Options quickly running out on extension.

[Nadia6]

So today I was informed that because my visa from vietnam has a note saying married to a thai I cannot use it now to get a extension to support my children.

Money in bank 400K but I have no time for it to mature for marriage extension so went for the Child support extension which I have now been told they will not accept the extension request because of that.

I have had my 2 months extension and am now on Amnesty 

So is it an option to get 2 30 day extensions to allow the money to mature if so what are the steps i need a letter from British embassy does that mean I have to fly to bangkok and what are the requirmeents to get the letter.

Very stressful all this as going back to the UK will render me homeless as I have not lived there in 25 years and normally I would of just got my visas as I have done for 15 years without an issue.

[Jack Hna]

Really?

Homeless?

Homeless people in the eyes of most are people without the means to find the funds to find accommodation.

 

Does not sound like you fit the criteria for a homeless person.

 

 

[Nadia6]

Just now, Jack Hna said:

Really?

Homeless?

Homeless people in the eyes of most are people without the means to find the funds to find accommodation.

 

Does not sound like you fit the criteria for a homeless person.

 

 

I have not lived in the UK for nigh on 30 years therefore I have no home in the UK my home my family my house my car my life is in Thailand.

Anyway that is not the subject of my post the fact remains I have lived in Thailand 15 year legally always with a visa and it is only because of this crazy covid situation that has caused issues.

Thanks for the comment though 

 

[timendres]

22 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

Money in bank 400K but I have no time for it to mature for marriage extension so went for the Child support extension which I have now been told they will not accept the extension request because of that.

How much additional time do you need for the deposit to mature?

[Nadia6]

1 minute ago, timendres said:

How much additional time do you need for the deposit to mature?

7 Weeks 

[2530Ubon]

An embassy letter will probably be granted based on another forum post. Have a look at this, especially from user 'Darrenpk.' He also has no address in the UK, lived here for 15 years and successfully recieved a letter. Hope this helps ????

 

 

[BritManToo]

27 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

So is it an option to get 2 30 day extensions to allow the money to mature if so what are the steps i need a letter from British embassy does that mean I have to fly to bangkok and what are the requirmeents to get the letter.

Just wait, in a week they will announce another amnesty extension.

[richard_smith237]

50 minutes ago, Jack Hna said:

Really?

Homeless?

Homeless people in the eyes of most are people without the means to find the funds to find accommodation.

 

Does not sound like you fit the criteria for a homeless person.

 

A pretty irrelevant comment which concentrates on pathetic semantics and ignore the whole point of the thread. 

 

-------

 

On topic:

 

The Op lives in Thailand, has done so for many years, has a child here and wants to stay here. 

 

OP: Are your children in School here? 

 

400k baht needs to be seasons for 2 months (if I’m not mistaken) - from which date did you have > 400,000 baht in your account? - i.e. on which date will it be seasoned?

 

It may be possible to plead your case with the British Embassy to give you a letter, based on the fact that you are ’seasoning your 400k baht before applying for an extensions of stay based on either being married / and or being a parent to a Thai national and that you cannot go to the UK as it would disrupt your children who are in school.

 

It definitely seems as though you have reasonable cause to request an extension. 

 

 

----------

 

This whole process nearly caught me out. 

When I re-entered Thailand 2 months ago (Repatriation flight and CoE + ASQ process etc) at the nth hour I found out I could not re-enter Thailand with my Thai Elite Visa. I had to quickly apply for a Non-Imm Type O (single Entry) visa based on marriage to a Thai - which gives me 90 days entry. 

I just checked to see if I can simply switch over to my Thai Elite visa from within the country (without having to leave), apparently I can’t. The only thing I can do is to apply for extension of stay based on marriage, fortunately I have 400,000 baht in my account for many months, but that was lucky, because sometimes I don’t, in which case I would not have had money seasoned and I would not have been apply to apply for extensions due to not meeting this requirement, while at the same time holding a valid Thai Elite Visa I am unable to use !!!! - its all rather nuts.

