Thailand visa question & answer: Extension of a Thai-women visa
Dear editors,
I have a question about the first year extension. I was at the immigration in Udon Thani in August to apply for an annual visa, the so-called Thai-women visa. Everything fine, even got an extra month in my passport. Why, no idea? I think because of the many requests (lack of time). I also received a stamp stating October 10, then I have to report again for my first annual visa stamp in my passport.
Just this for the curious, I have now also had the immigration police visit my reported home address with four men, they were extremely friendly and correct, but beyond that!
Now my question: besides the 1900 Baht, which I have not had to pay so far, are there any other conditions that I have to meet? This is still unclear to me?
Thanks in advance for your answer,
Greetings,
Eddy
Dear Eddie,
It's not entirely clear to me what you mean exactly. If you have already submitted your application, you must also have submitted all forms.
However, it is not normal that you did not have to pay the 1900 Baht, because this should normally be done together with the application. Can't imagine they forgot about this.... but you may have to pay them when you receive your renewal.
It is not unusual for the police to visit you. This is normally the procedure provided, but that again depends from immigration to immigration or how busy they are there. Incidentally, that is no different in Belgium, although there it is only the local police officer.
I would also like to draw your attention to a rule that is appearing more and more in immigration offices, and which may cause some concern among the
renewal applicants. When applying for a year extension, so the so-called “Retirement of Thai women visa”, you may not immediately receive the year extension, but first an “under consideration stamp”. Do not be alarmed by this, because it is actually the procedure provided.
You should therefore not immediately think that there may be something wrong with your application, especially if in the past you always received your stamp immediately and that now suddenly this stamp is placed first. It's what the stamp says - your application is under consideration.
However, this is not a new rule at all. This already existed. Only it was applied in one immigration office, and in other immigration offices this phase was skipped and the extension was immediately granted.
Since August 29, the rules have been applied more strictly nationwide, with the result that this rule is also being applied more often, so also in offices that did not work before.
So you can get a stamp in your passport that can state the following (text on the stamp depends on the immigration office) “Retirement, (name of immigration office) Immigration, Application of stay is under consideration of the immigration bureau, applicant must contact this office again in person on (date), signed with the signature of the immigration officer.
In principle, the duration of such an 'Under consideration' stamp may not exceed 30 days.
Upon approval, you will receive a length of stay that is in line with your previous length of stay, and therefore not on the end date of the “under consideration” stamp. So you don't get an extra month…
If your renewal is refused for any reason, you will receive a replacement stay of up to 7 days. This should give you the necessary time to leave Thailand on time. Appeal against this is not possible.
It is of course also possible that you have not submitted anything yet and they want your visa to be used up first. In that case, they have simply extended your stay until the end of the validity period of your visa and you still have to hand in everything. All supporting documents that you must submit can be found in the Dossier Visa Thailand on page 27.
Regards,
RonnyLatPhrao
Disclaimer: The advice is based on existing regulations. The editors accept no responsibility if this is deviated from in practice.