2nd visa /visiting spouse without going to home country

[EnlightenedAtheist]

I am on my last 3 months of a 364 days+3 months visiting spouse visa that I got in Vietnam. Is it a problem of getting another similar visa if I did not go back to my home country from, say, Vietnam again? Would it be a problem if I went back to the same country (vietnam) to get another similar visa? 

Edited April 9, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[overherebc]

You can extend it for another 60 days for 1900 baht at your local Imm' office.

Should have added, I can't think of any reason why a second would be a problem. 

Had about 12 in a row from various places. Multi Non O's.

Edited April 9, 2018 by overherebc

[EnlightenedAtheist]

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

You can extend it for another 60 days for 1900 baht at your local Imm' office.

Should have added, I can't think of any reason why a second would be a problem. 

Had about 12 in a row from various places. Multi Non O's.

Thanks a lot for that. Really appreciated.

 

I found the Ho Chi Minh experience to be excellent. My wife was with me. Does it make a difference?

 

Not sure of the meaning of the "should have". Are you saying that the extension at the end of the 364 days visa at the local office for 1900 B. for 2 months is better than a 3 months visa run just before the visa expires (cost for me is 900 B. [bus vip, but economy class + burmese fee], but it is a 12 hour trip)? Not sure how long is the trip to the office for such an extension + paperwork.

 

BTW, it is true that I could use the 400,000 B in the bank show. I hear wild stories of immigration wanting to see where you live and having to produce all kinds of pictures. I never had any formal wedding ceremony (and pictures), which I fear could be a potential issue, but it is a legitimate marriage. 

Edited April 9, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[JackThompson]

40 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

BTW, it is true that I could use the 400,000 B in the bank show. I hear wild stories of immigration wanting to see where you live and having to produce all kinds of pictures. I never had any formal wedding ceremony (and pictures), which I fear could be a potential issue, but it is a legitimate marriage. 

This varies by Imm-Office.  If you are applying while living with your wife in her home-district, you will likely have no problem, but (a) witness(es) may be required.  Bangkok is "by the book" - what is in the official rules.  At other locations, it depends on corruption (force you to an agent so they get a payoff) and/or if the IO in question "approves" of "mixed-marriages."

 

The pics don't have to be of the wedding - more like around your home including "sitting on the bed", etc.  It's silly - things a "bad guy" would pay a "for a visa wife" to do - but that's how it goes. 

 

The best thing to do is have your wife ask at your imm-office what is needed to apply there - but you can also tell us which office, and maybe someone here can give you the latest.

Edited April 9, 2018 by JackThompson

[overherebc]

46 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Thanks a lot for that. Really appreciated.

 

I found the Ho Chi Minh experience to be excellent. My wife was with me. Does it make a difference?

 

Not sure of the meaning of the "should have". Are you saying that the extension at the end of the 364 days visa at the local office for 1900 B. for 2 months is better than a 3 months visa run just before the visa expires (cost for me is 900 B. [bus vip, but economy class + burmese fee], but it is a 12 hour trip)? Not sure how long is the trip to the office for such an extension + paperwork.

 

BTW, it is true that I could use the 400,000 B in the bank show. I hear wild stories of immigration wanting to see where you live and having to produce all kinds of pictures. I never had any formal wedding ceremony (and pictures), which I fear could be a potential issue, but it is a legitimate marriage. 

Just before the enter/use by date you get another 90 days. Sometime in the last couple of weeks of that 90 days you go with your wife to your local office with copies of house book, wife's ID, and marriage cert and 1900 baht. You get sixty more days from the last day of your last 90 days.

TM30 and TM 28 may come into the equation depending on your local office.

 

You might be thinking about a one year extension of stay, that requires all the photos money in the bank witnesses etc etc.

Edited April 9, 2018 by overherebc

[elviajero]

You shouldn't have a problem getting another non 'O' visa. This type of visa isn't, usually, limited.

 

1 hour ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Not sure of the meaning of the "should have". Are you saying that the extension at the end of the 364 days visa at the local office for 1900 B. for 2 months is better than a 3 months visa run just before the visa expires (cost for me is 900 B. [bus vip, but economy class + burmese fee], but it is a 12 hour trip)? Not sure how long is the trip to the office for such an extension + paperwork.

 

If you want to maximise your stay from this visa you should make an exit/entry just before the visa expires ('enter before' date printed on the visa), for a final 90 day stay. Then towards the end of the 90 days you can apply for a 60 day extension. That gives you almost 17 months from one visa.

