What are the options for extending a Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa in Thailand during COVID restrictions?

Feb 12, 2021
4 years ago
Kent *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod and team, I arrived in Thailand on December 18th, 2020 with a Non-immigrant multiple-entry type O (married to a Thai) visa. We live in Bangkok. My current stamp is good until March 17th. I have an appointment scheduled with Immigration on February 23rd. I've checked over the previous postings in this regard, but I'm still confused. My visa is a multiple-entry and from what I understand I would normally exit/re-enter the country at one of the border crossings, but under current conditions this is not practical/possible. What do I need to ask for at immigration? I currently do not have a Thai bank account (not that I haven't tried). I will be receiving my certified marriage license from the US State Department soon (I requested it in June of last year) and I will then be able to get my yellow house book and driver's license, which should also help me get a bank account. Which type of extension can I get? Can I use my multiple-entry visa? What are my best options to stay in Thailand? Thanks for your help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the options for extending a Non-immigrant multiple-entry type O visa because the usual border run is not possible due to COVID restrictions. The user seeks advice for their upcoming immigration appointment in Thailand, given the complexities of their situation, including the need for a Thai bank account and upcoming documentation from the US State Department. Comments suggest applying for a 60-day COVID extension or a family visit extension based on being married to a Thai citizen. The user successfully received the COVID extension after their immigration visit.
Gaynor *******
If you have a one year marriage visa, why do you have to do border bounces?

Doesn’t your one year give you one year? With 90 day reports.

And when it expires you apply for another 1 year?

That’s what I’ve been doing for 20 years.

I don’t understand what’s different?
Kent *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, currently if I leave to get another 90-days I have to sit in quarantine again. I'm going to go the 400K Baht route now.
Ellie *******
You don't have visa any more. You are on extension of stay. They are two different things. If you have real visa as OP (multiple entry or single entry), it gives you only 90days permitted stay on your entry to Thailand. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply any kind of extension. Before COVID, it's easy to get out and come back to Thailand, so people with real visa like OP did that every 90days. Right now it is not impossible but not practical.
James ********
@Gaynor ******
he does not have or does not want to deposit 400,000 Thai baht into a Thai bank account to get the one year extension.

Before COVID borders were open and fellas would get a one year Non O multientry marriage visa...in Laos or Vietnam with no $$$ required in a Thai bank account. But had to do a border run each 90 days to get added 90 days stamp.

Not possible now with COVID and land borders closed as well as neighbor SE Asian Thai Embassy's not granting the visas.
Gaynor *******
Ah I see. As a female married to a Thai, females don’t need B400k in the bank. I understand now.
James ********
@Gaynor ******
Lucky Lady 😊
Kent *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Made it through immigration today. They were very helpful and gave me a Covid Extension, which begins when my current authorization to stay expires. 👍
Benjamin ******
@Kent ************
No under consideration stamp?
Kent *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes, with an under consideration stamp.
Benjamin ******
>What do I need to ask for at immigration?

You can ask for one of the two following extensions of stays:

1. A 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai Family [NOT recommended]. This is not recommended because you can only get this stamp once; for some immigration offices it's once per visa, and others it's once per entry.

2. A 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19.

To get the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19, you will need the following:

Different immigration offices have different requirements, but all require the following:

1. Your passport and:

a. a copy of your data ("picture") page

b. a copy of your most recent visa (if you have one)

c. a copy of your most recent stamp

d. a copy of your departure card

2. A TM30, filed in the immigration office.

3. The forms (each immigration office may have different forms)

4. A letter from your embassy saying you can not return, OR a print out from your embassy saying they don’t issue the letters.

5. 2x passport pictures

6. 1,900 THB.

Different immigration offices have different policies. *SOME* may require:

- The ID card of the property owner where you are staying

- Copies of *ALL* stamped pages in your passport

>and I will then be able to get my yellow house book and driver's license, which should also help me get a bank account.

Bank accounts are outside the scope of this group. There is *NO* visa requirements required legally to open a bank account.
Bob **********
Ask for a 60 day Covid extension
James ********
Sadly ..you have a multientry non O marriage visa you entered on...but cannot use as borders are closed to border runs.

As your current stamp ends in March 20...

Suggest you go during the week before and apply for the 60 days COVID extension.

OR...if you will have the 400,000 Thai baht to deposit into your name only Thai bank account...

Seek a 60 days family visit extension if you are married to Thai by that time.

Followed by application for the one year extension married.
Kent *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
thanks for the info. Do I have to wait until a week before, or can I apply for the 60-day covid extension on February 23rd?
James ********
@Kent ************
I would go during the week before your current stamp end date
Ellie *******
@Kent ************
You can apply for 60days COVID extension any day now in Bangkok, but those 60days MIGHT start on the day of your application, not be added to your current stamp.

Off-topic, you can open your bank account, too. Just may need to try/error with branches.
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