Extension Based on Marriage

[MangoKorat]

I may have asked this question before as part of another enquiry - however, I can't find such a post or remember any reply if there was one, so.......

 

With regard to the first application, does the 400K in the bank for a marriage based Non O extension have to be seasoned in a Thai bank account? For some reason I seem to think that provided its the first application, it doesn't.

[DrJack54]

For extension based on marriage requires 400k to have been in bank for two months on day of application

[drquincy]

Good Morning,

I am currently preparing for my first marriage visa renewal after being here for nearly 12 months and have transferred 400k a few months in advance.  I have now been advised (by one of the larger legal/advisory firms in BKK) that I should have maintained a minimum bank balance of 200k for the last 12 months and for the 3 months following me getting my original visa last year I should not have spend any of the 400k I had deposited.  I'm being advised as I don't comply with these points to let my visa expire and go back to the UK and to the start of a 3 month e-visa process

I have a call with another adviser tomorrow to validate this.  Looking on line I can see no reference at all to it.  I've also e-mailed the embassy in London to see if they can advise.

 

Have you ever heard of such a thing?  Any advice is appreciated

 

Thank you

[johng]

7 minutes ago, drquincy said:

I should have maintained a minimum bank balance of 200k for the last 12 months and for the 3 months following me getting my original visa last year I should not have spend any of the 400k I had deposited. 

 

Are you on a retirement extension at the moment  ? these sound like the requirements for that 

not a marriage extension,which only requires you to have the 400,000 baht in an account for 60 days before application ( unless its a first time extension I believe)

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, drquincy said:

Have you ever heard of such a thing?  Any advice is appreciated

No. 

For extension based on marriage the financial requirements are 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application or 

monthly deposits of min 40k per month. 

 

Note for money in bank method no funds required to be maintained in bank 

[drquincy]

3 minutes ago, johng said:

 

Are you on a retirement extension at the moment  ? these sound like the requirements for that 

not a marriage extension,which only requires you to have the 400,000 baht in an account for 60 days before application ( unless its a first time extension I believe)

No, just a marriage visa.  I've seen the requirements for the retirement visa do state maintaining a minimum balance.  This is why I'm confused I've been told I'm all of a sudden not compliant with requirements.  It seems like I'm fine, but it's very disappointing to get such advice from a reputable firm

[drquincy]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No. 

For extension based on marriage the financial requirements are 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application or 

monthly deposits of min 40k per month. 

 

Note for money in bank method no funds required to be maintained in bank 

Thank you.  I have deposited 400k - 3 months ahead - and can also show deposits of over 500k in the last 12 months (on top of my original 400k).  Sounds like I should be fine

[drquincy]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No. 

For extension based on marriage the financial requirements are 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application or 

monthly deposits of min 40k per month. 

 

Note for money in bank method no funds required to be maintained in bank 

Just for info please see below a copy / paste of the advice I received:

 

"

To clarify, in order to renew your Marriage Visa, Thai immigration requires that a minimum balance of 400,000 THB be maintained in your Thai bank account for at least three months after the initial extension of your Non-Immigrant O visa to a one-year Marriage Visa.

 

Throughout the year, you may withdraw funds from your account; however, the balance must not fall below 200,000 THB at any point. Then, two months prior to your next visa renewal, the account must once again reflect a minimum balance of 400,000 THB.

 

Based on this requirement, even if you top up your account with 400,000 THB now, you would not meet the financial criteria for the past year. In this case, the only available option is to leave the country and apply for a new Non-Immigrant O visa, thereby starting the Marriage Visa process again.

 "

[Upnotover]

8 minutes ago, drquincy said:

Just for info please see below a copy / paste of the advice I received:

 

"

To clarify, in order to renew your Marriage Visa, Thai immigration requires that a minimum balance of 400,000 THB be maintained in your Thai bank account for at least three months after the initial extension of your Non-Immigrant O visa to a one-year Marriage Visa.

 

Throughout the year, you may withdraw funds from your account; however, the balance must not fall below 200,000 THB at any point. Then, two months prior to your next visa renewal, the account must once again reflect a minimum balance of 400,000 THB.

 

Based on this requirement, even if you top up your account with 400,000 THB now, you would not meet the financial criteria for the past year. In this case, the only available option is to leave the country and apply for a new Non-Immigrant O visa, thereby starting the Marriage Visa process again.

 "

I hope it was free advice! Although not even worth that.

[DrJack54]

@drquincy ...summed up well above.

The statement you were given is rubbish. 

 

 

 

 

[IvorBiggun2]

Immigration offices make up the visa laws as they see fit. I'm on a Marriage Extention and every year I have to show my 3 childrens birth certificates, ID cards and photo's inside and outside of the house. Can someone please tell me as to what age does this cease?

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, drquincy said:

No, just a marriage visa. 

There is no such visa.
You originally had a Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse and were given permission of stay for 90 days.
You then extend that permission of stay for a further 365 days each and every year, a permit, not a visa.

