Extension of stay & Marriage Visa Questions

[Jsmith1282]

Hello, I am 41 and from the United States

 

I am currently here on a tourist visa, which expires on February 18th. I am getting married to my Thai girlfriend on March 16th. I went to the local immigration office, and the officer told me they would only be able to give me a 7 day extension, since I have already gotten the 30 day extension. She said I would need to leave the country and come back on a new tourist visa, and then convert to non-o after marriage. 

 

My questions are this.

Is Laos the best country to do a land boarder crossing from? I am pretty close to Chiang Mai, so that would be the closest boarder for me to travel too (Besides Myanmar, which was confirmed to me yesterday to be closed to boarder crossings) 

 

Once I get my new visa after re-entering the country, that will give me enough time to get married and be able to get the documents for marriage visa. 

For the marriage visa, I know there is a 400,000 baht financial requirement. I do not have that much in savings, but my soon to be wife does, and doesn't mind storing it in an account in my name. Some places say the money needs to proven to come from an overseas source, is that true? Or can we park that money in a savings account for 2 months and apply? Does the account have to be in my name only, or can It be a joint account in both names? That money would stay in the account unused specifically for the purpose of the marriage visa, and yearly renewals. 

 

I have heard another option is going to the Thai embassy in Vientiane Laos, and getting a 90 day O Visa based on marriage, and that does not require the financial proof. I know I would have to leave after 90 days, but I have to go back to the states in June anyways so that 90 days would be enough for me. Is it true that I am able to get a 90 day O visa from Laos? If so, what other documents are required. Do they give you a stamp same day in the embassy or do I need to plan to stay a couple days in Laos? I will need a re-entry permit when I apply for that visa, because we will be traveling to Singapore end of march, and will need it for return to Thailand. Will they give that to me at the same time, or do I need to apply at my local immigration office before we leave? 

How much are the visas for boarder crossings? Visa on arrival fee for Laos, and new tourist visa in Thailand?

 

She will be moving to the states after she gets her visa, but that could take over a year, so I will be traveling back and forth every 6 months until she is approved to come. 

 

Thanks in advance for any advice 

Edited February 6 by Jsmith1282

[DrJack54]

Left field question prior to addressing some of your questions in OP.

For say next 12 months how many months do you plan to live in Thailand. 

[Celsius]

You are getting married on march 16th?

 

How did you exactly make an appointment at the registration office?

 

[Jsmith1282]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Left field question prior to addressing some of your questions in OP.

For say next 12 months how many months do you plan to live in Thailand. 

Currently, my flight back home is on June 6th. 

 

I plan on staying in Thailand 6-8 months per year until she is able to get to the USA. Likely, the next time I will return to Thailand is January 2025

[Jsmith1282]

8 minutes ago, Celsius said:

You are getting married on march 16th?

 

How did you exactly make an appointment at the registration office?

 

Yes, we are getting Married March 16th. 

 

I didn't make an appointment, that is the date of our ceremony. As far as getting to the registration office to make it official, there is no appointment for that. We are in small province though so immigration and other services are much easier to get into then the larger cities 

[sirineou]

19 minutes ago, Jsmith1282 said:

Is Laos the best country to do a land boarder crossing from? I am pretty close to Chiang Mai, so that would be the closest boarder for me to travel too (Besides Myanmar, which was confirmed to me yesterday to be closed to boarder crossings)

I think it is, My friend had a similar issue and needed to restart the process , and did exactly that, went to Vientiane for a couple of days , he said it was a nice city and had a good time,  came back on a tourist visa, converted into  a retirement extension (his situation was a bit different) .Plenty of time to  then open a bank account and season the funds long enough . But why don't you talk to an Agent? it does not cost anything, .They might have an other option for you, They know the system better than anyone. 

[DrJack54]

OP, just looking from slightly different option....

You only need to make it till June 6 at which point you return to USA. 

Also you exit very soon (Feb 18) 

I realize your immigration office suggested you reenter with a tourist visa. 

That's a good idea however let's consider you just border bounce for a visa exempt entry.

Which gives you 30 day stamp.

You can extend that by 30 days. 

That takes you to approx April 16ish 

 

By that time you will be married.

With proof of marriage you can obtain "60 day extension to visit wife"

That provides you enough time till your return to states.

 

You can do the non O based on marriage and extension next visit. 

That process can be done with visa exempt entry or tourist visa to obtain the non O inside Thailand OR obtain non O eVisa in the states. 

 

Also here is a thread that outlines process of enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain non O  and subsequent 12 month extension. It also has other links. 

 

 

@Jsmith1282

[Jsmith1282]

44 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, just looking from slightly different option....

You only need to make it till June 6 at which point you return to USA. 

Also you exit very soon (Feb 18) 

I realize your immigration office suggested you reenter with a tourist visa. 

That's a good idea however let's consider you just border bounce for a visa exempt entry.

Which gives you 30 day stamp.

You can extend that by 30 days. 

That takes you to approx April 16ish 

 

By that time you will be married.

With proof of marriage you can obtain "60 day extension to visit wife"

That provides you enough time till your return to states.

 

You can do the non O based on marriage and extension next visit. 

That process can be done with visa exempt entry or tourist visa to obtain the non O inside Thailand OR obtain non O eVisa in the states. 

 

Also here is a thread that outlines process of enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain non O  and subsequent 12 month extension. It also has other links. 

 

 

@Jsmith1282

DrJack, thank you for the information.

Your suggestion does seem to be the easiest option for me based on the time I'm remaining in Thailand this time.

What is needed to get the 60 days extension to visit wife? Is there a financial requirement, outside of the extension fee?

 

And for information for next time, does the 400,000 baht needed for marriage visa need to come from an overseas transfer, or would my wife be allowed to transfer the money to my account to park it there while It's needed for the visa? I already have a bank account with Bangkok Bank. Also, can the money be in a joint account, or just in my name only? 

 

I think I may be flying to Singapore this time and returning for VOA. Is the process pretty straightforward at BKK airport?

[DrJack54]

24 minutes ago, Jsmith1282 said:

What is needed to get the 60 days extension to visit wife?

https://aseannow.com/topic/1130123-re-60-day-extension-to-visit-your-wife/ 

 

"or would my wife be allowed to transfer the money to my account to park it there while It's needed for the visa? "

 

That will be fine. 

Also the funds need to be in bank account in your name only. 

[lordgrinz]

If he is going to be registering the marriage here, isn't there also a requirement to prove you are single (not married) back home in the USA beforehand? I believe an affidavit from the US Embassy, which may or may not be required to be translated and legalized at the MFA? The ceremony is just that, nothing more.

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

If he is going to be registering the marriage here, isn't there also a requirement to prove you are single (not married) back home in the USA beforehand?

That's correct.

Referred to as "affidavit of freedom to marry" 

Can obtain that at USA embassy. 

One of the married guys can outline the process.