[richard_smith237]

34 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Just wait, in a week they will announce another amnesty extension.

 

Will they now ??? when no one else knows and when there have been statements for foreigners to get their affairs in order you make the above statement contradicting this for which you will take no responsibility when you are wrong. 

 

OP: Don’t listen to fools who think they can predict what a government may do when it concerns your visa status in Thailand. 

[Nadia6]

34 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

A pretty irrelevant comment which concentrates on pathetic semantics and ignore the whole point of the thread. 

 

-------

 

On topic:

 

The Op lives in Thailand, has done so for many years, has a child here and wants to stay here. 

 

OP: Are your children in School here? 

 

400k baht needs to be seasons for 2 months (if I’m not mistaken) - from which date did you have > 400,000 baht in your account? - i.e. on which date will it be seasoned?

 

It may be possible to plead your case with the British Embassy to give you a letter, based on the fact that you are ’seasoning your 400k baht before applying for an extensions of stay based on either being married / and or being a parent to a Thai national and that you cannot go to the UK as it would disrupt your children who are in school.

It definitely seems as though you have reasonable cause to request an extension. 

----------

This whole process nearly caught me out. 

When I re-entered Thailand 2 months ago (Repatriation flight and CoE + ASQ process etc) at the nth hour I found out I could not re-enter Thailand with my Thai Elite Visa. I had to quickly apply for a Non-Imm Type O (single Entry) visa based on marriage to a Thai - which gives me 90 days entry. 

I just checked to see if I can simply switch over to my Thai Elite visa from within the country (without having to leave), apparently I can’t. The only thing I can do is to apply for extension of stay based on marriage, fortunately I have 400,000 baht in my account for many months, but that was lucky, because sometimes I don’t, in which case I would not have had money seasoned and I would not have been apply to apply for extensions due to not meeting this requirement, while at the same time holding a valid Thai Elite Visa I am unable to use !!!! - its all rather nuts.

Yes they are in School 

I need 7 weeks for money to mature 

Do I have to fly to Bangkok to get the letter 

[FarFlungFalang]

I just got a call from my local Imm office to come in tomorrow to get my 30 day extension stamp to allow my 400,000 to mature after getting an Oz embassy letter which was initially refused it was granted the second time after I explained my extenuating circumstances which are similar to yours except I was only 10 days short on my money maturing.I would suggest you make an impassioned plea to the UK embassy with as much supporting documentation including photos of all relevant visa stamps a long explanation of your situation and how much stress you and your family would suffer if forced separate and to return to the UK I'm sure they would not fail to assist you with a letter to help to get enough time for your money to mature and get a one year extension based on marriage.Breaking up families is not a good look for any government who have signed treaties to prevent this from happening.

Good luck.

[2530Ubon]

6 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

Do I have to fly to Bangkok to get the letter 

No, just send an email. The address is in the link i provided earlier

[Matzzon]

27 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

I have not lived in the UK for nigh on 30 years therefore I have no home in the UK my home my family my house my car my life is in Thailand.

Anyway that is not the subject of my post the fact remains I have lived in Thailand 15 year legally always with a visa and it is only because of this crazy covid situation that has caused issues.

Thanks for the comment though 

 

That you are in a bad situation, stands totally clear. There are still option with all from agent to the possibility to get an embassy letter. However, I stand totally baffled, that a person like you have been staying so long in Thailand and not have a yearly extension yet???? It also baffles me why you have been waiting and waiting, and not think about doing anything about your situation before it bites you in your ar5e. 

I have family in Thailand too, but I always see to that all is done in good time. That makes me can  enjoy my life instead of messing it up and feel the pressure.

I wish you good luck, though.

[richard_smith237]

27 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

Yes they are in School 

I need 7 weeks for money to mature 

Do I have to fly to Bangkok to get the letter 

 

Phone the British Embassy in Bangkok, talk to them - they will advise you with the best course of action.

