Non-immigrant O (marriage)

[frogpatrol]

Hi,

I've done a search on this topic and have found some valuable info. But I was hoping some board members could add their thoughts on a few additional non-imm O (or O-A?) questions.

As for my background, I've been married to a Thai lady for several years (marriage certificate here in Bangkok) and have been working legally with a work permit and Non-imm B VISA for a long time.

Just recently, though, my job status has changed and I will now need to switch to an O VISA, I guess. See how things go for a year before making the next move.

I live in Bangkok.

My questions are:

1. Is there any consulate in Asia which is easier than the others to get this O type VISA? I was thinking of flying to Hong Kong (my wife likes it there) with my wife and applying there. Is HK doable? How about Burma?

Do any regional consulates NOT give this type of O VISA?

I cannot apply here in Bangkok, right?

2. As far as the financial evidence goes, I have the necessary 400,000 Baht, but it is in a Thai Farmers Bank account with my name, not hers.

Does this have to be changed to a joint account or is my name alone ok?

3. No cross border jumping is necessary after this VISA is granted, right?

Thanks!

Edited May 27, 2005 by frogpatrol

[kenkannif]

I think (check with the experts though) that you can probably use your Non-imm B in place of a Non-imm O, so you might be able to sort it all at Immigration here in Bangkok with no need to leave the country for a new Visa.

[lopburi3]

What you seem to want to do is change from the B to O class of visa and extend your stay on the basis of support Thai wife with the 400k in the bank. For this you should be able to do the process at Suan Phau without going overseas as they can change your visa class for 2,000 baht and provide extension for 1,900 baht.

1. You do not need from Consulate but Penang is the best place for a Consulate issued O visa and multi entry type is normally available with marriage certificate and copy of wife ID card. As said above you should be able to do the process in Bangkok as long as you currently have some type of visa.

2. 400k in your name is fine.

3. If you had just a visa it would only allow 90 day stay - but if you get the extension of stay (400k/wife/Tm.7/interview) no border trips will be required (but you will have to report address every 90 days).

[Khutan]

1. Is there any consulate in Asia which is easier than the others to get this O type VISA?

Do any regional consulates NOT give this type of O VISA?

I cannot apply here in Bangkok, right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hear Penang is the easiest, but the last time I changed from B to O I went to Vientiane.

I would speak to a lawyer about changing a non-b to a non-o. I think you can for about 10,000 Baht - so maybe a good I am not 100% sure.

2. As far as the financial evidence goes, I have the necessary 400,000 Baht, but it is in a Thai Farmers Bank account with my name, not hers. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats fine you will need a letter signed and stamed by the branch as well. I did my extension with the funds in my account only

3. No cross border jumping is necessary after this VISA is granted, right?

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely, once you have the 12 month extension, dated from when you enter Thailand, you can sit and watch Thai Television for a year.

You must do your 90 day reporting.

BTW, you can then get a WP on your NON-O if your mployment situation changes - I have one.

Good Luck

[frogpatrol]

Thanks, everyone. VERY useful replies. You may have just saved me some money on trips, too, which is great for me (wife may not be thrilled, though)

Cheers,

f

[dr_Pat_Pong]

1. Is there any consulate in Asia which is easier than the others to get this O type VISA?

Do any regional consulates NOT give this type of O VISA?

I cannot apply here in Bangkok, right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hear Penang is the easiest, but the last time I changed from B to O I went to Vientiane.

I would speak to a lawyer about changing a non-b to a non-o. I think you can for about 10,000 Baht - so maybe a good I am not 100% sure.

2. As far as the financial evidence goes, I have the necessary 400,000 Baht, but it is in a Thai Farmers Bank account with my name, not hers. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats fine you will need a letter signed and stamed by the branch as well. I did my extension with the funds in my account only

3. No cross border jumping is necessary after this VISA is granted, right?

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely, once you have the 12 month extension, dated from when you enter Thailand, you can sit and watch Thai Television for a year.

You must do your 90 day reporting.

BTW, you can then get a WP on your NON-O if your mployment situation changes - I have one.

Good Luck

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A year of Thai Television will cause him to hurry abroad

[Sunny Valentine]

Wondering if in his situation it would be necessary to prove the money (400000 Bt) coming from abroad? As he has been working here in Thailand legally before (WP) he might have saved enough money during that time in order to support his wife?

Sunny

[dr_Pat_Pong]

He is legally married and legally working. No problems.

[Sunny Valentine]

Now, Doctor, does that mean that once you worked legally in Thailand for a while, you can extend your Support of Thai wife O Visa with the proof of sufficient money, even when this money does not come from abroad?

How is this procedure enforced in practise? How long could you get on with it? Say, I work here for a Year, and then switch to support without work, and show fresh 400000 Bt every Year on renewal, without having the money transferred from abroad, I would be ok?

Sunny

[lopburi3]

The first year should not be a problem. Later it might be hard to answer the question about income on the yearly interview sheet if you can not show it coming from abroad.

[Khutan]

A year of Thai Television will cause him to hurry abroad

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I always wondered why you spend so much time in TV.com.

After watching Thai television, the reason is simple. The question in now rhetorical.

[Totster]

A year of Thai Television will cause him to hurry abroad

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No escape from it abroad...

totster

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I never thought of that