Liquorice

5 hours ago, transam said:

This forum is supposed to provide information to ANYONE, not just wannabe hi-so's like yourself..

And, I haven't plastered anything, I have asked questions which you dissect as me not being in your hi-so-ness bracket.

So anyone that takes an interest in Immigration and meets the financial requirements for 1 year extensions is a 'high so', in your opinion.

Deary me, you mustn't have many friends, old chap!

There's always agents.

5 hours ago, transam said:

This forum is supposed to provide information to ANYONE, not just wannabe hi-so's like yourself..

You directly asked me a question, I answered it.

The fact it wasn't the answer you wanted to hear is your problem.

You want to hear you can get multiple 90 day Non Imm O visas and 60 day extensions to continually stay in Thailand ................. nobody can guarantee that, and it's highly unlikely.

Try it and let us know how you get on, old chap!

1 hour ago, transam said:

Hey, it is none of your business WHY I ask a question here, or what I do. We all know you are an "I am alright Jack", you have pointed it out a few times.

 

We on this forum are trying to work out OUR business, not yours, plus, if you are a Thai immigration officer, then come clean, if not back off the snide remarks...🤕 

Oooooh! You can write more than a sentence then.

Hit a nerve did I.

You're the one that's plastered your business all over the forum about your Immigration issues.

Just because the reply isn't the answer you were looking for, no need to get nasty.

15 minutes ago, transam said:

But, why would a 90 day non-O visa be a prelude to anything. They don't know my agenda. A visa is a visa.......?

If you enter VE or TV, then your Immigration status is as a Tourist.
You cannot apply for a 1-year extension unless you have Non Immigrant status.

For those intending to stay long term, but entered as a Tourist, Immigration offer an internal service to change your Immigration status from Tourist to Non Immigrant. (Non O)

It's a service with the expectation, after obtaining the Non O, you would then apply for a 1-year extension of stay.

Your agenda, from your previous posts and now the Non Imm O ME from Savannahket requires 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months, the same requirements as for a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage, you're exploring options to circumvent financial requirements. You've mentioned obtaining the SE Non 0 from Savannahket (no financials) + 60 day extensions as an alternative.
Now, you're exploring the option to apply for the Non O through Immigration and save travel and visa costs to Savannahket.

You've stayed here long enough to know the financial requirements, 400K for 2 months, or monthly overseas transfers of 40K per month, and you know changes can happen.
IMO the writing has been on the wall for some time in regard to the Non Imm O ME being available without financials.

As @DrJack54 experience, and nothing new, applying for back to back visas at Immigration or Thai Embassies will be met with eventual refusals.

There is a legitimate pathway to staying permanently with your Thai spouse in Thailand, and that's nothing new.

1 hour ago, khlongtoey said:

hmm, I thought the Non Imm O, wasn't something that can be done outside the country, as I hear many stories of arriving  visa-exempt and converting to Non-imm O ?

 

 

The Non O can be applied for at Thai Embassies/Consulates to enter Thailand for a number of reasons.

The 'O' stands for 'Other', meaning it's issued under item 15 of section 34 of the Immigration Act as one of the many reasons for entering Thailand.

Section 34 : aliens entering into the kingdom for a temporary stay may enter for the below listed activities
1. Diplomatic or Consular Missions.
2. Performance of official duties.
3. Touring
4. Sporting
5. Business
6. Investing under the concurrence of the Ministries and Departments concerned.
7. Investing or other activities relating to investing subject to the provisions of the law on
investment promotion.
8. Transit journey.
9. Being the person in charge of the crew of a conveyance coming to port, station , or area in
the Kingdom.
10. Study or observation.
11. Mass media.
12. Missionary work under the concurrence of the Ministries and departments concerned.
13. Scientific research or training or teach in a Research Institute in the Kingdom.
14. The practice of skilled handicraft or as a specialist
15. Other activities as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations.

