wazza69

January 28, 2008

My partner took his new passport and his old passport with his Non-Imm B visa and there were no problems at the border with Cambodia and I have also done the same with my Non-Imm O. Both British

Thanks for the post.

Did you and your partner have all the visa entry/exit stamps from the old passport transfered at Bangkok Immigration first,

or did they do this for you at the border.

January 28, 2008

Only extensions of stay and current entry stamps can be transferred from an old passport. Any valid visa in the old passport will require that it be presented along with the new passport.
I would have Immigration HQS do the transfer and avoid a possiable situation at a border post.

Thanks for the info. Point well taken. I will need to present both passports when using my old visa.

The reason I was thinking about the border run was that my visa's 90 days are up on Monday and

I wanted to get it done before then. Didn't want to rush down Suan Plu on Friday afternoon and it's closed

at the weekend, so I was looking for an alternative.

January 28, 2008

If you want to preserve your current non o multiple visa then I would think that you have Immigration transfer that information over to the new passport while INSIDE THAILAND with current entry/exit stamps in your old (existing) passport.

Thanks for the quick reply.

What I meant was having it transfered by the Thai immigration in Thailand at the Cambodian border.

January 28, 2008

Greetings,

I will pick up my brand new, very expensive, biometric UK passport, on Friday.

I currently have a Non-O Multiple entry visa.

My question is this. Can I simply take my old and new passports and do a land border visa run?

Will the border officials transfer my visa details into my new passport, after all everything

is computerized nowadays, even the border posts.

I know you can transfer everything painlessly at Suan Plu Immigration in Bangkok, and I've

even read you can have it done at the airport, but I don't know about land borders.

Are they equipped to transfer info at the Cambodian border?

Thanks

January 19, 2008

Wazza69, read this topic, which says it all, I believe:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=164001

--

Maestro

Dear M,

Thank you so much for the link. You are indeed the Maestro!

It seems that the story does have some validity after all. Very interesting indeed.

Nuff said

Wazza69

January 19, 2008

Dear members,

A group of us were drinking and putting the world to rites when gradually the conversation turned to visas. A story surfaced about a guy who got a Thai visa from England, by mail, from Malaysia. I didn't believe it was possible, so I did a search of the forum. I did indeed find some posts on the topic, but none of them seemed to have a definitive answer to the question; Is it legal?

So here's the story. I can't vouch for its authenticity, but the issues it raises are still interesting. The guy has a Thai GF. She has a small shop and takes care of him. He went to Malaysia to get a multi visa, but they said they would only issue a single. He wanted longer than that so he decided upon this rather unorthodox plan. He extended his stay in Malaysia and sent his passport off to a mate in England with the relevant info. He said he was a little worried about not having a passport for a while, but figured that the chances were no one would ask to see it.

A while later he got his passport back with a new multi 'O' visa. He came back into Thailand on the new visa with no problems and since then has done a few border runs, each being smooth and uneventful. The officials checked his ins and outs on the computer and passed him through for another 90 days. There was never any question of why he was not in the UK when the visa was issued.

So, is he just lucky, or is this really a legal scenario? It seems to be a grey area. What do you think?

Anyone with views or experience, please share.

Thx

W

April 1, 2007

So I came back from KL and thought I'll relate my experience here:
It was really hassle-free. Submitted the application around 11 am, picked up the visa the next day between 11.30 and 12.30.

I applied for a multiple entry non-O on the form. For whatever reason, they also ask you, "Did you ever overstay?" Well, once, one day, unfortunately, more than a year ago. So I thought, better be honest and don't make false statements, and marked it "yes".

When it was my turn, I handed in the marriage certificate, copy of wife's ID and house registration. The woman asked me if I had any financial statement to support my application. I had copied my bank account passbook, but it didn't quite show 40,000 Baht monthly income...... (not sure anyway if that amount is required for the visa application, or just for the one-year extension at immigration?) Anyway, I handed the copies to her.

She quickly flipped through the papers, then said, "We can give you single entry, 3 months. The fee is 200 RM. You'll then have to apply for an extension at the immigration office in Bangkok." That was it. No comment whatsoever regarding the overstay.

Hi!

It doesn't exactly sound hassle free if you applied for a multiple entry non-O and only got a single. If you're happy with that though, good for you.

The request for proof of funds seems to be a new thing at KL. Sound like they're following in the footsteps of other consulates, such as Singapore. The question about previous overstays also sounds like a new addition to the process.

It certainly appears from your post that it is no longer possible to get multiple entry O visas without proof of funds at KL and this is yet another significant change which will affect many people that have planned visa trips there in the future.

Thanks for your update.

Wazza69

March 14, 2007

Hi members.

A friend is recently married and wants to get a Non-Immigrant O visa (multiple entry) based on marriage to a Thai. He doesn't have 400,000Baht in the bank to show; so Singapore (where I got mine) is a no go and most other consulates have not been issuing multiples for some time as I understand it.

As far as I know Kuala Lumpur is still OK without showing money. I have looked for a web-site for KL consulate but there doesn't appear to be one, and the only phone number I have always seems to be engaged or unable to connect. So, once again I ask for our members help.

