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Why is my same-sex marriage extension not accepted by Thai immigration?

same-sex marriage marriage visa retirement visa visa extension Thailand immigration same-sex rights in Thailand

Alan *******

OP

asked May 9, 2025

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Same-sex marriage glitch

I’ve been on a retirement visa for 6 years, and living with my same-sex Thai partner.

When it became legal in January, we got married. So I assumed that meant I could get an extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national.

But it turns out that the Immigration office in Chiang Mai (and elsewhere?) doesn’t agree—they refuse to accept my application, according to two reputable visa agencies.

Any explanation? Workaround? I let my savings go down below 600k on the assumption that I’d only need 400k for the next extension, so now getting my retirement extension looks problematical.

Summary so far

An expat in Thailand on a retirement visa faced challenges when trying to apply for a visa extension based on his recent marriage to a same-sex Thai partner. Despite the legalization of same-sex marriage in January, the local immigration office in Chiang Mai rejected his application, leading him to seek guidance on potential workarounds and clarifications on visa regulations. Commenters offered various perspectives, including suggestions to consult directly with immigration officers, caution against reliance on visa agents, and the need for ongoing advocacy for clear guidelines regarding same-sex marriage and immigration in Thailand.

44 repliesnewest first

32

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J **************

J **************

Never buy, only rent!

0

Thomas *******

Thomas *******

This troll asked stupid random questions all the time,....just a clickbait coksuker.

4

Richard ********

Richard ********

Something doesn't seem right to me, I have no affiliation with anyone here but why would you ask 2 agents to make a submission unless there was going to be an issue. Speak up your wasting peoples time.

1

Mark ***************

Mark ***************

@Richard *******

stop being ridiculous please

1

Jeff *******

Jeff *******

For sure go yourself and ask, any immigration I have dealt with have been super friendly. The agents are probably just trying to reel you in to pay more. Don't trust them

0

Peter **********

Peter **********

Step 1 is really to inquire at the immigration office. You’re legally married to a Thai national, which is the requirement for extensions based on marriage. There’s nothing about straight or same sex marriages.

When they refuse: Find a lawyer. They (IO) will create headlines for being backwards and my best guess is they won’t like it.

Note: The Dutch embassy runs a few LHBT-etc programs. Inquire there on how to proceed.

1

Brian ********

Brian ********

I was friends with a visa agent for many years and he would never touch a marriage visa because it was too much work. He would always tell his clients retirement visa or nothing.

My advice would be go to immigration with your partner and talk to them direct

4

Adam *********

Adam *********

He must have a very low work ethic

0

Brian ********

Brian ********

Not especially, he put a lot of effort into doing retirement visas, just wouldn't touch marriage.

I have been on both extensions and a marriage visa needs a LOT more paperwork and time.

I get mine at immigration, because I don't trust agents

1

Jeff *******

Jeff *******

lol it was 'too much work' cos they can't get a kickback from immigration! It's why immigration always try to persuade perfectly happy marriage visa peeps to switch. Agents are rarely to be trusted and should only be used by people who can't afford to be here

2

Michael ********

Michael ********

Probably best choice for first one is in Bangkok rather than the provinces

1

John **********

John **********

I'm not aware of any immigration office yet recognising same sex marriage for visa purposes. If you didn't honour the terms of your retirement extension from last year you really have no choice but to start over when your current extension is running out. Either go to a nearby consulate and apply for a Non-O visa based on being over 50, or border bounce and come back visa exempt and apply for a Non-O based on being over 50 inside Thailand at your local immigration office

1

Nick ************

Nick ************

It is possible you could still apply for the retirement extension if your funds were at

*****

0 baht for 3 months after you got the last one and you can top it back up 3 months before applying for the best one. The requirement is that your funds do not go below

*****

0 baht for the whole year and so

*****

0 baht would not be an issue.

1

Jonny *********

Jonny *********

Like why would you change the easy retirement visa extension demands to marriage visa with all that hassle of proof from Thai immigration ?

5

Simon *********

Simon *********

@Jonny ********

i guess 400,000 baht difference seemed easier...

0

Jeremy ******

Jeremy ******

@Jonny ********

that's not the question

2

Sookjai *****

Sookjai *****

I do not know anything about this but I have found Gold & Tree to be an excellent resource!

0

Michael ********

Michael ********

Legally they are supposed to but dont think (as usual) there are clear guidelines

2

Brett *********

Brett *********

@Michael *******

administrators generally can't handle new processes and just say no hoping you will go away. Have to keep trying.

4

Alan *******

Alan *******

OP

@Brett ********

That's exactly what it looks like from what I'm being told

But I don’t understand why they even need a new procedure. It’s a marriage.

0

Brett *********

Brett *********

@Brandon ***********

ah, the dilemma. Easy to fix. Split the difference.

0

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

they spent a long time just trying to figure out what the financial requirements would be. Because the requirements for a foreign female married to a Thai male are not the same as a foreign male married to a Thai female.

0

Michael ********

Michael ********

@Brett ********

yep TIT

0

Tom ********

Tom ********

Never count your chickens before they hatch!

2

Mark **********

Mark **********

Are you trying to extend a retirement or marriage visa?

0

J **************

J **************

You let your savings go down? On an assumption?

8

Stevie ********

Stevie ********

@J *************

why wouldn't he assume that he would have the same rights as any other married person?? That makes no sense 🤷

3

Alan *******

Alan *******

OP

@J *************

Assuming that government officials would follow the law? I know, absurd, right?

3

Frank **********

Frank **********

unfortunately we cannot make assumptions in Thailand because every government agency has their own interpretation of the law. Good luck and I hope you get your visa.

3

Jamie *******

Jamie *******

@J *************

so great to have either hindsight or just to have not been involved so you can know better and feel superior huh.

3

J **************

J **************

it’s a problem

That is seif created

3

Jamie *******

Jamie *******

@J *************

thanks for the advice

1

J **************

J **************

asking expats for advice rarely works out well

2

Jamie *******

Jamie *******

@J *************

I imagine he's aware of that. But he may hit you up and ask for your guidance on future decisions

3

Nigel *********

Nigel *********

Have you actually gone in and spoken to immigration officers yourself? Without an agent? They're usually very helpful. I know agents make up ( lie) absolute BS just to frighten you and wring more money out of you. I had 1 agent in Phuket insist that its impossible to get a work permit on an extension based on marriage and id been working illegally for the past 4 years. Nut job! Go have a chat with the boys in brown with your thai husband and get the list direct. Good luck.

20

Andy ********

Andy ********

@Nigel ********

great call, that is the exact advice I was going to give.

2

Sean *************

Sean *************

Get a job. Or… Start a company and hire yourself.

1

Sam *****

Sam *****

There was a post on aseannow forum from an individual who did obtain a same-sex marriage visa. Maybe post on there and see how it worked. Good luck!

3

Jay *********

Jay *********

if you can find the link to that post and share it it would probably be helpful

2

Roberto *********

Roberto *********

"Reputable Visa Agents"? That's an oxymoron!

20

Jan ******************

Jan ******************

I guess it still might take some time but at least at several embassies it’s possible to apply for a Non O visiting Thai family based on being married to a Thai national of same sex.

There will not be a separate law that equalizes same-sex marriages also in relation to visas and residence permits, beyond the law that already passed in January this year.

1

Ticha *****************

Ticha *****************

Did they give reason why would they not accept extension application base on following partner?

1

Alan *******

Alan *******

OP

@Ticha ****************

no, that’s all they said. This was two different agents talking separately to the immigration office

1

Bob **********

Bob **********

go to the office with your partner extensions based on marriage is not an agents forte go yourself

3

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