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Thanks a lot for that. Really appreciated.

 

I found the Ho Chi Minh experience to be excellent. My wife was with me. Does it make a difference?

 

Not sure of the meaning of the "should have". Are you saying that the extension at the end of the 364 days visa at the local office for 1900 B. for 2 months is better than a 3 months visa run just before the visa expires (cost for me is 900 B. [bus vip, but economy class + burmese fee], but it is a 12 hour trip)? Not sure how long is the trip to the office for such an extension + paperwork.

 

BTW, it is true that I could use the 400,000 B in the bank show. I hear wild stories of immigration wanting to see where you live and having to produce all kinds of pictures. I never had any formal wedding ceremony (and pictures), which I fear could be a potential issue, but it is a legitimate marriage. 

Sent you a PM.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

6 hours ago, elviajero said:

You shouldn't have a problem getting another non 'O' visa. This type of visa isn't, usually, limited.

 

If you want to maximise your stay from this visa you should make an exit/entry just before the visa expires ('enter before' date printed on the visa), for a final 90 day stay. Then towards the end of the 90 days you can apply for a 60 day extension. That gives you almost 17 months from one visa.

Oh! I see! This can be added to the 15 months. That is news to me. I wonder how much of a headache is it to go see the IOs for 2 months and 2000 B.?

 

At the end of the day, I have to get out. It might suit me better to get out in terms of timing for a future trip back home with my wife, actually. (Fall is more desirable than a winter trip, for instance).

Edited April 9, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[BuckBee]

Savannakhet one of easiest/cheapest/quickest (if don't fly), Wife not needed but just be sure have all paperwork sorted correctly and done due diligence/asked and answered questions before go then it a smooth no hassle process .

98% of those who have issues or rediculous costs on non o marriage  is down to using agents or taking peoples advise as gospel without doing bit of research and diligence themselves .

[elviajero]

52 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Oh! I see! This can be added to the 15 months. That is news to me. I wonder how much of a headache is it to go see the IOs for 2 months and 2000 B.?

 

At the end of the day, I have to get out. It might suit me better to get out in terms of timing for a future trip back home with my wife, actually. (Fall is more desirable than a winter trip, for instance).

A 60 day extension is a usually easy to get and is issued on the spot. It depends on the office you apply at as to how long would take. Your wife needs to go with you. And you’d need to provide your marriage certificate plus copy and copies of your wife’s ID and Tabian Baan. 

[BritTim]

It is more normal in your situation just to apply for a further one year extension. You normally only apply for a fresh visa if you were unable to meet the requirements for the one year extension near the time your current permission to stay ends. You can, in principle, extend the initial 90 days you received entering with your Non O visa year-by-year an unlimited number of times.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

14 hours ago, elviajero said:

A 60 day extension is a usually easy to get and is issued on the spot. It depends on the office you apply at as to how long would take. Your wife needs to go with you. And you’d need to provide your marriage certificate plus copy and copies of your wife’s ID and Tabian Baan. 

Thanks. 

 

In my case though, I would like to go to my home country in September of next year and so the added 2 months would be unnecessary, but I will keep this in mind in the future. Thanks.

 

Which office in your experience gives on the spot?

[EnlightenedAtheist]

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

It is more normal in your situation just to apply for a further one year extension. You normally only apply for a fresh visa if you were unable to meet the requirements for the one year extension near the time your current permission to stay ends. You can, in principle, extend the initial 90 days you received entering with your Non O visa year-by-year an unlimited number of times.

 

My visiting spousal visa can be extended for one year? The visa I have is not a visa based on marriage. I think they are different beasts.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

 

My visiting spousal visa can be extended for one year? The visa I have is not a visa based on marriage. I think they are different beasts.

Both are the same. You are calling your multiple entry non-o visa a spouse visa that is exactly the same as saying it is based upon marriage.

In reality their is no spousal visa. It is one based upon marriage to a Thai.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

23 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Both are the same. You are calling your multiple entry non-o visa a spouse visa that is exactly the same as saying it is based upon marriage.

In reality their is no spousal visa. It is one based upon marriage to a Thai.

Thanks, Joe! I understand now.

 

There is one visa that you must pay $200 and there are several names for it,. I call it a visiting spouse visa. The other name used is a non-o spouse visa.  That is the official name.

