What are the options for changing a Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand with tight deadlines and documentation requirements?

Question

My german husband and I live in Chiang Mai. He is currently on a tourist exemption (45 days) including a tourist visa extension (+30 days). The extension is granted until 25.12.2022. 
I'm a Thai citizen and we were only able to register the marriage just now (due to needing more translated and certified documents).
Now we wanted to change his Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa for spouses but I have seen that you can only apply 15 days before your Visa runs out. As Monday, 12.12.2022 is a national holiday, the immigration in Chiang Mai will also be closed. He can apply for the Visa change the earliest on Tuesday, 13.12.2022, which is only 12 days away from the 25.12.2022.

I also doubt that we will get all the specified documents needed ready by then. Do we even need all of the documents when applying, or can we apply and get a little bit more time to get all the documents ready? E.g. they want to see a copy of the bank saving's account but as of now he couldn't open a Thai bank account. Only possible when he already applied for the Non-Immigrant Visa.

Can we extend the Tourist Visa one more time?  Or is leaving the country for a few days and getting a new Tourist Visa the best option,
Are there any other options we could do?
Thank you all in advance, And let me know if you need more information to properly give us an answer. :)

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice on changing their husband's Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Chiang Mai. They face tight deadlines due to a national holiday impacting the application time and uncertainty about obtaining required documents. Responses indicate that in Chiang Mai, there are strict regulations requiring 15 business days on a tourist stamp, and all necessary documents must be submitted at once. They may consider applying for a 60-day family visit extension if they have marriage documents, or alternatively, a border run for a new Tourist Visa.

Ellie ******* · Answer

Unfortunately, Chiang Mai requires him to have 15 BUSINESS days (not calendar days like other provinces) or more with his stamp for him to be able to apply for an in-country initial visa. Even if you want to apply today, too late.

Tourism extension is a one-time deal.

There is no 'incremental' style application. You submit all of the necessary documents at once to apply for a visa/extension, or they don't accept.

If you get marriage documents, he may be able to apply for 60 days family visit extension first to buy time for him to apply for an in-country visa.

Or have him border-bounce to enter on visa-exempt again for 45 days.

OR visa run for 60 days entry stamp.

What are the options for changing a Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand with tight deadlines and documentation requirements?

Activity

Related

Resources