sua yai

Also, thanks for the link, 7by7.That was helpful.

Thanks for the replies especially relating to visa type. I'd hate to get something fundamentally wrong.

I'll get a certified translation of the marriage certificate done.

6 years ago, we were waiting in the application centre and a very helpful lady came by and quickly checked the docs. At that time I had my wife down for a Visit Visa and she told us to amend to Family. Hence, after reading too much on the internet, I thought I might have got things wrong yet again. 6 years is a long time.

I'm hoping that someone may be able to help me out here.

My Thai wife and I are in the process of getting her application form for a UK visa sorted out. She's been over once with me before but that was 6 years ago. I note some things have changed since last time and am looking for some clarification.

1. First off, what type of visa should she apply for? I had it down as a Family Visit as that's what she applied for and got last time. However, after reading a bit more, I'm confused. Somewhere, what I read seemed to suggest that this type of visa was for members of her family to visit if she was settled in the UK.

Are we getting things fundamentally wrong at the start and should she be applying for a general Visitor's Visa instead?

She will be visiiting her mother and father-in-law (so family) and we'll be staying with them.

2. It appears that the marriage certificate we have (colourful thing from the local Amphur Office) needs to be translated into English - certified translation. Is this necessary as I don't remember doing it last time?

I think that's it for now. Everything else seems pretty straightforward especially as we've been through the process before and have a template to work to with regard to supporting documents - I'm sponsoring her.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

So, the 40k I bring into this country (because Imm say I must, rather than just prove the income through an Embassy confirmatory letter and supporting documents) every month, is taxable here?

Can't be surely?

Thanks Samran,

The thing is that this country has never let me stay here longer than that magic 90 days at a time.

They keep giving me a hard time regarding my extension.

Tax wise, maybe we're better off this way? I doubt it. Where there's a will there's a way - legally.

samran,

Are you saying that any money I bring into this country is liable for tax in Thailand?

By that I mean I don't have a Thai bank account. I've always lived off money abroad, drawn from any ATM or bank here.

Surely, Thailand can't tax me again on what I already have been back home?

However, if I transfer 40k a month to XYZ bank here, they'll tax me on deposits?

Somewhere south of BKK.

Our wires got crossed Krub,

Of course the Brit Embassy will give you a document certifying income for a lot of money.

That isn't the problem.

The fact is, from my Imm Office, they want to see the income, minimum 40k per month, coming into Thailand.

This is where I have a big problem. Surely if I demonstrate that I have the funds, that should be enough?

But, no it's not.

I can have a million times the required income, but Thailand wants to see it here - at least in my case.

It just exasperates me that when I can prove everything the authorities here want to see regarding income and other requirements, they then turn round and tell me where I should do my banking.

Rant over. Sorry.

It seems to me from my local Imm Office that the 40k must be generated from abroad (obviously), but has also got to be deposited in Thailand.

And as I've posted on this subject before, my local Imm Office want to see the 40k a mth coming into a Thai bank account. The supporting documents such as Embassy confirmation and bank statements from back home more than support my income - by 2 times.

So, why do they want the money here? I can prove more than they need to see.

"Because we want to see the money in a Thai bank account , to show you can support your Thai wife".

"But, it's got nothing to do with that after Oct 1st 2006. It's family income. My wife could contribute now, as long as she shows tax receipts."

Forget it, my Imm Office were unmovable, even when I said "why don't you ask my wife if I take care of her?" She was sitting right next to me.

"No!! We want to see the Embassy letter confirming your income. plus photos etc etc. And we want to see a Thai bank book".

I was given the option of going back next year and applying for retirement when I hit 50. I was told that that the 65k a month didn't have to come into a Thai bank account. Embassy letter and maybe supporting documents would be necessary. That again, is not a problem, but,

Why after 9 years in this country, married for over two, never worked - do they give me a hard time?

I feel for all of you out there who may not have the option of using the 400k in the bank anymore. The move to 40k a month overseas income suited me. Until Imm wanted their cake and to eat it too.

As Endure says,

The UK will want their pound of flesh.

However, depending on the situation, remember the 90 day rule. For once, that's nothing to with Thailand, but the days you're allowed back in the the good old UK in any tax year. You're allowed those 90 days but still claim Non Resident Status.

How the heck they ever know is beyond me. But, I believe that's the law.

Pretty much everything that everyone has said about photos etc is my experience. So are visits, but I reckon they were were always necessary. The evidential stuff was rarely done, however.

Hate to say it again, but now Imm want to see the 40k a month coming into a Thai Bank account - at least my local office does. I'm amazed at that.

Despite 9 years here. Despite being with my wife for two years before getting married and then for over 2 years properly married, "they" still want to see some commitment to this country. What?

The thing is that they want the money here. My local office is simply not interested in my history, or more importantly my current earnings that show more than twice that 40k limit. They also don't seem to be too interested in what my wife may have to say about it.

Pretty simple - "bring the lowest amount into the country. That's it". No extension otherwise.

