How To Get A Non-Immigration Visa Based On Marriage From A Tourist Visa

[SandyYosyingyong]

hi all experts out there,

I am here writing on behalf of my bf ..

I am a Thai national, working for the govt, and my bf is a British national.

We have been together for 3 years now, we met here..

however, we had to go back to the uk last year to save up the money since he wants to live here with me..

he has been back for 6 months now, on A TOURIST VISA WITH EXTENSION.

We have just bought a condo together, in my name.

We are planning to get a registration as a couple at one of the district in Bangkok.

here are some questions i would love to get some clarification on..

1. In order to get a non-immigration type O, he needs to convert from his tourist visa right when we have the marriage certification right?? HOW SO? can he get it converted in the immigration in Chaeng Wattana or does he have to leave the country?? i have read so many websites that gave me all different answers.

2. to get a non-immigration O type (which is based on a legal marriage to me) what does he need beside from having 400k in the bank and letter from the bank manager?

3. and after he has been granted with the non-immigration O type and he wants to get an extension to stay up to a year..he still needs 400k in the bank right? or what does he really need?

all these can be done at the immigration head quarter in Chaeng Wattana?

Thank you soooooooooooo much

Sandy

[lopburi3]

1-2. He needs to get married first. Then he can obtain a non immigrant O visa from a Consulate using marriage certificate/copy of your ID and home register and return. Or if he has the money for extension of stay visit immigration at Chiang Watanna with you and marriage paperwork/your ID/home register and if using 400k passbook in his name only and bank letter of account balance for the 2,000 baht conversion.

3. He will have to appear with you again and full paperwork showing 400k in account for 2 months during the last 30 days of permitted to stay. Be sure to have some proof of residence (if not your home register) and photos inside and outside with at least one showing number. A new bank letter and copies of passbook will be required.

[SandyYosyingyong]

dear lopburi

thank you so much for the answers..

so

1-2 ..i have read some posts and they have mentioned that he can get a conversion and an extension at the same time if he goes there with 400k in his account at least 2 months before ...

conversion costs 2000 baht and extension costs 1900 baht right? and both can be done at Chaeng Wattana? i meant to get a conversion he can get it done in the country, he does not have to get it done outside Thailand right?

sorry if im too confused, just too much info from too many places .. just want to get it right on before we go thats all

[SandyYosyingyong]

also, he is planning to apply for a work permit after the registration.....

however, I am just wondering.. the work permit is required or necessary for his non-o visa extension?

[beano2274]

also, he is planning to apply for a work permit after the registration.....

however, I am just wondering.. the work permit is required or necessary for his non-o visa extension?

Not necessary at all, but if using the income from Thailand he will need to prove he is working here with WP and Tax stuff, if he has the 400,000baht in the bank then no need.

[lopburi3]

Work permit has nothing to do with extension but will require he has a non immigrant visa entry before issued.

Do not believe Bangkok does both for marriage at same time but you can try if meet the 2 month requirement and can present full paperwork as the paperwork is the same and will save doing again two months later and having to get the paperwork out again. Yes both done at Chiang Watanna (which is kind of nice with restaurants/banks/shopping on ground floor) and costs are as you mentioned. For marriage there is a 30 day under review (committee decision) so have to come back for the final stamp. At that time if any trips out of country are possible it would be good insurance to obtain a re-entry permit to keep the current extension of stay alive if he has to leave/return. Cost is 1,000 baht and in case of emergency travel can be well worth it as insurance.

[SandyYosyingyong]

Lance_A_Lot, on 2009-08-28 16:03:42, said:

If it is, can he then convert the Tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant Visa based on marriage without returning to his home country? If this can be done, what are the requirements?

"No, a visa cannot be changed, but after their marriage he can apply for an extension of stay based on Non-immigrant visa type O and based on marriage. He would first normally get a 30 days permission granted whilst the application is under review."

as the message that I came across shows.....

is this correct then that visa cannot be changed but my bf will just be issued with an extension..(rather than a conversion of visas?)

maybe the term "conversion" is not correct to be used here?

[beano2274]

It will be an extension granted for having a Thai Wife, which is a Non Immigrant O. But remember it is an extension not a VISA. Then every year he applies and gets a new renewal.

[SandyYosyingyong]

thank a bunch!

[lopburi3]

He must first obtain a non immigrant visa entry - that is the 2k step. Once here on a 90 day non immigrant visa entry he can obtain the one year extension of stay for 1,900 baht. He can not extend his tourist visa directly.

