisa RenewalThailand ImmigrationNON-O Visa90 Day ReportingVisa ExtensionVisa ProceduresExpat Advice
Mar 6, 2023
3 years ago
David *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERI’m in the process of renewing my visa, and changing from retirement, to marriage.
We’ve applied, done the back-and-forth, and gotten the house visit. No issues so far.
But the Wife and I are in disagreement.
She believes that we can complete online. She maintains that she was told by Immigration Officers that we would be informed if there were any issues. A conversation that was not directed at me (a pet peeve, but I digress) and that since we have not been contacted we do not need to do anything.
I point to what is stamped in my passport, “…the immigration bureau applicant must contact the office again in person on 9 March 2023.” I’m thinking I need an actual stamp, not another printed 90 Extension.
It’s a long taxi ride and she hates spending money. And it’s in the middle of nowhere, so no fun stuff to do if it’s a wasted trip. (Nakhon Pathom)
For peace in the family, please help.
Thank you,
We’ve applied, done the back-and-forth, and gotten the house visit. No issues so far.
But the Wife and I are in disagreement.
She believes that we can complete online. She maintains that she was told by Immigration Officers that we would be informed if there were any issues. A conversation that was not directed at me (a pet peeve, but I digress) and that since we have not been contacted we do not need to do anything.
I point to what is stamped in my passport, “…the immigration bureau applicant must contact the office again in person on 9 March 2023.” I’m thinking I need an actual stamp, not another printed 90 Extension.
It’s a long taxi ride and she hates spending money. And it’s in the middle of nowhere, so no fun stuff to do if it’s a wasted trip. (Nakhon Pathom)
For peace in the family, please help.
Thank you,
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is navigating the process of switching from a retirement visa to a marriage visa and is uncertain if they need to go to the immigration office in person as instructed by their passport stamp, while their wife believes it's not necessary. Community members overwhelmingly advise that the user should indeed attend the appointment in person on March 9th to secure their one-year marriage visa extension, regardless of the wife's opinions or any potential online process. Some stress that attending in person is essential to avoid issues, and that the wife does not need to accompany them for the final stamping.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted 90 Day Reporting Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
James ********
The OP has an update to this Post...
"Just a follow up to my visa renewal/marriage conversion. Posting here as original post has been closed.
Appointment stamped in passport directed me to appear in person on the 9th. Wife and I arrived at Immigration 10:00. Place was less busy than previously, about
After about 3 minutes one of the older male officers came round and began speaking to my wife. (I had asked her to direct all conversations to me as things had gotten so confused last time) but officer seemed upset and would not even look at me.
He took my passport and directed us to sit in the waiting area. He then went to a credenza behind his desk, found a folder sitting ready on top, attached my passport, looked me dead in the eye and slammed it down on his desk.
We went to the waiting area, but I have no idea what I might have done as I barely spoke a word and always make a conscious effort smile and be agreeable with public officials.
Wife said he was upset as he stated we were to have called ahead of our arrival. 🤷♂️
Information Clerk showed up after 10 minutes. Must have been on break.
20 minutes later he came out and waived for me. I asked Wife to stay seated and went to him. He kept glancing between me and my Wife, eventually handing my passport to me. Then without saying a word, pointed to the new stamp, and flipped to the 90 Day Extention stapled in the back. Turned and walked away. I thanked the back of his head.
Overall, from beginning to end, the process is doable yourself. Use patience. I believe different officers use different strategies to try to trip you up. Smile and don’t argue.
One point that I was not aware:
The one year renewal is from date of arrival, not one year from the previous visa expiration after extensions. So, even though I was stamped on Mar 9, my new visa expires Dec 4."
"Just a follow up to my visa renewal/marriage conversion. Posting here as original post has been closed.
