gunghang

I have just learned that police clearances are now required for O visas in Lao.

Is this true everywhere?  Specifically:

1) Stopping in Hong Kong en route to Bangkok for an O visa would be a waste of time because I don't have a police clearance?

2) Changing a 30 days on arrival visa to an O at CW would require paying 1,500 baht (?) for an expedited police clearance + 2,000 baht (?) + other fees?

3) Related, my pension is about half what is required to extend an O. Is a mix of pension and bank balance (20K per month + 200K bank balance) now possible?

4) Is online teaching for a company outside of Thailand a legal source of income that can be used along with a pension to extend an O marriage visa?

22 hours ago, gunghang said:

I've used Mae Sai.  I had to stamp out at immigration at the south end of town and then proceed to the north end to cross.  This was many years ago.  The fee was USD5.

 

There are very cheap flights to Hat Yai, RT about the same as a visa to Lao or Cambodia.  The problem was with the land crossing. I had a non-im and crossed a couple of weeks before the trouble started (4 years ago?).

 

The last in and out run for me was 2015. I flew Jet Air to Singapore.  I got funny looks when I stamped out of Singapore half an hour after stamping in, and I got another puzzled official when I turned up in Bangkok several hours after departing.  I had a non-im O in the passport and he may have expected another.  Still, I got 30 days.

Reflecting on the previous posts, maybe I was in violation of a "stay overnight" rule. The Thai official may have cut me some slack because of a Thai wife.

15 hours ago, BritTim said:

If wanting to use Mae Sot, I would suggest flying to Mae Sot airport (walking distance to the border) in at least one direction. Flights are frequent and not expensive.

I've used Mae Sai.  I had to stamp out at immigration at the south end of town and then proceed to the north end to cross.  This was many years ago.  The fee was USD5.

There are very cheap flights to Hat Yai, RT about the same as a visa to Lao or Cambodia.  The problem was with the land crossing. I had a non-im and crossed a couple of weeks before the trouble started (4 years ago?).

The last in and out run for me was 2015. I flew Jet Air to Singapore.  I got funny looks when I stamped out of Singapore half an hour after stamping in, and I got another puzzled official when I turned up in Bangkok several hours after departing.  I had a non-im O in the passport and he may have expected another.  Still, I got 30 days.

thank you all again

I'm less worried now about stumbling around the complex like a senile elephant in an oversized pinball machine.

That is very nice to know.

"Unfortunately," I will have translations in hand.  Given the time constraints of scurrying back to China, it may be a good idea to show up early, wait six hours, and hit the Chinese visa center at Thanapoom Tower the next morning.

One thing I forgot to ask about is where exactly the MFA is. CW is a huge complex.  I vaguely recall that it was in the front of the complex, but I have no idea what to show to or say to a taxi driver, or even what floor it is on, or how early in the morning I should arrive for same day service.

Thank you.

I will fly back to Bangkok from China to have the Thai Foreign Ministry put their seal on translations of my Thai marriage certificate.

(Yes, the Thai Embassy in Beijing might be able to do this, but I'm an overnight trip away, and there are other factors.)

I will then take that to the Chinese Embassy, get their "legalization" and return to China. I did all this once before for Korea.

While I've done it before, it was eleven years ago  The office was at Chaeng Wattana.  Looking at the internet, I think it may have moved.

Ergo my question:  Where is the Thai Foreign Ministry office in Bangkok that blesses translations of Thai marriage certificates?

I've seen vanishing acts both in Korea and Thailand.

Two couples just disappeared and did a great job of making the other foreign teachers look bad.

Two single teachers just took their last paychecks and ran during midterms. Very uncool. Yes, they gave the school the finger. Taking their midterm test results and forcing somebody else to go in at the eleventh hour test the students really was overkill. Their action also reflected poorly on the other foreign teachers. Some deserved the hairy eyeball; others did not.

There was another vanishing act. He didn't return from the Christmas/New Year break, and certainly had time to vanish. His medication, mostly vitamin supplements, was still in his desk. His phone was out of service. We really had no idea as to whether he'd run, become ill, or died.