 

So, this visa can be extended for one year, but you need 400 K + seasoned in a bank. If I wanted to make that happen, I would need to have that seasoned in a bank for 2 or 3 months and do all the paperwork and subject myself to visits by officers and hope my wife will be there when they come or else? I am not too sure I want to subject myself to this ordeal. Flying to HCM seems less stressful. The agencies make it appear that this is an ordeal and my wife believes it. 

 

Can you give me your sense of what the Chiang Mai office is like based on the thousands of postings on this matter? Last time I went to the office, I had zero clue as to whom I had to talk to to get the specifics needed to comply. Before, at the airport office, there was at least one receptionist. I did not see this in the new office (Promenada). I saw all kinds of tables that had officers dealing with people. I did not feel to comfortable disturbing them.

 

Wouldn't it be easier if TV had one permanent page that one could consult to see what is needed? Maybe it exists. Maybe there is a clear Chiang Mai immigration link/page where all this info. is put in a transparent way. I am sure there is one for the whole of Thailand. 

 

 

[sometimewoodworker]

On 09/04/2018 at 1:22 PM, EnlightenedAtheist said:

BTW, it is true that I could use the 400,000 B in the bank show. I hear wild stories of immigration wanting to see where you live and having to produce all kinds of pictures. I never had any formal wedding ceremony (and pictures), which I fear could be a potential issue, but it is a legitimate marriage. 

Unless you went to an Amper/Ket and got the  pretty paper you are not legally married. The formal ceremony is a  buddhist ceremony and not a legal marriage.  

 

Immigration requires both a de jure and de facto marriage if you are legally married and have 400,000 in the bank the 1 year extension of say is easy and much cheaper than visa runs IMNSHO. immigration does not care about the ceremony pictures, just both of you in and around your house.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

1 hour ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Unless you went to an Amper/Ket and got the  pretty paper you are not legally married. The formal ceremony is a  buddhist ceremony and not a legal marriage.  

 

Immigration requires both a de jure and de facto marriage if you are legally married and have 400,000 in the bank the 1 year extension of say is easy and much cheaper than visa runs IMNSHO. immigration does not care about the ceremony pictures, just both of you in and around your house.

Thanks for that. Very helpful.

 

I have the pretty papers. 

 

Good news if you say that it is not that hard! Now I need to convince the wife and fight off all of the agents that will tell her I (we) are crazy!

 

I have B. 100 K in the bank here and lots back home ready to transfer (as we are about to build a house). We bought a piece of land. Not sure how soon I need to have it seasoned in Chiang mai.  Considering I will need to transfer the money anyway, it is a smart move to attempt, if I can do it in time.

 

Can I use my pension income? It is B 550 K (year, of course).

Edited April 10, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

I have B. 100 K in the bank here and lots back home ready to transfer (as we are about to build a house). We bought a piece of land. Not sure how soon I need to have it seasoned in Chiang mai.  Considering I will need to transfer the money anyway, it is a smart move to attempt, if I can do it in time.

 

Can I use my pension income? It is B 550 K (year, of course).

Edited 1 hour ago by EnlightenedAtheist

If it's in the bank it must be there for 2 months before you apply, it should be the same everywhere (ask your immigration office for a definitive answer). It must be in an account in your name only (no joint accounts)

 

you can do the income option as you need 40,000 per month, you are a little over that, but if your income is in a foreign currency be careful of the exchange rate as you are only about 10% above the threshold. You will have the added joy of getting the income certified.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

13 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

If it's in the bank it must be there for 2 months before you apply, it should be the same everywhere (ask your immigration office for a definitive answer). It must be in an account in your name only (no joint accounts)

 

you can do the income option as you need 40,000 per month, you are a little over that, but if your income is in a foreign currency be careful of the exchange rate as you are only about 10% above the threshold. You will have the added joy of getting the income certified.

Thanks a lot for specifying the 2 months' and the non-joint account's stipulations. 

 

I recalculated my income and it looks like I am actually over 600 K. Btw, my bank account is not a joint account. BTW, the consulate gave a before tax income. I forgot about that.

 

Just to help others in the same predicament, when is the income exchange rate determined to pass the immigration test. Is it when you verify the income at one's consulate or is it done when the IO gives the okay, or when the extension starts?