Appointment stamped in passport directed me to appear in person on the 9th. Wife and I arrived at Immigration 10:00. Place was less busy than previously, about
***
full and all officers were occupied. We went directly to the unmanned information desk and waited for the clerk.After about 3 minutes one of the older male officers came round and began speaking to my wife. (I had asked her to direct all conversations to me as things had gotten so confused last time) but officer seemed upset and would not even look at me.
He took my passport and directed us to sit in the waiting area. He then went to a credenza behind his desk, found a folder sitting ready on top, attached my passport, looked me dead in the eye and slammed it down on his desk.
We went to the waiting area, but I have no idea what I might have done as I barely spoke a word and always make a conscious effort smile and be agreeable with public officials.
Wife said he was upset as he stated we were to have called ahead of our arrival. 🤷♂️
Information Clerk showed up after 10 minutes. Must have been on break.
20 minutes later he came out and waived for me. I asked Wife to stay seated and went to him. He kept glancing between me and my Wife, eventually handing my passport to me. Then without saying a word, pointed to the new stamp, and flipped to the 90 Day Extention stapled in the back. Turned and walked away. I thanked the back of his head.
Overall, from beginning to end, the process is doable yourself. Use patience. I believe different officers use different strategies to try to trip you up. Smile and don’t argue.
One point that I was not aware:
The one year renewal is from date of arrival, not one year from the previous visa expiration after extensions. So, even though I was stamped on Mar 9, my new visa expires Dec 4."
Frank **********
I would say once Tod or the other moderators give the answer that should end the comment s as any more can possibly confuse someone. 555
Dannie ***************
@Frank *********
Yes, he needs to:1. Show up on the appointed date to get his one year extension officially placed in his passport, just like all of us on the NON O marriage visa.
2. Complete his 90 day report within its due period.
Reply to
Dannie ***************
Reply
Bob **********
If it says the 9th of march I would definitely show up to get your one year stamp
Robert **********
Am I correct in saying that changing from retirement visa to marriage visa you eliminate the 90 day reporting & the need for an exit/re-entry permit should you want to leave but will then no longer do the 90 day reporting instead you will need to exit the Kingdom every 90 days?
Riny ************
Will Macadam I checked the Savannaket Embassy website last week and the financial requirements were still there (as mentioned on most/all Thai Emb websites)
Peter **********
@Dannie **************
Ah. I stand corrected. 😉Robert **********
Will Macadam I only ever use the 60 day tourist visa now, I'm currently in Siem Reap (Evisa online for here, so easy) & will travel back next week to Thailand through Poi Pet😵 for 45 days I assume but fly back to Blighty within 30 days.
Robert **********
@Dannie **************
this must be the route immigration is telling his wife he can use.Dannie ***************
@Peter *********
No, you can make an initial application in-country for a NON O Married to Thai national after marriage in Thailand.After it is granted, you must annually extend it.
Robert **********
Will Macadam I'm referring to the in country Non O visa as the route he will need to take or is that now not available?
Chris *******
@Robert *********
no all wrong.The real difference is the financial obligation is only 400k.
And you have the ability to work.
Peter **********
@Robert *********
Nope. The marriage extension still requires 90 day reporting. The main differences between marriage and retirement extension is that the amounts for marriage extension are half of the retirement extension and a marriage extension enables you to apply for a work permit whereas a retirement extension does not.(I didn’t write you will actually get a work permit, but at least you can try…) 😉
David *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter *********
The possibly of a WP is part of the reason for Marriage conversion.Wife wants me to post YouTube videos. Thailand considers that ‘work’ and are cracking down on those w/o permits.
So far, how to get what they claim they are cracking down upon is a mystery.
Subject for another thread.
Peter **********
@David ****************
Exactly. That’s why I do the marriage thing and put 800k in the bank anyway. That will enable me to work and secure me in case something happens in the marriage.Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Masoud *******
for peace of mind and family, you don't need to take your wife to get the 1y extension in your passport!
she needs to be there only when you apply (noting that she has already been there for that)
good luck
she needs to be there only when you apply (noting that she has already been there for that)
good luck
Alan *******
I Would Do what they Say, Just Go & See them in Person....Forget what She says,Unless of course SHE Is an Immigration Officer !!
