Non Immigrant O Visa - Based On Marriage

[Wonderpet]

Hi All

I have a question if anyone can help. I have just received my 1 Year Single Entry Non Immigrant O Visa from London.

I am going to Thailand next week and the embassy said i can stay for 3 months and then go to immigration.

Could anyone let me know

1. Do i have to show 800,000 baht in the bank

2. Or - I have been reading that if i earn 40,000 baht a month that is ok (But then wouldnt i need a Work Permit to do that)

3. Or is there so other way.

Thanks in advance

James

[Mario2008]

You don't have a one year visa. What you have is a single entry non-immigrant visa based on marriage. It allows you to stay in Thailand for 3 months. What the embassy told you is that you can extend your stay to one year, if you meet the requirements.

For that you do not need to show 800,000, that is for retirement. For your situation the requirement is a family income of at least 40,000 baht per month. That means of you and/or your wife combined and can even be from abroad, in which case you need a leter from your embassy stating what you earn.

On your visa you can get a workpermit, which will allow you to work, if you can find an employer.

[lopburi3]

800k in bank account for for retirement extension of stay for those over age 50.

For marriage (family) extension of stay the requirement is family income of 40k per month. If Thai/earned in Thailand tax documents required. If foreign source Embassy letter required, and in at least some cases proof of local bank account/bank letter of account/transfers.

[Lite Beer]

If you cannot meet the 40,000 a month income. Maybe you should change your Visa for a Multi Entry Non Imm O .

Giving you up to 15 months stay in Thailand but needing a hop over the border every 90 days.

[Wonderpet]

Hi

Thank you all very much for your replies. I cant believe when i said at the Embassy is it alright to show 800,000 baht they said 'yes'.

My next question then is can i change my visa in Thailand to be a multiple entry Non Imm 'O'.

Otherwise i have just spent £45 on a single entry !!!

I might have been better off with a Tourist Visa (lol)

Thanks

James

[Lite Beer]

Hi

Thank you all very much for your replies. I cant believe when i said at the Embassy is it alright to show 800,000 baht they said 'yes'.

My next question then is can i change my visa in Thailand to be a multiple entry Non Imm 'O'.

Otherwise i have just spent £45 on a single entry !!!

I might have been better off with a Tourist Visa (lol)

Thanks

James

You can show 800,000 if you are over 50 and get a year extension.

You cannot get a Non Imm O Multi in Thailand.

You may be able to get one in Malaysia as you are married to a Thai

[lopburi3]

But the 800k would have to be in the account for 90 days prior to application for retirement extension of stay.

[Wonderpet]

Hi Again

So is there no way i can just show money in the bank. Basically you mean i have to work and get a work permit to stay longer than 3 months. I also have a baby and a wife.

Thanks

James

[lopburi3]

For extension of stay using family the only option is 40k per month family income.

Your wife can earn the income - proof is paid tax. This can easily be done as no company type accounting is required to pay personal income tax. If you earn the income overseas (such as pension) and your Embassy confirms your income in a letter that can be used.

If you can not obtain extensions of stay the next best option is multi entry non immigrant O visa for 90 day entry which only requires a few minutes exit every 90 days.

If over age 50 there are other options but you have not advised if you are or are not.

[dsfbrit]

Wonderpet

I know it IS confusing isn't it. Don't feel bad about not understanding the rules, I have lived here 5 years and still cannot keep up with the changes.

That is a feature of living in Thailand - so you may as well get used to it.

The reason you may be confused about the bank deposit method (it used to be 400K) in the bank option for the extension based on Marriage, is that up until 18 months ago - when the Government changed the rules - you could use this method.

Just to make it more 'fun', people like me who are married to a Thai and used to use the 400K in the bank method - STILL CAN!!!

They let us continue with this method. So you may read about this method still being used.

However, new applicants like yourself cannot.

The 800K deposit in the bank method can be used by retirees over the age of 50. This rule has not changed for some time, but 18 months ago, the Government did decide the money had to be in the account 90 days before you applied for the visa. This was to stop people just borrowing the 800K the day before to satisfy the rule - then giving it back the day after.

Same thing with the 400K deposit for me. Except not only do I have to put it in the bank 90 days before the visa application, but I have to leave it in there until the extension is granted - which can take about 2 months.

Good Luck, I have to renew my visa extension based on marriage next month - I 'eagerly' await any new little changes they have in store!!!