What is the correct process for switching from a tourist visa to a marriage visa in Thailand?

Thailand Visa Process Marriage Visa NON-O Visa Chiang Mai Immigration Expat Advice Visa Requirements Thai Visa Categories

Mar 16, 2018

7 years ago

Matt ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am in the process of switching from a tourist visa to a marriage visa. I married on January 11 of this year to a Thai national. I am in Chiang Mai and have had a confusing few trips to immigration at Promenada.

First, I was told I needed a 2 month transition visa that would hold me over until I had the needed paperwork and proofs to begin the annual visa pplication process, but then, just before the meeting I was scheduled (halfway through the two month visa), my wife and I went back for a few questions and were told that what we were doing was incorrect and that I had to actually leave the country and obtain a 3 month non-O visa from a Thai embassay abroad and only after that (and a completely different list of requirements than the original plan) could I apply for and receive the year long marragie visa.

So I have a few questions...

1. Can someone verify if this last process is correct?

2. Is the Laos Thai Embassay the closest and cheapest option from CM?

3. I have heard of service providers handling the process, can anyone speak from experience about that?

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is transitioning from a tourist visa to a marriage visa after marrying a Thai national. They have encountered conflicting information regarding visa requirements from immigration officials in Chiang Mai. The respondents confirm that the user needs to obtain a 90-day single entry Non-O visa from a Thai embassy (such as in Vientiane) before applying for a one-year extension based on marriage. Documentation needed includes a marriage certificate, Thai ID, house book, and passport, along with financial proof.

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Tod *********

@Bi**

, that's the way to go then (y)

take the original marriage certificate with the rose border (they want to see that the stamp on it is real

you need these copies;

the front&back of the rose border marriage certificate it signed by you and your wife

the front&back of her thai i/d signed by her

her house book listing signed by her

the data page of your passport signed by you

Those things the application, two passport sized photos and 2000baht get you a 90 day single entry Non-O based on marriage. You turn in your paperwork one morning and you pick up your passport with the visa the next afternoon.

Good Luck, :)

7 years ago

Bill *********

Cheers Tod

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Ma**

, I'd recommend you do the exact same thing for your 90 day Non-O visa. There's no sense fooling around with the hoop jumping officers at Chiang Mai, just go to Vientiane and get the Non-O then deal with the yearly extension when you get back

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@Bi**

, you can see by the dog-n-pony show that the immigration office up that way put

@Ash***

, thru.

You are far better served by heading up to Vientiane and getting the 90 day single entry Non-O visa with the minimal paperwork they require at that thai consulate

THEN once you have that you can fool around with getting the year extension which is a FAR easier process than getting a 90 day Non-O visa issued inside the country.

7 years ago

Bill *********

Thanks Tod, I'm up in Udon Thani and easy to get to Vientiane from here

7 years ago

Reply to

Bill *********

Ashley ***************

I just did mine and got back yesterday. First u will prob have to get n extension depending how long u have left of ur visa. U will need about 60 days..... They need 21 processing days for the actual visa - stamp ur pssport. Once u get ur extension go to level 2 they have a smll office. Go to the back and ask to make an appt to do change of visa. They will give u documebt checklist and paperwork... and schedul you and appt to hand in said documents about 1 month later as they are backed up. u cannot jst drop in. (even if u have all documents ready and prepared already) just the way it is . Then u will go back on ur appt date sit down and hand in all paperwork with immigration and sign every documebt over stamp they have to put on ( so do not pre sign any papers . Ie passport copies ect). Then they will give u another ppt slip to come back to get results which will be sheduled 21 days later... which then u will bring ur passport back at 10 am.. then they will hve u come back at 3 pm with stamps in passport( assuming is been granted) cost is 2000 baht

7 years ago

Bill *********

Thanks Tod, great advice and crystal clear. I had same question that you answered here 👍👍👍

7 years ago

Tod *********

You can go to the thai consulate in Vientiane with the marriage certificates, your thai wife's i/d, her house book listing and your passport and get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa (with no proof of finances) and then once you come in you can go to the immigration office when you have 45 days or less left on that stamp and apply for the yearly extension of stay by meeting the financial requirements of 400K baht in a bank account in your name only for 2 months prior to your application OR a notarized letter from your consulate here stating you get 40K baht a month in income from abroad. It goes under consideration for 30 days and you go back and get the year inked into your passport

7 years ago

Tod *********

Doing it this way cuts two steps out of the previous 'in country" method because you have the non-O visa already and that means you only go to the immigration office twice.

Once to apply for the yearly extension and once 30 day later to get it inked into your passport

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Okay just so you know there is NO such thing as a marriage visa :/ Even though every Tom, Dick and Somchai foreigner and thai official alike call it that there is nothing like it not inside or outside the country.

You CAN apply for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type-O visa based on marriage to a thai up in Chiang Mai at the immigration office when you have 21 days or more remaining on your 30 day visa exempt entry OR your 60 day tourist visa entry.

You submit the documentation, meet the financial requirements pay your money and it will go under consideration for about 3 weeks before you go back and get your Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked into your passport.

Then when you have 45 days left on that stamp you go back with more documentation and meet the financial requirements again and apply for a yearly extension of stay. That goes under consideration for 30 days before you go back and get it inked into your passport

7 years ago

Tod *********

Doing it inside the country like this takes at least FOUR trips to the immigration office

apply for the Non-O

wait 21 days go back get it & the 90 day stamp

when you have 45 days left on that apply for the year

wait 30 days go back and get it stamped in.

The costs are 2000baht for the Non-O and 1900baht for the year extension

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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