I suppose the answer is to require a spouse's or friend's contact info so one can ask if a teacher is still alive. If both sets of contact info fail, they've run.

Marriage certificate and Kor Ror 2.

Wife's house book and ID card.

I had a previous Thai marriage and divorce.

Subsequent to that, I did a "Thai wife" extension in 2004. I didn't say anything about the previous marriage and neither did Immigration.

Earlier this year I tried for the Thai wife extension and Immigration knew about the previous marriage and wanted to see the divorce paper (I think).

I'm also trying for a "yellow book" just so the good folks at CW have one less thing to question in the future.

Here are a few details on the good doctor:

This is the link:  

http://tam-tampattamarat.blogspot.com/2010/05/dr-wisut.html

I am going to tell you about Dr.Wisut Boonkasemsanti. Do you know him ?
He was a gynecologist respected at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine. He was a murder who killed his wife because he requested a divorce with his wife but his wife did not accept. His wife was Dr. Phassaporn Boonkasemsanti. She was also a gynecologist. His wife suspected that Dr.Wisut had an affair with one of his patients, this conduct was a wrong medical etiquette. Finally, she knew this story and brought it to blackmail her husband. She told that if Dr.Wisut had divorced from her, she would have announced his conduct to the public. So he planed to kill her. On February 20,2001 : Dr.Wisut made an appointment to meet his wife at a restaurant in the Siam Discovery shopping center. Then, he drugged her during the meal. When she looked drowsy, he took his wife out of the restaurant. She has not been seen since then. The same day, Dr.Wisut checked in at Witthayaniwet Residence Hall at Chulalongkorn University, where he is believed to have killed his wife and dismembered her body. The following day, he left the university accommodation and checked in at the Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel. Dr.Wisut disposed of his wife's remain organ parts by cutting up the flesh and flushing the pieces down the toilet at the university accommodation and later at the hotel. The result of DNA tests confirmed that it belonged to Dr.Phassaporn. Furthermore, they discovered the items used for killing such as sedative pills, packages of small and large black plastic bags and a large amount of toilet paper. Eventually, the Supreme Court sentenced him to all his life in prison. In my opinion, it is so sad that the couple solved the problem by killing. It is a better solution if the couple should compromise for each other. This is a lesson for many people so as to avoid the violence.

I realize that you're asking about Thailand, not Korea; but I thought I'd mention that, when I was last in Korea on an E-2 visa, my wife was eligible for an F-3 or whatever visa. She didn't even need to obtain it from an embassy. She just showed up with a return ticket and got a visa on arrival. She then converted it to the F-3 and received an alien registration card (so we then had "his and hers" alien ID cards).

Your Swedish friend and his Pinay spouse won't be inventing anything new.

What I also found interesting was the 2-4-1 90-day check-in.

In the past, I couldn't do the 90-day ritual when extending my visa unless I was within the x days before 90 days or y days after 90 days window.

Even then, I had to fill out the form and wait my turn.

This time, not only did the clock reset to zero, there was no waiting. A card was stapled in my passport on July 28 telling me to show my face on Oct 27. That was it.

And, there's more! I think that the 90 days is up on Oct 25, which is a Saturday. Instead of requiring me to come in the first business day before that date, I have until the first business day after the date. For some reason, I remember it was just the opposite before. Maybe I'm imagining things or miscalculating.

Of course, the penalty is Draconian. It's gone from 2,000 baht to up to 5,000 baht + 200 baht per day.

One does not want to be late for the 90-day check-in.

I'm even thinking of getting a re-entry permit. If traffic is really bad in Bangkok, a flight to Yangon or Siam Reap might actually be a quicker trip.

I returned to CW immigration this morning.

This time, it was Plan B and I carried the paper work for "the case of an expert" etc.

The shopping list had eight items, including the application.

Immediately, one officer checked with the other to verify that an O could be extended this way.

The other remembered me from Suan Phlu a decade ago, so I was dealing with a friendly face.

Then came the photograph and paying the 1900 baht.

