Non Immigrant O "new Rules"

[soumanioco]

Hey everybody,

being staying in Thailand for over 2 years straight on non-imm O visa as i'm married to a thai. My thai wife had been, till now, the sole income provider of the 40k needed and my one year extensions were given without any hassle.

However in my last visit to the imm off i was told that she can no more cover for me and that i need to show 400k deposit in thai bank and for me to do so they gave me the 60 day extension and are now waiting for me to present my bank account book.

When i said i've heard of that rule plus there was (and still is) no mention in the official thai immigration website they ungrily responded: Do I need to repeat myself? These are the "new rules".

Anybody has any idea???

[Lite Beer]

The rules changed November 25th 2008.

For a 12 Month Extension (not a visa) based on Marriage to a Thai Lady it has to be the Husband's money/income.

(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.

[Mario2008]

The rules changed in Nov. 2008. The income has to be yours only now, the same goes for the money in the bank. It has to be a bank account in your name only.

Seems immigration was right and did what they could for you. You will have to arrange for 400,000 in your bankaccount, today.

[soumanioco]

The rules changed in Nov. 2008. The income has to be yours only now, the same goes for the money in the bank. It has to be a bank account in your name only.

Seems immigration was right and did what they could for you. You will have to arrange for 400,000 in your bankaccount, today.

ok guys, thanks

[Tafia]

Does the combination method (income & cash in bank) apply to marriage extensions?

......or is it 400,000 bank or 40,000 per mth.

[Mario2008]

No. For an extension based on marriage you cannnot use a combination of income and money in the bank.

[Tafia]

No. For an extension based on marriage you cannnot use a combination of income and money in the bank.

Thanks Mario, thought so

[blakegeee]

The rules changed in Nov. 2008. The income has to be yours only now, the same goes for the money in the bank. It has to be a bank account in your name only.

Seems immigration was right and did what they could for you. You will have to arrange for 400,000 in your bankaccount, today.

ok guys, thanks

In my experience, it takes very little to convince your embassy/consulate that you make 40K per month. Then they will make an affidavit with you to provide as proof for immigration. Get (or "have made") a letter from a Co. back home saying that they pay you each month.

[Mario2008]

That only goes for some embassies, like the US where you have to make a sworn statement. Most embassies require proof of income, like tax returns etc.

Know that making a false sworn statement is a crime. Also Thai immigration will not say "never mind" if they find out.

[Dah fahrang]

The rules changed in Nov. 2008. The income has to be yours only now, the same goes for the money in the bank. It has to be a bank account in your name only.

Seems immigration was right and did what they could for you. You will have to arrange for 400,000 in your bankaccount, today.

ok guys, thanks

In my experience, it takes very little to convince your embassy/consulate that you make 40K per month. Then they will make an affidavit with you to provide as proof for immigration. Get (or "have made") a letter from a Co. back home saying that they pay you each month.

Not many years back, extensions of stay were available without 400K or 800K being required to be seasoned for three months.

Joint bank accounts were accepted - husband and wife combination incomes were OK for extending the fahrang 'hubbies' visa.

Because these reasonable rules were being openly flouted, along came the new police order to tighten up - impacting on all fahrang visa extendees.

Here we have another suggestion about being less than honest? in dealing with both Embassies and Immigration.

Fortunately, most embassies require to see proof before they will put themselves on the line and write a proof of income letter that is genuine, and accurate.

So, for the time being, let's all hope not too many clever people follow this idea, and immigration will continue to act in good faith on the basis of requiring the Proof of Income letter only - and not change the law again by demanding supporting evidence of income - translated into Thai - and give everyone the run-around in retaliation for those few who seem to make sport out of taking the p*ss.

[lopburi3]

Actually the money had to be the husbands and proof of it coming into Thailand was often required and bank passbooks were carefully examined for that. Only for a very brief period was joint income allowed.

The Embassy proof is not proof and no check of documents is made by most. Those that will lie to the US Embassy under oath would likely photo-shop documents if they were required.

[beano2274]

I use a letter for my extension, the original and a copy are given to the Embassy, they then process their letter, I receive the Original and the Letter of Income, they keep the copy.

I have always used the letter means of getting an extension. There are no checks carried out by the Embassy to ascertain if the

Company letter is true or false, however my employer is very well known.