Marriage visa

[halfpast_2]

hello i hope somebody can give me some advice.

i have been in thailand for 8 months on tourist visa, renting a home here but have recently married my thai girlfriend, my tourist visa expires in a few days. can anybody tell me the best place to get a marriage visa?? it would be cost effective for me to travel to malaysia but do you think i will get one there. i am not currently working but am planning on starting a small business but am taking time in looking around, is this a problem?? i have a good amount of cash in the bank in the uk.

anything else people can tell me, i would be grateful of.

thanks, andy. ???

[Guest Guest]

Take your marriage documents her ID and house registration book ( and her if possible ) and go to Penang. Can you comply with the banking as required by Immigration ? ( presently 200,000 Th baht )

[dr_Pat_Pong]

oops I wasn't registered. I'll take the blame for the above advice

[singa-traz]

Take your marriage documents her ID and house registration book ( and her if possible ) and go to Penang. Can you comply with the banking as required by Immigration ? ( presently 200,000 Th baht )

For the Bank Account, does it has to be your BA, her BA ... or a joint BA ?

[surin]

oops I wasn't registered. I'll take the blame for the above advice

That will be 1950 posts you've made now Doc!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

with a sense and accuracy rate of around 2%

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The bank account isn't an issue until one applies for a twelve month extension. The account can be joint.

[halfpast_2]

thank you everyone for the help.

si is it correct if i take the marraiage documents, her id and house registration book to the embassy in penang i should be ok?? she will also be coming along with me.

i can deposit the amount in the bank no problem but the transfer will take a while so i will no be able to do this by the time i visit the embassy.

do i apply for a multiple entry visa?? or a single three month visa and then try to extend it in bangkok??? if i get the extension does this mean i no longer need to go outside thailand every 3 months, just register in bangkok????

thanks andy.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Bank account with 200,000 baht, the docs you mention. A single entry should suffice, as long as you get into Immigration within 90 days with a very current letter from the bank evidencing your credit funds. If there's delays in getting your funds in, or other problems, get a multi. The extension they'll give you enables up to a one year stay. You MUST get a re-entry permit every time you leave. Get a multi re-entry permit from Immigration if you regularly travel.

[halfpast_2]

thanks dr, very helpful. sorry to keep asking but i get confused. if i get a 3month non-imm extended to one year do i then extend every year or leave and reapply for a new visa???

i am considering maybe going back to the uk to do it as then i can sort the money transfer myself and also visit relatives, is the uk embassy ok do you know for issueing visa's??? i assume i need to take the same paperwork, although my wife would not be coming along. what do you think???

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You only need to extend that same visa in Thailand each year., no need for another visa next or in subsequent years After 3 years you are eligible ( on present rules ) for residency. If you can get the extension done within 90 days, a single entry will suffice. The letter from the bank is a must. They may want to see your passbook, but the letter from the bank in Thailand dated within a few days of your application is a must. If the Embassy gives you any hassles, apply by mail from a Consulate ...Hull or Birmingham are fast and reliable.

[lopburi3]

First step is the vacation to Penang and obtaining a non immigrant class O visa. I would get multi entry as the cost is not that much more and you then have more options if there is any delay in later money transfer. For either a single entry or multi entry you will need photos, copy of you marriage certificate and perhaps your wife's ID card. I don't believe you will need her home register but if available go ahead and take it (all they should be concerned with is that you are living together and with her there with you she can answer that question).

After you enter on that visa and make the transfer of funds to get you account above 200k (joint or your own), and with less than 30 days remaining on your 90 day stay you go to a local immigration office and apply for a one year extension of your visa as supporting a Thai wife. You then need to present photo (s), letter from bank addressed to immigration that account holds xxx,xxx funds within a week before, photos together, wife, her ID card, home register and/or perhaps lease to prove where you live, bank book, marriage certificate and passport, tm6 and the extension request form. Copies of everything will be required and have to be signed by you, wife or both depending on whose they are. You then, probably receive a 40 day or so extension of stay and when that complete receive extension up to the time of your original 90 day entry. You do this extension process each year a few days before that date at immigration inside Thailand. You no longer have to exit the country.

If you plan travel you should obtain a re entry permit prior (at same time extension is approved is what most do). If you remain in Thailand more than 90 days you must presently also report you address on a special form each 90 day period.

If you really need to do the transfer paperwork with a visit strongly suggest you obtain the multi entry type visa in Penang and then you will not need to have any dealings in London. You just come and go as you please during the period it is valid. The only restriction is that you can not stay in Thailand longer than 90 days at a time. When ready to extend you do so when a stay is within the last 30 days.