New Immigration Laws

[win09]

I have been in Thailand 6 years, a non-immigrant visa type "O". I went the immigration

office in Nong Khai to renew my visa. I thought all my paper work was in order.

The joint account bank account I had with my wife was no longer valid. I was told that

I needed a bank account with name only, valid 3 months prior to applying for renewal?

My renewal as of now does not meet the rquirement, so I had to get a 3 month extenson

which for which I was charged 1,900 baht.

This means I will need a new letter from the bank.

In additon to the above mentioned, I was told that Photo's of the front of house, my bedroom

and me and my wife were also required. Also, a map showing the location of my house.

I was told that this was in effect for all provinces. has any heard anything like this from immigration?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Yes, those rules aren't very new, been in effect for some time now.

I see you just signed up for ThaiVisa, good, keep on a reading the forum, lots of good information here, and some disinformation that gets corrected pretty quickly.

Mac

[Crossy]

Yup ^^^, IIRC the rules were rationalised in November last year, you obviously just squeezed in

[jamesjdaly]

Below is a comprehensive list I have drawn up whilst scaveging for info myself over the months. A lot of people say that many things in this list are unnecessary. Maybe, but bring them all along with you anyway and produce only what is asked for. Don't give 'em too much!!! Hope this helps

TM7 application form & photo

B1,900 fee

Passport & Arrival Card (TM6)

Signed copy of passport & TM6

90 days report slips

Marriage certificate

Signed copy of marriage cert

Tabien Baan

Signed copy of Tabien Baan

ID card

Signed copy of ID card

Wife’s passport

Signed copy of wife’s passport

Bank letter

Updated Savings book

Signed copy of savings book

ATM receipt

Signed map of address

Photos of house/wedding

[beano2274]

Good list by JamesDaly, however some offices ask for the copy from the Registrars book when you get married

[Daffy D]

Just to add, you need everything in duplicate.

Two copies of everything.

[win09]

Thanks for the update. I am wondering if any of this info is posted in

one place, it should be in the immigration office. Better yet, there should

be a handout for revisions.

I've been in and out this country since 1967, it truly is amazing!

[thaiphoon]

The problem is different immigration offices interpret the rules in different ways, and of course can ask for additional documents as they see fit.

[jamesjdaly]

I've added a few guidelines in red.

TM7 application form & photo printed on both sides of A4 sheet

B1,900 fee exact cash as sometimes "no change!!" scam is used

Passport & Arrival Card (TM6)

Signed copy of passport & TM6 all pages with reference to Thai stamps and visas

90 days report slips

Marriage certificate and Registrar's certificate (คร2)

Signed copy of marriage cert and Registrar's cert (คร2)

Tabien Baan

Signed copy of Tabien Baan

ID card

Signed copy of ID card

Wife's passport

Signed copy of wife's passport data page only is enough

Bank letter dated day before application is OK

Updated Savings book updated the day of application

Signed copy of savings book all pages

ATM receipt dated day of application (shows extra proof of balance)

Signed map of address

Photos of house/wedding you and wife in all rooms of your house and some taken outside the front door showing the house/flat number

[jamesjdaly]

Thanks for the update. I am wondering if any of this info is posted in

one place, it should be in the immigration office. Better yet, there should

be a handout for revisions.

I've been in and out this country since 1967, it truly is amazing!

Then you show know that Immigration is a law unto itself!!

[xerostar]

And don't forget if you need to leave Thailand for any reason

you will need to apply for a re-entry permit TM.8 and you'll need

an extra passport photo to go with that.

Plus the fee which is 3800 Baht for a multi-re-entry permit.

or 1000 Baht for the single re-entry permit.

I'm no expert so MOD please delete this if I'm in error.

Thanks

[thaiphoon]

Yes, will need re-entry permit to keep new permission to stay alive if planning on travel during the period.

[win09]

And don't forget if you need to leave Thailand for any reason

you will need to apply for a re-entry permit TM.8 and you'll need

an extra passport photo to go with that.

Plus the fee which is 3800 Baht for a multi-re-entry permit.

or 1000 Baht for the single re-entry permit.

I'm no expert so MOD please delete this if I'm in error.

Thanks

Here in Nong Khai re-entry permit is issued at Immgration Office.

Upon returning to Thailand must go back to same office

[Lite Beer]

A Re Entry Permit is issued by the Immigration Office that issued the extension.

[merijn]

In Phuket they don't ask for the pictures from the house or wedding etc.

