Non Imm O Based On Marriage Question

[flying]

Planning & wondering,

I have been on may trips with a Type O but only stay 3 months.

Now that we are considering moving permanently the one thing

I am not sure about is the reporting/border runs.

If I as an over 50yr old American get a Type O based on marriage

would I need to do border runs every 90 days?

Or am I allowed to mail it in like those on a retirement visa?

I understand I need to show the seasoned 400k in the bank.

That is no problem but I am not clear about the 90 day rules.

Also when obtaining the initial visa I plan to do it here in the USA

but, with the O based on marriage to a Thai

do I have to do all the extras included in the retirement version?

Namely the police, health etc? I only see it listed as a requirement on the

retirement version of the O visa.

Which led me to wonder about the 90 day reporting as I know the retirement types

do not need to leave the country every 90 days.

Lastly I prefer the O based on marriage because I have read here it is *usually*

possible to obtain a work permit on it & impossible on a retirement visa.

While I do not plan to work I like to leave the option/possibility open.

Thank You in advance for any advice/help offered

[beechguy]

You could apply for a Non-Immigrant "O", enter Thailand and with 30 days remaining apply for a one year "Extension of Stay". Then no need to leave Thailand, just do 90 day address reports.

[flying]

You could apply for a Non-Immigrant "O", enter Thailand and with 30 days remaining apply for a one year "Extension of Stay". Then no need to leave Thailand, just do 90 day address reports.

Thanks beechguy

So your saying just a regular type O single or multi visa......

Then in Thailand convert to "extension of stay" at least 30 days before it expires.

So at that point it is not a visa change per se' but an extension to the original?

It is great that you can do the 90 day address reports without leaving.

Very happy to hear that!

Is all else the same as based on marriage Visa? Meaning the bank balance etc?

Lastly...Is there a limit on consecutive extension of stays? If we move we do not plan on returning to the US.

Thanks

[wayned]

If you enter Thailand on a Non-O visa, based on marriage to a Thai, and are over 50, you have at least two options to extend the visa. One for marriage purposes, and one for retirement purposses. In either case the extension is for one year and you only have to do 90 day reports at the office responsible for the area where you live, you do not have to do "border runs". Not all offices will allow you to report by mail.

If using the bank deposit method, the money must be in a Thai bank, in yout name only, for 2 months before you apply. Marriage - 400000 baht, retirement - 800000 baht. If you use the income method you must obtain an "Income Affidavit" from the US Embassy. The requirents are: marriage - 40000 baht/month, retirement - 65000 baht/month. You cannot work on a retirement extension but can, in some locations, on a marriage.

The FBI check or the Medical certificate are not required for either the marriage or retirement extension in Thailand, only for the O/A visa that you would apply for in the US.

If you qualify, most immigration offices would prefer that you apply for the retirement extension. There is less paperwork and it is easier for both you and them The marriage extension requires more paperwork from you, a visit by immigration/police to your home to take pictures and talk to your neighbors, and a second visit to immigration after a month to get your extension. I qualify for either, applied for marriage and by the time I left the office was "convinced" that I really wanted to retire and left with a retirement extension.

Good luck!

[flying]

Thank You for the info Wayne

I would just use the 400k route & again am happy to hear I need not do border runs.

I do not mind being a lifelong guest somewhere but did not like the thought of having to exit &

enter the country every 90 days for the rest of my life

I will be initially based in Chiang Mai where we own a condo already.

hopefully I will not be convinced into the retirement visa

I think the possible option for a WP is a nice to have benefit of the marriage based version.

Thanks

[Lite Beer]

The procedure will be more or less as follows.

(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.

Letter from your Thai Bank showing balance and up to date bank book.

OR.

Letter from your Embassy showing income. Now may also need proof of income as back up.

Marriage Certificate

Marriage Registry entry.

Wife's Tabbien Baan and ID Card.

Your Passport.

Copies of everything.

Photos of you and your Wife in and around the house.

A map showing the way to your house.

Passport size photos and 1,900 Baht fee.

Take your Wife to be interviewed.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

[flying]

Thanks LB

Very thorough answer appreciated

One question on needed paperwork.....Copies of everything.

Do you mean copies of all the things you stated above that statement?

