What are the requirements for extending a visa in Thailand if married to a Thai?

Sep 17, 2020
4 years ago
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. Hope everyone is coping well and thanks for the updates these last few months.

Entered on a 30 day exempt in March with the intention of getting married, but couldn’t do that until recently because of obvious reasons. Went to Muang Thong Thani yesterday to try and get the 60 day visiting family extension (in which time I plan to season financial funds) but couldn’t as I didn’t have an Embassy letter.

I was under the impression the letters were required for 30 day extensions, but perhaps that was my mistake and it’s now all extensions.

I’ve requested the embassy letter then plan to book an appointment and return to Muang Thong Thani next week to start the process again. IYO, does that sound like the correct plan of action for myself right now? Or would I be better going to a different immigration office for the 60 day extension?

Thanks so much
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user entered Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and is seeking a 60-day family visit extension now that they are married. They encountered issues getting the extension due to misunderstandings about the embassy letter requirements. The comments provide clarification that an embassy letter is not required for the 60-day extension but is needed for a 30-day extension. The user plans to return to the immigration office with the necessary documentation to reapply.
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Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much for all your help everyone. Great to have found a group like this who can offer such great advice!
Benjamin ******
If you are not legally married (with the rose border certificate) you can not get a 60 extension of stay based on visiting Thai family.
Khan ***********
Yeah- I had the Embassy letter, but it wasn't needed for a 60 day family ext.. The letter is for a 30 day ext.
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MT *****
thanks so much mate. Maybe something was lost in translation. Will head back and try again next week
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
thanks Benjamin. Yes I have the certificate and all the other documents. Presented them all to the staff, but was still told I’d need the letter
Benjamin ******
@Bobby *********
was your wife with you?
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yea she was the one communicating with the staff.
Rob **********
@Bobby *********
- Have you already used up one 60 day extension this trip?
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
no. We only got married a few weeks ago so this is my first time doing everything
Rob **********
@Bobby *********
- Then the office you are dealing with are not following the rules. You are entitled to a 60 day extension without any letter from an Embassy.
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob *********
exactly what I thought Rob. Thanks for confirming. Will head back to try again next week and hopefully things will go a little more smoothly 🙏
Tod *********
You would use MTT to get the 60 day visit family extension OR the 30 day embassy request extension because you entered on a 30 day visa exempt entry back in march and people on 30 day visa exempt or 60 day tourist visas use MTT for their extensions.
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
again thanks for the info Tod. You guys have confirmed what I thought. Perhaps the member of staff was confirmed, but they seemed really adamant about getting a letter
Tod *********
@Bobby *********
if you're married to a thai and have the two marriage certificates from getting married here in thailand, (Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3), have your thai wife's i/d and her house book listing, AND proof of where oyu live here there shouldn't be any reason you need to get the embassy letter for a 60 day visit thai family extension on a 30 day visa exempt that went to amnesty at MTT.

I think there was something lost in translation with the immigration officer and your thai wife as far as what is required for what extension. BUT good luck with it
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yea had everything as listed, but the staff member, whilst very polite, was focused solely on the letter, so didn’t actually get asked to show the documents at all. Anyway, thanks for the help. Will try again next week 🙏
Tod *********
@Bobby *********
you need to MAKE them understand you don't want the 30 day embassy request extension and that you're there for the 60 day thai family extension
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
indeed. Will be a bit more forthright next time. I was unsure yesterday as I thought maybe a new rule had been introduced that I’d missed. Obviously not
Biff *******
@Bobby *********
Also, take your wife with you. 😊
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Biff ******
cheers mate! Will do
Tod *********
The embassy letter is required to get a 30 day 'embassy request" extension.
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
this is what I thought. But on the UK embassy website it does request to send “sporting documents” such as a marriage certificate when requesting the letter.
Tod *********
So are you married to a thai or not? You can only get the 60 day visit thai family extension based on marriage to a thai or raising half thai children AND you don't need the embassy letter to get one.
Bobby **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yes legally married to a Thai. This is why I was confused. As they said they couldn’t do anything without the letter. Thanks for the info.
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