My Non Imm. "o" Marriage Visa 1 Year Extension Experience!

[rhino533]

Hello All, Well I went to get my Non Imm. O (marriage) 1 year extension today and it was so much easier than I was anticipating. I went to my local Immigration fully prepared had all the documents ready which made the Immigration officer really happy. This is exactly what happened. I went into the Immigration office with my wife, told them I was here to get my extension, handed them my prepared pile of documents and applications, they told me to sit and wait, 10 mins later the Immigration officer called me to his desk, said everything is in order but he needed one more document from me, I needed to get a neighbor to sign a document stating that I do live in at the address I gave, that they see me regularly at my house and I do live with my wife, I also needed to get a copy of my neighbors ID card and there phone number because Immigration might call them to verify everything. So I drove back to my house got my Thai neighbor to sign the document, got a copy of his ID card and went back to the Immigration Office. I handed them the document and about 15mins later I had my 1 year extension. Easy as that! I ask the Immigration officer if he will be visiting my home and he said NO he will just be verifying the document my neighbor signed. He will more than likely give my neighbor a call but might not, that’s it. This was my First extension too. I was pretty shocked how easy it was after reading all the problems other people had. Here is a couple hints, have everything prepare before you go in (Important!!!), make sure your wife is with you, look neat, and the rest is easy. You can download all application forms from thaivisa.com. Having everything prepare before you go there will make the Immigration officer really happy and happy Immigration officer always helps. I would recommend doing it outside of Bangkok too. The Immigration officers are much much nicer, the offices aren't busy at all (unlike Bangkok) and the offices aren't confusing like Bangkok. One thing I have heard is a new law stating you must go to your local Provincial Immigration office to get you extensions. I'm not to sure if this is true or not. Maybe call and make sure before heading out of Bangkok to do this. Ok here is a list of exactly everything I brought with me to get the 1 year extension:

1. TM7 Application Form (2 copies)

2. Two Passport Color Photos (of me)

3. My Passport (2 copies)

4. My 90 day Non Imm O visa and Departure Card (2 copies)

5. My wife’s Passport (2 copies)

6. My wife’s Name Change in Passport (2 copies)

7. My wife’s new ID card with my last name (2 copies)

8. My wife’s old ID card with her old Last Name (2 copies)

9. My wife’s Address book (2 copies)

10. My Thai Marriage Certificate (2 copies)

11. Two Different Bills with my home address on them ( 2 copies of both)

12. I made up a photo Album with about 40 pictures of my house, pictures of my Wife and I together, pictures of my dogs, pictures of my wife’s 3 businesses, picture of me and my wife in Canada, wedding pictures, and pictures of my Truck and plate #.

13. Her business registration form for each business (2 copies of each)

14. All are Thai Bank books (2 copies of each)(we use 3 different Banks)

15. Tax forms Por Ngor Dor 90 and 94 (2 copies of each)

16. A document from my neighbor stating I live at the same address I provided Immigration (2 copies) Immigration will give you a form for your neighbor to fill out.

17. Neighbors ID Card and phone number (2 copies)

18. Map and directions of how to get to my home. (2 copies)

Just so everyone knows my wife and I own businesses together but they are all in her name. So she is the supporter and because of that we just had to show her personal and business information only (personal tax and business registration). They didn't ask for a work permit, my tax information, or my Canadian bank statement from me because I'm not the supporter. They didn't care at all about what money I have in Canada they only wanted to know what money my wife and I have in Thailand. The proof of 40,000bht a month is shown through the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms you provide and your Bank books. I hope this info helps someone out there. Regards!

[Bpraim1]

after reading that list, doesn't sound all that easy! I like the neibour to sign part. Glad you got it all done.

I got my NON O imm visa in may! From Bkk office

needed

Application form

Passport 2 copies,

rental agreement

Wife / plus her id card / passport / house reg copiesx2

marriage cert

monthly income paper stamped by Embassy

1900bt

took about 25min

Back 30 days later to get passport stamped

[thaigene2]

Actually, thanks for the comprehensive tool kit. That's great.

My only concern (not related to your post) is what happens if you are not running a business. You still need to come up with this 40K income thing, right? Or no extension? My understanding from previous posts was you'd get one 3 month extension, and if you still couldn't produce the 40K requirement you'd get the big-boot back to your own country to re-apply for an O visa.

Is that still correct?

[Bpraim1]

I know you need to produce a letter with 40k or more of monthly income. Don't know that they give you 3 months to come up with it!

[Cyberstar]

Congratulations your extension, and thanks for your report.

Well - it sure does sound like a huge pile of docs you provided (including photoalbum) - and all they required extra was "to get a neighbor to sign a document stating that I do live in at the address I gave, that they see me regularly at my house and I do live with my wife, I also needed to get a copy of my neighbors ID card and there phone number".

Which, provincial office was that at?

Your report most certainly indicates a toughening up on doc requirement since i got my first wife-dependent extension 2 years ago in the provincial office of Chiang Mai - where I didn't had to provide any photos nor statements from the neighbors (Immigration went there by themselves, which I sort of feel more safe since I didn't have to depend on some neighbor write official statements complete with copy of ID's and such).

[rhino533]

Yeah I might of given more than I needed to but the Immigration officer didn't give anything back or say I gave to much, He did give back most of the photos but kept a few and seemed happy with all the documents I provided. As far as the document from the neighbour I think maybe the immigration officer felt a little lazy and didn't want to drive to my place. Getting the neighbour to sign the document was another way of proving my address without him having to drive. But I have to say the Immigration officer was really friendly and respecting. I live in Rayong Province.

[Bpraim1]

I don't know why or understand this neighbour thing.And why would immigration come to your house?

Something smells fishy?!

[lopburi3]

There is nothing fishy about it. Immigration is required to confirm a real relationship and that you live together as man and wife. They, or local police, do this with a visit to your home, or a visit to interview neighbors or this letter/id card method. Your visa extension is based on your living together, as a family, when using the family extension of stay.

[rhino533]

I don't know why or understand this neighbour thing.And why would immigration come to your house?

Something smells fishy?!

The Immigration Officer usually comes to your home when applying for your first extension, this is normal. They just want to make sure the marriage is true and you are living with your wife at the address you gave them. You must be living with your wife to qualify for the extension. In my case the Immigration officer didn't want to drive 40 mins to my house to check if that’s my residence so he gave me a form and told me to get my neighbor or someone close to me but can't be a family member to fill out the form he provided. It just states that they know my wife and I and that we do live together and at the address I provided immigration. The copy of this person ID card it to prove we didn't write it are self. Getting there phone number is just a way Immigration can confirm everything. Nothing fishy about it really. They just have tightened up on applying for an extension. So anyone who is going to apply for a first extension expect an Immigration officer to come to your home or this form involving a neighbor or someone close to you to be filled out. Pretty sure this will happen every time someone applies for the first time. Then when you apply the second time for the extension next year they won't come to your home or need that form filled out. It's a bit easier the second time around. Hope this clears it up.

[LivinginKata]

I don't know why or understand this neighbour thing.And why would immigration come to your house?

Something smells fishy?!

Nothing fishy about it, just a routine requirement.

When we first applied for my marriage (legal & with certificate) to Thai for consideration for one year extension, some many years ago, we had to have to 2 Thai nationals accompany us to immigration and give statements that we were a married couple, and we had a visit from the immigraton officer to verify our marital home. This is nothing new and has been required for many many years.

[phutoie2]

I don't know why or understand this neighbour thing.And why would immigration come to your house?

Something smells fishy?!

Nothing fishy about it, just a routine requirement.

When we first applied for my marriage (legal & with certificate) to Thai for consideration for one year extension, some many years ago, we had to have to 2 Thai nationals accompany us to immigration and give statements that we were a married couple, and we had a visit from the immigraton officer to verify our marital home. This is nothing new and has been required for many many years.

Tosh! where does it state that in Police order 606/Thai Immigration website etc, I finally married my long term girl friend in March this year at Don Muaeng Amphur. After my single entry non-immigrant visa expired, I applied for extension/married to a Thai national. There was a question about photo's of the marriage procedure from the immigration official due to some bogus marriage certificates, but I explained I did not have any photo's.

They can verify your address by just simply calling the boys in brown where you live.

I ended up with a retirement extension in the end as over 50 and meet financial requirements.

There has been some absolute talking <deleted> on this forum recently regarding many topics on visa extensions, and nearly all of it coming from the usual farang places of residence. Oops I nearly said infested.

Stand easy in the ranks.

[Cyberstar]

I applied for extension/married to a Thai national. There was a question about photo's of the marriage procedure from the immigration official due to some bogus marriage certificates, but I explained I did not have any photo's.

They can verify your address by just simply calling the boys in brown where you live.

