Extentsio Of Stay - Have To Leave Country ?

[pete66]

I have a 1-year non-immigrant "O" visa and want to do an extension of stay for year "2" (and "3"), is it right that if this is successful and I obtain an extension of stay, I no longer have to leave the country every 90 days in years 2 and 3, just have to meet the other requirements (money in bank, proof of relationship).

If so, that's a great money saver ....

thx,

[wayned]

You can extend your permission to stay for one year during the last 30 days of any entry as long as you meet the requirements for the extension, marriage or retirement. During that year you do not have to leave the country, only do 90 day address reports at the immigration office that is responsible for where you live. Most offices will allow you to do the report by mail.

[Lite Beer]

I am assuming you are talking about an extension of stay being Married to a Thai Lady.

(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.

[pete66]

ok, thanks. Actually the reason I got the "O" visa because although I am divorced from my thai wife, I play a fully active role in bringing up my Thai step-daughter and (real) son. For instance, they stay with me during all school vacations, I own a condo here etc. I think I read somewhere recently that this was no longer "valid" for issuing "O" visas. Will the same apply for extensions? Or should I just go and chat with immigration officials and "feel them out" (for want of a better term) to see if I have a chance of getting an extension?

thx again

[Mario2008]

Having been married, the children are your legal children and that is suffiicient reason for a (multiple) non-O visa. The discussion a while back was about persons who are not the legal father, you are the legal father.

For an extension of stay, it might be a bit more complicated, as they will probably want the children to stay with you and that will be an important factor. Do inquire with your local immirgation office what they require for this extension of stay.

A condo is only a reason for an extesion of stay if it is worth more than 10 million.

[lopburi3]

I do not believe Consulates in SEA will issue multi entry for children. Only for marriage and even then it may require financials.

[pete66]

I do not believe Consulates in SEA will issue multi entry for children. Only for marriage and even then it may require financials.

My question pertains to extension of stay, not issuing of initial multi-entry visa.

What I did to get the initial multi-entry "O" visa in UK was get my children to write a letter explaining what role I play in their life, and financials were not asked for. I guess I should drag my children along to the immigration office when the time comes to try for the extension of stay. They are both "very Thai". It will be much harder for a Thai immigration offiical to turn me down with them looking at him / her. That's my hope anyway ;-)

[Lite Beer]

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.

(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.

[Mario2008]

Do take your children with you, it is almost certian they will be interviewd to see that you are realy taking care of them.

[pete66]

Do take your children with you, it is almost certian they will be interviewd to see that you are realy taking care of them.

Will do for sure! Just we don't live together most of the year. In term time, they live with their Mum, but I pay all school fees + food. Then they stay with me in school holidays. I'm sure (hopefully) the immigration officer will be sympathetic. I'm a much better dad in Thailand than I would be if I was in another country, that's for sure!

[pete66]

final question - the 400K "show" money - would they mind if it was in a fixed-term deposit account? I was planning on earning a "tad" of interest on it rather than having it sitting round in normal savings account. Both would be in my name ....

[lopburi3]

If a cash deposit type account that you can access with only lose of interest it is normally accepted but if any kind of 'fund' it most likely would not be accepted.

[pete66]

If a cash deposit type account that you can access with only lose of interest it is normally accepted but if any kind of 'fund' it most likely would not be accepted.

yep its just a cash deposit account that can be accessed any time with loss of interest so that sounds ok.

[ubonjoe]

Do take your children with you, it is almost certian they will be interviewd to see that you are realy taking care of them.

Will do for sure! Just we don't live together most of the year. In term time, they live with their Mum, but I pay all school fees + food. Then they stay with me in school holidays. I'm sure (hopefully) the immigration officer will be sympathetic. I'm a much better dad in Thailand than I would be if I was in another country, that's for sure!

If you have any receipts showing that you paid the school fees and anything else that would prove that you are supporting the children would be useful to have on hand. A letter (notarized if possible) from their mother stating that your are supporting the children would be good. Of course if she was to go with you that would be even better.