Details on Proof of Bank Funds for 1yr Marriage Extension

[welo]

I have been reading a lot about extension of stay based on marriage, using the 400.000,- bank funds requirement.

I picked up a couple of details that I would really appreciate to have verified or get feedback on:

Immigration office is Bangkok / Chaeng Watthana

That would be the first 1yr extension.

Current status is 60 days extension based on marriage.

( A )

One source recommended to wire-in the money (from abroad) to the savings account instead of topping

it up from a cash payment. Something about proofing that it is YOUR money.

For me both options are feasible, but the cash option would save on transfer fees. Does immigration

care about this?

( B )

I have been told at immigration that the following is possible:
- Apply for extension at least 25(?) days before permission of stay ends.

- Provided the paperwork is correct and bank account has required amount..

- they will give a temporary extension of 30(60?) days for consideration

- and then give the final 1yr extension at a later point.

Is that possible considering that the seasoning requirement is NOT fulfilled

on the first appointment?

Appreciate your help!

Thank you,

welo

Edited October 25, 2013 by welo

[wayned]

The money must be seasoned for 60 days on the date of the application. They will give you a 30 day "under consideration" period and when you go back they will give you the balance of the 1 year.

Edited October 25, 2013 by wayned

[Lite Beer]

The money has to be in the bank at least 60 days on the day you apply.

It makes no difference where the money came from.

You can apply any time within the final 30 days of your permission to stay.

A Rough Guide.

(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.

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

If Income from Thailand: Statements showing Income Tax receipts.

Marriage Certificate. (Kor Ror 3)

Marriage Registry entry. (Kor Ror 2)

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.

One or two witnesses may be required.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

[ubonjoe]

A. Is only required if you are doing a conversion to a non immigrant visa entry.

If you already have a non-o it is not needed.

They will want to see it transfered from outside the country. There was a recent report of immigration not accepting a money exchange receipt for this.

B. All extensions of stay based upon marriage have a 30 day under consideration period when you apply for the extension. You will need the money in the bank for 60 days for this part if you do a conversion.

The best way to avoid A is to get single entry non-o visa based upon marriage from a nearby consulate or embassy.

[lopburi3]

I would wire transfer the money to be safe - it is checked for conversions for retirement and has been an issue in years past for Thai wife extensions of stay. Always best to have a record of the money and a wire transfer should not cost that much.

[jimmiejackson]

The money has to be in the bank at least 60 days on the day you apply.

It makes no difference where the money came from.

You can apply any time within the final 30 days of your permission to stay.

A Rough Guide.

(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.

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

If Income from Thailand: Statements showing Income Tax receipts.

Marriage Certificate. (Kor Ror 3)

Marriage Registry entry. (Kor Ror 2)

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.

One or two witnesses may be required.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

I did it 3 weeks ago, everything above is correct however you won't need witnesses.

For the pictures I needed one showing both of us in front of the Condo sign (as I live in a Condo, don't know about if you live in a house) and a picture of both of us in front of our front door showing the room number.

Edited October 25, 2013 by jimmiejackson

[welo]

Thx for all the information. Even though it seems to be contradicting in some parts. Which is of course not surprising since different offices/officers apply the regulations differently.

I arrived on a 15 days stamp, extended that for 60 days based on marriage.

If I understand correctly, that means a conversion to Non-O will occur.

On the day I did the 60 days extension I inquired about the procedure for the 1yr extension. I was told that they could do it **right away**, if I had the money on the account (which I hadn't) and the paperwork ready - no word of the 2 month seasoning.

So my thinking

* that was just miscommunication - the officer was not very motivated and my Thai skills were not better than her English skills

* the conversion would extend my stay permit by 90 days (just a guess) so the seasoning will be satisfied for the 1 yr extension later.

Thx again for all your input!

Edited October 25, 2013 by welo

[thaiexpat21]

To achieve the "conversion" requires the financials to be at hand and in Thailand. For an extension of stay the financials need to be "seasoned" .

Your assumption about the 90 days is correct.