A commitment?

Rant over.

Good points Maestro.

There's nothing I would like more than to get the extension in BKK and walk into my local office and ask for the 90 day report.

"Face" - well I've got to live here and I'm not ready to make them look bad.

I did call 1111 (think it was that) on Lopburi3's advice. Honestly, I got a lady who hadn't got a clue about the situation and eventually confirmed that the 40k+ had to be transferred to a Thai bank acocunt.

"Er, yes. The money's got to come into Thailand".

"Why?"

"Because we want to be sure that you are taking care of your wife".

"But, a transfer of 40k+ a month dosn't guarantee anything. And if you're worried about how I treat my wife - just ask her".

Anyway, BKK here I come in a few months. I'll speak to Soi Suan Plu and then take it from there.

I can echo Maestro's point about "support extension" vs "retirement.

My local Imm Office simply made it difficult for me to prove the 40k income, unless I brought the money into Thailand. For numerous reasons, I don't want to do that, although I can demonstrate more than twice the income.

"Wait for your Multi-entry visa to expire (including the "bonus 90 days) and then go to Penang three times and get three single entry Non O's. That'll cover you until next year when you reach 50. Then apply for a retirement extension."

As simple, or as difficult, as that. They simply don't want to process my marriage/support extension. (Unless I enrich their banks coffers with 40k a month). We spend that most months, drawing on my bank account back home. It just seems that the Thais want to have their cake and it as well.

That's life for me here.

Sorry, a bit of a rant over.

No need for any income requirements for a multi-entry Non O now in Penang?

As long as you're married to a Thai and go with the marriage certificate, copy ID card? As it was a few years ago?

I'll believe it when people say they've done it. Back to the "good old days". I hope so.

In the meantime, I'm off on another 90 day run in an hour.

I'm afraid that, as normal, I'm a bit confused.

Say I've got an income of 80k per month from property in the UK (no pension) and I have that certified by the British Embassy. I have no Thai bank account, but live off ATM withdrawals here from my UK account. Let's say that my wife and I get by on 38k a month (I appreciate that this is a retirement question, not marriage). My bank statements from the UK show the 38k being withdrawn from Thai ATMs from the overseas account.

Would this work?

Or would I have to wire money over here to a Thai bank? Say the 38k and the passbook shows that it's all used every month?

If it the latter, then Phuket's information is contradictory to what my local office in Hua Hin told me a few weeks ago. I do appreciate that different offices can interpret the rules differently.

Can anyone help me on this?

Maestro,

It was Hua Hin.

I don't want to run over old ground again and hijack this thread, but Immigration's attitude was disappointing, to say the least. I went there twice, the first time only with my passport and for a "chat" about what they wanted to see. The second time with my wife and bank statements going back 5 months from the UK, showing more than twice the necessary income. I didn't have The Embassy letter, but I saw no reason to travel up to BKK and pay the 2,500 Baht to get it if Imm here weren't going to consider my application anyway.

As I said, disappointing after 9 years here and being legally married to my wife for almost two years (she's been back to the UK - no problems there). For once, I actually thought I had a valid reason to stay here on an extension. I could have asked about it earlier - there just didn't seem to be much point as I've got a multi-entry non O, obtained from the UK when we were back there last year. Let that run it's course and then apply.

Anyway, roll on August 2008 when I can apply for the retirement extension. In the meantime - roughly Xmas to September 2008 - I'll just have to make that train journey to Penang. Eat great curries and wander about a bit. Havn't been there for about 7 years. Hope the price of beer at The Soho bar (if it still exists) hasn't gone up too much!!

As I said yesterday, it was a breath of fresh air to hear that I probably won't have a problem getting 3 single entry Non O's on the basis of marriage and take it from there. I'm determined to get the extension (it'll get a bit difficult living here without it). I've just got to wait a bit longer than I anticipated. I'm still considering going up to BKK and applying for the "marriage" extension there, but I'll get this journey to Ranong over and done with next week first (got to be out by the 1st July), then I'll think about it more.

Mai pen rai?

PS, Lopburi3. I havn't forgotten about the 1111 number you gave me. Havn't called yet, but will once this visa run is out of the way.

Interesting to see the above replies.

I've posted previously about my "troubles" with local Imm and an extension based on family income as I'm married to a Thai. They want the 40k transferred into Thailand each month, which I can do, but would prefer to leave it back home.

The Imm Officer told me that when my multi-entry Non O had run its course (including the bonus 90 days), I'd be fine until Xmas time. Then just go to Penang and get a single entry Non O and do it three times, so taking me to approx mid September 2008. As I turn 50 mid August, I can apply for the retirement extension and not have to worry about transferring the 65k over here every month. "A letter from your Embassy (Brit), together with bank statements from back home will suffice".

I was dreading going to Penang a second time running for the Non O and being told "no". I'll sleep easier now and actually enjoy the trip to Ranong next week for my 90 day entry, particularly as we're heading on down south to see a friend in his bungalows afterwards.

