What can I expect after applying for a 12-month extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national?

Question

OK so I made my application for a 12 month extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national yesterday - 26 August at Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Immigration Office.

Based on personal experience and that of others with Korat Immigration, I expected problems.  I picked up a list of requirements a few weeks ago and made sure I had everything that was asked for.  I also took as many other documents as I could find in case something was requested.  As it happens, the application itself ran quite smoothly.  The only annoying thing was that although I had registered for TM30 and printed a copy, they insisted I got a copy from their office – why? I can’t for the life of me understand but hey ho, compared to what some people have reported, I had it easy.

Where I did have a problem is with timings and they have really screwed things up for me. I had previously discussed this with the officer and been told that I would not be able to pick up my passport with extension when I’d hoped for.  As I have a few trips out of the country, that date is crucial and I therefore adjusted my schedule (and booked flights) in accordance with the date given – although as I mentioned in a previous post, the date I was given was 4 October which is a Sunday and I was hoping they’d let me pick it up on Friday 2 October.

Before I elaborate on the discrepancy between what they told me last time and what they told me yesterday, could others please share their experience of how their Immigration Office would do things given the following dates.

I first entered Thailand on my current 90 Day Non O on 7 July.

The visa expiry date is 4 October.

I applied for the extension of 26 August.

I was told their process time is 4 weeks.

Given those dates, when would you expect to be able to pick up your passport complete with extension?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user recently applied for a 12-month extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national at the Nakhon Ratchasima Immigration Office. Although they anticipated potential issues, the application process went relatively smoothly aside from requirements around the TM30 registration and witness attendance during the home visit. Concerns over timing arose due to discrepancies in information about when to expect passport return and the implications of travelling out of the country while the application is 'under consideration.' Other respondents shared their experiences, indicating that timelines can vary and that local immigration offices might have different policies regarding documentation and communication.

Phil ******** · Answer

I have a worry about being let back in to Thailand to complete this matter.  I was quite clear during the application process that I am leaving the country on 4 October. I was told that's OK but to make sure I was back in the Immigration Office on 3 November. They have placed an under consideration stamp in my passport that says I 'must contact their office in person on 3 November'. However, they have also stapled the paper in the front of my passport that says 'THIS IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF STAY' 'PLEASE CHECK EXPIRY DATE OF VISA IN YOUR PASSPORT'. My visa expires on 4 October - I guess I could ask to be let in on a 60 day exempt but would that affect the extension that I have applied for. Basically I am worried that I might not be let in. Am I going to need an extension?

Phil ******** · Answer

When I said that the process went fairly smoothly – it did compared to other reports I’ve read but there were a couple of issues that cropped up.

1. They previously told me that they had changed their policy and there was no longer any need for 2 witnesses to attend the application with me, they could just sign as witnesses and provide their ID. If I couldn’t find 2 then the Poo Yai Baan could sign for me. Now they say that a witness has to be present when their officers conduct the home visit and it cannot be the Poo Yai Baan.

2. Having originally told us they would let us know the date of the home visit, they now say we have to keep the next 7 days clear as they will come during that period and only let us know on the morning of the visit. My wife has just started a new job and now has to tell her boss that she will not be available for 7 days - how that will go down I know not.

3. I was told what documents would be needed for the application and to provide 2 copies of each. Without explanation, all the duplicates were given back to me. When it came to payment, I handed over 2000 baht and the officer put 1900 in one drawer and 100 in another. I asked why I wasn't given any change and was told the 100 was for photocopying🙂

I understand now why others get annoyed with these applications and complain about them, nothing’s straight and they add or remove things at will. Out of interest, I’ve seen a lot of people state that their offices will only accept hand drawn maps to their home. I submitted Google Maps, Latitude and Longitude plus a hand drawn map. The hand drawn one was removed and returned.

John ********** · Answer

First the TM30 must be registered with the office you use, registered elsewhere is useless. Secondly there is no strict timeline for the under consideration period as it has to go up to the head office for approval, it might come back early in which case they may call you, or it might come back late in which case you wait. The local immigration office has no control over that

What can I expect after applying for a 12-month extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national?

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