Edited October 25, 2013 by thaiexpat21

[ubonjoe]

I answered your questions under (A) of your post in my previous post because it appeared you were doing a conversion to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry. You will need to prove that funds came from out side the country.

During the last 30 days of that 90 day entry you will do the extension which will require all the same paperwork except this time you will need to have the money in the bank for 60 days. Witnesses will not be required if doing extension in Bangkok.

[ubonjoe]

Since this is your first extension and also doing a conversion you should add a copy of the affirmation of permit to marry you needed when you first got married to the list. Immigration in Bangkok often ask for this.

[welo]

Thx again to everybody.

It starts to all make sense to me now!

@thaiexpat, @all

Do you know whether the conversion to Non-O is in any way depending on the discretion of the officer?

@ubonjoe

I will definitely follow your advice and will wire-in the money just to make sure.
I will also make sure I have the recommended documents. I rather bring too many than having to come back again.

To wrap it up, this is my roadmap:

Arrived on land-border crossing                   => 15 days 
            |
Extended at Immigration Office, based on marriage => 60 days 
            |
Today: day 15 of my 60 days
            |
Next Week: Conversion to Non-O,                   => 90 days 
    * proof of funds (unseasoned)
    * proof of marriage
    * ...              
            |
Later: Extension at Immigr. Office, marriage      => 1 year
    * proof of funds (now seasoned!)
    * proof of marriage
    * ...

I guess the 30 days extension "under consideration" will not be required/given in such a scenario?

[ubonjoe]

If you have all the required documents there will be no problem doing the conversion.

You will have a 30 under consideration period before you get your extension stamp. You will probably have a home visit by immigration during those 30 days. It is also advisable to maintain the 400k in the bank for the 30 days.

[thaiexpat21]

"I guess the 30 days extension "under consideration" will not be required/given in such a scenario?"

​You guessed wrong ! It will be required as an extension of stay based on marriage is not a "local" decision.

[welo]

A home visit, honestly!? Awesome! Hang out with the dudes from Immigration. Nice!

That means it will look like this

Arrived on land-border crossing                   => 15 days 
            |
Extended at Immigration Office, based on marriage => 60 days 
            |
Today: day 15 of my 60 days
            |
Next Week: Conversion to Non-O                    => 90 days 
    * proof of funds (unseasoned)
    * proof of marriage
    * ...              
            |
Later: Extension, "under consideration"           => 30 days
    * proof of funds (now seasoned!)
    * proof of marriage
    * ...
            |
Later: Hang out with my friends from Immigr. at my home
            |
Later: Extension at Immigr. Office, marriage      => 1 year
    * ...

EDIT: Love when the forum software messes up my posts!

Edited October 25, 2013 by welo

[thaiexpat21]

A home visit, honestly!? Awesome! Hang out with the dudes from Immigration. Nice!

That means it will look like this

Arrived on land-border crossing                   => 15 days 
            |
Extended at Immigration Office, based on marriage => 60 days 
            |
Today: day 15 of my 60 days
            |
Next Week: Conversion to Non-O,                   => 90 days 
    * proof of funds (unseasoned)
    * proof of marriage
    * ...              
            |
Later: Extension at Immigr. Office, marriage      => 30 days

* proof of funds (now seasoned!)

* proof of marriage

* ...

|

Later: Hang out with my friends from Immigr. at my home

| Later: Extension at Immigr. Office, marriage => 1 year

Yep ! something like that !

[bolt]

How much of a difference is their between, and what documents are required

• Renewal
• New application

A Rough Guide.

(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.

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

If Income from Thailand: Statements showing Income Tax receipts.

Marriage Certificate. (Kor Ror 3)

Marriage Registry entry. (Kor Ror 2)

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.

One or two witnesses may be required.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

[Lite Beer]

The requirements are the same every year.

[welo]

Back to me, the OP

Just out of curiosity, will the 90 days of the converted Non-O visa start immediately on the day of the conversion, or will they be added to after the current permission to stay (as usually done with extensions).

Thanks guys, this already helped me a lot!!

[ubonjoe]

It will start on the date you apply because you will get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry and a new permit to stay date that will make your existing permit to stay void.

Edited October 26, 2013 by ubonjoe