 

1 hour ago, drquincy said:

Just for info please see below a copy / paste of the advice I received:

All part of the scams to put the fear of god in you, but off course for a fee they can sort it out for you.

 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

For extension based on marriage the financial requirements are 400k seasoned for 2 months prior to day of application or 

monthly deposits of min 40k per month. 

 

Note for money in bank method no funds required to be maintained in bank 

Absolutely correct advice from @DrJack54

I'll be submitting my 8th consecutive extension application based on Thai spouse next week.
The financial requirement is 400K deposited in a Thai bank account for 2 months on the date of application, OR, 12 x 40K monthly overseas transfers.

Using the 400K funds method, once the extension is approved you can withdraw and spend the 400K should you so desire.

 

The official Immigration Order 327/2557 concerning the financial requirements can be downloaded from here;

https://aseannow.com/topic/981135-laws-regulations-police-orders-etc/       List no. 12.

Section 2.18 details the financial requirements for extensions based on Thai spouse/family.

 

 

 

 

 

[drquincy]

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

There is no such visa.
You originally had a Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse and were given permission of stay for 90 days.
You then extend that permission of stay for a further 365 days each and every year, a permit, not a visa.

 

All part of the scams to put the fear of god in you, but off course for a fee they can sort it out for you.

 

Absolutely correct advice from @DrJack54

I'll be submitting my 8th consecutive extension application based on Thai spouse next week.
The financial requirement is 400K deposited in a Thai bank account for 2 months on the date of application, OR, 12 x 40K monthly overseas transfers.

Using the 400K funds method, once the extension is approved you can withdraw and spend the 400K should you so desire.

 

The official Immigration Order 327/2557 concerning the financial requirements can be downloaded from here;

https://aseannow.com/topic/981135-laws-regulations-police-orders-etc/       List no. 12.

Section 2.18 details the financial requirements for extensions based on Thai spouse/family.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you.  I really appreciate the feedback

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed

[safarimike11]

12 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

I may have asked this question before as part of another enquiry - however, I can't find such a post or remember any reply if there was one, so.......

 

With regard to the first application, does the 400K in the bank for a marriage based Non O extension have to be seasoned in a Thai bank account? For some reason I seem to think that provided its the first application, it doesn't.

This may be totally irrelevant to your situation / off topic. I have a friend who is on a marriage visa for a long time. (This conversation goes back to 3 years ago). His professional background is not unlike mine, although I was in engineering and he was in logistics. I am / have been on a retirement extension (to an original Non-A visa) for many years (with always having 800k baht in the bank). We are both British. He told me that he had 400k baht in the bank as the requirement for his visa and a monthly pension payment coming into Thailand as the other part of the requirement. He mentioned (complaining) that every 90 days, he had to get proof of his monthly payments from the British embassy / consulate / whatever in Bangkok to provide to immigration and being as he didn't drive / own a car, that taxis were the only option.

For the following, I will accept advice/criticism as to whether my reply to him was realistic/relevant (or nonsense): I said, why don't you change your marriage visa to a retirement extension and work on increasing the 400k to 800k to make life easier? (He probably spends in excess of 15k baht a month on eating out (rarely stays in).

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

For the following, I will accept advice/criticism as to whether my reply to him was realistic/relevant (or nonsense):

Pardon but what you post re friends extensions based on marriage seem nonsense. 

If you friend is on extensions based on marriage he has two options. 

Money in bank method OR income method. 

Your post is not clear. 

[safarimike11]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Pardon but what you post re friends extensions based on marriage seem nonsense. 

If you friend is on extensions based on marriage he has two options. 

Money in bank method OR income method. 

Your post is not clear. 

Fair comment. As I said, the conversation was 3 years ago, so maybe I didn't comprehend his true situation. (and maybe my suggestion about him converting to a retirement extension was also pie in the sky?)

[MarkBR]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

For extension based on marriage requires 400k to have been in bank for two months on day of application

How much does marriage cost, in regards of money in the Thai bank, if you are gay male (Scottish) & your partner is Thai male?  Not seen any info regarding this anywhere.  Asking here as you, Dr.Jack54, seem to be one of the most knowledgeable regarding allkinds of visa issues.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

(and maybe my suggestion about him converting to a retirement extension was also pie in the sky?

Not really. Many guys change from based on marriage to based on retirement. 

For several reasons. 

Also the reverse occurs for folk with entry from a Non O-A. 

Extensions from that visa require insurance however if change to based on marriage then insurance not required. 

[safarimike11]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not really. Many guys change from based on marriage to based on retirement. 

For several reasons. 

Also the reverse occurs for folk with entry from a Non O-A. 

Extensions from that visa require insurance however if change to based on marriage then insurance not required. 

Okay, thanks very much. So, the part (my suggestion to him) about the idea to change to a retirement extension was in-fact legitimate? We actually fell out over my suggestion to him (of course none of my business) about trying to save up / accumulate the other 400 k baht).

