sidleonard

I know that this topic has been “beaten to death”, but I have seen such a variety of posts, many contradictory, that it is my hope that I can get definitive answers to this inquiry. So, this inquiry is for those who are knowledgeable about the ANNUAL MARRIAGE VISA EXTENSION requirement; perhaps you would be kind enough to confirm, or clarify for me, my understanding of the following details pertaining to same. My Thai wife and I now have a joint savings account at Bangkok Bank, but I understand that, for either option (฿40K or ฿400K), I must open a personal account. I understand that if I choose the ฿400K option, I must deposit that amount into my personal account at least 2 months prior to applying for the annual extension, and that I can use those funds after the extension approval as long as ฿400K is again deposited into my account prior to future extension applications. I understand that if I choose the monthly deposit of ฿40K option, I must deposit that amount each month for at least 12 months prior to my extension application, which means, I assume, that I will have to do the ฿400K deposit option for my first extension. I also assume, that the only proof of complying with the 12 month deposit of ฿40K option would be showing my account passbook, and a bank letter, as proof of said deposits. I also assume that there is no requirement to maintain a minimum account balance with the monthly deposit of ฿40K option, but that I will be required to show the required monthly deposit yearly before each extension application, and that I will be allowed to transfer funds from my account to my wife's private account. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to share your knowledge regarding this matter.

Yes, we have attempted to call, but at $4.00 per minute we found the wait time unacceptable. I was hoping that someone with a similar situation might be kind enough to share their knowledge of same.

My wife (Thai) and I have a joint savings account at Bangkok Bank and would like to transfer funds back to our account at Bank of America in the US without having to come to Bangkok to do so. Because we do not have a Thai mobile number to receive an OTP verification I know we cannot make the wire transfer from our online Bangkok Bank account. Is there another way to transfer the funds without coming to Bangkok and doing so in person at the bank; if not, will my wife be able to do the transfer (by wire) from our joint savings account without me being there? Thank you.

Dr.Jack54 My thanks also to John for his input regarding the best method of going from downtown Bangkok to the Chaeng Wattana government complex; sure seems like the best option is via taxi (perhaps Grab?) - anyone know the best day/time and how long it takes? Also, Dr. Jack, regarding your statement that “400k baht in Thai bank account does not need to be shown to come from overseas.” I would certainly prefer to simply transfer the funds from our joint savings account at Bangkok Bank, which has a balance of >฿1M (all transferred via WISE over the last 3 years), to the personal account that I must open, but there seems to be a difference of opinion among expat bloggers as to whether or not I can do so; some refer me to the SIAM LEGAL law firm website regarding the visa extension based on marriage which states that the supporting documents as proof of the ฿400K security deposit in a personal Thai bank account include an updated passbook and a Bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an overseas source for not less than 2 months. Since you, and Ubonjoe, in whom I have confidence, both have said, with assurance, that I can do the aforementioned transfer would you please provide, I assume from your personal experience, the reason you are so confident I can do said transfer. I thank you, with my promise that this is my final request regarding this matter.

Since my last post here regarding the matter of extending my Non-immigrant O visa based on marriage I have considered all the information I have gleaned from this blog and others and have decided do the following in obtaining my annual visa extensions. I would greatly appreciate any comments of confirmation correction, or additional information regarding same. 1.) As I am sure you know, it is now possible to make an online appointment for visa extensions at the Chaeng Wattana government complex, which I intend to do, and I would appreciate knowing the quickest transportation method of getting to the complex from where we will be staying in the CBD of Bangkok, and exactly where to report in the complex for our appointment (I understand that my wife must accompany me). 2.) Also, perhaps you know that it is now possible to apply for a visa extension online (including uploading required documents, etc.); however, after completing the online application, one must then go to the government complex to complete the process. Therefore, I have decided to go the route of making an appointment and taking with me a completed FORM TM7 with all the other required documents, including my bank passbook showing an overseas ฿400 deposit and bank letter. Again, with great appreciation, I am requesting input, particularly from any expats with personal experience with the visa extension based on marriage procedure.