He would like to travel to KL on Sunday 8 or Monday 9 of April and return to BKK after a few days with a new visa. Do any of our members know what the holidays are at the KL consulate during April and have any of you had recent experience, or knowledge of issuance of Non-Imm O multiples from there?

Your help, as always, is much appreciated.

Wazza69

February 17, 2007

Dear members,

Things are changing on almost a daily basis as regards requirements for a Non Imm O Multiple entry based on marriage. Different consulates seem to have different requirements.

I recently obtained mine in Singapore and showed 400,000 Baht in the bank. No problems at all. I knew this was a new requirement because I asked the members of this board and contacted the consulate via email a few days before I went there. A few weeks before there had not been no financial requirement. Glad I checked first!

A good friend of mine now wishes to get the same kind of visa, but does cannot show the 400,000 Baht in a bank account as required by Singapore. The members of this board have recently maintained that Kuala Lumpur is still Visa friendly, and no financial requirements are necessary for a Non Imm O multiple. Could anyone who has recently been to KL conform or deny this.

A contact number for the consulate would be much appreciated. I have looked on the web, but cannot find an active web-site or phone number.

Thank you in advance.

Wazza69

February 14, 2007

Should do between 3 and 4 week remaining and new regulation requirements have not yet been posted on Immigration website but Sunbelt has provided a breakdown several times in last week or so if you want to check his posts. If you are in Bangkok suspect they have a list available at office or could advise on phone.

Great stuff!

Thanks again. I will check with Sunbelt.

February 14, 2007

As long as she has tax records for three months showing tax on an income of 40k or more it should fly.

Thanks for that quick reply.

Is there a list anywhere with the required documents? and How many days left on your visa do you need before applying in Bangkok?

Wazza69

February 14, 2007

Hi everyone!

This question has probably been answered before, but I have looked through old posts and come up empty so far.

The missus has just landed herself a new job which will pay 40000 Baht/month before tax. My question is will this be OK for me to apply for an extension as dependant on my Non-O? After tax her income will not be 40000 (minus 5% or so)

I have a multi-O and am thinking about doing the extension of stay as a dependant of Thai wife.

As always, I look forward to our members advice.

Wazza69

February 2, 2007

Hopefully the OP is still around...
Practical question: did they want to see a copy of wife's ID card in Singapore?

I can show:

-My daughter's Thai Birth Certificate with my name on it.

-My Belgian Marriage Certificate (Wife NOT the mother)

-My Thai bank passbook with regular money transfers received from Belgium.

(Balance above THB 400,000)

If they don't need to see wife's ID (I do not have it), then I may just use marriage certificate and bank passbook.

Since it's more important to be married on paper than to actually support your children.

BTW you can't support your children anymore anyway. Not a valid reason to be in Thailand if you're below 50 (I can't resist. I have to rant :-0)

Thanks!

Hi!

This is the email I received from the Thai consulate in Singapore:

Dear Sir,

In order to apply for the non -Immigrant visa, we need you to get us a photocopy of your

marriage cert,house registration photocopy, your bank book or a copy of it under your

name which need to have at least 400 thousand bahts, one passport size photo, and

one visa form to be fillup at the visa counter, charges in singapore dollars $220/-.(mult-

entry visa for a period of 1 year) each stays only allowed for a period of 3 months only.

Submission hours are only from Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12.15noon, and it takes

2 working days to process for the visa, collection will be from 2.00pm to 4.30pm only.

Need any further information kindly contact me at tel : 67372644 ext 3.

Best regards

Shima

I did take a copy of my wifes ID card, signed by her (which they took), but it was not mentioned in the email. I was told by the staff there at the time that the money could be shown in any current bank account (not necessarily a Thai account), but they did seem a little unsure about this. I would assume having a Thai account would be preferable.

I doubt there have been any further changes since then, but to make sure you might want to give the lovely Shima a call.

Hope this helps,

Wazza69

January 24, 2007

Nice one Wazza , do you know if that 400 K or equivalent can be shown in a UK bank for example or must it be in a Thai bank ?

When I was in Singapore they told me that it was OK to show money in any account, Thai or foreign. It seemed they were just concerned whether or not you had adequate funds to pay for your stay in Thailand. However, the rule is very new and this may change in the future.

I am sure that it would be preferable to show the money in a Thai bank, but for those people who don't have an account in Thailand logically an overseas account should suffice.

Just to be sure I would contact the Consulate a week or so before you go. The email address link is in my first post.

Hope this helps.

January 23, 2007

Hi folks,

As promised here is the latest info from Singapore.

Yes you do need to show a recent copy of a bank book showing a minimum of 400,000 Baht (or equivalent in foreign currency) to qualify for a Multiple entry Non-Immigrant 'O' visa to visit your Thai wife/family.

The lovely and very polte muslim girl seemed almost embarrassed to ask for it, but was clear that if no money no multi-entry. There were a few guys there that appeared to have come without, and atleast one I saw who had all the relevant documents and got his no probs.

