Hi!

 

I want to get a Non-Immigrant O (Spouse/Dependent) Visa based on having a Thai wife.

We married this summer and back there didn't have time and were not so focused on making a visa.

But now we decided to do it for multiple reasons (biggest one is I have too many VOA stamps on my passport).

 

We searched our options - abroad Laos (Can't until next year and they have e-visa which is not so good, because it requires not only to be abroad while doing it and also gonna take many days)- If I understand all correctly.

Thailand CW - seems possible but one thing stands out. Opening a bank account!

 

Already visited a few branches and all declined, saying can't open on (VOA stamp) and they need different types of visa which is of course not possible to do unless you have a bank account.

 

Frustrating, even after visiting banks last weekend with my wife I saw her tears and disappointment.

 

Is it possible to open a bank account in Bangkok with only a marriage certificate and visa on arrival stamp? (Without agents)

Or any other way I can make Non-Immigrant O (Spouse/Dependent) Visa..

 

Thank you for help, I've been reading this thread for a while already. Missed my chance in Laos when I could've done without the bank :(

Yes I think in the future it can be done with a different bank (homecountry) but unfortunately it is not a decent option for me now.

 

5 hours ago, Jeff_ said:

Thailand CW - seems possible but one thing stands out. Opening a bank account

First up (my guess) you do not have "VOA" you have visa exempt entry.

60 day stamp.

Your best option to open a bank account in Bangkok (with visa exempt) is to use an agent.

You mention "without agent" 

At very least you would require a "certificate of residence".

That can be obtained at CW. Only up to recently that was not possible at CW without having done a 90 day report.

 

The bank account is the issue.

Obtaining a non O based on marriage with 400k in Thai bank account in your name only is not difficult. 

In hindsight if you had obtained the non O outside of Thailand then that would have made opening a bank account easy. 

Here is thread outlining process.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315828-visa-exempt-to-90-day-non-o-spouse-visa-conversion-in-thailand/

 

BTW: If you require more time to organize you can apply for 60 day extension to visit wife. 

This thread outlines process.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1327691-60-days-extension-to-visit-family-restrictions/

I was able to open a bank account on a 60-day Visa Exempt entry at Bangkok Bank central office-Silom, with my Thai wife present and our marriage documents. I think you need to have 30 days left on your entry stamp. Did it in September. No agent.

9 hours ago, Jetsam said:

I was able to open a bank account on a 60-day Visa Exempt entry at Bangkok Bank central office-Silom, with my Thai wife present and our marriage documents

Clearly you were more fortunate than others. 

Many threads such as this 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1314344-bank-account-for-married-to-thai-wife-to-obtain-visa/ 

 

Obviously the account is in your name only. Not joint

Yes, my name only. They said no at first, but I patiently explained that i needed the account to transfer money in to change to a non-I visa from within Thailand. I suggest people at least try the Bangkok Bank HQ branch before an agent.  Keep cool, don’t accept the first no, ask to talk to someone else if you need to. 

21 minutes ago, Jetsam said:

They said no at first, but I patiently explained that i needed the account to transfer money in to change to a non-I visa from within Thailand

Yes it's a chicken/egg problem.

So not even a certificate of residence or purchase of insurance? 

No certificate of residence or insurance required or even mentioned. 

On 12/12/2024 at 3:33 AM, DrJack54 said:

First up (my guess) you do not have "VOA" you have visa exempt entry.

60 day stamp.

Yes, just stamp. Sorry for wrong information, bit confused with those terms.

 

Bit unfortunate that couldn't obtain it in Laos before they change their policy. But that's okay, think if I knew everything still would go same route.

 

We tried many brunches and almost everywhere said no! Basically saying no and didn't want to look anything after knowing that have stamp. Some listened more but declined as well. Pretty much bad experience and really frustrating. So decided to do with agent.

One bank was more willing to help but one thing they could do is to send documents and wait for headquaters to decide (SCB bang chak)

Better to not waste time, mental and physical energy

1 hour ago, Jeff_ said:

Better to not waste time, mental and physical energy

So how much did agent charge?5k.

Assume Bangkok Bank. 

Most of cost goes to insurance policy.

15k

Even pattaya cheapest 10k

6 minutes ago, Jeff_ said:

15k

Even pattaya cheapest 10k

Lost track of what you required.

If it's open bank account using agent in Pattaya it's 4500-5k 

I went through this whole process several months back

 

The easiest/cheapest option is leaving the country, applying for the single entry 90day Non O visa ( For accompanying thai family/spouse through E-VISA, and transferring to the spousal visa afterwards.

On 12/18/2024 at 12:39 PM, neithergerm said:

I went through this whole process several months back

 

The easiest/cheapest option is leaving the country, applying for the single entry 90day Non O visa ( For accompanying thai family/spouse through E-VISA, and transferring to the spousal visa afterwards.

It also takes time and money and energy. Kinda hard to tell if thats easiest, because gonna spend on hotel, food and etc.

 

I didn't see anyone opening bank account cheaper than 8-10k in Pattaya. If you have contact (if it is reliable), can PM