Then came the final approval. I was asked why I was doing this with an O. My Thai was woefully inadequate. I was then asked for a copy of my marriage certificate. I had deliberately left the "Thai wife" paperwork behind this time. Just by chance, there was a copy of the certificate in the bag I carried this morning. I'm so glad I checked, otherwise I assume my wife would have gone from CW back to our home and back to CW with the certificate.

I had to sign two forms. One acknowledged the new overstay penalties, and the other acknowledged the new "late for 90 day check in" penalty.

On the bright side, this visit reset the clock on the 90 day check in. This was not the case in the past.

My luck held out and I made it back to work before the sky opened up. "Falling Skies" may be a popular TV show, but the term means "monsoon rain" to me.

And that was that. A nine year quest to have an O and a work permit came to an end.

And, on top of everything else, I think it was less work for our visa guy, too!

At some future point I'll have to go the Thai wife route again. The intel everybody has provided me for that route will still be put to good use; just not this time around.

My application was incomplete. My tax info was not for the past three months.

Also, there was something about where I lived when I divorced my previous wife.

The official knew I was a teacher and suggested that instead of extending under privilege of my spouse, I extend as a teacher.

He said it was much less work. He pointed us to another counter and we got a sheet with a list of eight items, including the application and the work permit and a certified copy of my passport. It was similar to what's online at the Immigration site under how to extend an O visa.

I'll try it this next week. If it bombs, I'll flesh out the goodies on the Thai wife/work permit list.

Yep. Money in the bank OR Income.

Not both.

This is really depressing news, but I'm glad to have learned of it. It will affect me two years from now.

I suppose we should all make a collective prayer that the govt. doesn't double the required bank balance again.

Back to the present, I'll plan on visiting Bang Rak office tomorrow to get the marriage registry KR2.

Since immigration at Chamchuri is at the same subway station, I'll stop by there on the way back to work. I understand that I can't do the visa extension there, but maybe I can get the forms I need to do the visa extension, including the new two-pager to show my address as being the same as my wife's address in the blue house book. I'll also ask to show them my documents to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Since I'm overweight and over 60 years old, I'll be very hot and sweaty and out of breath after my walk to/from Bang Rak. I'm guessing there's a 10% chance they might take pity on me and just do the extension, saving me a trip to CW a week later. Since I'll be in the neighborhood anyway, it's worth a shot.

For CW to do the application for a conversion you will need one completed TM87 non immigrant visa application form (TM7 is for the extension later).

Conversion? I have the non-im O.

(I don't know if the journey merits its own thread, but I went to Kota Bahru to get the visa. The consulate there is open on Sunday. This made it possible to fly to/from Hat Yai on Saturday/Monday and miss only one day of work.)

It's been ten years since I last extended an O visa. Things have changed. I really do appreciate all the detailed info I'm getting.

In an amazing 24 hours, I'm almost confident about the 16th or 17th or 18th, whichever date I go.

I looked at suggestions from a lawyer's site. I heard from another person who applied last week, and had his application rejected. (Ouch!)

From the encyclopedic wealth of intel that has come my way since I first sent out a distress call yesterday morning, this is what I've distilled.

.0) apply under privilege of Thai wife, not to work.

Show up with:

.1) Thai wife

.2) Thai wife's ID

.3) Marriage certificate KR3

.4) Marriage registry KR2

.5) blue house book

.6) yellow house book (if I have time to get one)

.7) title to the condo showing ownership in both our names

.8) not sure about this – show utility bills in our names at our address?

.9) departure card TM6

10) two TM7 forms and four photos

11) work permit

12) contract

13) proof of income tax payment

14) copy of bank statement showing past salary deposit? – not sure if this will help

15) photos

signing registry
wedding party
in condo
in front of condo, name visible

16) previous passport showing previous O visa “Thai wife” extension

17) Tax ID card

18) our passports

19) copies of everything, in duplicate, signed by us both


CW may not require the duplicate copies, but I'd rather have too much than too little.

Similarly, I may not need to show my teacher license or have a criminal record check or health certificate. I'd rather err on the side of overkill and have it all ready.