Alex ******
The stamp means you have to go on the 9th at the office to get your passport stamped. Sorry but the trip is necessary.
Biff *******
Everyone has an ‘admitted until’ stamp in their passport, yours will run out soon.
You haven’t got the year’s extension in your passport yet.. You need to go and get it.
It’s your extension, go without her. Nice bit of peace and quiet in the taxi too. 😬
You haven’t got the year’s extension in your passport yet.. You need to go and get it.
It’s your extension, go without her. Nice bit of peace and quiet in the taxi too. 😬
Tod *********
Okay while the helpful hints are appreciated IF you people don't use the exact same immigration office; Nakhon Pathom keep the helpful comments to yourself 😕..
Remember there are OVER 80 offices and what yours does Nakhon Pathom may or may NOT due.
Remember there are OVER 80 offices and what yours does Nakhon Pathom may or may NOT due.
Ashley ********
There’s a chance they will contact you again before the 9th. That’s just to make sure you still have the 400k in your account. It’s random.
Philip **********
Turn up on the day …update your bank book again take a print ….they may ask , they may not but be prepared .
Greg *******
go back to immigration on that day and get a stamp for the rest of the year. no need to take the wife. takes 5 minutes
Tod *********
No disrespect intended, but what your thai wife knows about visa/extensions you can probably put in a thimble 😮
Filing a 90 day report online has NOTHING to do with you getting your yearly extension based on marriage to a thai 😕
Those "lost in translation" things happen when you let the immigration officers (who can ALL speak english enough to do their job) talk at you thru your wife 🙁
You show up at that office on Mar 9th, (the day the stamp TELLS you to show up) and they will ink in the year extension
Long ride or not, you slog on over there the 9th no matter what your wife says.
If you don't want to take her don't, she's not needed for the last "get the extension inked in) part
Filing a 90 day report online has NOTHING to do with you getting your yearly extension based on marriage to a thai 😕
Those "lost in translation" things happen when you let the immigration officers (who can ALL speak english enough to do their job) talk at you thru your wife 🙁
You show up at that office on Mar 9th, (the day the stamp TELLS you to show up) and they will ink in the year extension
Long ride or not, you slog on over there the 9th no matter what your wife says.
If you don't want to take her don't, she's not needed for the last "get the extension inked in) part
David *****************
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks all.
I told her I was going regardless, and besides, I needed a night out on the town.
Wild horses couldn’t hold her back now 🤣
I told her I was going regardless, and besides, I needed a night out on the town.
Wild horses couldn’t hold her back now 🤣
David *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Slogging. Thanks for confirming.Tod *********
@David ****************
the key thing is the stamp and the wording, it clearly says you application for extension is under consideration and tells you a date you are to return to the office, that's when they'll ink in the yearly extension AND
after that if you're going to exit the country at all during the year you should buy a re-entry permit (single re-entry 1000baht, multiple re-entry 3800baht) 🙂
Rick *********
@T**
, did you mean to say a single re-entry is 1000Baht or 1900baht?Tod *********
@Rick ********
a single re-entry permit is 1000baht, an extension of stay is 1900bahtRick *********
Ok,
@T**
. Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.David *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
Good to know. She wants a bit of travel this year. I’ll mention it if it’s not brought up.Reply to
David *****************
Reply
Tour ********
You go back to Immigration on the date specified and get stamped in, then it's done.
Reply to
Tour ********
Reply
12 comments
2 years ago
4 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
3 years ago
23 comments
3 years ago
6 comments
3 years ago
13 comments
3 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
20 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
4 years ago
Why was I told to apply for my marriage visa extension later despite having all the paperwork ready?
7 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
5 years ago
4 comments
5 years ago
4 comments
5 years ago
23 comments
6 years ago
13 comments
6 years ago
2 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
9 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.