Hi, my first post/thread, so be gentle with me. I'm a sensitive soul from the NE of England ( now in perth oz )

I'm after some clarity on Non Immigrant visas.

In June/July 2011 my Thai wife and I will be ( hopefully ) moving to Thailand.

We have a nice home in Bangkok, a couple of properties in pattaya, family land in both the north and south. We wont need to pay rent or anything

Money wise, we should be fine.

I want to work, not so much for the money, but rather to keep me busy. I'm not a bar fly, and I'm used to waking up early and going to work every day. It's a habit.

My understanding is that I can apply for a Non Immigrant visa ( O, A ???? ) based on my being married to Thai national.

I have questions that would normally be handled to the Thai consulate in perth, but sadly this no longer exists.

1. I read that I have to have 400k thb in a thai bank for 2 or more months prior to the visa being granted. Yes or No.

That being the case, I thought I'd be unable to open a thai bank account before having a visa giving me the right to open one...chicken egg stuff

2. I want to avoid to doing visa runs to cambodia etc. Does such a visa preclude this? I'm reading I need to renew every 90 days. Does that mean leaving the country or going to an

immigation office?

3. What happens after the first year's visa has expired?

Apologies in advance if this is all old ground, and that I may ask for further guidance.

Edited December 14, 201015 yr by makkam

1. That requirement is for an extension of stay based on having a Thai wife. The visa can be obtained from Brisbane with proof of marriage.

2. No visa is longer than a 90 day stay per entry so will will want a one year extension of stay from Immigration after you have the money in account for two months (first time).

3. You continue to obtain one year extensions of stay for Thai wife using the 400k in bank account 3 months prior to application or 40k per month income.

Edit: in case you are not aware to work here requires a work permit and most jobs would not qualify.

1 you apply for a visa based on your marriage, this will be a non-immigrant O visa. Either single or multiple. Single will do.

For the visa there is no need to season any money, you probably won't be asked to show you have money at all.

2. Upon entry into Thailand you will get a permission to stay for 90 days. In the lat 30 days of these 90 days you can apply for an extension of stay at immirgation for 1 year based on your marriage.

It is for this that you either show an income of 40,000 a month OR 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name, for at least 2 months. So as soon as you arrive, open a bank account.

3. When the 1 year extension is over, you just apply for a new 1 year extension of stay.

As a returning Thai national, your wife can import household goods duty free into Thailand.

1. That requirement is for an extension of stay based on having a Thai wife. The visa can be obtained from Brisbane with proof of marriage.

2. No visa is longer than a 90 day stay per entry so will will want a one year extension of stay from Immigration after you have the money in account for two months (first time).

3. You continue to obtain one year extensions of stay for Thai wife using the 400k in bank account 3 months prior to application or 40k per month income.

Edit: in case you are not aware to work here requires a work permit and most jobs would not qualify.

Cheers for that.

I think I'll go to melbourne, it's quicker and cheaper than getting to brisbane..and the coffee is a lot better. It's such a bummer they closed the perth consulate.

Sorry to sound thick but will I need to leave thailand for extensions?

Workwise, I want to do the english teacher gig. I have a degree ( business ) from Oz so I should be Ok. The only issue maybe age

1 you apply for a visa based on your marriage, this will be a non-immigrant O visa. Either single or multiple. Single will do.

For the visa there is no need to season any money, you probably won't be asked to show you have money at all.

2. Upon entry into Thailand you will get a permission to stay for 90 days. In the lat 30 days of these 90 days you can apply for an extension of stay at immirgation for 1 year based on your marriage.

It is for this that you either show an income of 40,000 a month OR 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name, for at least 2 months. So as soon as you arrive, open a bank account.

3. When the 1 year extension is over, you just apply for a new 1 year extension of stay.

As a returning Thai national, your wife can import household goods duty free into Thailand.

I dont suppose that would include a motorbike???

No need to leave Thailand, you are extending your permission to stay, not the visa. Just apply again about 30 days before each permission to stay expires. However, if you decide to exit Thailand be sure to get a re-entry permit before departing.

Edited December 14, 201015 yr by beechguy

The only place you can get an extension is in Thailand itself, from immigration.

A motorbike is not included in household good, and from what I understand not advisable to import because of the costs. You can find tips on how to do it the most cost effectively in the motorcycle section.

1 you apply for a visa based on your marriage, this will be a non-immigrant O visa. Either single or multiple. Single will do.

For the visa there is no need to season any money, you probably won't be asked to show you have money at all.

2. Upon entry into Thailand you will get a permission to stay for 90 days. In the lat 30 days of these 90 days you can apply for an extension of stay at immirgation for 1 year based on your marriage.

It is for this that you either show an income of 40,000 a month OR 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name, for at least 2 months. So as soon as you arrive, open a bank account.

3. When the 1 year extension is over, you just apply for a new 1 year extension of stay.

As a returning Thai national, your wife can import household goods duty free into Thailand.

I have just recently been informed that to open a bank account I need to have been living in Thailand for 6 months, according to their bank regulations.

I maybe misunderstanding but that implies at the 60 day stage of the first 90 days I wont be able to prove my financial bona fides.

Or am missing something???

Or am missing something???

Yes.

Banks will let you open an account straight away.

Sometimes it takes a bit of leg work but you will find one.

Different counter staff within the same bank will have different ideas. Even different branches of the same bank will have different views.

Keep trying.

I opened a bank account with the Bangkok bank after spending 90 days in Thailand without any problems at all... they were happy to get my custom. This was at the head office of the bank close to the Sala Daeng BTS station

You don't need to do border runs anymore... just report to your local immigration office every 90 days.

Edited December 15, 201015 yr by Murgatroyd

Regarding the bank account...

I take vacations to Thailand approximately every 3 to 4 months for 3 weeks at a time. During my last trip I walked into Kasikorn Bank with my passport, cell phone, and the address of the hotel I was staying in. With those three things I was able to open up a savings account. I was charged 500 baht (one-time fee) for an ATM card. Total process took about 10 minutes. With Kasikorn Bank I can manage the account on-line while I'm out of the country, which is great.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the replies people.

You have all been both helpful and reassuring.

I think I'm going to enjoy frequenting this board