40k Baht/month Or 400k Baht In Bank Or Both?

[chokdeekrap]

so sorry for asking a question that has been hashed many times over. i have searched the forums looking for answers, but it seems every new thread seems to cast more doubt than before.

after i marry my thai GF i would like to get my non-imm-o. i have read posts stating an income of 40K IS required along with required paperwork (marriage vert, passports, wife's ID card, etc) for a marriage visa to be granted.

then i read that as long as you have 400k baht in a bank account (any bank account, not necessarily a thai bank account, just as long as you provide a recent bank statement) you will be issued a marriage visa. these posts i read seemed to deal specifically with singapore.

finally i read many posts where NO request, regarding bank book/bank statement/confirmation of income, was aked for from the immi case worker issuing the marriage visa.

my search for such posts was limited to posts since all the visa changes back in Oct 2006.

the easiset situation would obviously be to not have to produce proof of any monetary/income for the visa. however being a pesemist i am sure i won't be so lucky. would it be a sfae bet to go to singapore after the GF & i marry & produce a recent bank statement (from my bank account back home) that would have a balance well exceeding 400k baht to satisfy requirements for a marriage visa & not worry about a 40k/month income? or am i totally mis-interpretting things... perhaps singapore asks for a bank balance IN addition to a monthly income of 40k baht?

i am just trying to get this straight so i see a clear path going forward, which atm is a little muddled.

if i do have to prove monthly income of 40k baht per month would recent paystubs from a recent job (one that i have chucked in) be adequate? or how about tax statements issued by the gov't from last tax season to prove adequate income over the course of a year?

thanx for helping to clear any of this up for me.

[Maestro]

Not all Thai consulates have the same requirements. You can expect better service from an honorary consulate than from a government-staffed consulate.

You do not say where you live. The best place to apply is an honorary consulate in your home country. Give the consulate a call and ask what they need. Often, a consulate needs only a copy of your marriage certificate.

The requirement of minimum monthly family income of 40k Baht is not for a visa, but for an annual extension of stay after your arrival in Thailand. You can apply for this extension at any Immigration office in Thailand.

--

Maestro

[chokdeekrap]

jikes, it is so easy to mess up my head so ok i will be coming back to bangkok to marry my GF in Sept. first do the bangkok marital process then do a ceremony (which i know is only ritual) in her hometown some time later.

so after we get married & i don't want to make a trip back home to canada to get a marriage visa what are my best options & how long before i would need an extension on that visa? i want to stay as long as it takes for the GF to get her PR in canada & come back with me. i understand that could well take upto a year. financially i have nps supporting us while we wait for her PR. the problem seems more wrapped up in satisfying the thai visa process.

thanx for helping to clear things a little.

[Lite Beer]

jikes, it is so easy to mess up my head so ok i will be coming back to bangkok to marry my GF in Sept. first do the bangkok marital process then do a ceremony (which i know is only ritual) in her hometown some time later.

so after we get married & i don't want to make a trip back home to canada to get a marriage visa what are my best options & how long before i would need an extension on that visa? i want to stay as long as it takes for the GF to get her PR in canada & come back with me. i understand that could well take upto a year. financially i have nps supporting us while we wait for her PR. the problem seems more wrapped up in satisfying the thai visa process.

thanx for helping to clear things a little.

You have 2 Options.

1. Go to KL OR Singapore and get a multi entry non o visa based on marriage. (90 days) You will need Marriage Cert. Wifes ID Card. Wifes House Book. And probably proof of 400,000 Baht in a bank. This would give you up to 15 months in Thailand but would need you to exit and re enter Thailand every 90 days.

2. Go anywhere in Asia and get a single entry non o visa based on marriage. Take the same things as above but would not need the income. About 3 weeks before that runs out you can go to Immigration in Thailand and extend it to a year with proof of income 40,000 Baht a month. (Letter from the Canadian Embassy needed) Also need lots of paperwork..

I think option 1 would be easier for you if you have the money.

Edited June 13, 2007 by Lite Beer

[chokdeekrap]

You have 2 Options.

...

I think option 1 would be easier for you if you have the money.

wow awesome, perfect! for some reason i just couldn't seem to separate the two options in my head. it is now clear... crystal!

am i right in thinking the 400k baht can be in any bank account i have annywhere... not necessarily a thai bank account?

thanx alot

Edited June 13, 2007 by chokdeekrap

[Lite Beer]

You have 2 Options.

...

I think option 1 would be easier for you if you have the money.

wow awesome, perfect! for some reason i just couldn't seem to separate the two options in my head. it is now clear... crystal!

am i right in thinking the 400k baht can be in any bank account i have annywhere... not necessarily a thai bank account?

thanx alot

As far as I know yes. Others will confirm or otherwise.

By the way the single entry is for 90 days, the multi entry is for multiple entries of up to 90 days each entry.

[lopburi3]

The only place that the 400k comes into play is Singapore and they will currently accept a bank account in your name anywhere with that amount or more to issue a multi entry non immigrant O visa (to visit family) if you also present the marriage paperwork. This should be all you need but remember to exit/enter every 90 days.

[chokdeekrap]

if my GF (soon to be wife) decide to go to KL for the multi-entry-O then can we expect to not even worry about the bank balance info (although i am certain i would take it with JUST in case... as one poster wrote "it is a long way back to BKK for one piece of paper")?

This should be all you need but remember to exit/enter every 90 days.

this will be a most welcome change. i will actually have to stop myself from setting up my monthly reminders to do the border run thing... now just reminders every 3 months, sweeeet.

Edited June 13, 2007 by chokdeekrap

[lopburi3]

KL may or may not issue a multi entry visa - the feeling is that you should extend your stay at Immigration using 40k monthly income rather than be making 90 day visits if you plan to stay in Thailand.. The only sure place in the area is Singapore with the bank information.

[Mahout Angrit]

i will be coming back to bangkok to marry my GF in Sept. first do the bangkok marital process then do a ceremony (which i know is only ritual) in her hometown some time later.

so after we get married & i don't want to make a trip back home to canada to get a marriage visa

If you got a triple entry tourist visa from a consulate in Canada before you came to Thailand to marry then with extentions and two border hops you would get 9 months in Thailand, If that is not enough you could then resort to 3x30day trips which would bring you up to your year. Is that enough for you? and no funds in the bank required.

[chokdeekrap]

the feeling is that you should extend your stay at Immigration using 40k monthly income rather than be making 90 day visits if you plan to stay in Thailand..

is this the feeling because 90 day visa runs are a PITA for most long-term farangs? i have nps doing a border run to cambodia for the day every 3 months. because the 40k/month income will be a problem for me, so the multi-entry option looks like the winner for me.

If you got a triple entry tourist visa from a consulate in Canada before you came to Thailand to marry

i'm going to try for the triple entry tourist visa before i leave, but prepare to settle for the double entry tourist visa if for whatever reason they don't issue me a triple. so i know i should be good for at least 6 months & hopefully 9 months. i think at some point i may want/need to do the non-imm-o visa thing so i want to know my options.

thanx for the great advice & feedback, appreciate it!