I'm not planning on bringing “witnesses,” though I have people in mind.

I feel like I'll be over-prepared, if anything. I'll report back, and try to get a form number for that new two-page form they have you fill out now regarding your address.

I use the 400K baht bank balance route to satisfy the financial requirements. So when I arrive at the Chaeng Wattana govt complex I spend my first 10 min getting my same date bank letter from Bangkok Bank and photocopy my updated passbook as at today's date.

I never would have thought to ask about a same day letter bank letter. Two or three years from now, I'll be using a combination of US social security and a bank balance totaling 400,000. Now I already have my first heads up for that future visit.

You will be need proof by way of 2 or 3 months of tax payment showing 40k baht income or more,

Work permit to prove you are working legally.

I'm going to bring a copy of my contract, which states my salary is greater than 40K per month for 12 months.

I thought that the contract and my WP would be enough.

I've requested proof of tax payment, though, to be safe.

gunghang, be sure to apply for an extension for the reason of living with your Thai wife, not for the reason of employment. You didn't say which type of extension you want. I you want the employment extension, the requirements are different.

10-4

I am in fact extending it to be with my "little" love bucket. I don't want to have to flee the country the same day as when I retire, and I don't want to ever have to get a new visa.

When this is all over in late August, I really should also thank the school for going along with my request to switch from a "B" to an "O" visa.

I submitted my application for annual extension (marriage) earlier today at Chaeng Wattana. On this occasion there was an additional form that both myself and the household head on the blue book (wife) had to sign. It was a 2 page form for notification to immigration that the foreigner is residing at the address. I said that it shouldn't be necessary since I am already registered on the yellow book, however this seems to be an additional requirement since the recent change in government I guess.

Also, I submitted the same KR2 that I have been using for the last 3 years. They accepted it and did not request a recently date one. Also I submitted only one completed TM7 form with photo, and only one set of signed photocopies of the the documents that accompanied my application.

This is incredibly current and relevant information and exactly what I asked for.

Thank you, and everybody, for taking the time to share.

You went to CW today. What time? And, how long did it take you? I've been telling people at work that I'll wrap things up in the morning, but I don't really know if that will happen.

This is a helpful place. Thank you again.

This question might be a bit "out there," but, we're thinking of adding my name to the housing registration thingie (it looks like a bank book or a motorcycle registration, etc) along with hers. We own the condo and we're married and it looks funny having her name but not mine.

Is there a reason not to do this?

Thank you so much!

I had forgotten about proof of paying taxes, etc.

I'll start looking for a Sherpa guide to carry all this crap.

What is a Kor Ror Marriage Registry?

The number I have for immigration is 0-2141-7890. I imagine they're a bit busy since they just reopened this week.

Thank you all again. I'll report back on how it goes.

The post was ambiguous.

The work permit is for one year.

I now need to extend my visa, not the work permit, from 90 days to one year.

I requested the O visa so that when I retire I won't have to get an extension &/or scurry out of the country.

I'm now on an O visa. I have the new WP and will shortly try to extend it from 90 days to one year.

I no longer have the bank balance needed to this. We will use the WP for the first time with an O.

I'd like to know the current "shopping list" of what to bring.

a) I assume I'll need the marriage certificate, the spouse's ID, and the spouse.

b] I assume I'll need the work permit and a copy of my contract showing a minimum of 40,000 per month.

c) I assume I'll need a medical certificate.

d) I've heard I'll also need a syphilis test.

e) I've heard I'll need a criminal record check.

f) I've heard I'll need a photo of the happy couple at home. Would the title to the condo help?

g) I've heard of "home visits" to further verify the residence and the marriage.

h) I'm unclear if I may apply at any time or if I need to wait until just before my 90-day visa expires.

i) I'll bring my Khru Sapha ID, but I don't know if this is necessary with the O visa.

I've checked the Bangkok immigration website with mixed results.

I apologize if this info is in another thread and I just missed it.

If not, I'd love to hear from somebody who has jumped through these hoops recently.

Thanks so much.