c1samd

thanks ubonjoe

Hi,

My 1 year extension of stay based on marriage will expire in August this year.  

I have read conflicting pieces of information about the length of time I need to have the 400k thb in the account.  Some say 2 months while others say 3 months as it is not your first 1 year extension.  Does anybody know with certainty the answer to this?

If it makes any difference I will be extending at the Phetchabun immigration office which is the same one I used last year.

On a side not my UK tax return will show well in excess of the 40k thb per month income required.  I have not before tried to use this as an option to get the extension.  Is it a simple process to get this tax return verified by the British Embassy and does it need to get translated and go to the MFA as well to be accepted in an extension application?  

thanks in advance for any help

Hi,

Just a quick question as I just want to be 100% sure.

My current stamp runs out on the 10th August.

A few days ago I applied for a 1 year extension based on marriage.  Papers were accepted by my local immigration and they are now sending them to Chang Mai to be checked.

My local immigration office has stamped my passport with a 'application of stay is under consideration' stamp.

It then states 'applicant must contact again in person' and is then dated 9th September.

Does this mean that I am now ok to stay in Thailand until I visit immigration again on the 9th September, even though my current stamp of entry expires on 10th August?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Thank you Joe, that is good news.

Hi,

Have a few questions about the extension of stay based on marriage.  I will give you my background first though.

I am a UK citizen.  I am currently using an non o based on marriage multi entry visa and entering and exiting every 90 days.  My last exit was 13/05/2017 so I have my current stamp running until 10/08/2017.  My actual visa though expires on 15/06/2017.

I have decided that I would prefer not to leave every 90 days so am transferring this week the 400,000thb so as I can apply for the 1 year extension.  I understand this money needs to be in my thai bank account for 2 months so doing the maths that will be around the 22nd July.

I will be using the Immigration office in Petchabun

So questions based on this are, how long before my stamp expires do I need to make my application for the 1 year extension?

If I do not have enough time before my current stamp expires can I get the 60 day extension based on marriage to buy some time and then apply for the 1 year or can you not get 1 year extension on the back of a 60 day one? ( i have not so far extended any of my 90 stamps on this current non o).

Or do I need to exit again before my visa expires next month to grab a further 90 days giving me until mid September to complete the 1 year extension?

Advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

thanks gents

Hi,

I have a multi entry non o visa.

It is the first one I have got so have not done a border bounce before to get another 90 day stamp.

My easiest exit route is to drive to friendship bridge (Laos border).  I am hoping some others with previous experience at this border crossing can give some tips or advice on how to make this in/out trip as quick and as painless as possible.

For example is it best to leave the car in Thailand and then hire a tuk tuk to take me across and back again?

Where can I find a arrival / departure card once I get to the bridge?

Are their agents trying to sell the crossing service and if so is it easier to use them or try and make the arrangements myself?

My wife is taking the trip with me and will I am sure want to come across the bridge and back with me, will this be helpful do you think or will it slow down the process?

I would appreciate any insight or help that you guys can offer.

thank you.

could you write yourself one out for 3.000 pounds?

This is an excellent question.

Will the Thai banks change a personal check from abroad?

Could save me a lot on ATM fees.

Anyone ever do it?

If you want to send money over, the best website to use is www.transferwise.com

Their rates are always the best going, although you will get hit for a 1.5% charge which evens it out a little, but will still be an excellent rate

I have sent thousands with this service, is extremely reliable and always clears 4-5 business days after sending from home account (which is the UK for me)

Better still if you use this link https://transferwise.com/u/68998f your first transfer is free as long as you send between £200 and £2000

Thanks for the replies.

I have already bought plane tickets for Penang as it is a place I would like to check out. So going to Laos although good advice is not going to happen.

If they don't give the multiple entry non o on my visit I am assuming I can get a single entry which will be good for 5 months (including extension)

I have also heard reports that you only need 100,000thb in the bank to obtain the multiple entry visa, not the 400k mentioned earlier. I understand the 400k is more for the 1 year extension of stay rather than obtaining the initial non o. Is there anybody that can confirm or deny this please?

thanks again

Hi,

I am travelling to Penang in June to obtain a non imm visa based on marriage.

I would like to get a multiple entry one, this though will be the first time I obtain such a visa (currently on a SETV which has been extended by 60 days based on marriage)

Am I able to get the multiple entry straight away or do I need to first get a single entry then go back in 90 days and then get a multiple entry.

I am also wondering what paperwork will be required, how much money and how long it needs to be seasoned for in my thai bank in order to get the multiple entry visa based on marriage.

