Should I renew my Marriage Extension before leaving Thailand or reapply on a tourist visa later?

Marriage Visa Extension Visa Renewal Tourist Visa Non-O Visa Immigration Procedures Re-entry Permit

Oct 31, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My Marriage Extension will expire in April 2024.  I plan to return to my home country and visit again later in the year.  Is it better to renew my Marriage Extension before I leave or just come back on a tourist visa and reapply then?  Any pros/cons or cost difference?  I know If I leave Thailand with a Marriage Extension I need to inform immigration of my departure and return or my visa will become void.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on whether to renew their Marriage Extension visa in Thailand before leaving for their home country, or to return on a tourist visa and reapply later. Key points discussed include the requirement to apply for a visa extension 30 days before expiration, potential home inspections during the application process, and the fact that if they leave before their extension expires, notifying immigration isn't necessary. Additionally, it's noted that some rural immigration offices may have strict rules about switching from a tourist visa to a Non-O visa.

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Andy ********

You may also consider applying for a Non Immigrant O visa in your own country prior to coming back.

a year ago

Bruce ***********

There is some reports that some rural offices will not let you go from tourist visa to non o visa . They make you leave the country and come back on a 30 day visa exempt.

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a year ago

Andy ********

@Bruce **********

I have personal experience of a friend who experienced this exact situation. He is now planning on a trip to Savannakhet.

a year ago

Bruce ***********

@Andy *******

l rang a mate who lives in Kalasin which is my office as well, he went there today and asked them they said there office will do the change and no plans to change it he then bumped into the Captain a couple hours later so he asked him the same question the Captain said he had heard of some offices not doing it but Kalasin will remain doing the visa change as long as you tick all the boxes. So it's hit or miss situation

a year ago

Andy ********

@Bruce **********

sounds like you will be fine. My experience of government offices in Thailand is that things stay largely the same until there is a change in personel at the top or a change in the law. The latter is unlikely to happen anytime soon in conversation of visas.

If it isn't then a trip to Savannakhet is not that far from Kalasin. A beautiful part of the Kingdom I will add.

a year ago

Reply to

Andy ********

Brandon ************

You can only apply when you have 30 days or less left at most immigration offices, so if you plan on leaving before then, you may not have any choice in the matter. You'll also have an under consideration period from when you apply where they may come and want to do a home inspection or talk to your neighbors etc, so you'll need additional time where you cannot leave after you apply.

If you are going to leave before your extension expires and cannot apply for the new 1-year extension, and will not return until after your extension expires, there's no notification you need to make to anyone. Your extension will expire while you're out of the country, and paying for a re-entry permit would be pointless since it's only valid until your extension expires.

a year ago

Bill *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I'm not getting a new marriage extension before I leave, just renewing it. I thought the process was faster and simpler for a renewal.

a year ago

Brandon ************

2000 baht for the non-O visa, and 1900 baht for the extension.

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Bill ********

every application for an extension is a brand new application. There's no such thing as a renewal.

a year ago

Bill *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

So it sounds like save my money, come back on a tourist visa and apply for the marriage extension again if I want to stay longer.

a year ago

Brandon ************

@Bill ********

You cannot apply for marriage extension again if you let your extension lapse. You will need to apply for the 90 day non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai first, and then you will need to apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai after that. You cannot go straight from tourist to 1-year extension, you must convert to non-O first.

a year ago

Bill *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

and will I have to pay 1900 baht for the 90 day non-o and then 1900 baht for the marriage extension?

a year ago

Reply to

Bill *********

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