But the map with house location is required.

[win09]

I've added a few guidelines in red.

TM7 application form & photo printed on both sides of A4 sheet

<< SNIP>>

Photos of house/wedding

Let me some additional info:

Required amount must be in account 3 months prior to renewal, also bank account must

in husbands name 3 months prior to renewal! I was told this applies to all provinces?

[thaiphoon]

Let me some additional info:

Required amount must be in account 3 months prior to renewal, also bank account must

in husbands name 3 months prior to renewal! I was told this applies to all provinces?

Funds need to be in Thai bank account in your name for 3 months for renewals (2 months for first application)

[kikoman]

I went to the new Immigration office in Nakhon Sawan Yesterday.

The Immigration officer was very professional and did a total review of my paperwork!

I prepared My TM-7 and two complete copies of my paper work.

He requested a copy of my Non Immigration Visa stamp with the Entry Stamp.In the last 4 years ,I only included my Entry Stamp into Thailand.

What was required ,Was

TM-7-Original only (no copy)

Certified Income letter from my Embassy.

Letter of my bank balance from my Thai bank.

copy of my Passport Picture page signed.

copy of my 2008 Retirement Visa, signed.

Copy of my Departure Card TM-6 signed.

copy of my TM-6 front page Signed.

copy of my Non-Immigrant Visa, With stamp USED and entry date, signed.

That was all the officer asked for!

When ever I go to the immigration office I take along pictures of my house, land papers, marriage certificate and divorce papers certified by Thailand legal office among many other items, in my 9 years in Thailand I have never been asked to produce any other documentation but those mentioned above.

All in All it was great doing my visa in Nakhon Sawan, instead of Bangkok/Mai Sot. Next year I see a faster process as these new offices are just getting their operation off the ground.

PS They gave me a new 90 day address report date! And 1,900 baht charge for my Visa!

Cheers:

[kikoman]

What type of Visa were you applying for, a married to Thai citizen visa or a Retirement Visa.

It is my guess that may be where the difference is.

My Visa is for Retirement!

Cheers:

[Mario2008]

The income letter plus bank balence letter suggests an extension of stay based on retirement.

[Troebal]

I thought the money in the bank period was changed last year to 2 months. I was last March and that was not my first application.

[Mario2008]

I thought the money in the bank period was changed last year to 2 months. I was last March and that was not my first application.

That depends on what kind of extension are you talking baout:

Retirement: first extension: 2 month, all other extensions 3 months

marriage: 2 months, but many immigration office want you to have the money there for 3 months after your first extension.

[Troebal]

Marriage. Done in Pattaya last year. 5th or 6th extension. They only wanted 2 months.

[Lite Beer]

The Police Order says 2 months and at first Immigration Offices were applying that. Gradually they have mostly come round to 3 months.

It would appear to have been a mistake in the rules.

Always a good idea to go and ask.

[Troebal]

Guess I gotta start moving some money.

[Lite Beer]

Guess I gotta start moving some money.

Me and you both.

I put my money in a bond in the UK based on the fact that it would be 2 months as the rule stated when it was first issued. It will be cutting it a bit fine this time.

[kikoman]

I keep a Thai Bank account and deposit my money monthly, I do not keep 800,000. baht in the bank. I have some savings and show that I deposit much more than the required 65,000 baht per month minimum.

The requirement states 800,000. Baht in the bank !

Documentation that you recieve an outside income of more than 65,000 baht per month, deposited in a Thai bank!

Or a combination of both!

I have had the same bank account, same bank for 7 years. I have never had a problem with the money requirement.

Cheers:

[Mario2008]

The requirement is not that you show 65,000 a month in your bankaccount. The requirement is that you show an income of at least 65,000 baht a month, which you can also recieve on a bankaccount outside Thailand.

Depositing money is not the same as having an income.

[kikoman]

I noted that you need documentation that you recieve "outside income " of at least 65,000 baht per month.

Or 800,000 baht in the bank

or a combination of both.

I maintained a Thai bank account for 7 years now and do not worry about how much money is in the account , 3 months before visa renewal!

I had a Thai bank account years before I applied for a Retirement Visa!

Cheers:

[TaoNow]

kikoman: why did your local immigration officer want to see your bank book.

I thought you were using the 65,000 baht/month pension method with a certification letter from your embassy.

If that is the case, then there should be no need to look at your Thai bank account since, as Mario2008 has pointed out, there is no requirement to transfer funds into Thailand from your off-shore pension or retirement account.