When you apply if you don't have the bank statements they allow you to have then faxed over to the consulate. Once confirmed they will process the visa. It appears that it does not necessarily need to be money on deposit in a Thai bank, but simply available funds. They are certainly accepting this at the moment, but TIT.

It seems from talking to the staff there that it is a new policy for all consulates, but it takes time to filter through to them all. Therefore you can probably expect the same in KL soon. Going back to your home country still seems OK though and noone indicated to me that this would change any time soon.

So there it is! Feel free to contact them directly to find out more: shima han <[email protected]>

Hope this helps. If I can answer any other questions not covered here I'll do my best.

Wazza

January 19, 2007

No idea whats going on..I can tell you i got a multi entry O, 1 year with zero probelms Monday..Then i pick up my passport and was told next year lets see some cash in the bank..Things must of changed?
Steven

Hi Steven,

Thanks for your info. You got your visa on Monday, which would be the 15th, yes?

This could have some bearing on the fact you had no problems, as Shima said the new rules were introduced on the 15th. Perhaps they decided to use some discretion on the first day.

I'll let you know what happens on Monday. This could make a few people reconsider going the Non-O route.

Wazza

January 19, 2007

1. They have told you of the new requirement they have, proof of 400k in a bank account, to obtain a multi entry non immigrant visa.
2. You object to that rule so they present you with the alternative - extension of stay with proof of income to immigration and then obtaining a re-entry permit to allow you to make your trips/money.

I did not object to the new rule, if that's indeed what it is. I said I did not understand the need to show 400,000Baht. I also stated that I would not be living in Thailand, but visiting. My aim was simply to clarify.

If this is the new rule, then this is the new rule, but the figure of 400,000Baht as proof of income falls under the old rules (pre Oct1,2006), doesn't it? Unless I'm mistaken, the new rules state that you must show an income of 40,000Baht per month income in order to apply for an extension of stay for a Non-Immigrant O visa for the purpose of marriage.

I understand that various new rules are being introduced. I am simply trying to understand the situation regarding this one. Shima's comment about re-entry permits leads me to believe that she is advising me to apply for an extension of stay. Again, this would mean the 40,000Baht income requirement would apply.

Anyway, it will all become clear on Monday when I apply for the visa. I just thought it prudent to try and find out what was needed beforehand. Thank you all for your comments.

Wazza

January 19, 2007

Dear members. I sent another email to Shima asking for clarification and received another confusing response. Please give me you feedback and if possible explain what she means.

Thanks in advance,

Wazza

My email

Dear Shima,

I do not intend to stay in Thailand permanently as I will be working overseas. My wife is employed and supports herself at the moment.

I will simply be visiting my wife in Thailand every month and therefore require a multiple entry visa. I will not be supporting her financially during this time and therefore do not understand the need for me to show proof of income/savings.

Reply:

Dear Sir,

I would like to advised you to contact our immigration dept in Thailand to make a request

for your re-entry, and explained to them if required to do so.

Best regards

Shima

January 19, 2007

Just got this email for the lovely Shima.

I'm not sure if she is still confused as to my visa request, or whether this really is a new requirement.

Here's the email:

Dear Sir,

Effect on the 15th Jan 07, we at the thai embassy in singapore is cheking the bank book or

letter from the bank in regards of the financial status,to make sure you can support your

family while you are with them, just for our records only.

Best regards

Shima

Hope the writing is not on the wall.

Wazza

January 19, 2007

wazza66,
You got no problem buddy..Just got back from Singapore today and had a blast..I am married to a great thai lady and got the Non o with zero problems and it was a pleasure seeing that 90 day stamp today at the airport..Make sure you tell that sweat islamic lady Steven said hello..

That is very good news. I am confident now everything will go fine. Thanks for the update.

Wazza

January 17, 2007

I will take your advice and see what happens.

When filling out the visa application form be sure to write “visit family” in the field “purpose of visit”. Bring the original and photocopy of the marriage certificate and also a copy of your wife’s ID card in case it should be asked for.

As far as your application for a non-O visa goes, you are visiting Thailand, not living there, and therefore you should not be expected to have a bank account in your name in Thailand.

--

Maestro

Maestro,

Thank you very much for you advice. I have been an avid reader and member of this board for a while and have always found your comments helpful and insightful. I will certainly make sure I follow your suggestion.

Wazza

January 17, 2007

You're right!

The 400000 is the old requirement for extension of stay. That's what makes me think that there has been some confusion. If they really did want to introduce a new monetary requirement for Non-Immigrant O visa applications they would, if logic prevails, use the new 40000 requirement.

I will know more on Monday when I put in my application. Don't panic just yet!

I'll let everyone know how I get on.

Wazza

January 17, 2007

Thanks very much for that quick response. This board is the best. I will take your advice and see what happens. I'm sure I managed to confuse poor Shima.

Cheers

January 17, 2007

Dear members!

I would like some information from anyone who has recently been to Singapore for a Non Immigrant 'O' visa based on Marriage to a Thai national.

I am going to Singapore on Sunday 21st to apply for the afore mentioned visa on Monday.

I thought that I had goten a handle on the requirements, but thought I would email the consulate in Singapore just to make sure. The reply I received has made me very confused.

Please read: