Non O Marriage

[plachonubon]

I was about to book a ticket to peneng for mid feb to get another non o marriage visa, just read there is some trouble there! where would be the best place to go?

last year i went to KL but dont really like the place would rather go somewhere else.

any ideas ?

[lopburi3]

KL is the best choice as you know the rules - 100k in a bank account and the normal paperwork should get a one year visa. Can you meet the 400k or 40k requirements for extension of stay inside Thailand? That is the best option for most people if they can.

[plachonubon]

KL is the best choice as you know the rules - 100k in a bank account and the normal paperwork should get a one year visa. Can you meet the 400k or 40k requirements for extension of stay inside Thailand? That is the best option for most people if they can.

thanx for the post

yes I can meet the 400k in Thai account, BUT.....I do some part time work (no W/P) and as you have to draw map to your house I don't like the Idea of "them" turning up when I'm in a shirt and tie or me not being there and the neighbours saying he's "at work"

I feel it's "safer" to get a non o outside Thailand and do a border run every 90 days.

[ljerams]

KL is the best choice as you know the rules - 100k in a bank account and the normal paperwork should get a one year visa. Can you meet the 400k or 40k requirements for extension of stay inside Thailand? That is the best option for most people if they can.

thanx for the post

yes I can meet the 400k in Thai account, BUT.....I do some part time work (no W/P) and as you have to draw map to your house I don't like the Idea of "them" turning up when I'm in a shirt and tie or me not being there and the neighbours saying he's "at work"

I feel it's "safer" to get a non o outside Thailand and do a border run every 90 days.

For KL will you kindly advise what Documents have to be produced for a Visa Extension based upon a Thai wife. Can one obtain a one year Visa without 90 day Visa runs? Previously I have been doing my 90 day reporting at Bangkok.

My reason for asking is that Bangkok Immigration have allegedly stopped the combined income plus Bank balance method to exceed Baht 400,000.- This basis has been acceptable by the Immigration for at least 4 years in my case. My Lawyer is now trying to solve this problem but I need to know what other options exist?

Even today my Lawyer didn't know the rules had changed a year ago? and they must deal with hundreds of Expats annually.

[Mario2008]

For a multiple entry non-O from KL you will need to show at least 100,000 in the bank. You cannot obtain a 1 year visa without having to do a border run every 90 days.

Only when you have either an income of 40,000 a month (can be from abroad) or 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name can you get a 1 year extension.

Note that you can get a 60 day extension from immigration based on your marriage. Can't you just transfer the 400,000 to a bank account in your name only, ask for the 60 day extension and at the end apply for the 1 year extension of stay?

I won't comment on your lawyer, but the rules changed on November 25th 2008 and you an easily do an extension of stay based on marriage yourself.

[ljerams]

For a multiple entry non-O from KL you will need to show at least 100,000 in the bank. You cannot obtain a 1 year visa without having to do a border run every 90 days.

Only when you have either an income of 40,000 a month (can be from abroad) or 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name can you get a 1 year extension.

Note that you can get a 60 day extension from immigration based on your marriage. Can't you just transfer the 400,000 to a bank account in your name only, ask for the 60 day extension and at the end apply for the 1 year extension of stay?

I won't comment on your lawyer, but the rules changed on November 25th 2008 and you an easily do an extension of stay based on marriage yourself.

Thanks Mario. I have had no problems for the last 4 years or more but today I think we got the wrong Officer even though the Lawyers Employee was with us. She said the rules had been changed by her big boss and wouldn't risk any problems by approving our Application. It would still of course have to go upstairs for final approval anyway.

Hence, I am looking at other options should my Lawyer fail to get them to re-apply their own rules which have been satisfactory for some years.

As to the KL possibility, do you know what a 1 year multiple entry Visa will cost and how long it takes to issue? I'm trying to do a costing comparison at the moment. So far on some temporary figures it seems that the KL idea plus three Visa runs isn't a lot more expensive than the hassle of needing Baht 400,000 in the Bank and paying the Embassy, Bank and Lawyer all the various fees. Including the time wasted and petrol costs in obtaining those required Documents. If I could fly to KL one day and come back the next day, life would be much easier I have already confirmed the Visa runs take about 9 hours and are Baht 2,000 per trip including a packed meal.

[Mario2008]

You did not get the wrong officer. The rules changed per November 25th 2008 and now you can only use your own income or your own money in the bank. For the period till Nov. 2009 immigration had to descretion to follow the old rules for old cases like your. That is probably why you got the extension last year, despite the rule change.

As said, if you can the simplest way would be to get a 60 day extension and put the money in a bankaccount in your name only and after that apply for a 1 year extension.

Kl will indeed be applying on day 1 and pick it up on day 2. Not sure about the cost of the visa these days.

For the extension you don't need a lawyer. It is very simple, you just have to submit some papers, the same which you will probably have to give to your lawyer. 60 day extension is 1,900 baht, same as the 1 year extension, plus a small fee (100 or 2000 baht) for the bank letter confirming your money in the bank for 2 months.