 

My guess is they will need to see documentation, so you will need to make an appointment. 

Bring your Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificates of your Children, School Registration documentation. Bring Bank Statements of the money being seasoned. 

 

Be prepared to explain how you managed to drop yourself in it like this.

 

EDIT: 

Just saw the reply by 2530Ubon - try that first, e-mail the Embassy with the details. 

That may work. Also follow up with a call. 

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by richard_smith237

[ChouDoufu]

43 minutes ago, Nadia6 said:

7 Weeks 

you put the money in the bank about a week ago?

[Lacessit]

48 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Just wait, in a week they will announce another amnesty extension.

Certainly hope you are right, for the sake of those who are between a rock and a hard place.

[CorpusChristie]

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Certainly hope you are right, for the sake of those who are between a rock and a hard place.

He is quite often wrong about most things

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I wish we could get a definitive answer one way or another.  Because immigration was saying the same things in July.  And then it was extended.  We'll know soon enough.

If the cabinet is definitely not thinking of an extension, I wish they'd say so.  Then we would know for sure.  But we still have hope.  Because things tend to happen last minute.  

[richard_smith237]

18 minutes ago, JacksSmirkingRevenge said:

I wish we could get a definitive answer one way or another.  Because immigration was saying the same things in July.  And then it was extended.  We'll know soon enough.

If the cabinet is definitely not thinking of an extension, I wish they'd say so.  Then we would know for sure.  But we still have hope.  Because things tend to happen last minute.  

 

How much more definitive could the government announcements possibly get ?????

 

The announcements are clear. Amnesty ends on 26th September. Further announcements advice that there will be no extensions and that all tourists should have their affairs in order before 26th September. 

 

 

Some posters are muddying the waters by making unqualified statements that there may be another extension to the amnesty because this has happened before. Maybe they are correct, but if someone’s status in country hangs in the balance, believing such statements comes with risk. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CorpusChristie]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

How much more definitive could the government announcements possibly get ?????

 

The announcements are clear. Amnesty ends on 26th September. Further announcements advice that there will be no extensions and that all tourists should have their affairs in order before 26th September. 

 

 

Some posters are muddying the waters by making unqualified statements that there may be another extension to the amnesty because this has happened before. Maybe they are correct, but if someone’s status in country hangs in the balance, believing such statements comes with risk. 

 

 

 

I expect that there will only be another Visa amnesty if theres a spike in Covid cases and Thailand goes into lock down again , thats the only way I can see there being an amnesty extension

[2530Ubon]

18 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

I expect that there will only be another Visa amnesty if theres a spike in Covid cases and Thailand goes into lock down again , thats the only way I can see there being an amnesty extension

     I agree. There's no need for another amnesty, there are options available via agents for those who do not meet retirement/work/family visas, embassy letters for those in difficulty, Elite visas for the wealthy etc.

     There is an announcement due on the visa situation tomorrow (according to the news reports), this is supposed to discuss helping those who may have difficulty meeting current visa requirements and a new visa in the works.

     It has also been reported by the 'thaiger' that Prayut received a letter from a German tourist who pleaded to stay here where it was safe, and he apparently asked for people to send in more letters to hear about the situation. Perhaps this new visa may be offered in Thailand also, for those of us who are here already and covid free with solid financials. This would be great as i fall into that category.

     Failing any cabinet announcements by the 22nd, i can then apply for a visa, agent assisted, most likely volunteer, as i have another 30 day extension on my tourist visa that i am eligible to apply for (Ubon IO has been issuing these to people already this month). to give me the required '15 day's left to apply'. If i'm successful in obtaining an embassy letter in a months time, then i have other options. Perhaps Thailand will have a travel bubble with another country - then you can simply fly out and straight back in from that country after applying for the new visa which should be announced tomorrow.

