What is the process for converting a Visa Exempt Stamp to a Non-O Visa and obtaining a Yearly Extension in Thailand?

Jun 26, 2020
4 years ago
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, would like to seek some clarifications. I entered BKK with APAC card and was given a 90 days visa exempt stamp. During that period, I went to Chaeng Wattana to apply for Non O based on marriage to Thai.

All documents were in order and also had immigration officers visit my house and I also had to have a friend who can verify me and my wife is indeed married to be present on that day of the house visit.

Went back for the "results" today and was given a 90 day Non O visa and was told to go back and apply for the extension of stay 30 days before the stamp runs out. I went to collect the results thinking that I would be given a straight 1 year extension since immigration officers came to my house to check.

So is this the norm for an in-country conversion? So technically i have to pay twice and show the same documents and application twice. Once for the Non O visa and another application for the extension of stay.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on the process of converting a 90-day visa exempt stamp to a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen, and whether it is standard to have to apply for a 90-day Non-O visa first and then a subsequent extension for a year. Responses indicate that this is a typical process involving multiple steps, including a home visit and the need to meet financial requirements for the yearly extension.
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Timothy *****
What Todd said. Had to visit Laos in the past to apply a proper visa (not entry exempt stamp). Then did the extension. Need to show income requirement again means a lot of leg work to get the docs again.
Timothy *****
The number 1 on the requirement. Non immigrant visa. Lol
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Heres the list should anyone require it in future
Patrick ************
@Jerry ****
Jerry can you send this document to me because its not so clear and i want to do the same visa . I can almost not read it ,thanks
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
done. check your messenger
Patrick ************
@Jerry ****
sorry Jerry i just checkt my messenger but i recived nothing
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrick ***********
click messenger and under message request
Patrick ************
@Jerry ****
ok thanks
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Timothy ****
required documents is actually not that hard since i already compiled all of them previously. Just need to visit the bank again for the bank letter. Whats difficult is they want a friend to be stationed at my house on their day of visit and its tough as its on a weekday and everyone would be working. And the first time they were late for 3 hours
Timothy *****
@Jerry ****
one or two days of inconvenience and a year of relative peace (cept 90 days reports).
Tod *********
@Jerry ****
once you get the documents to get the in country Non-O, you're pretty much just re-copying them to get the year extension, other than the new bank letter and photos :P :)
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
haha yes. Only the getting a friend to come is the headache now
Tod *********
You need to have the Non-O visa to apply for the year extension. AND you can go back when you have 45 days or less left on this new 90 day stamp to apply for the year extension by meeting the financial requirements (400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply) and turning in the documentation required.

When you apply for the year you'll get a 30 day under consideration stamp AND an immigration officer will come and probably do another in home visit. THEN when that 30 days is up you go back and get the year extension inked in

It's a FOUR step process to go from a no visa entry stamp to first a 90 day Non-O and then a year extension based on marriage :(
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
okay got it. For me it was one step more as i went the next day i got married and they felt it was too soon to do it right away so they had me go to apply for a 60 day extension based on visiting thai wife first.

So basically i had to pay once for the 60 days extension followed by 2000 more for the non o and another 1900 for the final extension ๐Ÿ˜“

What confused me was i didnt know they require to do house visit for the application of a non o as well.
Tod *********
@Jerry ****
they even do in house visits for Non-O's based on being over 50 (retirement) now in bangkok and they NEVER did them before ...
Jerry *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
one good thing from the previous house visits was that the officers that came were very friendly
Tod *********
by four steps I mean it's like this

1 - Apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa (2000baht)

wait 14 days (under consideration)

2 - go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in

wait until you have 45 days or less left on that stamp

3 - go back and apply for a year extension (1900 baht)

wait 30 days (under consideration)

4 - go back and get the 11 month extension inked into your passport

That is how it's done. You're half way thru it getting a year extension :)
Tod *********
You apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa

You wait the 14 days, get the in home inspection then go back and they give you a new 90 day stamp and a Non-O visa they stamp USED
Tod *********
You're not understanding how the process works
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