[ljerams]

Thanks again. The KL idea plus freeing up some money from my Bank account is becoming more attractive.

So the rules had been changed but I have never seen any information on that. Also, I am supposed to comply with rules that existed when I made my first Application which I don't think have been changed?

Anyway many thanks for your input. I am still very confused as to why neither the Lawyer or her Staff didn't know about it. Only 5 hours ago she was still telling me the rules had not changed. I suggested to her that a Senior Thai Partner should have a little talk with the Immigration to see if they could help.

I have also noticed a rumour on a another Thread that they may reduce the Bank amount to 250,000.- I wonder!?

[Lite Beer]

From Police Order 2008

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

[ljerams]

From Police Order 2008

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Thanks but I know the rules having been here for more than twenty years. However, my understanding and it was very clearly stated by the Immigration previously, that official changes to the rules apply to new Applicants only and people who first applied before the 2008 revisions were published must comply with the rules that were applicable at the time of their first application.. I have never seen any changes to that requirement

Just to complicate matters, I have also been talking up thread about an unofficial Immigration rule that has been acceptable until we went there today.. I think they made the rule, for when Expats use professional assistance,Their Boss,apparently does not allow it anymore.

This should clarify my point.

[Lite Beer]

However, my understanding and it was very clearly stated by the Immigration previously, that official changes to the rules apply to new Applicants only and people who first applied before the 2008 revisions were published must comply with the rules that were applicable at the time of their first application.. I have never seen any changes to that requirement

That is a new one on me. Probably there own local rule that they have now reneged on.

[ljerams]

I think so. Not an official rule though.

Possibly a new brush sweeps clean result. That's why I said I await my Lawyer, or her Senior Thai Partner to try to persuade them to return to their original unofficial rules.

Failing that the KL Visa is becoming more attractive, releases tied up Bank money and is not a lot more expensive than existing Bank, Embassy and Legal fees.

Before I received a Work Permit, I did Visa runs and since retiring I have had absolutely no issues regarding Annual Visa renewal until today.

I have all the necessary documents and the Baht 100,000 is a better solution than Baht 400,000 being tied up by Immigration Regulations. My wife just jokingly said that I'll have to eat Mama everyday if I can't touch my money for four months

Ah well, we will just have to wait and see.

[lopburi3]

You are only grandfathered if it is included in the new laws. There is no such provision, that I am aware of, as I did it this way when I started so have that right forever.

[ljerams]

You are only grandfathered if it is included in the new laws. There is no such provision, that I am aware of, as I did it this way when I started so have that right forever.

Sorry, are you saying that you are not Grandfathered now? Your reply is a little confusing.

[rthara]

For KL please prepared all of you document and 100K in book bank also for a visa fee charge

Non-ImmO(Single entry = 220MYR) which is about 2200 Bht. or a little bit more depend on the exchanged rate

(Multiple entry = 550MYR) which is about 5500 Bht. or a little bit more

Also you have to pay by Malaysia ringkit.

[lopburi3]

You are only grandfathered if it is included in the new laws. There is no such provision, that I am aware of, as I did it this way when I started so have that right forever.

Sorry, are you saying that you are not Grandfathered now? Your reply is a little confusing.

Sorry was not talking about myself but as a type of action. That there is no automatic grandfathering of immigration laws.

[ljerams]

Thank you gentlemen.

I now have enough information for KL should I decide to go down that path.

Lopburi, thanks for your clarification.

[ljerams]

Sorry one more question.

Uptill now I have been obtaining one years extension's of my visa at Bangkok based on a Thai wife.. I am hoping that changing to a Multiple Visa at KL but with more than Baht100,000 in the Bank rather than Bangkoks requirement of Baht 400,000 is acceptable at KL?

[Lite Beer]

KL Issue Visas. Bangkok issue extensions. Two different things.

100,000 Baht has up to now been acceptable to the Thai Consulate in KL.

[ljerams]

KL Issue Visas. Bangkok issue extensions. Two different things.

100,000 Baht has up to now been acceptable to the Thai Consulate in KL.

I appreciate your point.

My specific question however was to do to with me changing an Application from Bangkok to KL? Is there any possible reason KL would not accept?

I do of course have more than enough documents.

[lopburi3]

They are two very different things - in Thailand it is an extension of stay from Immigration - at a Consulate it is a visa. There is no connection between the two.

[ljerams]

They are two very different things - in Thailand it is an extension of stay from Immigration - at a Consulate it is a visa. There is no connection between the two.

OK, I now understand you two gentlemen to be saying when KL see my Passport, the fact that I have previously had Extensions issued by Bangkok does not prevent KL from issuing a 12 month multiple entry Visa?

In fact my Passport was actually renewed one year ago before my one year Extension was issued.

[lopburi3]

Should not be any problem as long as you meet the normal visa issue requirements of the Consulate.

[ljerams]

Should not be any problem as long as you meet the normal visa issue requirements of the Consulate.

Many thanks.