Thankyou.

That was a surprise - re extending the permission to stay, rather than the visa.

Thanks for that, Lopburi3.

I reckon a quick trip up to BKK will probably be worthwhile to have a word with Imm there about whether they require the 40k per month to be transferred to a Thai bank. If they don't, then I'll get all the other documentation and Embassy letter together and apply formally at Soi Suan Plu with my wife.

(I have tried to call them for clarification, but only get a recorded message and various menus to go through, none of which answer the above question).

I'm still a little confused about whether I can apply when my visa has expired (Sept 21st), but the entry stamp is still OK till around Xmas. Can you clarify, please? If it's OK, I've got plenty of time. If not, everything will have to be done between my next visa run on the 1st July and the expiry date of 21st Sept. Your point about applying between 3-4 weeks of the entry stamp finishing are noted. Again, I'm not rushed, but just wonder whether I have the second option up until Xmas.

Thanks gzu88bv,

I'm not 50 till August next year, so the retirement option is not possible on this multi-entry visa anyway. I'll get a single entry from Penang (on the basis of being married) closer to the time, if I don't get the marriage extension in the meantime.

Good idea about applying for retirement in BKK though, if and when the time arrives.

I've asked a few questions on this before and had helpful answers. However, some others have occured to me and I'm wondering if anyone can help.

To recap, I'm a Brit, been married to a Thai national for almost two years and am 50 next August. I've got a multi-entry Non O visa that expires on September 21st. Ive been turned down twice by my local Immigration Office for an extension "based on marriage/family income" as I don't bring the 40k per month into Thailand. (In fact, I actually havn't been permitted to make an application, so it's not really an official refusal. They've just said go away and come back with a Thai bank book showing a minimum of 40k per month being transferred into it from the UK each month for 3 months prior to application, or come back when you're 50 and apply for retirement).

So my questions are:

1. Can I apply in BKK, or will I simply be referred back to my local office?

2. Do I have any chance of getting the extension in BKK with all the supporting documentation, but the financial proof limited to an Embassy letter confirming income, bank statements from the UK and statements from my letting agents - no Thai bank account?

3. I've got to do another 90 day run on July 1st, so I'll get an entry stamp to approx the end of September. As the visa expires on 21st Sept, if I havn't got the extension sorted out, I'll exit again around the 19/20th to get the bonus 90 days. Am I able to make an application for extension after the visa has expired? Obviously my permitted to stay date will be in order till around Xmas. It's the validity of the visa here - I suspect that I won't be able to apply after 21st Sept?

4. Looking ahead to next year if nothing works for the marriage/income extension, I'll go for retirement. Again, proof of 65k income from the UK isn't a problem. However, does this have to be remitted to a Thai bank every month? I think, to be honest, I've asked that before and the answer was that it didn't need to be and could be income from any source - ie property, not pension. I'm just looking for confirmation again, please. I appreciate that things can change before August next year.

If neither of the options are available to me unless I transfer money to Thailand, the country is starting to look quite bleak for any further future for me. I do have decent income, but I need to leave as much as possible back home to take care of my business, whilst allowing my wife and I to have a reasonable lifestyle here.

Thanks for all your help.

Thanks Lopburi3,

Yes, next year it's the big 50. My current multi-entry Non O expires on Sept 21, so with an exit just before that, I'll be OK till just before Xmas. That'll leave me 8 months of messing around (50 on August 12th 2008) - maybe Singapore for another multi-entry or maybe a combination of single entry Non O's from Penang and 30 day runs to Ranong, finishing up with a Non O to see me through the retirement extension.

I was hoping not to have to bother with the runs any more. I've been doing them for 9 years. Still, it's not the end of the world.

As a postscript to this thread, I was at Hua Hin Imm again this morning and was given the same treatment. Even with my wife, the marriage certificate and previous 5 months bank statements from the UK, backed up with corresponding statements from my letting agents and this year's tenancy agreement, it was categorically stated that the 40k+ had to be going into a Thai bank account. (I know more evidence is necessary. Yet again, this was a "test run").

Fair play to Astral and his post. The Officer said that as I was claiming to support my Thai wife, they wanted to see the money over here. Bank statements and Emb letter were only additional requirements to the overriding Thai bank book.

So, it's back to the drawing board again.

Just a couple of questions, if I can. I'll be 50 next August and the lovely Imm Officer suggested I come back and see her then. She said that the 65k+ monthly income didn't have to be transferred over here for the retirement extension. Is this correct? Also, she kept referring to pension, but my income is from property. Would this suffice? Ie, income, not pension (for retirement, obviously).

Thanks from a frustrated farang.

That's how I felt, but as I said the conversation was over before I had a chance to get any information from the caller. No real details were given anyway. The lady knew our land line - very few people do, and it was the number we put on the application form. She knew my wife's change of surname - to mine - and that she'd been to the UK, so nothing seemed suspicious at the outset.

I'll call the Embassy tomorrow and confirm that they are making these enquiries.