Arriving on O visa from USA, what do I need to prepare for long stay?

[revgreen]

As the title states. I understand I have 90 days with my O visa obtained in the USA. What happens next, what do I need to prepare, where to apply, etc?

[Maestro]

Non-O visas are granted for a variety of reasons or purposes. For what purpose did you get yours? Visiting Thai wife, or wishing to retire in Thailand, or conducting business on behave of your employer in your country, etc?

[jacko45k]

First you need to decide what you will be applying for an Extension of stay based on.

Most commonly, retirement, for over 50s.

Marriage to a Thai.

Thai dependent.

Education.

 

Then we can tell you what is needed. 

 

 

[Peterw42]

Its probably best to enquire directly at the immigration office you will be using, they often have individual requirements, most will have a list of required documents and process.

[revgreen]

O visa based on marriage

[Tanoshi]

So presumably a 1 year extension based on retirement or marriage?

Age?

Location?

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, revgreen said:

O visa based on marriage

Makes since (not available in USA for retirement any more - only the "OA" variety are). 

 

So, you need to apply for an annual "extension of stay" at the immigration office serving where you live.  Difficulty varies by office, unless paying them off via an agent.  Best to go the office now, with your wife, and ask what they want.  They may have a printout with many items: pictures, witnesses, copy of marriage-cert and amphoe-document showing you are married - much of this varies by office. 

 

Were you married in Thailand or elsewhere? 

 

The main thing is the money - 40K/mo income or 400K Baht in the bank.  As you are American, we don't have embassy letters any more, and some offices want a year of proven bank-transfers into a Thai account in your name for income.  Others settle for 3 months of transfers on your first application.  But if you can put 400K in a Thai bank - in your name only - and leave it there 2 months before applying for your extension, you will have that base covered.

[revgreen]

5 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

So presumably a 1 year extension based on retirement or marriage?

Age?

Location?

27, Chiang Rai

 

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

So, you need to apply for an annual "extension of stay" at the immigration office serving where you live.  Difficulty varies by office, unless paying them off via an agent.  Best to go the office now, with your wife, and ask what they want.  They may have a printout with many items: pictures, witnesses, copy of marriage-cert and amphoe-document showing you are married - much of this varies by office. 

Okay this makes sense. So I'm not getting a "new" visa, just extending the one I got in the USA.

 

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Were you married in Thailand or elsewhere? 

Married in the US

 

4 hours ago, JackThompson said:

The main thing is the money - 40K/mo income or 400K Baht in the bank.  As you are American, we don't have embassy letters any more, and some offices want a year of proven bank-transfers into a Thai account in your name for income.  Others settle for 3 months of transfers on your first application.  But if you can put 400K in a Thai bank - in your name only - and leave it there 2 months before applying for your extension, you will have that base covered.

Hmm. I'll need to look into this more. This could be an issue. I'll be transferring money from my US account into my (yet unopened) Thai account monthly, and it will exceed 40k, but obviously I won't have a year of transfers... 3 months for the first would be fine. I don't have 400k on hand.

[ubonjoe]

4 hours ago, revgreen said:

Married in the US

That complicate things a little. You will have to register your foreign marriage at an Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry that immigration requires to apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

You will need to a self certification of your marriage certificate  by doing a affidavit at the US embassy in Bangkok or the consulate in Chiang Mai. See: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/affidavit/

Then you will need to have the affidavit and your marriage certificate translated to Thai and certificate by the Department of Consular Affairs of the MFA.

Then you can do the registration at the local Amphoe. I suggest you have your wife to check with them about what exactly they require.

 

4 hours ago, revgreen said:

Hmm. I'll need to look into this more. This could be an issue. I'll be transferring money from my US account into my (yet unopened) Thai account monthly, and it will exceed 40k, but obviously I won't have a year of transfers... 3 months for the first would be fine. I don't have 400k on hand.

You will need a bank account in your name only to do the transfers to of at least 40k baht a month. Since it will be your first extension application you will only need a month or two of transfers.

[JimGant]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That complicate things a little. You will have to register your foreign marriage at an Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry that immigration requires to apply for the extension of stay based upon marriage.

You will need to a self certification of your marriage certificate  by doing a affidavit at the US embassy in Bangkok or the consulate in Chiang Mai. See: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/affidavit/

Then you will need to have the affidavit and your marriage certificate translated to Thai and certificate by the Department of Consular Affairs of the MFA.

Then you can do the registration at the local Amphoe. I suggest you have your wife to check with them about what exactly they require.