The Non O can be issued for many reasons identified as 'other', such as;

https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-fees-validity?menu=64ef5ba41986b07d37326263

3 hours ago, transam said:

If you come into LOS on a visa exempt, put 400k in the bank for the day to get a 90 day Non-O at immigration, when that expires, one can do the same again, do a border hop, 400k in the bank for the day, go to immigration for Non-O 90 day.....?.

Wont work, at least not at my IO.

The idea of obtaining the Non O is a prelude to then applying for the 1 year extension.

You may get away with it once, then Immigration will view it as trying to circumvent the system, in effect, to obtain 90 extensions

If you can put 400K in once for the Non O, why not another 2 months and obtain the 1-year extension.
You can then withdraw the 400K as soon as the extension is granted.

4 hours ago, Mercurialm said:

I don't know either why they have mentioned I should get a tourist visa. I assume they thought Turkish citizens are not allowed for visa exemption which is incorrect. So they have suggested I should get a tourist visa not to have any issues while re-entering Thailand. 

Waft this under their noses.

https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/zE6021nSnu/เอกสาร/VOA.pdf

54 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

30-Day Extension was a breeze for my American friend at Jomtien. Took about 1 hour.

He could also apply for a further 60-day extension to visit a Thai spouse on top of the 30-day extension.

52 minutes ago, expatsoon said:

@Liquorice, again thanks for such detailed info, we would never have guessed that so much is needed to get the Thai spouse Non O. 

 

We've been married over 20 years but I guess that doesn't mean anything to Thai immigration.

The Thai Embassy in Canada will accept your Canadian marriage certificate for the Non Imm O e-visa application, because they can check the Canadian marriage database to authenticate it.

Thai Immigration cannot check foreign databases, which is why a foreign marriage has to be registered in Thailand, providing a local database that the Amphoe can check to issue the necessary document for Immigration, that according to local records you are still legally married.

58 minutes ago, expatsoon said:

Are you maybe an agent?  If we would ever need one,  we would love to use your services if you are.

No, I am not an agent, just happy to help others with my own experiences and knowledge.

42 minutes ago, khlongtoey said:

so , does one have to provide proof that the 800k THB came "from outside the country" each and every year, they go to do the Extension of Stay?

 

II - can the 800k just season year round, in a separate account , from one's regular account?  Or must there be activity , monthly activity in the account where only the 800k stays untouched year round?

 

III- if arriving on a 60 or 30day TR, does the 800k not have to season before going for the Non O ?  or maybe its only for the Extension the 800k?

If using the funds in the bank method, then you may be required to show the funds came from overseas only in your first encounter with Immigration.

I entered on a Non Imm O, but required to provide proof the funds came from overseas for my first extension application.

II - Yes. I have a fixed term deposit account with funds deposited solely for the purpose of Immigration. The only activity in that account is interest paid and tax deducted. I then have a Savings account for daily living expenses. At extension renewal time, I update both passbooks and request the bank to list both accounts on the standard letter. Not that Immigration has ever questioned my stationary FTD account, I just provide evidence of an additional account used for expenses.

III - For Non O the funds are only required in the bank on the day of application (Jomtien exempt).
      Funds required in the bank for 2 months prior to submitting a 1-year extension application.

34 minutes ago, Mercurialm said:

Thanks a lot, I've understood the procedure now. I have already got the money in my account now, just didn't put it 2 months earlier as I thought they would be changing the date on my passport.

For future reference.
An extension can only be dated up to the expiry date of a Passport, so if you haven't got 12 months validity on your passport, your extension will be reduced accordingly.

It's a matter of personal choice when to renew an expiring passport, taking your extension renewal date into account.

My extensions are due in July. When my current passport expires, it will be in the month of May.
I'll opt for a 10 month extension, rather than lose 10 months validity of my passport in that situation.
 

13 minutes ago, Mercurialm said:

I haven't been out of the country for quite a long time, I am not sure where the 90 days you have mentioned comes from. If I'm not mistaken, 90 days only comes from if you get a Non-O marriage visa and it is not possible to get this within the Kingdom.

It is possible to apply for the Non O at Immigration.
I posted the procedure above.

13 minutes ago, Mercurialm said:

I am not exactly sure if I have made a mistake while explaining my situation. I am not looking to get a Non-O visa from a nearby consulate. I am wondering If I can just make a border hop and get a 30 days visa exemption. Can I extend this 30 days by another 60 days and eventually convert it to Non-O extension? 

If you do a border hop, on entry you will be granted permission of stay for 30/60 days.

The procedure for applying for the Non O based on Thai spouse at local Immigration is here:  VE-TV to Non O Spouse.pdf 

The 400K is only required to be in the bank on the day you submit the Non O application (no seasoning period).

On being granted the Non O, you will be granted a further permission of stay of 90 days.

This 90 days gives ample time for the 400K to be seasoned for the required 2 months for the 1-year extension application.

4 hours ago, Issanraider said:

I am planning to arrive in Thailand with the (hopefully) 60 day visa on arrival and then apply at Khon Kaen immigration office for my non O

Is that the correct procedure or should I be doing something different?

It's a visa exempt entry (without any visa).

Procedure for applying for the Non O at Immigration based on retirement.

VE-TV to Non O Retirement.pdf 

Entering VE you'll need to complete form TM87 for the Non O application.

TM-87-Application for Visa from Visa Exempt.pdf 

6 hours ago, expatsoon said:

Married in Canada but for some reason when we ask about applying for the 400,000 baht option in my name in the bank with the Thai spouse Non O, they never reply and keep steering us back to the 800,000 baht one. 

For the Non Imm O visa, you apply online at https://thaivisa.go.th 

Open the site and choose 'Staying with Family Visas'. 

Then select 'To stay with Thai family residing in Thailand (more than 60 days). https://thaievisa.go.th/visa/non-immigrant-o

Now because you married in Canada it's a very different kettle of fish applying for a 1-year extension of stay based on a Thai spouse, because Thailand has no record of your marriage and Immigration do not accept foreign marriage certificates in their original form.

You would need to register your foreign marriage in Thailand and there is a legal procedure for that.

Document authentication is done by Global Affairs Canada or, in some cases, by the provincial government. Your authenticated marriage certificate is then submitted to the Thai embassy or consulate for document legalization.
Alternatively, the Canadian Embassy may be able to authenticate your Canadian marriage certificate.
On arrival to Thailand, the marriage certificate must then be translated to Thai and then legalized by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The documents can then be presented to your local Amphoe in Thailand, who will register the foreign marriage on the system.

To ensure a marriage is considered de jure and defacto, Thai Immigration request an updated Khor Ror 2 or 22 from the Amphoe.

When you marry in Thailand, you are issued two marriage certificates (Khor Ror 3) and a registration of the marriage (Khor Ror 2).

Provided there is no record of divorce, the Amphoe will issue an updated KR2, or in the case of a foreign marriage registered in Thailand a KR22.
Without this updated KR2/22, Immigration will not proceed with a 1-year extension based on Thai spouse.

As an addition to this, for the very first application of a 1-year extension based on a Thai spouse, Immigration will arrange a home visit to further ensure the marriage is de jure and defacto. Independent witnesses are usually required on this visit.

19 minutes ago, expatsoon said:

I appreciate all the comments thanks.  So if one day I decide to stay for a year without leaving, the Non IMM O-visa and 1 year extension can be done when I'm in Thailand as the tourist? 

A valid question, but did you marry in Thailand or the US?

You can apply for the Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in the US to enter Thailand, or you can enter as a Tourist and apply to change your Immigration status to Non Imm (Non O) at a local Immigration office.

The requirements and conditions are here:  VE-TV Non O Thai spouse.pdf 

IMO it's less hassle to apply for the Non Imm O before you enter Thailand.

On entry with a Non Imm O visa you are granted a stay of 90 days.
Open a bank account and transfer funds asap.
You can apply for a 1 year extension of your period of stay based on Thai spouse, the financial requirement being 400K THB in a Thai bank account (your sole name) for 2 months prior to submitting the 1 year extension application.

Once the extension is granted, you may withdraw and spend that 400K for living expenses.
327-2557 (2014) - Criteria for extension ENG.pdf 

Section 2.18 (Thai spouse)
(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.

1 hour ago, Issanraider said:

Also upon my arrival can I transfer 800k to a deposit account for say one month before my application on the basis that I can show that the required amount has been deposited for 2 months albeit in 2 different accounts?

 I would appreciate any help on this point.

When I first retired to Thailand, I transferred 1.2 million to my Bangkok Bank Savings account.

I then opened a 12-month Fixed term deposit account and transferred 800K of the 1.2M to that account for Immigration purposes.

Using the Savings account for daily living expenses, bills.

Many choose to leave the 800/400K in an FCD account throughout the year.

An FCD account does not have a debit card.

2 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

He said he was married to a Thai. He can get a Non IMM O-visa and 1-year extension based on marriage when he comes on holiday. 400k in the bank, then he can take it back out after he gets his extension. I don't think Thailand offers a 175 day visa, just joking...

He could also get the METV, but doesn't want to do a border run.
No financials in a Thai bank.

When the VE is increased to 60 days on entry, he could enter VE, 30 day extension, + 60 days extension = 150 days, but I get the impression he doesn't want to apply for any extensions either, or in fact do anything other than stay 175 days.

Wouldn't it be marvelous if the US offered visa free stays of up to 175 days for Thais.

50 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

the easiest visa currently available, and not requiring travel in/out of Thailand during that time would be serial 1-Year retirement-based extensions - available if they are over 50. 

An extension of one's period of stay for 1 year is not a visa.
You require a Non Imm O visa, first, to apply to extend one's period of stay.

There is a financial requirement to meet for the 1-year extensions.

The OP wants to avoid depositing, 800K in a Thai bank.

12 minutes ago, HAL030788 said:

I am on a valid Non-immigrant visa that expires in December of this year and I had done a single re-entry permit that is valid till the visa expires.

If you had a valid visa that expires in December, you wouldn't need a re-entry permit.

I suspect you have a 1 year extension of your period of stay, a permit, not a visa.

14 minutes ago, HAL030788 said:

When filling the form for single re-entry permit I had put the travel date as 14th April 2024 and return date as 20th April 2024 but, couldn't travel at the time due to office work. Now I want to travel again in July with the same re-entry permit. I would like to know if this will become an issue with the immigration while returning to the country as I had filled the form where the dates don't match the original travel dates.

The re-entry permit is valid until the expiry date of your 1 year extension.

What dates you enter on the form are immaterial, they are just an estimate.

2 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

The TM 30 is a legal requirement for all foreigners to register with immigration within 24 hours of arrival.

Arrival at the residence in question, not within 24 hours of arriving in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Some 'elite' visa holders have been caught out for not providing TM 90 reports.

What is a TM90?

The TM30 is a notification of where an alien is residing.

Once filed and the receipt received, you don't need to do anything more.

A new TM30 would only be required if you moved to a new permanent place of residence.

56 minutes ago, paddlinsteve said:

First, last July I was given a Non-O visa (marriage) at the Consulate in Savannakhet. Do I understand rightly that if I depart the country before that visa expires in a few weeks and then return while it is still valid that I’ll be granted a further stay of 90 days? If so, does it matter whether that return is done by land or by air?

Either type of entry and you will be granted a further stay of 90 days.
You can also apply for a 60 day extension to that 90 days.

According to the Thai Embassy DC, this is a list of the current Non Imm visa types.

Visa Types / Visa Fees / Validity  - สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงวอชิงตัน (thaiembassy.org)

6 hours ago, catinthehat said:

I presume Sav. Is still processing Non-Imm "O" marriage for 1 yr ME with (seasoned or not?) funds.

400K THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months.

Applying for Visa - สถานกงสุลใหญ่ ณ แขวงสะหวันนะเขต :: Royal Thai Consulate-General, Savannakhet (thaiembassy.org)