 

 

Does this verification of income need to take place every year/every time you apply or can you use the "letter" from the consulate year after year? I noticed that when I did this a year ago, the consulate gave both the foreign currency and converted the money in Bahts, but gave a monthly income. Obviously exchange rates change, but a smart IO would be able to connect the dots, wouldn't they?

 

I hear you can use both income and bank income to qualify for the retirement visa/extension. Is that true for this one too?

 

Edited April 11, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[elviajero]

43 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Just to help others in the same predicament, when is the income exchange rate determined to pass the immigration test. Is it when you verify the income at one's consulate or is it done when the IO gives the okay, or when the extension starts?

It’s determined on the day you apply for the extension using that days exchange rate.

 

43 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Does this verification of income need to take place every year/every time you apply or can you use the "letter" from the consulate year after year?

Yes. You need a new letter every year. Letters are usually only valid for a maximum of 6 months.

 

43 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

I hear you can use both income and bank income to qualify for the retirement visa/extension. Is that true for this one too?

Yes, but any cash needs to be in the bank for 2/3 months before the application date. 2 for the first extension and 3 thereafter. Useful if exchange rates drop the income below 65K baht pm.

Edited April 11, 2018 by elviajero

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Is that true for this one too?

There is no combination of income and money in the bank allowed for an extension based upon marriage. That is only for a retirement extension.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Yes. You need a new letter every year. Letters are usually only valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Very helpful answer. Thank you.

 

Lastly, I wonder if past (original) letters were acceptable, they should be accepted as evidence to get a new one. Please state which consulate, as it could vary.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no combination of income and money in the bank allowed for an extension based upon marriage. That is only for a retirement extension.

Oh! Thanks. But, you can use your wife's income to add to your income. Right?

Edited April 11, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

But, you can use your wife's income.

It can only be your income.

[EnlightenedAtheist]

I wonder if this PDF from the govn't is still valid. I realize it is dated 2014, btw, hence the question.

 

http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigration Bureau order 327-2557 (2014) - extension criteria & conditions en.pdf

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

I wonder if this PDF from the govn't is still valid. I realize it is dated 2014, btw, hence the question.

That is the latest police order that went into effect August 29th of 2014. For marriage it is clause 2.18

[elviajero]

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

4 hours ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

I hear you can use both income and bank income to qualify for the retirement visa/extension. Is that true for this one too?

Yes, but any cash needs to be in the bank for 2/3 months before the application date. 2 for the first extension and 3 thereafter. Useful if exchange rates drop the income below 65K baht pm.

Sorry, I didn't read your question correctly. As pointed out already that rule only applies to retirement extensions.

[elviajero]

2 hours ago, EnlightenedAtheist said:

Very helpful answer. Thank you.

 

Lastly, I wonder if past (original) letters were acceptable, they should be accepted as evidence to get a new one. Please state which consulate, as it could vary.

I think you are asking about getting a new income letter using an old income letter. If so, I doubt any embassy would accept past letters to get a new one.

 

You can only get an income letter from your countries Embassy. I don't know your nationality, but the documentation (proof) you need to supply varies. Those that want proof/evidence of income usually want to see a document, from the source, showing the amount received .

Edited April 11, 2018 by elviajero

[EnlightenedAtheist]

2 hours ago, elviajero said:

I think you are asking about getting a new income letter using an old income letter. If so, I doubt any embassy would accept past letters to get a new one.

 

Yes! I sort of knew that would be the answer. Why would an official letter become useless after 6 months, even as a way to make a new one! Idiocy, tyranny, and bureaucracy rime! I wish I could tell them how stupid and how dysfunctional they are, sometimes. I will try to see the stupid reaction on the face of the bureaucrat or the "Don't tell me what I can accept I make the stupid rules" smirk!

 

Quote

You can only get an income letter from your countries Embassy. I don't know your nationality, but the documentation (proof) you need to supply varies. Those that want proof/evidence of income usually want to see a document, from the source, showing the amount received .

Thanks. As I have already gotten one, I am aware of the process, including going to the right consulate. 

Edited April 11, 2018 by EnlightenedAtheist

[EnlightenedAtheist]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is the latest police order that went into effect August 29th of 2014.

Good to know it is the latest. They could have an effective date on these! 

 

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

For marriage it is clause 2.18

Thanks. I figured that part. LOL

 

Maybe each part of the whole order should be pinned on TV, creating several pins that could then be discussed and given details to the unwritten rules (that could be pinned once they are ascertained).