I ended up with a retirement extension in the end as over 50 and meet financial requirements.

There has been some absolute talking <deleted> on this forum recently regarding many topics on visa extensions, and nearly all of it coming from the usual farang places of residence. Oops I nearly said infested.

Stand easy in the ranks.

That's true, they don't ask the neighbors to verify if you are over 50 years old and whether you have sufficient money in the bank when checking if you meet reqirements for retirement extension. It seems you know nothing about requirements for a marriage based extension - so who's talking <deleted>?

Edited September 21, 2007 by Cyberstar

[torrenova]

Just so everyone knows my wife and I own businesses together but they are all in her name. So she is the supporter and because of that we just had to show her personal and business information only (personal tax and business registration). They didn't ask for a work permit, my tax information, or my Canadian bank statement from me because I'm not the supporter. They didn't care at all about what money I have in Canada they only wanted to know what money my wife and I have in Thailand. The proof of 40,000bht a month is shown through the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms you provide and your Bank books. I hope this info helps someone out there. Regards!

Can I ask how long you had the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms going back ? I will need my missus to go more legit to get herself a mortgage so I might as well piggyback on her "officialdom" and cheapen my visa/WP situation.

[phutoie2]

I applied for extension/married to a Thai national. There was a question about photo's of the marriage procedure from the immigration official due to some bogus marriage certificates, but I explained I did not have any photo's.

They can verify your address by just simply calling the boys in brown where you live.

I ended up with a retirement extension in the end as over 50 and meet financial requirements.

There has been some absolute talking <deleted> on this forum recently regarding many topics on visa extensions, and nearly all of it coming from the usual farang places of residence. Oops I nearly said infested.

Stand easy in the ranks.

That's true, they don't ask the neighbors to verify if you are over 50 years old and whether you have sufficient money in the bank when checking if you meet reqirements for retirement extension. It seems you know nothing about requirements for a marriage based extension - so who's talking <deleted>?

I would not say I know nothing about the marriage extension!, after the rule changes last October I did my research, including aquiring my letter for proof of income from my embassy re- the 40k income.

It was the Police Immigration officer who decided that I would be given the "retirement extension" Their decision. Clear enough now?

//flame removed//

[Bpraim1]

I was never asked for Photo's or Neighbours to sign anything!

First extrension, I never had anyone come to my house or even call for that matter.

sorry, I am not trying to sound mean, just never heard of this happening to any Farang friends of mine.

[rhino533]

Just so everyone knows my wife and I own businesses together but they are all in her name. So she is the supporter and because of that we just had to show her personal and business information only (personal tax and business registration). They didn't ask for a work permit, my tax information, or my Canadian bank statement from me because I'm not the supporter. They didn't care at all about what money I have in Canada they only wanted to know what money my wife and I have in Thailand. The proof of 40,000bht a month is shown through the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms you provide and your Bank books. I hope this info helps someone out there. Regards!

Can I ask how long you had the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms going back ? I will need my missus to go more legit to get herself a mortgage so I might as well piggyback on her "officialdom" and cheapen my visa/WP situation.

Hey Torrenova, My wifes Por Ngor Dor tax forms went back to the end of last year but I think if you have tax forms going back 3 months thats fine.

[rhino533]

This morning I talked with a friend of mine who lives in Bangkok. He said I got off easy with the extension I applied for and got. He's pretty much in the same situation I am and he applied for his first extension a 3 months ago but it took him 2 months to finally get approved for it. He said immigration had to extend his stay by 30days because his 90day visa was going to run out. He applied 1 month before his visa was finished but immigration told him it would take 2 months to be approved and gave him a 30 day extension which he had to pay for. He said if his application didn't get approved, immigration would have only given him 7days extra on his visa to leave the country. He also said immigration went to his home and talked with him and his wife. He got approved but I thought I would warn people it might not be as easy as it seems maybe I just got lucky.

I also want to make a point, on one of my trips to the immigration office (outside Bangkok) there were a few other foreigners there doing visa stuff. I have to say all but one looked neat and dressed ok. The rest were in shorts and tank tops, they looked like they never shower, clothes were dirty and looked like they didn't care or respect the immigration at all. I really hate seeing this because I feel it gives us normal farangs a bad name and makes it harder for us to get visas and do immigration things. I don't know why they can't spend a few mins putting jean and a nicer shirt on. That's all it takes you don't need a suit but just look neat. I feel some people think it’s too easy to get a visas and it's a joke little do they know it effects everyone who is needs visa work done. The immigration officer who helped my wife and I said we look like a match and we both look respectful. She said many many foreigners look really bad and a lot don't get there extensions or visas. She said many mixed couple really don't match at all which makes them wonder if there marriage is true. So make sure you and your wife look neat and tidy when applying for extensions. It really healps. Maybe this is another reason why they gave me my extension so fast. Sorry if I'm complaining too much. Thought I would just voice my opinion on this. It's something I really hate!!!!!!

[anonymouse]

[Can I ask how long you had the Por Ngor Dor Tax forms going back ? I will need my missus to go more legit to get herself a mortgage so I might as well piggyback on her "officialdom" and cheapen my visa/WP situation.

Chiang Mai immigration require 3 months worth

[pickled]

Very informative post. Ta, rhino533!

I have to do this soon and was wondering this: I don't have an income in Thailand but earn a rental income in the UK in excess of this figure and was wondering if I do 3 back to back monthly transfers from my bank in the UK to my bank here and get a letter from my Thai bank confirming the source is from the UK, will that suffice?...Any advice will be welcome.

I could also transfer 400k straight and leave it for 3 months, but I heard that this no longer qualifies.

All those documents quoted in the OP are gettable but the house I built is in the Buriram sticks and no-one has registration papers around here ( The Govt. hasn't got around to it yet). I bought the land from my wife's uncle and he gave us a document confirming sale with his id photocopied. I hope that's good enough.

My wife's Thai passport is in her maiden name and her id card is now in in my name with her old one sacrificed...Think that's no problem either.

Cheers

[rhino533]

Very informative post. Ta, rhino533!

I have to do this soon and was wondering this: I don't have an income in Thailand but earn a rental income in the UK in excess of this figure and was wondering if I do 3 back to back monthly transfers from my bank in the UK to my bank here and get a letter from my Thai bank confirming the source is from the UK, will that suffice?...Any advice will be welcome.

I could also transfer 400k straight and leave it for 3 months, but I heard that this no longer qualifies.

All those documents quoted in the OP are gettable but the house I built is in the Buriram sticks and no-one has registration papers around here ( The Govt. hasn't got around to it yet). I bought the land from my wife's uncle and he gave us a document confirming sale with his id photocopied. I hope that's good enough.

My wife's Thai passport is in her maiden name and her id card is now in in my name with her old one sacrificed...Think that's no problem either.

Cheers

If you do a monthly back to back transfer from the UK and then get your embassy to confirm you have a Rental business in the UK pretty sure this would be fine. I know they want to see a normal constant money flow in a Thai Bank and they would also want your work and money confirmed from you embassy. Maybe bring your UK tax info to the emabssy to prove your money, your registration for your uk properties and maybe the contracts with your renters. I would contact your embassy to confirm this though. If you do this I'm not to sure if you need to show Thai tax or not. Pretty sure not. The 400,000 baht Law is no longer. They decided to scrap that law and now you can only prove money by monthly income. As far as the house I think that should be ok bring all documents you have, pretty sure they will come visit you at your home to make sure you live there with your wife if they feel you didn't give enough information. That's no worries. As far as you wifes ID card just show them her new ID with your last name on it but you should get her passport changed sometime. It's pretty easy to do. Hope this helps a bit!

[abdulrahman]

I was never asked for Photo's or Neighbours to sign anything!

First extrension, I never had anyone come to my house or even call for that matter.

sorry, I am not trying to sound mean, just never heard of this happening to any Farang friends of mine.

Ssshhh,Bpraim1,don't tell the new members that's easy,let them theyr fun!

[pickled]

Hi rhino533,

Your info does help but I'm still snookered I think. My business in the UK is unofficial, run by family and in-house; no taxman, no registration.

I was thinking about this 40k monthly back to back transfers to qualify for the non-o extension in the form of money from savings stashed in my UK bank, trotting along to imm with my Thai bank passbook and maybe a letter from the bank confirming the source being the UK, along with all the other paperwork you listed and getting it.

Seems it might be a bridge too far and am resigning myself to an inconvenient return to Blighty for a new non o from Hull where just my marriage cert will do it.

My present visa expires on Nov 9th and the current stamp expires next week on Oct 2nd. Am hoping a trip to laos next week will give me a further 90 days although the said 90 days will go beyond the visa's life. Think I can do that at least. Will visit the Thai consular whilst there and see what they say. Being Thailand, bureaucratic rules vary from place to place, don't they?!

