What are the steps and lessons learned for extending a non-immigrant marriage visa in Thailand?

2021 Visa Extension Submittal

Today, we successfully submitted the application for my annual visa extension. Each year it’s a grueling adventure. I like to share my experience and lessons learned in hopes of helping others who go through the process.

DISCLAIMER: My application and supporting documents were accepted at the Chiang Mai Immigration Office by an immigration officer who reviewed my paperwork at a given point in time. The necessary documentation could be different at any other given point in time at any office as requested by any IO.

The requirements photos were taken at the Chiang Mai Immigration Office about 10 days ago. They were not providing handouts and we were told to take the photos.

In the Document List the numbers on the left represent the documents submitted with my application, 47. The IO pulled 6 of the documents from the package and two signed forms were added. The numbers on the right represent the final list of documents following the IO review, 43.

Basic Background:

I’m an American and my visa is a non-immigrant based on having a Thai Wife (aka Marriage Visa).

I used the monthly income method for showing compliance to the financial requirements. All banking documents are on my Bangkok Bank direct deposit account in which my monthly social security check is deposited.

Lessons Learned:

This is my 8th extension and each year I submit every document that I have ever been asked to provide even though some may not be on the requirement lists. I’ve had to return another day way too many time, so, now I prefer to have something I don’t need than to not have something I need.

The TM7, STM2, and Acknowledgement of Penalties downloaded from the immigration website were discarded, replace with versions provided by the immigration office, and handwritten during my initial document review.

Every year I need to provide:

1) a copy of my bank book (updated on the day my application is submitted),

2) a one year bank statement created by the bank,

3) and a bank letter created by the bank showing my account balance.

This year I learned that there are two different types of bank letters which I had not seen specified before:

one shows the balance in your account for people who use the minimum account balance method;

and a second which summarizes the monthly deposits for people who use the monthly income method.

I originally got the wrong letter and had to return for the correct letter. Both were submitted and accepted in my final package. In the future, I will pay the extra 100thb and get both letters …