[steve187]

similar thread here -

[lopburi3]

His first step will be the TM.86 from his tourist visa - and this should be done with at least a week remaining on stay (used to be 21 days but most accept less now).

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/download/tm86.doc

[SandyYosyingyong]

I see..

so please lets me get this right..

after we got our marriage certificate..

then he goes to Chaeng Wattana (either with or without me) to first obtain a non immigrant visa entry with the proof of 400k in the bank given that he has at least 21 days on his current tourist visa? (I said 21 days just to be safe

then after 90 we go back to Chaeng Wattana and get his extension to a year with also 400k as his financial proof?

Am I correctly understanding this now?

[lopburi3]

He goes with you and marriage paperwork (you are very important). If money is already seasoned the two months they might do both steps as same time (which saves time/money/paperwork) but if not you both return between 60-80 days later (go a few days early in case some paper is required) for the extension and then again he will have to return 30 days after that for the actual stamp.

[CharlieH]

In case you dont know, he'll need to go to the UK Embassy before any of the above and and get an "affirmation to Marry", get that translated and registered with with MFA.

[SandyYosyingyong]

Thanks! much appreciated

[PoorSucker]

Hi Sandy.

Not all Immigrations offices do the conversion from tourist visa to non-O, and insist you do it in BKK.

Basically you need the same documentation as for extension of stay.

As for you working in government it will not help in the process.

First of all you need to get married.

Your VF need to get an affirmation that he's free to get married from the UK embassy in BKK.

This needs to get translated and verified by MFA (ministry of foreign affairs)

Then you are free to get married at any Amphur.

When you are married your BF can get 60 day extension for visiting his wife.

From Police order 777/2551

2.24 In the case of an alien visiting a Thai spouse or child:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 60 days at a time.

(1) Proof of relationship.

(2) In the case of a spouse, their marital relationship shall be de jure (legitimate) and de facto.

This will give some more time, as for getting the 1 year extension of stay he must have 400.000 baht in a Thai bank for two months.

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 that foreign ladies married to Thai men don't have to show income or money in bank.

Paperwork needed for 1 year extension of stay:

1. Two application forms T.M. 7 with two photographs 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 (names of roads and house marked in Thai)

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 in Thailand 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

With Income from abroad.

1. Embassy letter stating your income.

All of the above in two copies, if not in BKK

[SandyYosyingyong]

hi......one more question please!

we we both go to get his initial non-immigration O visa at Chaeng Wattana (at least 21 days left on his current tourist visa)....is his soon-to-be non immigration O visa a single or multiple entry?

his parents and granparents are still in the UK and as he mentioned that he may go visit them during the next year or two

Thank you!

[lopburi3]

The non immigrant is a single 90 day entry. Any exit/return will require a re-entry permit prior to leaving.

[PoorSucker]

Re-entry permits are 1000 for single and 3800 for multiple re-entry.

[SandyYosyingyong]

"Any exit/return will require a re-entry permit prior to leaving. "

and as you have mentioned, all he has to do to get his re-entry permit is to go to the immigration and get the application with the fee of 1,000 baht paid right?

[SandyYosyingyong]

I see.....and he can apply for this at Chaeng Wattana office?

[PoorSucker]

I see.....and he can apply for this at Chaeng Wattana office?

He must apply for it at the office where he lives. (gets his extension)

[lopburi3]

Yes using this form - but remember it is only valid for the current permitted to stay date so he will not want to obtain until after getting the final one year extension of stay stamp.

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/download/tm8.doc

[SandyYosyingyong]

Also, if, after being married with me for 3 years and during these 3 consecutive years he hasnt left Thailand at all....he will be qualified to apply for a permanent residency right?

I was reading some articles, and they said being from being here 3 consecutive years, he will also need to have a work permit for these 3 said years too .. am I right?

What else does he need to be qualified for the permanent residency?

[SandyYosyingyong]

We bought a condo in Bang Na (Near Suvarnabhumi Airport) you know where Bitech is.....and my house registration is also with Bang Na district, Bangkok.

but we both need to go to Chaeng Wattana to get his non-immigration O and also extension..right? or where does he go to get his extension of his non-immigration O? (however, if the official is nice and willing to do these 2 procedures at the same time then .. this means he will only need to contact Chaeng Wattana office?)

[lopburi3]

For Bangkok it will be done at Chiang Watanna.

As for PR income of 80k per month tax payments are a normal basic requirement but it is a point system. Suggest he read the information in the thread dedicated to PR.

[SandyYosyingyong]

THANKS!