What a game! lol (not)

[buckeye]

HI

RE Rhino's comment that the B400,000 does not apply anymore, Sunbelt asia states that it is still accepted in BKK? Also re changes that happened Sept 1st that now have not happened re retirement, having to go to office in your own province, parents under 50 and such. I have not seen on line a change of the Police order of last Oct to show that B400,000 is still not on use??? Can Sunbelt have the CENTRAL BKK office find out if this has changed or not. Also I all upcountry Passports are sent to BKK for a OK for marriage visa so why would they not be accepted????

[lopburi3]

As is clearly stated in police order 606/2006 from last year the 400k bank deposit method is no longer an option for new applicants - those that have been on extensions of stay prior to October 2006 can continue to use that method by the rules (although by wording only if they can not meet the 40k method could be argued). Some places have informed some applicants that it would not be available "next time" but that seems to be in error rather than being a fact.

Except for the case

that the said foreign national has

entered Thailand before this Order

is enforced and the foreign national

has been permitted to stay in the

Kingdom by the result of having

married to a Thai wife, then if the

applicant does not have the said

income, then, the latest 3 months

records of the account book of any

Bank in Thailand with the account

name of either or both parties need

to have the amount of money not

less than 400,000 Baht.

[icemaniac]

Well you are a patient one because that sounds like bunch of inane random manure to me.

The rules change daily and at the whims of people in charge. There is no guidance on the immigration's website.

As for me I've had it with this gestapo crap they put people through. I've told my wife (who doesn't want to leave Thailand) that once we get her a U.S. Greencard she won't have to be under the government's thumb every 90 days to check in. In fact she's good for 10 years. I have plenty of money and plenty of income to live comfortably here or in the U.S. and I truly resent the amount of ridiculous hoops honest, hard working family men have to go through to live in this cesspool.

Siam has lost its luster for me. I don't know why i ever left the first world for the THIRD. Of course my wife wants to stay and doesn't understand so there will be one more single mom in Thailand thanks to this government.

[icemaniac]

They are rejecting people because of the clothes they wear? Where in the law does it state that if you where shorts and a dirty t-shirt that you can't stay? SHOW ME SHOW ME SHOW ME.

That's the problem. The rules are made up as the worker bees at immigration go along and on a whim. And your recourse should they ignore the law? NOTHING.

((Remove flame))

This morning I talked with a friend of mine who lives in Bangkok. He said I got off easy with the extension I applied for and got. He's pretty much in the same situation I am and he applied for his first extension a 3 months ago but it took him 2 months to finally get approved for it. He said immigration had to extend his stay by 30days because his 90day visa was going to run out. He applied 1 month before his visa was finished but immigration told him it would take 2 months to be approved and gave him a 30 day extension which he had to pay for. He said if his application didn't get approved, immigration would have only given him 7days extra on his visa to leave the country. He also said immigration went to his home and talked with him and his wife. He got approved but I thought I would warn people it might not be as easy as it seems maybe I just got lucky.

I also want to make a point, on one of my trips to the immigration office (outside Bangkok) there were a few other foreigners there doing visa stuff. I have to say all but one looked neat and dressed ok. The rest were in shorts and tank tops, they looked like they never shower, clothes were dirty and looked like they didn't care or respect the immigration at all. I really hate seeing this because I feel it gives us normal farangs a bad name and makes it harder for us to get visas and do immigration things. I don't know why they can't spend a few mins putting jean and a nicer shirt on. That's all it takes you don't need a suit but just look neat. I feel some people think it's too easy to get a visas and it's a joke little do they know it effects everyone who is needs visa work done. The immigration officer who helped my wife and I said we look like a match and we both look respectful. She said many many foreigners look really bad and a lot don't get there extensions or visas. She said many mixed couple really don't match at all which makes them wonder if there marriage is true. So make sure you and your wife look neat and tidy when applying for extensions. It really healps. Maybe this is another reason why they gave me my extension so fast. Sorry if I'm complaining too much. Thought I would just voice my opinion on this. It's something I really hate!!!!!!

[TerryLH]

"...and I truly resent the amount of ridiculous hoops honest, hard working family men have to go through to live in this cesspool.

Siam has lost its luster for me. I don't know why i ever left the first world for the THIRD. Of course my wife wants to stay and doesn't understand so there will be one more single mom in Thailand thanks to this government."

It sounds to me like you have other issues if you're willing to abandon your wife over some extra paperwork.