Married, Child, Duel Citizenship, Not Much Cash!

[sk1max]

Looking for some advice. I'm legally married to a Thai, we have a 5 year old daughter and I don't have much income/cash in the bank. No monthly income to speak of or that would be eligible. I will be 50 years old soon. I have both British and American citizenship. I've been trying to put together the 400k Bht needed for the visa extention/permit stay. I have been living/staying here for about 7 years on O visas on the strength of being married. I alternate my passports for conveniences sake.

My question is; I recently visited Chiang Mai Immigration and read their list of requirments for the year extention. One part said if you have not been issued an extension prior. you need 400k bht. etc. Well back in 2003 when thing were a little easier and cheaper I did get a on year extension in my US passport. For many reasons I've gone with O visas since then. Do you think because I've have an extension in the past I'll be able to show the lower amount of 200k (the 2003 figure) ?? A long shot I know but worth asking, right?

Another question is that would I be forced to apply for a retrement visa when I turn 50 or would I still be allowed to apply for the extension based on marriage? I'm now here on a O visa in my British passport. How does the Thai immigration react to duel citizenship? I've never mentioned it to them and they never seemed to notice that I'm the same person same address etc but different passports. Anyway the 90 day trips and the annual visa renewal is getting expensive, anybody have any comments?

[samran]

you can get an extension of stay based on proven 40,000 baht per month household income.

I don't know your wifes salary, but if she performs 'consulting' services as a top up for her income and declares a total of 40,000 baht per month to the tax department then you'd get get a bill for approximately 2000 baht a month in taxes owed.

Based on this declaration, and tax paid, you can prove to immigration that your family meets the income requirements and get an extension of stay based on that.

And I'd be pretty sure that 6000 baht every 3 months paid to the tax man is cheaper than the time/cost/purchase price of a visa of a visa run every three months.

[lopburi3]

1. There is no 400k bank deposit option for new applicants so it is unlikely that you would qualify for either 400k or 200k methods. But you could ask and hope for the best.

2. There is no requirement to change to retirement at age 50. But it is preferred if you can meet the 800k requirement as there is much less paperwork involved.

3. At age 50, if things do not change, another option opens for you that does not require any monetary amount. If you live with child you can obtain extensions of stay under section 7.17 section 5 of police order 606/2006.

4. The support Thai wife has been changed to "family" and requires a family joint income of 40k per month - for local income tax records are normally what is required.

[Daffy D]

As “lopburi3” says if you are over 50 with a child you can get a year visa without showing any monies in the bank or as monthly income.

I have been doing this for two years now. It requires application to the Bangkok Immigration office as they seem to be the only ones to understand the relevant extension section.

You can do this yourself and some members have done it this way but I have always used Sunbelt Asia (sponsors on this forum) as they make the process virtually painless and the cost is reasonable.

Daffy

[sk1max]

As "lopburi3" says if you are over 50 with a child you can get a year visa without showing any monies in the bank or as monthly income.

I have been doing this for two years now. It requires application to the Bangkok Immigration office as they seem to be the only ones to understand the relevant extension section.

You can do this yourself and some members have done it this way but I have always used Sunbelt Asia (sponsors on this forum) as they make the process virtually painless and the cost is reasonable.

Daffy

Thaks for the informative response. I've downloaded the necessary documents, but the details of the law/sec 606 states that you need 40,000 bht per month income! Should I assume this is waived if you're over 50 and the father of a Thai citizen? How much does sunbelt charge for this process? Tanks again.

[Lite Beer]

As "lopburi3" says if you are over 50 with a child you can get a year visa without showing any monies in the bank or as monthly income.

I have been doing this for two years now. It requires application to the Bangkok Immigration office as they seem to be the only ones to understand the relevant extension section.

You can do this yourself and some members have done it this way but I have always used Sunbelt Asia (sponsors on this forum) as they make the process virtually painless and the cost is reasonable.

Daffy

Thaks for the informative response. I've downloaded the necessary documents, but the details of the law/sec 606 states that you need 40,000 bht per month income! Should I assume this is waived if you're over 50 and the father of a Thai citizen? How much does sunbelt charge for this process? Tanks again.

You are reading the wrong section.

You want 7.17.5

No money is officially needed , although they like to see some money in your bank.

Edited March 13, 2008 by Lite Beer

[lopburi3]

You will apply under para 5 (not 6). There is no financial requirement under section 7.17 criteria 5.

[sk1max]

You will apply under para 5 (not 6). There is no financial requirement under section 7.17 criteria 5.

Got it Sir, thank you so Much.

[Daffy D]

Sunbelt Visa

Sunbelt Visa charge 6500bt fo a one year visa.

This does not include the immigration costs - if I remember right total was about 8000bt.

Easy to check phone or e-mail them all very nice helpfull people.

Daffy.

[lopburi3]

Immigration cost for one year extenson of stay is 1,900 baht.

If you need a multi re-entry permit add 3,800 baht.

If you need to convert visa for extension add 2,000 baht.

[Badbanker]

I was in a similar situation to the OP about 18 months. Broke, just shy of the new rule section 7.17 criteria 5 and so I got a tourist visa for a month or 2 and did a visa run and swapped passports till I was 2 and a half months before my 50th birthday. Almost to the day I went to Savannakhet and got a non Imm O. I turned up a couple of weeks before my birthday and was informed that I could extend my non O visa the day after my birthday. I actually did this 5 days after my birthday as my birthday was on Saturday and the rest as they say is history.

Right now I am getting ready for the next 1 year extension on section 7.17 criteria 5. Probably post some info on this in a new thread!

Badbanker