Answered5 years ago

What is the best way to transition from an STV visa to a Marriage visa while in Thailand?

STV Visa Marriage Visa Visa Extensions Thailand Immigration COVID-19 Visa Policies

Gee ********

asked Mar 19, 2022

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I made a post before asking why you thought that people were getting stopped at the airport. 

I'll let you know my situation. 

I've been coming to Thailand and returning back to Australia and  sometime with my girlfriend (now my wife) for the last 6 years.

In June 2020 my wife and I had our wedding in Thailand planned but when I arrived in Australia early Jan 2020 Covid hit and I couldn't get back to Thailand until March last year. 2021

I arrived on a STV Visa because that gave me 9 months in Thailand to get married and set up our home. My STV visa ran out in December and I've received 2 Covid extension since then.

(I understood the STV when I took it on and understood that I would have to leave the country and return.)

Now that my wife are legally married in Thailand I wish to leave and return on a Marriage visa. 

I was thinking about doing this in Cambodia because my wife and I can visit friends there and have a holiday while we get the visa sorted. 

I don't want to bleed the extension thing and I understand a reply to my last post that its best to return to Thailand on the right visa for your stay.

But with the marriage visa I can also do this in Thailand while I'm on a Tourist visa. 

We have every bit of evidence of our history, marriage paperwork, seasonal money, ID cards what ever they need. 

I'm trying to find out what is the best option. 

Travel to Cambodia apply for marriage visa and return to Thailand on the right visa for my intention or go to Cambodia and return on a Tourist visa and hopefully not get denied entry and then sort out my marriage visa.

Answer summary

The user has been staying in Thailand on an STV visa that expired in December 2021 after receiving two COVID extensions. They are now legally married in Thailand and wish to apply for a Marriage visa. The post discusses options for leaving Thailand, potentially traveling to Cambodia for the visa application, and mentions the possibility of applying for a Marriage visa from there or alternatively applying for a Tourist visa to return to Thailand. Comments suggest exploring further extensions or applying for a marriage-based Non-O visa in Vietnam as an alternative.

8 repliesnewest first

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Nigel *********

I would go to ho chi min city in Vietnam. Get the non o based on marriage. Return then get the non o extended for one year. I wouldn't worry too much about getting back in because your circumstances are quite different to those that have been denied. You will have your wife with you so she can communicate for you.

5 years ago

James ********

Have you asked for another COVID extension? (dont apply for it unless they say OK to get another extension)

If not possible to get another COVID extension (last day to apply is March 25th)...

Ask if you can apply for the 60 days family visit extension...(if you have not had one during your current stay).

If not possible...then as you were on the STV and it CANNOT be changed into any other visa inside Thailand...you will have to leave Thailand and seek to reenter.

5 years ago

Gee ********

@James *******

I'm on a STV visa. I have already spoken with my immigration office and I can receive one more Covid extension.

But it's getting a pain in the ass and I want to feel stable in Thailand on the correct visa.

I didn't know about the family visit extension. I still think I need to leave the country because of the STV VISA

5 years ago

James ********

With an added 60 days Covid extension...and possible family visit extension after all COVID extensions end...there may be easier options open to you to leave and reenter...possibly a border hop and back at Nong Khai or other land border options. As well as by air to neighbor SE Asian countries.

5 years ago

John *******

@Gee *******

I had 1 covid extension and they gave me a hard time getting back in, so I don't think it's a matter of how many

5 years ago

James ********

@Gee *******

getting the added COVID extensions plus family visit allows added time for reopening of borders and options with less reentry restrictions or none at all. The added months are in your favor.

5 years ago

Gee ********

@James *******

yes

But as per the other post about people who are getting denied access to Thailand because they are bleeding the extension system.

You are saying to getting what ever extension i can.

What's the point of abusing the system and not.

3 covid extension is ok and maybe a family extension isn't taking it to far in the system.

Rules on travelling is changing every week and is slowly getting back to normal.

5 years ago

James ********

@Gee *******

correct....I chatted with

@Tod ********

in prep of reply...

You will need to leave Thailand and reenter.....then get the Non O married Thai and one year extension.

Or possibly get the Non O married visa in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam or at Singapore...as suggestions...

And enter Thailand with a valid visa...

Be stamped in for 90 days...

Then get the one year extension as Married

5 years ago