keithet

Ive opened many acconts here with and wothout a WP seems to vary

You do not say whee you are

SCB Saphan Kwa not required

TMB yes

Kasikorn C Rai no questions asked

Bangkok Bank Emporium brought WP but not needed

Shop around

I'm by bang chak in bkk I wanted the scb because its really close to my home in case I need counter service. Especially when I'm dealing with required funds for marriage.

I wanted to open a new account so I can transfer money to show required funds to get a non-o basses on marriage in a few months.

Is it true I HAVE to have work permit to open a bank account?

I went to SCB by my home and they told me I have to have work permit.

I have ed visa so it is illegal to work.

I told them this and showed a letter from my school. I asked them how I can have wp if its illegal for me to work. Then I told them how does a retired foreigners get a account if its also illegal to work here under the 2 types of visas.

Yet once again I got that blank Thai smile.

I'm planning a trip to the Thai embassy in savannakhet to get a non O basses on marriage.

My Thai wife wants to go with me. Can she go to the embassy with me?

Also does she need a passport to visit Laos with me?

If its any help near Bang Chak they use a traffic light that flashes the colors. Seemed to be a lot better then the sun faded circle chart.

This sucks!!!!!

OK so what is the best and easy Thai embassy to go to. And what is the best way to get there. Is there companies to help? Where is it??????

I have no idea

I'm in Bangkok

"Official policy"???? Is that the law or what they make up as they go?Last I checked the "new law" stated can not get exstention "based" on education if over a year. It does not mention changing reason of stay can not do.

Example: you can change reason of stay if you entered on a non immigrant visa.... Does not say except ED. Just you can not get a extension basses on Ed.

As mentioned, it is known that some offices make their own additional or different regulations. If you are in Pattaya, you can try using a fixer, but that can cost you more than the trip and the new non-imm 'O',

I'm in Bangkok

Not that I recall. Only saw some reports on people being denied to change the reason of stay becasue they were on an ED-visa. believe that was Pattaya, as Ubonjoe mentioned.

You can call 1111 (government information line) and ask what the offcial policy is regarding this.

"Official policy"???? Is that the law or what they make up as they go?

Last I checked the "new law" stated can not get exstention "based" on education if over a year. It does not mention changing reason of stay can not do.

Example: you can change reason of stay if you entered on a non immigrant visa.... Does not say except ED. Just you can not get a extension basses on Ed.

Has there been any reports of people being able to change at CW after August 29th's new law?

That would be some helpful feedback!

I'm in the same situation as you, I asked the boss lady who is in charge of extension of stay based on marriage at Pattaya immigration last week and she said can not convert from a ED visa and must leave the country and get a non O.

What are you going to do?

Has there been any reports of people being able to change at CW after August 29th's new law?

That would be some helpful feedback!

I don't want to upset anyone at immigration by asking someone that does know the law to help.... But as I learned that would be no help. I wouldn't do that.

I wonder if I should just go in and try when it gets close with my wife and all our paper work and see? If I go in 2 weeks ahead of my expiration date I won't need a 7 day stamp or want one. Will I still have to pay 1900 baht?

Like I said I went to get information so me and my Thai wife will have everything in order when the time comes.

But its in the back of my mind that there will be problems because of the new law. That students need to leave each year for new visa. And may apply to me wanting to change reason to marriage.

I went into immigration to do my 90 day address report.

Afterwards I went to the front desk at BKK to get a tm-7 form and asked about "changing my reason of stay from education to marriage" my next extension date.

They said I can't because I have been here longer then 2 years based on my end visa. (New law aug.29) That I will have to leave and arrive with a new visa.

I explained Im asking to change my reason of stay to marriage.... (Not asking to change my visa) i entered on a non immagrant visa 2 years ago and i will be finishing school and want to change to marriage.

She said no i have to leave.

It seemed like i talked to the wrong lady...

Copies will be enough. She will need copies of the page that has the address and name of the house master on it and the page that she is on.

Thank you so much! And also I heard I should provide two copies of everything right?

Would this include two copies of my income affidavit from embassy, and photos of us at home? And two copies from my school that I stopped studies? Or is there certain items o

Unless you are applying in Bangkok you will need 2 TM7 application forms with attached documents.

Original of income affidavit for one set of documents and copy for the other.

You should not need but he original letter from the school but one copy would be advisable in case needed.

Everything else you will need 2 copies.

Yes I will apply at Bangkok. So I should fill out 2. Tm7 just in case?

Also I will put 365days on my tm7 and then they will give me a 30 day stamp for evaluation. When I go in after the evaluation period do I have to provide all my documents again? And a new tm7?

Documents being copies of everything and photos like I provided on the first visit. And also bring my wife again? She will want to go anyway but just asking.

Your wife needs nothing more than her ID and house book. She will do a statement as part of an interview that immigration will print out and have you both sign it.

Never been to CW so can't help with that info.l

Ubonjoe me and my wife are wondering about the house book.

