Non Imm O Versus Work Visa

[phitsanulokjon]

I was granted a 90 day non imm O on marriage in Penang sept 2007 - to my surprise, my wife and I had to show no financial info only had to show our marriage certificate, photocopy of her id card and the blue book showing her address (we married August 2007 having met and lived in England for a couple of years and returning to live Thailand March 2007-I originally came here on tourist visa and she had been in UK 10 years (she was previously married to UK citizen))

The 90 days is up 23 Dec 2007 - I understand we can get extension from Immigration in Bangkok but they require 21 days to process and then there is no guarantee.

I have a job which will start approx 20 Dec 2007 and the company will then put papers together - they think it will take 3 weeks from then to get work permit etc.

What is best course of action because I understand Bangkok are strict on finances etc (????) but I cant get official work documents any earlier.

Because of our long time in UK we've prefered to keep our money in UK bank current account and our UK savings accounts and just drawing from ATM on those accounts when needed so cant show 40Kmonth or whatever balance I believe they require in Thai bank.

[lopburi3]

You are generally better off with a family extension of stay (it opens more employment doors as requirements are a bit less and you are not tied to leaving if employment ends). But you do not qualify for an extension from Immigration on that basis without 40k family income that can be proven over a period of time. There is a special 60 extension of stay available for those married (one time use) which you could probably receive from Immigration - cost will be 1,900 baht and marriage proof. Otherwise another trip to Penang would seem to be in the cards. Normally income is not required for a single entry visa and even multi entry may be available there. I would urge you to obtain a local bank account as that seems to be something that is looked at by most immigration officers (even when not required). It is also good to have immediate access when the international circuits go down (as happened this year when the internet lines got cut).

[Cyberstar]

There is a special 60 extension of stay available for those married ...

That would be according to 7.23 in the police order... Does this extension of stay allow for a work permit to be granted? - (Or maintained, if you already got one?)

Edited October 29, 2007 by Cyberstar

[lopburi3]

If on a non immigrant visa entry, as you are, believe it will. But that is just a guess.

[phitsanulokjon]

You are generally better off with a family extension of stay (it opens more employment doors as requirements are a bit less and you are not tied to leaving if employment ends). But you do not qualify for an extension from Immigration on that basis without 40k family income that can be proven over a period of time. There is a special 60 extension of stay available for those married (one time use) which you could probably receive from Immigration - cost will be 1,900 baht and marriage proof. Otherwise another trip to Penang would seem to be in the cards. Normally income is not required for a single entry visa and even multi entry may be available there. I would urge you to obtain a local bank account as that seems to be something that is looked at by most immigration officers (even when not required). It is also good to have immediate access when the international circuits go down (as happened this year when the internet lines got cut).

Thanks guys - we do have a Thai bank a/c (opened a couple of weeks after we arrived here but generally keep only 40-50K in it for emergencies.

For the 60 day extension - is there any paperwork other than marriage cert, wifes id card, blue book likely to be asked for (i dont want to travel all the way to BK and find we're missing something !! Can take Thai bank book for good measure but are they likely to ask for proof that the job exists for example or anything else you can think of??

[lopburi3]

Probably good to have the wife with you but should not require any employment information.