A recent friend of mine came over on a single entry o visa for marriage to a thai national from USA (with USA passport). He was told by a consulate official in Los Angeles Consulate that he could "easily renew/extend" the visa for another 90 days inside of Thailand. I proceeded to inform him of my understanding of the requirements for the "easy extend" based on marriage: 400,000 seasoned at thai bank for 2 months, pictures of wife together, tambien baan copies, map of location of house, etc. I was not aware of a method to just re-new the visa for 90 days inside thailand at immigration. I am aware of going outside thailand to obtain single/multiple entry O visa based on marriage, but not so sure about how the paperwork requirements will go at neighboring countries. We want to verify the options here:

1) Extension within Thailand based on marriage: the requirements and length of time it takes to complete. Does he get an extension in the mean time? In Chumphon, is Ranong the only office (or best office) that can do this?

2) obtain multiple entry visa from neighboring country Thai consulate. Does he still need 400,000 baht seasoned for 2 months, multiple copies of marriage certificate, tambien baan, wife ID, etc? BTW, he does not have 400,000 baht in thai bank. Not sure if he can document 40,000 baht monthly income, or how he should document it. Which thai consulates would be the best bet? We're hoping one in Malaysia.

3) obtain multiple entry visa from back in USA or other Thai consulates not neighboring Thailand (straightforward paperwork requirements). I currently have a method that can make this happen but requires leaving thailand, then forwarding the passport for the visa. About 8-10 days and the added cost of express document shipping, but it will get done properly.

4) anything else i'm missing?

Of course he's kicking himself for not getting the multiple entry visa for ($90 single vs $200 multiple) thinking he had saved himself $110. Water under the bridge. His current non-imm o single entry permission to stay expires on Aug 12th. Neither him or his wife had any idea about the actual steps for renewed visa or extensions here.

Probably the best option for him at the moment is to get an extension for 60 days at immigration to visit his wife. No financial proof is needed for this extension just wife and copies of marriage certificate, her ID card and house book plus normal copies of his passport and TM6 departure card. And then get the 1 year extension or a multiple entry visa.

A multiple entry visa can be obtained in Savannakhet Laos with no proof of income or Kl with about 100 K baht in bank.

1. Yes Ranong Immigration handles Chumphon. You must do there. There is a 60 day available with wife and proof of marriage. Cost 1,900 baht and done immediately. The normal one year requirements financials of 400k two months in bank or 40k per month income and full paperwork with wife/photos/copies of her ID and home register and interviews and perhaps witness or home visit. Under review for 30 days or more before one year stamp is approved.

Ranong Immigration Office

Last Updated by Maestro on Feb 11, 2011

71/10 Chaleom Phrakiat road

Tambon Bang Rin

Amphoe Muuang

Ranong 85000

Phone: -7782-2016

Email: [email protected]

http://ranong.immigration.go.th

Service area: Ranong province

71/10 ถนนเฉลิมพระเกียรติ

ตำบลบางลิ้น

อ.เมือง

จ.ระนอง 85000

2. Only Savannakhet is likely to issue multi entry without financianls. Will require wife ID and marriage certificate and perhaps home register. KL will issue with proof of 100k in bank account. Others may require 400k.

3. Actually such a visa should not be issued as you are clearly not in the service area of any US based Consulate unless you have departed the Asia region where exit stamps are made.

Probably the best option for him at the moment is to get an extension for 60 days at immigration to visit his wife. No financial proof is needed for this extension just wife and copies of marriage certificate, her ID card and house book plus normal copies of his passport and TM6 departure card. And then get the 1 year extension or a multiple entry visa.

A multiple entry visa can be obtained in Savannakhet Laos with no proof of income or Kl with about 100 K baht in bank.

1. Yes Ranong Immigration handles Chumphon. You must do there. There is a 60 day available with wife and proof of marriage. Cost 1,900 baht and done immediately. The normal one year requirements financials of 400k two months in bank or 40k per month income and full paperwork with wife/photos/copies of her ID and home register and interviews and perhaps witness or home visit. Under review for 30 days or more before one year stamp is approved.

.........

2. Only Savannakhet is likely to issue multi entry without financianls. Will require wife ID and marriage certificate and perhaps home register. KL will issue with proof of 100k in bank account. Others may require 400k.

Great news; much better than I expected. Some more questions:

- Is there a particular name / form for this 60 day extension based on marriage?

Also, is there a limit to how many back-to-back 60 day extensions based on marriage you can do? Or does he have to leave thailand and re-enter in order to request another 60 day extension?

- The 100k baht for KL, Malaysia has to be in a thai bank? Or can the equivalent be shown as a bank statement from a non-thai bank? If it is thai bank, is the bank passbook in the person's name sufficient? Or is other bank documentation required. Is there any minimum seasoning required for that money?

- For either location, is the visa issued the same day, or next x days from initial application?

- bonus: guesthouse recommendations for either location, with emphasis on price and cleanliness?

I think I covered everything.

......3. Actually such a visa should not be issued as you are clearly not in the service area of any US based Consulate unless you have departed the Asia region where exit stamps are made.

Exactly. All requirements would be met to get that visa issued properly.

Just ask for a 60 day extension based on Thai wife. It is not given back to back, after that you have to apply for a full 1 year extension or leave the country.

100K can be in any bank, not just in Thailand. Bankbook or online statement printed out are accepted.

Visa is issued next day, in the afternoon

Travel tips look here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/189375-latest-reports-of-getting-a-visa-in-the-region/

But you can obtain another 60 day extension on another entry in most cases - just not on itself.

KL seems to be asking for the money to be in Thai banks from some reports - but normally will accept 'next time' if not. As said no special requirements for seasoning or bank letters.

When doing the 1 year extension at Thai immigration, do they hold on to the passport while the application is under review? Or they notify you when application is approved and you return to the office or mail the passport to the office to get stamp?

You keep your passport and return on the date given to receive your extension stamp.

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