Is "o" Married Visa Criteria Next To Be Changed ?

[CosmicSurfer]

Now that they have made life difficult for those here on retirement Visas and tourist visas, it seems that all that is left for them to overhaul is the "O" Married Visa.

What's next... To stay with your Thai Wife, you need to Show that you have bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry, Her mother a house, her Brother a motorcycle and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

Me.. I'm planning for a June escape.

CS

[ovenman]

What's next... To stay with your Thai Wife, you need to Show that you have bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry, Her mother a house, her Brother a motorcycle and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

You forgot to inclue the map.

[LPCustom69]

Now that they have made life difficult for those here on retirement Visas and tourist visas, it seems that all that is left for them to overhaul is the "O" Married Visa.

What's next... To stay with your Thai Wife, you need to Show that you have bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry, Her mother a house, her Brother a motorcycle and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

Me.. I'm planning for a June escape.

CS

My guess is yes. And we still have to see what happens with the October changes. There sure wasn't much warning about the retirement related situation.

[Maestro]

...and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

Big buffalo, big photo

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Maestro

[CosmicSurfer]

My guess is yes. And we still have to see what happens with the October changes . There sure wasn't much warning about the retirement related situation.

October Changes? Are you refereing to the changes of Last October 2006, or NEXT October 2007 ???

If 2007, What Changes do you know about?

Thanks

CS

[my benny rai]

Change is a fact of life here for long term residents of Thailand. As far as I can see from my own recent experience, it is now "harder" to get a one year extension of a Non O Visa. By "harder" I mean they are asking for more documents than they have in the past. When I extended last month, along with the regular batch of documents they also wanted to see THREE pictures (wife and hubby in front of the house, a picture of the house and then a close up picture of the house number with the house in the background), they wanted the company registration (stamped and signed by the owner or head of the company) and pictures of the company! They explained that too many people were providing fake documentation and, during spot inspections, it was found that certain companies did not really exist. "We have to be strict," one officer said, "because many people submit false documentation." My wife had to sign a declaration stating that I still lived with her, etc. We also had to resign all the documents that we handed in stating that the documents were copied from original documents that were shown to the officers. Apparently the new boss of Room 101 is quite strict about documentation now.

[krisInThailand]

Hi - im a some what new comer to thailand... i have been married to a thai for about 14 months now and am on my second year 'O' visa... Are the rules for this type of visa changing? I have never had any problems with documentation - when the first year ran out i went back to england and renewed it all i needed was a mariage certificate? I am often coming in and out of the country becuase i have to work around asia (not in thailand) so renewing my visa every three months isnt a problem.

[lopburi3]

No the rules have not changed in the last year but most Consulates will want to see more than marriage certificate these day - with a signed copy wifes ID card being required by most. It remains relatively easy to obtain at some Consulates, especially in the UK.

[CosmicSurfer]

Hi - im a some what new comer to thailand... i have been married to a thai for about 14 months now and am on my second year 'O' visa... Are the rules for this type of visa changing? I have never had any problems with documentation - when the first year ran out i went back to england and renewed it all i needed was a mariage certificate? I am often coming in and out of the country becuase i have to work around asia (not in thailand) so renewing my visa every three months isnt a problem.

You are on a 1-Year multiple entry "O" visa, with 3 month maximum Stay per entry.. which because you are often in and out isn't a problem for you.

The concern is about "O" Visa - 1-Year extension of stay, which doesn't require any 3 month In/Out. Only 90 Day reporting of Address at immigration.

But who knows.. they could changer the rules for the Multiple entry also... TIT.

CS

[thaigene2]

No the rules have not changed in the last year but most Consulates will want to see more than marriage certificate these day - with a signed copy wifes ID card being required by most. It remains relatively easy to obtain at some Consulates, especially in the UK.

While not meaning to contradict the Moderator, at present, it seems common sense to have a pretty solid exit strategy that will leave you as unexposed financially as possible - and get your loved one outta here too -so get the passports, visa and stuff worked out now. Personally, I am thanking my lucky stars I didn't buy anything here. I will have enough headaches just getting my family out, but luckily we have a good place to go with relatively little disruption..But I feel really ripped off still..stay away from this country until things are sorted out is my best advice to those thinking about moving here. At least for now. Thailand is a great place...but only if you are SURE you can stay here without a hassle....forget the smiles, they want your cash not you...and as soon as they have it, you'll know it..and so will they.

[Maestro]

...get the passports, visa and stuff worked out now...