At first glance, it would seem easier just to get married again in a Thai ceremony. However, not so easy, and the paperwork and visits seem to be as time consuming:

Quote

Steps

1. Obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from the respective embassy or consulate in Bangkok. ...
2. Translate the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry to the Thai language.
3. Legalize Affirmation of Freedom to Marry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Register the marriage at the local district office (Amphur)

 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, JimGant said:

At first glance, it would seem easier just to get married again in a Thai ceremony. However, not so easy, and the paperwork and visits seem to be as time consuming:

To register a marriage I not sure how you could legally do a affirmation stating you are not currently married even if you were marrying the same person again.

[JimGant]

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

To register a marriage I not sure how you could legally do a affirmation stating you are not currently married even if you were marrying the same person again.

Good point. But, as shown, re-marrying wouldn't seem to save much time or effort.

[revgreen]

We planned on doing a Thai ceremony, just the ceremony. Not the legalities. I assumed registering the marriage is time-consuming. I only have a week left in the US, is there any thing I should prepare while here that may make the process a bit more streamlined?

[ubonjoe]

31 minutes ago, revgreen said:

We planned on doing a Thai ceremony, just the ceremony. Not the legalities. I assumed registering the marriage is time-consuming. I only have a week left in the US, is there any thing I should prepare while here that may make the process a bit more streamlined?

There is nothing you could do in a week. It is a long process in the states to get a marriage certificate legalized by the state that issued it and then the department of state in Washington DC.

It should not take that long to do here. Just have your wife check with the local Amphoe to find out out what they require to register a foreign marriage.

[revgreen]

Which banks allow you to open an account with only the O visa? No WP?

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, revgreen said:

Which banks allow you to open an account with only the O visa? No WP?

Bangkok Bank, for one.

[fishtank]

2 hours ago, revgreen said:

Which banks allow you to open an account with only the O visa? No WP?

Basically any bank that will say yes.

They will all say different things.

Different branches and even different staff in the same branch will all tell you something different.

[Tanoshi]

7 hours ago, revgreen said:

Which banks allow you to open an account with only the O visa? No WP?

Any, but you should read their requirements before applying.

Personally I'd recommend Bangkok Bank.

You request opening a 'Savings account' to begin with.

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Foreign-Customers/Bangkok-Bank-Accounts

 

2. Foreigner without work permit

Passport

A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations or required document

Embassy located  in Thailand

An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT

Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, director of a private company, permanent residence in Thailand, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank

Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.

Document showing ownership of a fixed asset such as a condominium sale/purchase agreement (a condominium which is acceptable to Bangkok Bank) Or a property reservation agreement valued at 100,000 baht or more with a reference letter from the property developer that is acceptable to Bangkok Bank.

 
Notes: Contact addresses for both Thailand and overseas must be provided (hotel and P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable).

 

Bring some proof of address in the US, utility bill, or US bank statement.

You'll need proof of your Thai address.

Shouldn't be difficult to find an existing customer who can personally recommend you for opening an account.

[revgreen]

I'm heading to Chiang Mai next week to visit the consulate. AFAIK I will only need my wedding certificate translated to Thai & certified by. Is this correct? Is there any thing else the consulate must do.

 

What about income verification? Since no embassies do that any longer, I assume Thai immigration doesn't require it? So long as I have the proof of income in my bank book from a foreign transaction for the months needed?

[revgreen]

Wait... am I wrong in thinking I can get the marriage certificate certified / translated at the consulate?

 

From their website -

Services we CANNOT provide: 

Authentication, certification, or certified copies of public documents issued in the United States such as birth, residency, marriage, divorce, and death certificates; commercial records, driver’s license, and other credentials.

[revgreen]

I'm so very confused now. I thought I understood the process but apparently not.

 

1. Get marriage certificate certified at the Chiang Mai USA consulate (which apparently they don't do?)

2. Get marriage certificate translated / verified by Thai MFA in Chiang Mai

3. Use certified & translated marriage cert to obtain form 22 from local office

4. Provide bank book showing minimum 40k/month and letter from my bank

[ubonjoe]

24 minutes ago, revgreen said:

1. Get marriage certificate certified at the Chiang Mai USA consulate (which apparently they don't do?)

2. Get marriage certificate translated / verified by Thai MFA in Chiang Mai

3. Use certified & translated marriage cert to obtain form 22 from local office

4. Provide bank book showing minimum 40k/month and letter from my bank

1. As I wrote before they will not certify the marriage certificate but you can do a self certification of it by doing a affidavit stating that it is valid, true and correct that the majority of Amphoes will accept. From the embassy website.

