Coming to Thailand with intent to switch to marriage visa ASAP - complications about Thai bank account requirement / idea about best starter visa

[wml22]

I intend to get married to my Thai girlfriend when I can get back to Thailand in a couple of months. Since I've been out of Thailand for a while, and closed my bank account when I last left, I don't currently have one.

 

My plan for the marriage visa is to use the 400,000 thb deposit held in a Thai bank to qualify. However, I understand that the funds must sit in the account for at least two months prior to making the application.

 

1) The last time I was in Thailand, it was very hard to open a bank account using a tourist visa. I was able to do it through Singapore bank in Bangkok, but I'm not even sure if they'd do it again this time, and I'm also not sure if that would technically qualify as fulfilling the requirement of having 400,000 thb in a "Thai bank" (I think so but I'm not 100% positive).

 

2) In the past I would have gotten a bank account using a METV which would have given me more than ample time to keep the funds deposited in the account for two months before signing marriage paperwork and then making the marriage visa application, and then waiting for it to be approved. Now with Covid and the uncertainty of whether ASQ will really stop in October, it seems like I need to get a student visa for the purpose of having the ability to reliably open a bank account *and* stay in Thailand long enough for the 2 month account and deposit age to clear, for the marriage paperwork to go through, and for the marriage visa to be approved.

 

So my plan is to get an Ed Visa for 6 months (3 months plus one renewal of another 3 months), to ensure enough time for everything to get processed. I have heard about Thai immigration offices at the 3 month renewal testing if you know any Thai. I am already at a beginner-intermediate level of Thai, so that shouldn't be a problem if they test me as long as it's a test of speaking ability (not reading/writing). 

 

That being said, with the understanding that my purpose is to switch to a marriage visa as soon as possible, is the plan I've outlined my best approach? Or is there a better, easier, cheaper route that I'm not aware of? I've never heard of anything like a fiance visa, and I can't think of another type of visa that I can qualify for easily aside from Ed Visa (given that I'm not yet at retirement age).

 

Much appreciation if anyone can shed insight into how I can best approach this process.

 

 

[ubonjoe]

The first step after getting married will be to apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration. The 400k baht only has to be in the bank to apply for the visa. You must have at least 15 days remaining on the 60 day entry from a tourist visa or the 30 day extension of it or a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

The after getting for the 90 day entry from you could apply for a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon marriage to a Thai. At that time the 400k baht must be in a Thai bank for 2 months.

After getting married you may find it easier to open a bank account if you new wife has account at a bank. She could be a your reference to open the account.

[wml22]

45 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The first step after getting married will be to apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration. The 400k baht only has to be in the bank to apply for the visa. You must have at least 15 days remaining on the 60 day entry from a tourist visa or the 30 day extension of it or a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

The after getting for the 90 day entry from you could apply for a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon marriage to a Thai. At that time the 400k baht must be in a Thai bank for 2 months.

After getting married you may find it easier to open a bank account if you new wife has account at a bank. She could be a your reference to open the account.

This is really helpful, thank you. Do you know how long the process is for the marriage paperwork to clear during Covid times? 

 

So in other words, to make sure this is right:

 

1) As am American citizen, instead of 30 days, the tourist visa on arrival is 60 days now because of Covid.

2) I sign and submit marriage paperwork (which includes submitting documentation such as proof of being available to marry from the U.S. government) at a government office with my wife. (We can submit this without proof of a ceremony already having happened, right? We planned to have the ceremony after Covid had calmed down next year.)

3) After the marriage is registered, (which will not take so much time that I am left without adequate time on the tourist visa), I apply for a 90 day non-o visa using the marriage certificate.

4) I receive the 90 day non-o visa back from immigration.

5) I open a Thai bank account.

6) After two months of keeping the 400,000 baht in the bank account, I apply for a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage.

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

29 minutes ago, wml22 said:

1) As am American citizen, instead of 30 days, the tourist visa on arrival is 60 days now because of Covid.

2) I sign and submit marriage paperwork (which includes submitting documentation such as proof of being available to marry from the U.S. government) at a government office with my wife. (We can submit this without proof of a ceremony already having happened, right? We planned to have the ceremony after Covid had calmed down next year.)

3) After the marriage is registered, (which will not take so much time that I am left without adequate time on the tourist visa), I apply for a 90 day non-o visa using the marriage certificate.

4) I receive the 90 day non-o visa back from immigration.

5) I open a Thai bank account.

6) After two months of keeping the 400,000 baht in the bank account, I apply for a 1 year extension of stay based on marriage.

1. You wrote tourist visa so I assumed you were applying or one at a embassy or consulate. Now you are writing about a visa exempt entry that now allows a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days. But do the current covid  14 day quarantine requirement you will only have about 60 days to get married and etc. After you register your marriage you can apply for 60 day extension to visit you wife.

2. There is a lot of good info about getting married here on the US embassy website. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married-in-thailand/ If you need more info about registering your marriage you should  here or post on this forum. Marriage and divorce  No need to have done a marriage ceremoney to register you marriage at a Amphoe.

3. You will need the 400k baht in a Thai bank on the day you apply for a non-o visa at immigration.

4. You will get a 90 day permit to stay when the non-o visa is issued.

5. No (see number 3)

6. Yes

 

[Pravda]

I suggest you get an agent if you plan on getting married. It is a lot more complicated finding a willing amphur during these times.

[wml22]

10 hours ago, Pravda said:

I suggest you get an agent if you plan on getting married. It is a lot more complicated finding a willing amphur during these times.

Thanks. Do you have a sense of what a fair market price for the agent's fees should be, and also, is there a particular agent in the Bangkok area that you personally recommend?

[Pravda]

4 minutes ago, wml22 said:

Thanks. Do you have a sense of what a fair market price for the agent's fees should be, and also, is there a particular agent in the Bangkok area that you personally recommend?

 

I'll ask wife what agent she used. We married 2 days before lockdown back in 2020. We paid 5000 baht for "convenience".