Need Advice

[seely1974]

Hello all,

This is my first post so please bear with me. I have been working legally with a work permit as a teacher in Thailand for the past three years. Over the past three years I have worked with same school and they took care of my Visa and Work Permit. So I'm not sure how to proceed so I can stay here legally. My situation is as follows.

1. I haven't been formally released yet. I still am on a 90 day extension and work permit valid until May 2010. My 90 days is up this on the 26th August. I am not sure when I will be officially released from my job. Soon I believe.

2. I am married and can apply for the spouse Visa. Is it just a case of applying ASAP or should I leave the country first?

3. Is there anything else I need to consider or should know?

Thank you.

[lopburi3]

You say you are on a 90 day extension. Are you sure? Extensions of stay are normally one year. Visa entry stamps are 90 days. Did you get your current 90 day stay on an entry into Thailand? It is important for answer to your post. Do you meet the 40k income or 400k in bank account for two months to obtain spouse extension of stay? You are a man married to a Thai woman?

[seely1974]

You say you are on a 90 day extension. Are you sure? Extensions of stay are normally one year. Visa entry stamps are 90 days. Did you get your current 90 day stay on an entry into Thailand? It is important for answer to your post. Do you meet the 40k income or 400k in bank account for two months to obtain spouse extension of stay? You are a man married to a Thai woman?

Ok, pardon me while I get the terminology straight. Thanks for the clarification. The stamp in my passport says "application of stay is permitted up to 9th May 2010." Then it is signed by the the immigration officer and dated 26th May 2009.

I am in the process of finding new employment and I have had more than 400k in my bank account for more than 2 months.

[lopburi3]

I would try to extend now in the case, change to spouse extension of stay based on the 400k in bank account two months. Need wife with you and letter of account balance from bank/passbook/copies; your passport/arrival card/copies; her ID card/home register/copys; photo together at residence and showing number in one; map to home; current 4x6cm photo and 1,900 baht.

If they do not allow early you will have to do quickly once termination letter received - you then visit immigration to cancel your extension of stay and apply for new one - if you can not do that day you can get a 7 day extension to provide more time. The main point is your current extension of stay ends the day your work ends.

[seely1974]

I would try to extend now in the case, change to spouse extension of stay based on the 400k in bank account two months. Need wife with you and letter of account balance from bank/passbook/copies; your passport/arrival card/copies; her ID card/home register/copys; photo together at residence and showing number in one; map to home; current 4x6cm photo and 1,900 baht.

If they do not allow early you will have to do quickly once termination letter received - you then visit immigration to cancel your extension of stay and apply for new one - if you can not do that day you can get a 7 day extension to provide more time. The main point is your current extension of stay ends the day your work ends.

I live in Nonthaburi and the school has been using the immigration office in Ayutthaya. For the spouse extension do I go to immigration in Bangkok or Ayutthaya? Is the letter from the bank necessary or will just the bank book do? Thank you so much.

[Crossy]

I live in Nonthaburi and the school has been using the immigration office in Ayutthaya. For the spouse extension do I go to immigration in Bangkok or Ayutthaya? Is the letter from the bank necessary or will just the bank book do? Thank you so much.

Your file will be at the Ayutthaya office so I'd go there, much less hassle and friendlier staff than BKK anyway.

Yes, you do need the bank letter, it must show the same balance as the book and be no more than a couple of days old.