Agree. Make sure you and your family members always have a valid passport. Get dual passports for your wife and children, if they are entitled to them. This is sound advice at any time, and more so during politically uncertain times.

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Maestro

[rainman]

What's next... To stay with your Thai Wife, you need to Show that you have bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry, Her mother a house, her Brother a motorcycle and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

Starting my check list:

- bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry *done

- Her mother a house *not done

- her Brother a motorcycle *not done

- her father a Herd of Buffalo *not done

- Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos *done

My next visa renewal is doomed, me thinks

Seriously, if they start messing with the rules for marriage visas and ignore grandfathered rules, I'm moving elsewhere. I already told that to my wife and she's looking forward to traveling.

[TheAceFace]

I hope this visa does not change...we'll see.

What is/are grandfathered rules

I also need to complete the above check list, fathered children should be on there too

[englishoak]

What is/are grandfathered rules

They are rules that you had to adhere to at the time you came to live here.If they change they only affect those who are new to the system not those already in it. IE: if you were living here for the last 10 years the new regulations of X amount in pension etc do not apply as you were here prior to the new rules.

That has not been honoured with the Retiree couples so all now have to follow the new regulations regardless of wheather they have been here for 20 years or 2 months. A complete and blatant disregard for previous laws and sends a message that Thai law is fickle and definately third world in it's ability to protect anyones rights to abode.

If that is rolled out for all future changes that will mean a mass exodus for those who can no longer afford to stay.EG: Mabe you've been here 20 years living on 20k bht pension with your thai family, your happy and have enough. No more grandfather law = now you have to show whatever they wish you to along with all the newbies mabe 40k today 200k tomorrow. If not p**s off your no longer wanted, you no longer have what they decide they want you to have, thank you and goodbye.

In other words you can't plan for your security because they have no honour in what they say, it only applies while they decide it does, the law means nothing here as it can be changed on a whim, effective immediate. There is no recourse here as in Europe with human rights courts etc.

NO RIGHTS, NO VOICE, remember that always.

Edited September 1, 2007 by englishoak

[Dakhar]

It is very important to remember this when making any investment decission here in Thailand. Whether it be your time or your money.

As for me, I feel safe for the moment. I earn as much as I did back in the states, allowing me to save as much as I did back in the US. If I can no longer do that.... I head back home.

[K2K]

Most evident likely change from whats happening here in Phuket - is that 400K in the bank, regardless of grandfathering (prior to Oct 2006) will no longer be accepted - all will have to show the 40k/month certified by your embassy.

I have to agree (sadly) with some of the more negative posts that remaining here full time is ever becoming a less attractive option long term. Will wait out and see what the new government will do after Dec elections and do some long term planning.

[LPCustom69]

I don't know what they will change next month, but the retiree couple rule sure didn't give much time. They addressed "backpackers" last year, and retiree couples this year in September ahead of the changes that they are supposed to announce for October. So, I wouldn't be surprised.

I do know that the Houston consulate has changed their policies on small businessmen getting 1 yr non immigrant B visas. I was told that they won't do it the old way, that things have changed. Now, a sole proprietor will not be issued a 1 year to explore investment opportunities, even if they are in the process of buying a business in Thailand. Also told that a small corporation cannot have an employee write a letter for their boss. Before yes, now no!

My guess is yes. And we still have to see what happens with the October changes . There sure wasn't much warning about the retirement related situation.

October Changes? Are you refereing to the changes of Last October 2006, or NEXT October 2007 ???

If 2007, What Changes do you know about?

Thanks

CS

[thaigene2]

What's next... To stay with your Thai Wife, you need to Show that you have bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry, Her mother a house, her Brother a motorcycle and her father a Herd of Buffalo... Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos, of course.?

Starting my check list:

- bought her 3 baht in Gold Jewellry *done

- Her mother a house *not done

- her Brother a motorcycle *not done

- her father a Herd of Buffalo *not done

- Accompanied with 8x10 Colour photos *done

My next visa renewal is doomed, me thinks

Seriously, if they start messing with the rules for marriage visas and ignore grandfathered rules, I'm moving elsewhere. I already told that to my wife and she's looking forward to traveling.

Mine too. Hey is your wife listening to MP3 while you smile at the camera?

[Maestro]

Hey is your wife listening to MP3 while you smile at the camera?

Wipe your glasses! That’s a gold ear clip in Mrs Rainman's ear. Part of the 3 Baht in gold jewellery.

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Maestro