     The UK embassy issues their letters quote; 'to assist in obtaining a long term visa' but as we all know, immigration offices seem to do there own thing. Best thing is to keep a watchful eye out for posts on here to see what other people are confirming and talk with your local immigration office to see if converting is a possibility. If you only need 7 weeks to marinate that cash in the bank, then maybe the embassy letters will be enough for you. Best of luck to the OP, and i hope this helps - We all know immigration issues can be very stressful!

[2530Ubon]

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

Maybe it's just me, but I have not yet come across a report of an applicant that used his Embassy issued Letter to get the 'special' extension of stay, and then used that one to apply for a regular long-term Visa/extension.

I agree that the UK Embassy website announcement that they will issue such a Letter when you can provide evidence of being in the process of applying for a long-term Visa/extension, certainly hints that that should be possible.  But there are also the reports from some IOs (e.g. HatYai, SriRacha) where IO made it clear that they will NOT issue any regular extensions anymore once you are on that special Embassy letter supported extension because they consider it a Waiting Room extension until you are able to leave the country.

So any reports from applicants successfully or unsuccessfully doing the above would be very welcome.

Hi Peter Denis.My wife got a call from our local IO this afternoon asking that we go in tomorrow as my application for the special 30 day extension has been approved and that I will be able to apply for the one year extension based on marriage with money in the bank method when the 2 months maturation has been achieved.I'll keep you posted about the outcome. 

Edited 12 minutes ago by FarFlungFalang

 

GOOD NEWS - This was just posted from a user in Yasothon. It looks like you can indeed springboard from an embassy letter.

 

[FarFlungFalang]

6 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

This was just posted from a user in Yasothon.

I used to be a "user",I haven't used in quite a while now,I won't be using unless they make using legal and I can obtain something worth using!

[2530Ubon]

2 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I used to be a "user",I haven't used in quite a while now,I won't be using unless they make using legal and I can obtain something worth using!

I didn't even think about the connotation! 555, sorry!

[FarFlungFalang]

11 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

I didn't even think about the connotation! 555, sorry!

No worries I found it amusing.555.Good luck with your applications.

[jackdd]

3 hours ago, Nadia6 said:

Money in bank 400K but I have no time for it to mature for marriage extension so went for the Child support extension which I have now been told they will not accept the extension request because of that.

The real reason why they don't want to accept your application is because you didn't use an agent.

[richard_smith237]

Just curious... 

 

The 400k baht requirement for an extension of stay. Is that for extensions based on Parent of a Thai Child? or, just spouse of a Thai national?

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Just curious... 

 

The 400k baht requirement for an extension of stay. Is that for extensions based on Parent of a Thai Child? or, just spouse of a Thai national?

Both.  But if married, they want 2 mo seasoning, and if based on a child, no seasoning. 

 

Yet, in some offices, even if you have a child, but are married to a Thai, they insist on the seasoning - so best for immigration-purposes to not get married.  Some just cannot let that brown envelope slip through their fingers, no matter how asinine the reasoning gets, or who (Thais, primarily) gets hurt.

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, Nadia6 said:

Very stressful all this as going back to the UK will render me homeless as I have not lived there in 25 years and normally I would of just got my visas as I have done for 15 years without an issue

Homeless ? With 400k in a Thai bank ? I'm having to stay in a UK B and B and that 400,000 is about £10 grand, or about 2 years in this B and B !

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Both.  But if married, they want 2 mo seasoning, and if based on a child, no seasoning. 

 

Yet, in some offices, even if you have a child, but are married to a Thai, they insist on the seasoning - so best for immigration-purposes to not get married.  Some just cannot let that brown envelope slip through their fingers, no matter how asinine the reasoning gets, or who (Thais, primarily) gets hurt.

Thanks... 

So I assume as the Op was going to try and gain his extension based on the ‘parent’ route he rightly thought he didn’t need the money seasoned until Immigration told him he needs to season the money because he is also married. 

 

Quite harsh IMO. Hopefully his Embassy recognises the degree of fv<kwittery and provides him with a letter so he can obtain an extension.