Incase it helps I am a UK passport holder.

If anyone has any experience with the Penang embassy and what they require I would very much appreciate your advice.

thanks in advance

Hi,

I am finalising a deal with local my ford dealer to buy a ranger and have been offered insurance with Syn Mon Kong. Its a 1st class policy that pays 80% value in the event of a write off.

Does anybody have any experience with this insurance company? as in being a good or bad service provider..

Any info as always is much appreciated.

thanks in advance

You might be able to apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife on Monday since it will be less than 30 days but many offices will not do a short term extension that early. You may have to wait until the last two weeks of your permit to stay.

Your new wife will need will need to be with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of her house book registry and ID card. Plus copies of the relevant pages of you passport and departure card.

Thanks Ubonjoe

I think I will just pop in next week on my way back anyway as we will have all the paperwork to hand as the same stuff is needed to register the marriage and hope for the best.

Going a bit off topic I am planning to buy a car in the very near future as well and need a proof of residence from immigration to put the car in my name. Do you know if under my current circumstances when getting the extension stamp I will qualify to be able to get the proof of residence as well?

You need to go back and read the edit I did to my post while you were doing yours.

Not sure what policy Samui immigration has for doing a certificate of residence. Many offices will not do it unless you have at least a non immigrant visa entry.

Yes not a bad idea, thanks for all the advice

You might be able to apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife on Monday since it will be less than 30 days but many offices will not do a short term extension that early. You may have to wait until the last two weeks of your permit to stay.

Your new wife will need will need to be with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of her house book registry and ID card. Plus copies of the relevant pages of you passport and departure card.

Thanks Ubonjoe

I think I will just pop in next week on my way back anyway as we will have all the paperwork to hand as the same stuff is needed to register the marriage and hope for the best.

Going a bit off topic I am planning to buy a car in the very near future as well and need a proof of residence from immigration to put the car in my name. Do you know if under my current circumstances when getting the extension stamp I will qualify to be able to get the proof of residence as well?

It's 30 days before expiry of your current stay permit. You could apply for a yearly extension of stay based on marriage.

That is good news thank you.

My long term plan is to obtain the 1 year extension, but I only put the 400k into my thai bank earlier this month so needs some more seasoning time.

I was also under the impression that to get the 1 year extension I would need to enter the country on a non imm visa not the tourist one I have currently entered on. Unless I take a trip to Bangkok to convert it.

I would personally prefer if this is the case to take a trip to Penang for a few days as I haven't yet been there and obtain a single entry non imm based on marriage and then apply for the 1 year extension when that is expiring.

If though I am wrong and I can extend for a year on the back of a tourist plus a 60 day extension (in nathon) then please let me know as this will save a few bhat!

Hi,

I am currently in Thailand on a SETV which expires on the 27th April. I am going to the Ampher Monday with the future mrs to marry next week on Monday 4th. This is all being done in Nathon, Koh Samui.

I was wondering if I could go past the immigration office on my way back from the Ampher with my marriage certificate and get a 60 day extension, which will be 24 days before my current stamp expires.

If not how early am I able to apply for the 60 day extension?

Any advice as always greatly appreciated.

thanks

thanks elviajero

• The 400k must be in your account for a full 2 months prior to the application day.
• Yes, once married you can apply to extend your stay by 60 days. You will need to go apply at the immigration office that covers the area you live in.

Thanks for that.

Do you know what documents I will need to take to immigration to get the initial 60 day extension?

Hi,

I have done some research but am getting a usual different answers from different places I look, so am looking for a bit of advice please.

My background.

I have a UK passport and entered the country on a SETV on the 28/02/2016 from the UK with an exit by date of 27/04/2016.

I have today 10/03/2016 cleared funds into my thai bank account of 400,000thb

I plan to marry early April as per my affirmation of marriage states.

Once married ideally I would like to get a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage, but my first question is can I get this extension on top of the 30 day SETV extension I will need to get so as to allow the 400,000thb to season for the required 2 months?

I have also been told that once married I can get a 60 day extension at immigration by just showing marriage cert and ID doc of myself and wife? Is this true, because if so may be the better option to give a bit of breathing space to get all paperwork ready for the 1 year extension.

Any help with a best plan of action would be greatly appreciated and if I have missed any details that are needed to help with your advice please ask.

thanks.