As the time is nearing for our return to Thailand, and after reading many expat comments re: sending funds to/from Thailand, and the financial requirement for annually extending a Non-O visa based on marriage, my wife and I would greatly appreciate confirmation of our understanding regarding the following. We have decided that the best option, for us, for sending funds from our Bangkok Bank joint savings account to our checking account at Bank of America in the U.S. (until it will be possible to do so via WISE) is to wire same directly via SWIFT; I was pleased to read on Bangkok Bank's website that when using this option there is “no need to apply for the service in advance or submit any supporting documents, you can make a transfer by yourself online.” Regarding the financial requirement for obtaining, annually, my visa extension: My wife and I have been transferring funds, via Wise, into our Bangkok Bank joint account (opened in 2017) over the last 3 years and now have a balance in that account of >฿M. I have been assured by individuals on this forum that the least complicated option, even though I qualify for the ฿40K/month option, is the ฿400K in a personal bank account for a minimum of 2 months before applying for a visa extension, and that I can open such an account and transfer the required funds into it from our existing Bangkok Bank joint savings account without any requirement as to where the funds came from. An aside: Does Bangkok Bank offer a fee-free credit card which can be used to purchase4 (in baht) and pay the balance each month via debiting our savings account? I thank all respondents for your time and generous sharing of your experience and knowledge. Sidney Leonard

My Thai wife and I (U.S. Citizen), after residing 30 years in the U.S., will soon permanently move to Thailand. In preparation for our move I have prepared my will, with much assistance from my wife, using the English-Thai format that I downloaded from a link provided by someone on this forum who assured that it would be valid in Thailand even if I have prepared and witnessed it here in the U.S., as, he said, Thailand recognizes wills which are prepared in a foreign country. - I did notice that the aforementioned format did not include, in addition to requiring two witnesses, that a Thai will must be notarized; is this the case with Thai wills, and, If notarization of wills is required in Thailand, would the notarization, as well as the witnessing, in the U.S. Be acceptable? Thank you.

DrJack54, It is my intention to apply for a non-immigrant O visa in Los Angeles and apply in Thailand annually for a one year extension based on marriage. Btw, based on your previous advice, I have decided to meet the financial requirement for a visa extension by opening a personal saving account at Bangkok Bank where my wife and I now have a joint savings account. I recall you suggested that I use the ฿400K in a personal account method vs the more complicated minimum ฿40/month, and you said that I could just transfer the ฿400K from our joint account into my personal account vs the necessity of transferring that amount (via WISE) from our Bank of America joint checking account to my personal saving account at Bangkok Bank; are you still certain that either transfer method would be acceptable to immigration? Thanks for sharing your time and expertise.

I will be applying for a non-immigrant O visa and would like to know if giving an AirB&B booking is acceptable as proof of resident on the application. I think, but not sure, that as long as the owner files a TM30 form indicating that we are residing there, and we have a booking for at least 28 days it would be acceptable - or would it be best to consider staying only at a hotel, given the somewhat questionable legal status of booking at an AirB&B?

To ubonjoe & Dr. Jack54 Many thanks for your assistance as we prepare for our move to Thailand. Please share a bit more of your knowledge regarding the following pertaining to my yearly visa extension applications. Regarding personal bank account requirement: Will there by a concern about where the funds come from? 1.) Can I transfer the required ฿400K from our joint savings account at Bangkok Bank, or must I make the transfer (we use WISE) from our joint account at Bank of America? 2.) Do I need to make both a deposit and withdrawal from my personal account to show activity on the day of my application, or just one of the two transactions? 3.) Lastly, do I need to have the ฿400K in my account 3 months before applying for my first visa extension, or will 2 months suffice even for my first visa extension? Do we need to get documentation of our 30 year marriage (Kor Ror 22 certifying our marriage in the U.S. is on file at the district office) from the district office each year as a visa extension requirement? Again, thanks for all.