Quote

Services we CAN provide:

Affidavits
Oftentimes the Thai government requests the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General Chiang Mai “certify” documents listed under “services we cannot provide.” Please note the Embassy and Consulate CAN notarize an affidavit which may or may not satisfy the Thai requirement for “certification.”

Source: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

2. The affidavit will also need to be translated and certified by Department of Consular Affairs (AKA MFA) in Chiang Mai.

3. You will complete a application at the Amphoe to Register your foreign marriage to obtain the Kor Ror 22 marriage registry. You should contact them to confirm their requirements. Some may want a certified and translated copy of your passport photo page to do it for example.

4. You will need a bank statement from the bank showing the transfers from abroad and your updated bank book and the letter from the bank.

[revgreen]

Wanna say <deleted> YOU to the US consulate Chiang Mai. Went in with the blank affadavit, explained exactly what I needed, and they told me I'm wrong made me use the marriage affadavit stating I was single and able to marry in Thailand. Of course this is not the correct form, which local immigration just confirmed. So <deleted> you to all 3 of the shitty staff. I'll just go to Bangkok to redo it.

[Olmate]

10 minutes ago, revgreen said:

Wanna say <deleted> YOU to the US consulate Chiang Mai. Went in with the blank affadavit, explained exactly what I needed, and they told me I'm wrong made me use the marriage affadavit stating I was single and able to marry in Thailand. Of course this is not the correct form, which local immigration just confirmed. So <deleted> you to all 3 of the shitty staff. I'll just go to Bangkok to redo it.

Probably best to get used to the hassles rather than deleted comments!

[Tanoshi]

54 minutes ago, revgreen said:

Went in with the blank affadavit,

You wanted the Consulate to write your affidavit?

 

An affidavit is a formal sworn statement of fact, signed by the person giving or making the affidavit (who is called the affiant or deponent) and witnessed by someone legally authorized to take oaths, such as a notary public.

 

You need to write the affidavit, the Consulate cannot help you with that as it's your statement.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

On 6/25/2019 at 9:05 AM, revgreen said:

What about income verification? Since no embassies do that any longer, I assume Thai immigration doesn't require it? So long as I have the proof of income in my bank book from a foreign transaction for the months needed?

 

If you're going to do a marriage extension, and meet its financial requirements by doing MONTHLY transfers from a U.S. bank into a Thai bank account, Thai Immigration is going to want to see specific documentation of that.

 

--the entries in your Thai bank book showing all those transfers (and depending on the method used and the particular Thai bank, not all foreign transfers show up as foreign).

 

--a specific letter from  your Thai bank showing a list of all the various monthly foreign transfers you're using to meet the financial requirement. 

 

This year, because it's a new rule to replace the now discontinued US Embassy income affidavits, Immigration is supposed to be cutting folks some slack on the number of transfers required. But in future/subsequent years, they're likely to be sticklers on requiring 12 monthly transfers during the year without any exception or misses.

 

OP, how exactly were you planning to be doing the monthly transfers into your future Thai bank account.  (The devil is in the details on such things....)

 

[JimGant]

23 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You need to write the affidavit, the Consulate cannot help you with that as it's your statement.

Indeed. I went there a month ago with an affidavit I filled-in affirming my residence, and added the purpose was for renewing my driver's license. At one time the Consulate had affidavits specifically related to driver's licenses, but no longer. In fact, they have a notice posted stating that they cannot provide or suggest what info you put in your affidavit. I guess they want to be as far removed as possible from what you're swearing to.....

[revgreen]

1 hour ago, Tanoshi said:

You wanted the Consulate to write your affidavit?

No... there are 2 forms. A blank affadavit that you fill out the purpose of "To confirm that I married my wife and these are our names" (I'm paraphrasing). That is what is needed to confirm that my wife and I married in the USA, since they won't notarize that actual marriage license itself.

 

They told me this was the wrong form, I needed to confirm I was single and can marry in Thailand. After 20 minutes of back and forth I finally let them win, and turns out I was right all along.

[revgreen]

46 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

OP, how exactly were you planning to be doing the monthly transfers into your future Thai bank account.  (The devil is in the details on such things....) 

I transfer from my US bank account to my Thai account. These show up as "FT" which my local immigration office confirmed would be acceptable. So I just need the letter from the bank, which my local immigration office provided an example of.

 

My local immi office has been amazingly helpful. It's the US Consulate that I'm currently pissed at.

[revgreen]

45 minutes ago, JimGant said:

In fact, they have a notice posted stating that they cannot provide or suggest what info you put in your affidavit.

So why the <deleted> did they tell me I was wrong with what I wanted, and give me a "correct" form. When they were incorrect all along.