It is not just the young that think they have superhuman skills. There are thousands of old foreigners here chugging around on motorbikes and I might add have developed local ways.... no helmet, taking mad chances at U turns. Not stopping and looking at a junction just drive out, not checking over the shoulder on both sides before making a move left or right...the list goes on... and the death toll rises.

Heard yesterday of a foreigner hitting a pot hole at night. 2 broken wrists, a fractured skull and a bill for 350,000 baht.....10,000 U.S.

My global insurance for health and accidents is 440 pounds a year. Not 10,000 dollars or 35,000 pounds as in the case of this young girl.

Hi Lonewolf99

Please can I ask for the name details of your global insurance policy, I am at the moment looking for one myself. Would be much appreciated

thanks

As the title states, has anyone managed it yet and if so how did they find the experience? Were the staff keeping to all the requirements stated i.e. £5k in the bank for at least 6 months, letter from employer, hotel reservation etc

Any feedback would be greatly aprreciated

Thanks in advance

anks for the speedy responses guys, very helpful

If you have been married get whatever divorce paperwork is issued in the UK as believe that will be required by Embassy.

You need the decree absolute or if widower then you need a copy of the death certificate.

And once the Embassy has issued the affirmation to marry it then needs to be translated into Thai and authorised (stamped) by the Ministry of Foreign affairs.

HL

Thanks for the speedy responses guys, very helpful.

Happylarry understand the translation bit and the need for it to be authorised. I am hoping I am able to do this in a day when I come back to Bangkok (as I am going back to the uk for a few weeks) before moving onto Samui .

Am I able to do these things alone or do I need my girlfriend with me? I have copies of her ID and housebook.if that is of any relevance / assistance?

thanks again

Sorry if this has been answered before but I couldn't find the correct information.

I will be getting married to a thai lady this year in Thailand so will require the affidavit. I am though going back to England this month for a few weeks, is there anyway I can get this paperwork whilst I am in the UK and if so please can you explain how.

thanks in advance

How, specifically, do you know the bank will not open an account for Americans?

In answer to your question;

I know specifically as when I showed my passport to the lady opening my account, she said "good you no have American passport, we cannot open account for American" I asked why and she said "their government super safe they not let them, so we not do here" I said ok.

Now just to clarify and reiterate as I have stated more than once, I am only talking about the CIMB branch in Samui. I am not talking about all CIMB branches.

Feel free to challenge this with them directly if you feel it is incorrect information, as it is becoming quite tedious to continue repeating information I have already offered. I am simply telling people what was explained to me in branch.

HNY

Yes, Americans can open accounts, and with just a 30-day stamp. Sure would be nice if some, like the OP, would just quit egocentrically extrapolating personal experience with a few Thai bank branches into laws of nature. HERE's the ACTUAL universal law, and you've all heard it: If at first you don't succeed, TRY try AGAIN!!!

And another little something for your book of learning - lots of thai bank employees running around out there with incomplete training, a fear of learning anything new, an even greater fear of admitting they don't know something, and an almost paralyzing fear of admitting mistakes (theirs or others).

Wow another disgruntled American!

Let me explain this in very simple terms.

As my original post said that particular branch I named explained to me in no uncertain terms that they (in that branch) do not open accounts for people with American passports, maybe because they are lazy, maybe because they don't have the right paperwork there to offer the service or maybe they just don't like you.

I totally agree with you that you do need to try, try and try again. I have been to 4 Bangkok Bank branches that refused me even though their website states 'no work permit required' It is each individual branch that decides how helpful / unhelpful they are willing to be

So please 'egocentrically extrapolating personal experience' is not the case. I have merely stated that that particular branch is not US friendly, get over it.

You are making out that I have made a sweeping statement that all banks in Thailand CIMB or others do not give accounts to Americans, which if you read my post in a bit more detail YOU WILL SEE I HAVE NOT. I have said the branch in Samui does not.

once again HNY

Wow, you guys really do enjoy picking holes!

How about the "xmas present for ALL" was the gift of knowledge of what the CIMB branch I went into required in order to open an account. So as this knowledge could then help you on making a decision on whether or not this would be the bank for you to do business with?

And making a "drama" because I have passed on what was told to me about them not being able to open accounts for Americans seems a bit over the top. I was simply passing on the information I was told first hand by the CIMB employee that opened the account for me. I think the phrase don't shoot the messenger comes into play here.

And lastly I don't dispute that many people have opened accounts across Thailand with no more than their passports. In Samui that isn't the case I tried more than 20 different branches of various banks to be told the same by all "need work permit" So to find a bank that doesn't ask for this I felt was information worth sharing.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL