Visa to live in Thailand

[steveelliott]

I officially married my thai wife in 2012, but had to return to the UK to take care of my sick mother. As my mother has recently passed away I wish to return to Thailand to live with my wife. We have a small farm near Nang Rong. My wife reckons I can come in on a tourist visa and then because I have a thai wife we can sort out the long-term visa at an immigration office in Korat. I intent to fly out in mid March, so time is tight - is she correct ?

[Lite Beer]

It would be possible but would be a lot easier if you arrive with a Non Imm O Visa.

Arriving with a Tourist Visa would result in having to convert to a Non Imm O Visa with extra costs and probably a trip to Bangkok.

A Rough Guide to apply for a 12 month extension at Immigration.

A Non Imm O Visa is needed.

(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]

Moved to Visa Forum

[ubonjoe]

Instead of applying for a tourist visa get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage. You will need a copy of your marriage certificate and photo page of her passport or her ID card and house book.

[TerryLH]

If you choose to extend using money in the bank, the account needs to be in your name only.

Good luck.

[sirchai]

Wouldn't it be much easier to apply for a Non-O, based on your marriage at a Thai consulate in, let's say Hull?

Non- O multiple entry around 120 Euros. Then you'll have to leave Thailand every 90 days, but you're on the save side. -

[steveelliott]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

[ubonjoe]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

Could your wife scan the her ID card and house book (tambien ban) to you.and send it by email. That would be acceptable.

If you don't get the non-o it would probably be easier and quicker to make a trip to the embassy in Vientiane for it than making a trip to Bangkok (2 trips more than likely).

[olddoc]

Open an account with the Bangkok Bank (make sure you are given internet access).

Go here for details of how to transfer funds from the UK to the Bangkok Bank (Thailand)

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/TransferingFunds/TransferringIntoThailand/ReceivingFundsfromUK/Pages/ReceivingFundsfromUK.aspx

I have used this service for a long time. It offers value for money and transfers can be made within 24 hours during the working week.

[sandyf]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

Hi.

It is my understanding that you cannot get a Non-immigrant O visa outside of your own country. I believe at one time you could but I think it was stopped. You should get one before you go.

If you are over 50 you can get a visa on that basis, if not, there is every chance that the staff at Hull would do the visa on your marriage certificate, You certainly do not need the house docs, only a copy of her ID card and they may waive that. You can always give them a ring, not like dealing with the Thai authorities.

Not sure which internet banking you are referring to. I have been using HSBC online banking over here for many years without a problem and I also have internet banking on my Thai TMB account. TMB is not so easy, every transaction is SMS controlled and can become a problem if you are outside the country.

PS You can go to the consulate and get the visa, takes about 15 minutes.

[olddoc]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

Hi.

It is my understanding that you cannot get a Non-immigrant O visa outside of your own country. I believe at one time you could but I think it was stopped. You should get one before you go.

If you are over 50 you can get a visa on that basis, if not, there is every chance that the staff at Hull would do the visa on your marriage certificate, You certainly do not need the house docs, only a copy of her ID card and they may waive that. You can always give them a ring, not like dealing with the Thai authorities.

Not sure which internet banking you are referring to. I have been using HSBC online banking over here for many years without a problem and I also have internet banking on my Thai TMB account. TMB is not so easy, every transaction is SMS controlled and can become a problem if you are outside the country.

PS You can go to the consulate and get the visa, takes about 15 minutes.

Those with little knowledge should refrain from posting.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

Hi.

It is my understanding that you cannot get a Non-immigrant O visa outside of your own country. I believe at one time you could but I think it was stopped. You should get one before you go.

If you are over 50 you can get a visa on that basis, if not, there is every chance that the staff at Hull would do the visa on your marriage certificate, You certainly do not need the house docs, only a copy of her ID card and they may waive that. You can always give them a ring, not like dealing with the Thai authorities.

Not sure which internet banking you are referring to. I have been using HSBC online banking over here for many years without a problem and I also have internet banking on my Thai TMB account. TMB is not so easy, every transaction is SMS controlled and can become a problem if you are outside the country.

A non-o visa can be obtained outside your home country. I don't know where you got that false information.

They issue multiple entry non-o visas based upon marriage in Savannakhet Laos. A single entry can be obtained at other locations based on upon being married or for being 50 or over.

There are no house documents needed just his wife's house book.

Hull is not the only location in the UK and perhaps it is the worst now. There are other consulates and even the embassy will do one based upon marriage. He only needs a single entry.

[Martyjustice]

Can comment on the banking. Get an account at Bangkok bank locally(Thailand). Then do an transfer to Bangkok bank in GB (or US in my case) with that account number. Shows up next day at the market rate, usually a baht better exchange then normal international transfer rates.

For internet banking, paying bills in Thailand found SCB to be easiest. Hope this helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Jip99]

Can comment on the banking. Get an account at Bangkok bank locally(Thailand). Then do an transfer to Bangkok bank in GB (or US in my case) with that account number. Shows up next day at the market rate, usually a baht better exchange then normal international transfer rates.

For internet banking, paying bills in Thailand found SCB to be easiest. Hope this helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I have a BKB account but in all honesty I find Kasikorn better for online banking and the local staff much better than BKB. This is in a town not far from the OP. Overall the transfer costs are the same (for 'normal' transactions) and the only benefit is getting the funds a day earlier (very useful on occasions).

OP - please note that your local immigration office is in Kap Choeng, some 100km from Nang Rong.

Thai Visa member Kwaibah is the resident expert on KC immigration office.

[Jip99]

Thanks guys for the comments. Whilst I have a copy of our marriage certificate with me in the UK, I don't have my wife's ID and documents relating to the house, so I guess I'll have to go through the long waiting time at the local administration offices - then even a trip to Bangkok - not my favourite city. I hope opening a bank account goes OK and that internet banking works OK from Thailand - anyone got any advice on that ? - would be most appreciated

Hi.

It is my understanding that you cannot get a Non-immigrant O visa outside of your own country. I believe at one time you could but I think it was stopped. You should get one before you go.

If you are over 50 you can get a visa on that basis, if not, there is every chance that the staff at Hull would do the visa on your marriage certificate, You certainly do not need the house docs, only a copy of her ID card and they may waive that. You can always give them a ring, not like dealing with the Thai authorities.

Not sure which internet banking you are referring to. I have been using HSBC online banking over here for many years without a problem and I also have internet banking on my Thai TMB account. TMB is not so easy, every transaction is SMS controlled and can become a problem if you are outside the country.

PS You can go to the consulate and get the visa, takes about 15 minutes.

Hmm!

The only visa now available for an over 50 (and not an OAP) is a Long Stay O-A visa - only via London.

HSBC online banking is OK for Uk transactions but crap for overseas transactions - expensive and you cannot send Sterling, the system automatically defaults to Thai Baht if you are remitting to Thailand.

I would recommend a Halifax Reward account. GBP 9.50 per transfer.

Get any such accounts opened before you leave the UK as it will be nigh impossible afterwards. Will you retain a UK address ?