Do we need to bring the original with 2 copies or just copies? And the copies should be just her page or all the pages?

She says the original is with her parents.

Copies will be enough. She will need copies of the page that has the address and name of the house master on it and the page that she is on.

Thank you so much! And also I heard I should provide two copies of everything right?

Would this include two copies of my income affidavit from embassy, and photos of us at home? And two copies from my school that I stopped studies? Or is there certain items one original is enouph?

Your wife needs nothing more than her ID and house book. She will do a statement as part of an interview that immigration will print out and have you both sign it.

Never been to CW so can't help with that info.l

Ubonjoe me and my wife are wondering about the house book.

Do we need to bring the original with 2 copies or just copies? And the copies should be just her page or all the pages?

She says the original is with her parents.

thank you

Joe, my experience with Immigration in Sakhon Nakhon was different though my circumstances were identical with what was posted by the OP.

I was told to get out of the country, go to Laos and come back on a Non_O which they would then consider for extension based on marriage. They would not change my Ed Visa. There is absolutely no consistency by immigration in dissemination of information across the country I am afraid to report.

Were you asking to change your reason for an extension. Or did you ask them about changing visas. It is not possible to change non immigrant visa classes.

There have been a lot people that have changed from an ED extension to marriage and retirement at other offices.

The OP is doing his in Bangkok and they will do it.

do you verbaly say change your reason for extension?

or do I write in reason for extension on TM7 " Change" or just "to stay/live with my Thai wife"? or both....

What is wise to write in this section on the TM7?

You can change the reason for your extension of stay to marriage. You do not need to go out for a visa.

You will need a bank letter showing 400k baht and your bank book showing that it has been in the bank for 2 months or proof 40k baht income.

Marriage certificate and Kor Ror 2.

Wife's house book and ID card.

Map to your residence.

Proof of residence if not living where your wife's house book is for.

Photos of you and your wife in and around the house. One photo must be of you both under or next to the house number.

Copies of your passport photo page. visa, entry/permit to stay stamp, most recent extension stamp and TM6 departure card.

I don't think the order really matters. If they don't like it they will move them around. I do mine, passport copies, financial docs, marriage docs, wife docs, proof of residence, map and then photos.

You put non immigrant ED in the visa space.

Joe, my experience with Immigration in Sakhon Nakhon was different though my circumstances were identical with what was posted by the OP.

I was told to get out of the country, go to Laos and come back on a Non_O which they would then consider for extension based on marriage. They would not change my Ed Visa. There is absolutely no consistency by immigration in dissemination of information across the country I am afraid to report.

May I ask when you did this? The date? I ask because it seems everything is changing because of the ED visa changes on Aug. 29

I will be going to Bangkok imagration in CW

A combination of money and income is no allowed possible for a extension based upon marriage. You cannot use your wife's income when you do the application.

Do have any income that you could add to your income affidavit to help make up the difference It does not have be a pension or SS payments.

I do have extra income from a shared property rental in USA with family. But I dont have any proof in my name.

So if I put that on the affidavit I could not show proof to either the embassy if asked or immigration if asked...

Could this still count under oath with the embassy for the affidavit?

The embassy does not ask for proof because you swear an oath to a consular officer that it is true and correct when you do the affidavit.

I don't recall any reports of Bangkok immigration asking for back up proof for an affidavit. If asked the best back up proof is a Thai bank book showing some transfers into the country. There is no requirement for you to bring all your money into the country because you are proving gross income not net.

Aww thank you thats good advise I do show a monthly transfer from US to Thai bank for about 30,000 baht. This is what I find good for me to live on.

Also on the affidavit do I put amount of SS and then the amount of the rentail in the US then put total. Or just put total amount and state "from SS and property rental from USA" ???

This would be for the US embassy

A combination of money and income is no allowed possible for a extension based upon marriage. You cannot use your wife's income when you do the application.

Do have any income that you could add to your income affidavit to help make up the difference It does not have be a pension or SS payments.

I do have extra income from a shared property rental in USA with family. But I dont have any proof in my name.

So if I put that on the affidavit I could not show proof to either the embassy if asked or immigration if asked...

Could this still count under oath with the embassy for the affidavit?

And if so do I put amount for SS payments then rentail (stating rentail) and then the total at the botom... Or just put total amount saying from SS and rental in US on the affidavit?

for the US embassy

You are very helpful ubonjoe! me and my wife thank you for your advise with everything!

depending on the exchange rate some times my monthly income that I can prove (my social security) falls just short of the 40,000 baht requirement. Can I use a combination of money in a Thai bank and my monthly income?

Or does any of my wifes income count for our combined income?

Or does it ALL have to be my income for the 40,000.

They use the bank rate for the date you apply.

The bank rate?

For example the thai baht is 32.023 baht to 1 Us dollar.....

But if you exchange at the bank they would give you a lower amount as low as 30.9 or something for servise charge....

Like when I go to the bank the computer board shows the current exchange rates but also shows buying and selling rate witch is lower.

I hope that question makes sence?????