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

How much does marriage cost, in regards of money in the Thai bank, if you are gay male (Scottish) & your partner is Thai male?  Not seen any info regarding this anywhere.  Asking here a you, Dr.Jack54, seem to be one of the most knowledgeable regarding allkinds of visa issues.

First up back it up re marriage same sex vs other. 

For a female married to Thai national then no financial requirements. 

For same sex marriage male foreigner to Thai male not sure that will fly

[MarkBR]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

First up back it up re marriage same sex vs other. 

For a female married to Thai national then no financial requirements. 

For same sex marriage male foreigner to Thai male not sure that will fly

So is it an unknown unknown as of now?

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

So is it an unknown unknown as of now?

I cannot provide advice. 

My limited knowledge on newish changes relies on first hand posts. 

 

I haven't read any posts addressing the point you raise. 

Like many things in Thailand they make changes then fail to follow through with all the ramifications. 

 

Edit: not dealing with your question however note that financial requirements for extensions based on marriage are basically 400k in bank for 2 months of the year. 

Sweet deal IMO

[safarimike11]

11 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

Okay, thanks very much. So, the part (my suggestion to him) about the idea to change to a retirement extension was in-fact legitimate? We actually fell out over my suggestion to him (of course none of my business) about trying to save up / accumulate the other 400 k baht).

I may add: A good few years ago - maybe 10 to 15 - there used to be a tall Swedish gentleman who worked/was always present in the entrance of (then Pattaya/now Jomtien) immigration. He also spoke fluent Thai and English. I remember asking him one day on his thoughts of me changing my retirement extension to a marriage visa. (I had then been married to my Thai wife for a few years). His answer was "don't do it". I shall always be grateful for his advice.

[BrandonJT]

18 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

How much does marriage cost, in regards of money in the Thai bank, if you are gay male (Scottish) & your partner is Thai male?  Not seen any info regarding this anywhere.  Asking here as you, Dr.Jack54, seem to be one of the most knowledgeable regarding allkinds of visa issues.

The only ones who don't require the 400,000 are a foreign female married to a Thai male.

Everyone else requires the 400,000. This includes foreign male married to Thai female.  Foreign male married to Thai male.  Foreign female married to Thai female.  This was confirmed to me by Thai Visa Centre.

 

It's very possible that not every immigration office in Thailand has the policies in place to process same-sex marriage visas/extensions.

[Liquorice]

17 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

How much does marriage cost, in regards of money in the Thai bank, if you are gay male (Scottish) & your partner is Thai male?  Not seen any info regarding this anywhere.  Asking here as you, Dr.Jack54, seem to be one of the most knowledgeable regarding allkinds of visa issues.

Thailand has just passed the Marriage Equality Act now recognising same-sex marriages as of Jan 23rd, 2025.

Theoretically, the same conditions should apply for extensions based on a foreign female married to a Thai male, but as yet the waters haven't been tested.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

His answer was "don't do it". I shall always be grateful for his advice.

The guy you mention would have been an agent. 

Agents can do almost zero for extensions based on marriage. 

He wanted your business. 

Can only do that for extensions based on retirement

[safarimike11]

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The guy you mention would have been an agent. 

Agents can do almost zero for extensions based on marriage. 

He wanted your business. 

Can only do that for extensions based on retirement

You are completely wrong. He was either a paid - or unpaid assistant, but I guess you know it all?

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

You are completely wrong. He was either a paid - or unpaid assistant, but I guess you know it all?

You stated ......

"I may add: A good few years ago - maybe 10 to 15 - there used to be a tall Swedish gentleman who worked/was always present in the entrance of (then Pattaya/now Jomtien) immigration"

 

15 years ago? Spare me. .

Assist the OP or move along. 

[Liquorice]

1 minute ago, safarimike11 said:

You are completely wrong.

I think you and your friend have confused each other.

 

55 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

I am / have been on a retirement extension (to an original Non-A visa) for many years (with always having 800k baht in the bank).

No such visa category has ever existed. Perhaps you meant the Non O visa, or the Non O-A visa.

 

57 minutes ago, safarimike11 said:

We are both British. He told me that he had 400k baht in the bank as the requirement for his visa and a monthly pension payment coming into Thailand as the other part of the requirement.

You just described the 'combination' method, part funds deposited in a Thai bank, and part monthly overseas transfers ................. which is only applicable for extension based on retirement. Extensions based on a Thai spouse have always been 'either' funds deposited in a Thai bank (400K) .......... OR............. evidence of monthly income, (40K) but never both.

 

1 hour ago, safarimike11 said:

He mentioned (complaining) that every 90 days, he had to get proof of his monthly payments from the British embassy / consulate / whatever in Bangkok to provide to immigration and being as he didn't drive / own a car, that taxis were the only option.

The only reason you'd have to visit your Immigration office every 90 days is to submit a 90 day report, which is merely a confirmation of your address and there is no requirement to submit proof of any financials. The British Embassy also would not have provided proof of his monthly pension.

 

Your post is very confusing with details.