Non-Immigrant O (Spouse/Dependent)

[Jeff_]

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.

 

[DrJack54]

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/

[Jetsam]

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.

[DrJack54]

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

[Jetsam]

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. 

[DrJack54]

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? 

[Jetsam]

No certificate of residence or insurance required or even mentioned.