Can I Get A New Non-Immigrant "O" Visa While In Thailand?

[pfbmainman]

Hi. I have held a non-immigrant "O" visa for the last 2 years. The first time I got it in Sri Lanka where I was staying, and last year I got it in the UK when I went home for a visit. The visa has now expired, but as I came in before it expired I have an entry permit until mid -December. I have a Thai wife and own a condo here in Thailand, but I am not 50 yet. I have not worked here.

I want to renew my non-immigrant "O" visa. Can I do this here in Thailand? Cheers!

[PoorSucker]

From Police order 777/2551

2.18 In the case of a family member of a Thai(applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of his/her spouse):

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) Proof of family relationship

(3) In the case of a spouse, the marital relationship shall be dejure (legitimate) and de facto;

(4) In the case of a child, adopted child or child of his/her spouse, the said person must not be married, must be living with the family, and must be less than 20 years of age; or

(5) In the case of a parent, one of parents must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit of not less than 400,000 baht for expenses within a year.

(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.

Note: Two months first extension after that 3 months

Documents needed:

1. Application form T.M. 7 with one photograph size 4x6 cm. and Visa Fee 1900.-Baht

2. Copy Marriage Certificate

3. Copy Kor Ror 2 from amphur office (not older than six months)

4. Child's birth certificate (if any)

5. Copy wife’s house registration

6. Copy wife’s identity card

7. Copy passport, non-Im visa, arrival card.

8. Interview the husband and wife for confirming status of husband and wife

9. Map to residency

10. Picture of house and family, in house and outside showing house number.

With money in bank option.

1. Letter from bank same day or day before stating bank records, make a transaction just before to get it up to date.

2. Bank account must be in Husbands name, joint accounts will not qualify.

With Income option

1. A copy of work permit

2. Personal Corporation income Tax (PND.1) in latest 3 months and personal income tax for previous year with receipt

If not in Bangkok, all of the above in two copies

[lopburi3]

The above post outlines the extension of stay for Thai wife. It is not a new non immigrant O visa as that can not be obtained in Thailand but is the normal choice for people who live here full time and can meet the financial requirements.

KL is the normal place to obtain a new non immigrant O visa (as you previously held) in the region and requires marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card/home register and proof of 100k in bank (plus a trip there to obtain).

[DavidBKK8]

Is this requirement for 400,000 baht in the bank for only 2 months, not three months, something new? Or, in my case, does it apply to people like me who have been here for a year already and have 400K in the bank for 2 months, but not that third month? Or is the 2 month rule only for new arrivals?

From Police order 777/2551

2.18 In the case of a family member of a Thai(applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of his/her spouse):

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

(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.

Note: Two months first extension after that 3 months

Does anybody have any experience with the 2 months extension, and successfully?

I put the 400,000 baht into my bank account just over 2 months ago but less than 3 months before my latest visa expires next week. I have a 1 year non-immigrant O multiple entry visa with my Thai marriage certificate from September 2009, whereby I entered at the end of September 2009, and am now on my latest re-entry visa in September which gets me until next Wednesday, November 17, 2010, my 14th month in Thailand on this visa. I booked a 1-way flight out for Sunday to visit an embassy with my marriage certificate and with my wife, since I didn't know about the 2 month thing.

Does the 2 month bank item apply to me? I've also got a work permit and been making 50K/month and paying taxes for about 9 months now (but didn't save enough for 400K until two months ago).

I'd be happy to lose our 2 flight tickets on Sunday and cut my losses because we would save money on the 2 return tickets plus hotel and expenses, plus we wouldn't both be away from work for 3 days.

Just now found out about the 2 months and Immigration is closed, so I will need to make a guess based on feedback here. Of course, my decision and full responsibility. If I get bad advice, I still thank you for your efforts on my behalf, and it's my fault for not seeing this information sooner, plus Immigration moves the goals posts from time to time and officers have their own varied opinions and judgments ... and they might say that the 2 months does not apply to me because it's intended for people first arriving who can't possibly have money in the bank for 3 months.

Any experiences or opinions?

[Lite Beer]

The Official rule is 2 months. Many Immigration Offices require 3 months after the first year.

You will have to ask your local office.

[lopburi3]

First application will only require 2 months. After first one year extension of stay it may require 3 months (although the rule was not written that way for marriage it was for retirement and they are normally the same). So you should be good to go for first application for one year extension of stay with 2 months. The 60 day extension of stay is also relatively easy to obtain and many people have used it for various reasons. But you should not need it.

[PoorSucker]

Basically the idea was that when you go for the marriage extension you get one month under consideration.

This would do the the 3 months.

But nobody understood the idea and started to implement their own rules.

[lopburi3]

It is two months for first application so that it can be done on a single 90 day non immigrant visa entry. The time under review is not set at one month and can take a longer or shorter period depending on conditions and workload.