Happy to see I have all of the things you mentioned

Thanks Again

[lopburi3]

Copies of everything above and the number required varies from one to three depending on office used. The original Embassy letter is normally taken now so if in Bangkok no copy would be required.

[Lite Beer]

You will find that whatever you provide will either be too much or not enough.

They will let you know at the time.

[CWMcMurray]

The best way to ensure you are not 'convinced' to do retirement option is to make sure the bank account has at least 400k buy not 800k...

If you have 800k or advise them that you have a pension of at least. 65k per month or at east enough of a pension to meet the combined savings/income to meet the retirement option... They will likely do everything possible to try and 'Convince' you to go they retirement route

[Lifer]

I disagree. Yes they might ask you why your not gettting a retirement visa instead of marriqage visa because the paperwork is easier and done locally for them. However, it is always your choice. If you use the married route you can get a work permit to work or volunteer somewhere in Thailand easy. If you choose the retirement route, you can not get a work permit. You decide based on your needs, but are never forced to use retirment route vs marriage route.

[flying]

Ok thanks again to all I think I am clear now.

Thanks for making it all easy/understandable

As to the copies quantity...yes I have heard

That is ok as I also heard most places have a copy service nearby but I will just

overdo it to be sure before I arrive

Thanks

[TerryLH]

"You decide based on your needs, but are never forced to use retirment route vs marriage route."

I think the word being used is 'convinced', not forced.

OP, just tell them, only if asked, that you want the marriage option so that you can get a work permit and work legally.

[wayned]

To put this argument to rest, I was the one who used the word convinced and that was exactly what it was, I was not forced to go the retirement route. I had quit my job and was on an extension based on employment so I extended for 60 days, looked for other employmnet unsucessfully, so I decided to apply for a marriage extension so that I could work if I found employment. I drove to Bangkok and got the "income Affidavit" from the US Embassy. I applied in Ckoc Chai just after they opened. Evidently the requirement for the Kor Ror 2 form had come up since my last marriage extension in 2003 and I didn't have one. So the officer "convinced" me to go the retirement route rather than go back to the Amphur office in Bang Bua Thong for the form.. She said that it was easier for them and I wouldn't have to come back unless I found employment. She told me that if I did she could cancel the retirement extension and I could apply for a marriage extension with the Kor Ror 2 form if I found a job. I never even looked after that. The only reason that I said anything is that there have been repeated posts on TV that indicate that Immigration would rather that you go twith theretirement extension if you quailfy. It was totally ny decision in the end!

[Sophon]

So your saying just a regular type O single or multi visa......

Then in Thailand convert to "extension of stay" at least 30 days before it expires.

Note that you apply for the extension within the last 30 days of your permission to stay, not "at least 30 days before it expires". Most immigration offices will not accept your application for the extension if you have more than 30 days left on your current permission to stay.

Sophon

[arminbkk]

Just to make it clear: that is within the last 30 days before the date of the stamp, not the visa sticker?

Since, if one plans well, the date your 'permission to stay' expires, can be almost 90 days after the actual visa expires.

[lopburi3]

Correct.

[flying]

Hello again

Had one more question & did not want to start a new thread.

We are getting ready to leave the USA & will need to get my 90 day Non Imm O based

on marriage visa.

Which as outlined in this thread I will convert in the last 30 days to 1 year extension

again based on marriage.

Is there any reason I should pay more for a multi entry on my initial Non Imm O ?

I know I will convert in the last 30 days but is there ever the chance of a problem

in which case the multi would be useful?

I will not have money problems as I already have the seasoned account but

am just wondering if it would be wise or wasteful to buy the multi entry as security?

Thanks for any tips.

[steve187]

no a single entry will do the job, there should be no problems, but if needed a 60 day extension to visit Thai wife is available, don't forget that once on the 1 year extension, should you have to leave Thailand for any reason, a re-entry permit will be required, to keep your 1 year extension alive. available from local immigration offices prior to leaving.

all the best

[Lite Beer]

As said a single entry will be sufficient.

[flying]

Thanks folks & also thank you Steve for the reminder to not leave without re-entry permit.

That could happen as I have never used one before.

Also thanks for the additional fail safe of a 60 day extension possible info.

Much appreciated