Thai Wife Visa Changes - True/False?

[UbonOz]

My very good friend of thirty years has just telephoned me regarding changes to the renewal of the Thai wife visa.

He is no good on computers so I said I would try TV forum and see if anybody can clarify.

I do not use the same immigration office as him as I do not live in the same area, so I am unable to check the details personally.

The office that he attends is renowned for collecting tea money and we thought this maybe just another way to increase their income.

Today he visited the office to renew his visa and was given a letter regarding the changes that need to be complied with.

The changes to the Visa Application for Marriage to a Thai national are:

1. Letter does not mention that THB400,000 needs to be seasoned in bank for three months prior to renewal. Previously this was a condition.

2. Needs to provide evidence that the funds were transferred from overseas. Not just show your bank book. Has to be in writing from the financial institution.

3. Provide copies of children's birth certificates. Never needed before. Does it mean your child or child of your wife from previous relationship as well? What do children have to do with it, you are applying to renew your visa because you are married to a Thai national, with or without children.

4. Copy of passport needs to be legally certified that it is a true copy. Not needed before.

5. He did mention something about proof of residential address. Sorry, have forgotten what he said.

Anyway, my question is, have these changes been formulated to provide additional income? Or is it a national change?

Surely, if there are significant changes should it not be advised when people do their 90 day visit so they are prepared to take all the correct documents when they go for their annual renewal.

We know for a fact that if you do not comply with any supposed regulation at this particular office you can pay X baht and all will be fine.

If anybody can offer advice on this issue it will be greatly appreciated.

[Mario2008]

The rules didn't change, maybe that office has a new boss and thus slightly different rules.

Money only needs to be seasoned for 2 months

Money does not need to come from overseas

Birth certificates are not unheard of, having children together confirms the relationship is real

certifying of a passport by who? Most times it means you have to sign all copies

Stating the office will be useful, UbonOz will be a clue.

[moe666]

Without knowing the name of the office how can people give you an answer to your questions. Maybe I applied and got a renwal there with no problem but without the name who knows. The regulations are avaliable on Thaivisa and as far as I know no changes have been made but as some know each office can be a law unto themselves

[UbonOz]

The rules didn't change, maybe that office has a new boss and thus slightly different rules.

Money only needs to be seasoned for 2 months

Money does not need to come from overseas

Birth certificates are not unheard of, having children together confirms the relationship is real

certifying of a passport by who? Most times it means you have to sign all copies

Stating the office will be useful, UbonOz will be a clue.

Thanks for the reply.

No, it is not my area that is in question, it is my friends. The office I attend are straight as you can get. So no clues to where it is.

The passport has to legally certified true copy, by a lawyer I assume. I know before you just signed the copies you give to immigration.

From your comments, this change is not a legal requirement and does not need to be complied with?

[UbonOz]

Without knowing the name of the office how can people give you an answer to your questions. Maybe I applied and got a renwal there with no problem but without the name who knows. The regulations are avaliable on Thaivisa and as far as I know no changes have been made but as some know each office can be a law unto themselves

That is the sad and sickening part, they should not be a law unto themselves, people are just being exploited. Surely, the law is the law and rules are rules regardless of your geographic location.

[UbonOz]

The rules didn't change, maybe that office has a new boss and thus slightly different rules.

Money only needs to be seasoned for 2 months

Money does not need to come from overseas

Birth certificates are not unheard of, having children together confirms the relationship is real

certifying of a passport by who? Most times it means you have to sign all copies

Stating the office will be useful, UbonOz will be a clue.

Is it safe to name the location?

[moe666]

Without knowing the name of the office how can people give you an answer to your questions. Maybe I applied and got a renwal there with no problem but without the name who knows. The regulations are avaliable on Thaivisa and as far as I know no changes have been made but as some know each office can be a law unto themselves

That is the sad and sickening part, they should not be a law unto themselves, people are just being exploited. Surely, the law is the law and rules are rules regardless of your geographic location.

Under the guide lines it says a officer can ask for additional info to help him or her to make the correct decision. Maybe he will just have to fork over the tea money at least he knows he has that option.

[UbonOz]

Without knowing the name of the office how can people give you an answer to your questions. Maybe I applied and got a renwal there with no problem but without the name who knows. The regulations are avaliable on Thaivisa and as far as I know no changes have been made but as some know each office can be a law unto themselves

That is the sad and sickening part, they should not be a law unto themselves, people are just being exploited. Surely, the law is the law and rules are rules regardless of your geographic location.

Under the guide lines it says a officer can ask for additional info to help him or her to make the correct decision. Maybe he will just have to fork over the tea money at least he knows he has that option.

He has been using the same office for several years so why now they need additional information.

I realise he can pay the tea money. Personally I would pay external services for whatever they request to ensure they do not get tea money.

[consigliere]

1. Letter does not mention that THB400,000 needs to be seasoned in bank for three months prior to renewal. Previously this was a condition.

I was told it is two months.

2. Needs to provide evidence that the funds were transferred from overseas. Not just show your bank book. Has to be in writing from the financial institution.

Not what I was told - just show the book. They just want to see your name and that you've got the required amount flowing in somehow.

3. Provide copies of children's birth certificates. Never needed before. Does it mean your child or child of your wife from previous relationship as well? What do children have to do with it, you are applying to renew your visa because you are married to a Thai national, with or without children.

I was asked for these. Don't know why, didn't bother asking as it's not a big deal to show them.

4. Copy of passport needs to be legally certified that it is a true copy. Not needed before.

No - I provided copies from my printer.

5. He did mention something about proof of residential address. Sorry, have forgotten what he said.

My wife was with me and she was asked for the rental agreement for our house. I was really surprised and was lucky she had it with her.

[attrayant]

4. Copy of passport needs to be legally certified that it is a true copy.

If true, this is insane. Hand them your passport. Then hand them the copy of your passport. If they have functioning eyeballs, all they need to do is look at the original and copy side-by-side to see if the copy is an accurate representation of the original.

Certifications of copies are usually only needed when documents are translated into Thai, because not all immigration staff at every regional office are going to be fluent in your native language.