I am going to the Canadian consulate tomorrow with papers in hand to apply for marriage affidavit. I have divorce papers from previous marriage (in Thai)to take with me along with my passport. There is a spot on the affidavit form for OCCUPATION and MONTHLY INCOME. I am currently a STUDENT (registered in a Canadian university on a full time distance study program) and living in Thailand on an EDU visa studying Thai language on the side with a severely limited MONTH INCOME that does me fine here in LOS, and the wife has a decent enough job that she looks after herself (and me sometimes too :>)

Does anyone think the OCCUPATION of STUDENT with a severely limited MONTHLY INCOME should raise any eyebrows, questions, or pose any potential problems at either the Canadian embassy, Laksi office when verify Thai translation of affidavit, or at the Amphur in Bangkok?

Other than that I think everything else looks fairly straightforward.

Also, the wife is going to translate the document herself, which she does on a regular basis as gov't officer writing proposals and presentations for both Thai and English audiences. Does anyone think would pose any kind of issue if Laksi/Amphur sees a document not translated at some "official" or recognized translation office? I realize the whole point of the trip to Laksi is to verify the translation, but I just thought I would add that in in case anyone thought of something I have not or has any experience that might be relevant.

cheers,

suk

It will be up to the District Office if they will marry you but have not seen any reports of refusal if you have the letter.

The letter must be registered with MFA and know for a fact they used to require translator certification so an outside translation could not be used until signed by a registered translation service. But have seen reports that it is not required now so you can try and if not acceptable believe they can direct you to a service that will sign off for a small fee.

but have not seen any reports of refusal if you have the letter.

So, I appologise gfor not being more clear, but do you think, and I realize no one can tell me for sure unless they have the exact same experience, the embassy, Laksi, or the Amphur could/or are likely to balk at the occupation of STUDENT or low reported MONTHLY INCOME?

It did not occur to me until I looked over my old paperwork from previous marriage and saw those two questions, and now it is sort of nagging at me if it will be viewed a potential issue.

The letter must be registered with MFA and know for a fact they used to require translator certification so an outside translation could not be used until signed by a registered translation service. But have seen reports that it is not required now so you can try and if not acceptable believe they can direct you to a service that will sign off for a small fee.

I think if there is any doubt then to save a PITA at Laksi then I will just tell the wife we will get a translation office to take care of the translation end of things.

Edited December 27, 201015 yr by sukkha

Although the form requires you to show an income, I doubt it is a reason to deny your marriage if you cannot show an income.

Thai law simply doesn't require one to have a minimum income to get married. Denying you to get married because of insufficient income would be against the law.

As far as I know, the requirement for the income is only for people needing a marriage visa. If you already have a visa for education then you probably don't need to show any funds in the bank.

If you switch your visa from an education visa to a marriage visa then you will have to show funds in the bank.

If you were trying to get a marriage visa, I am not sure if it has changed, the wife's income is also calculated into the funds you are required to have.

As far as I know, the requirement for the income is only for people needing a marriage visa. If you already have a visa for education then you probably don't need to show any funds in the bank.

If you switch your visa from an education visa to a marriage visa then you will have to show funds in the bank.

If you were trying to get a marriage visa, I am not sure if it has changed, the wife's income is also calculated into the funds you are required to have.

The letter form the embassy that you are free to marry must contain certain information, one required item is that it lists you income.

However, there is no minimum income required. At least for the letter from my embassy.

As far as I know, the requirement for the income is only for people needing a marriage visa. If you already have a visa for education then you probably don't need to show any funds in the bank.

If you switch your visa from an education visa to a marriage visa then you will have to show funds in the bank.

If you were trying to get a marriage visa, I am not sure if it has changed, the wife's income is also calculated into the funds you are required to have.

Yes the Law has changed about a year ago, the income is yours alone as the applicant, not dual.(this is for visa or an extension to a previous visa)

We are not discussing visas or extensions of stay in this thread.

The letter form the embassy that you are free to marry must contain certain information, one required item is that it lists you income.

However, there is no minimum income required. At least for the letter from my embassy.

True. Don't worry OP. When I got my letter from the British Embassy I didn't actually have an income as I'd left my job in Bangkok and was just " kicking back". When I explained this to the bloke at the Embassy he just simply said " Stick anything down"

It will be up to the District Office if they will marry you but have not seen any reports of refusal if you have the letter.

The letter must be registered with MFA and know for a fact they used to require translator certification so an outside translation could not be used until signed by a registered translation service. But have seen reports that it is not required now so you can try and if not acceptable believe they can direct you to a service that will sign off for a small fee.

As of June 2010 the affidavit from the Embassy still had to translated into Thai. Maybe has changed since then.

Yes any paperwork for District Office must be in Thai. The reference was if translation could be done by anyone or needs to be a registered translator.

Your wife/gf CANNOT do the translation herself (February 2010).

The MFA will not accept any translation not done by their 'approved' translators (I strongly suspect kick-backs).

(been there, tried it earlier this year, MFA refused but keep the fee)

As Lopburi says, rules may have changed recently, but you will be risking the MFA fee if they reject the translation

The income on the form doesn't matter at all, but there are no checks done on the income by anyone anyway .... you can fill in whatever you like.

If you do try DIY can I just point out no English script is allowed in the translation (numbers are OK)

All Names and addresses must be translated into Thai script ..... even if the result is nonsense.

Edited December 29, 201015 yr by pjclark1

Although the form requires you to show an income, I doubt it is a reason to deny your marriage if you cannot show an income.

Thai law simply doesn't require one to have a minimum income to get married. Denying you to get married because of insufficient income would be against the law.

Also there is no requirement for income on a E.D. visa

Edited December 29, 201015 yr by david555

Yes any paperwork for District Office must be in Thai. The reference was if translation could be done by anyone or needs to be a registered translator.

Your wife/gf CANNOT do the translation herself (February 2010).

The MFA will not accept any translation not done by their 'approved' translators (I strongly suspect kick-backs).

(been there, tried it earlier this year, MFA refused but keep the fee)

As Lopburi says, rules may have changed recently, but you will be risking the MFA fee if they reject the translation

It's been awhile since my wife and I first intended to take care of this last little detail because we got sidetracked and busy. But we finally took care of business the other day and I am happy to report that after my wife talked to someone at a local amphur she felt confident her translation would be accepted by Laksi office, and she was correct. There was NO problem getting her translated copy approved. They only required her to attach her name and contact info to the sheet when we submitted the forms for processing.

I am not sure if we just got lucky or not, but it seems pretty logical since the reason for Laksi's stamp of approval seems to be proof of their approval of the translation, it seems crazy that you would "have" to go to an approved translation service to have the document translated. If these translation offices were truly approved by Laksi then there would be no reason to go to Laksi.

When I inquired at the Canadian embassy about the translation requirements they admitted to being absolutely clueless, but were generous enough to provide a list of recommended translators if required (hrmmm).

Oh well, continuing to live and learn.

The reason for the MFA registration is to make it a legal document - they do not verify translation so if incorrect it would remain incorrect. That has been the reason they have required an official translation service signature on the registered copy in the past. As this document is rather standard expect they are able to spot obvious errors so may not be as strict as for something they would not have knowledge about.