Question on extending a marriage visa and transfers.

[BigRick]

Sorry I know this question may have been asked many times before but the rules change periodically in Thailand so I am just trying to get the most current answer(Looking at the mods ubonjoe and Lopburi3).

The circumstance:

I have been in Thailand 3.5 years I have one extension left on my double entry tourist visa. I received a red stamp(But still got a double because I verified resources) in Laos last year 6x overall TV back to back. I completely understand second one in two passports. I am not 50 nor am working as a teacher,I taking a 5 year well budgeted vacation. I married my Thai girlfriend of 4 years earlier this month(wonderful woman I know there are Thai horror stories but mine has not started).

My question:

I understand I am entitled to one 60 day extension based upon my tourist visa. I am having to examine the various options.

Option 1. File the 60 day extension and my question. I was informed by a very knowledgeable source that you can do a border crossing receive a 30 day stamp and file another 60 day extension. I live in Kanchanaburi and within easy reach of the border and a 900 baht "fee". Anyone use this method? or know of its validity?

Option 2. Seasoning 400k in a Thai bank. My opinion on option 2 " that* The cost in forex fees would be ridiculous and the volatility of the Thai bhat would make it a double risk.

Option 3. Try another consulate.

Option 4. Pay for an education visa but I am not living in a city that provides decent options for said education visa. 23k is almost doubling my costs.

Option 5. Fly back to the US then just send my passport to Los Angles for a triple.

Question 2. It seems losing AEON atms really sucks when you have a Mastercard debit. My wife has an account with Bangkok bank and I heard the suggestion that you can deposit the money in the New York branch for a minimal cost. I also have a Kasakorn account. It was the first time I have been asked if I wanted it converted locally or with my bank (local)30.90(still confused). What options are people using now with good results? I noticed the previous thread just degenerated into a ramble fest with no new helpful answers.

Thanks in advance.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

If you don't want to put the 400k in the bank and can't prove 40k baht income you could a get a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof. It would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year.

[BigRick]

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

If you don't want to put the 400k in the bank and can't prove 40k baht income you could a get a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Savannakhet Laos with no financial proof. It would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year.

CAn you please point me to the link with the correct information for this process?(The basics does the wife go? What do I need?) The second option sounds like exactly what I am looking for, When you say 60 day extension are you referring to my current 1 extension left TV or the question about applying for a 60 day visa after a 30 day land crossing?

Thanks for the reply I knew one of you two would know the answer or the general direction one must take. The person who told me about filing additional extensions off of land crossings is very keen on these matters and has always been solid advice. I just needed that second opinion from people who have seen, heard or utilized this method.

[ubonjoe]

You can get the 60 day extension instead of the 30 day extension for 60 day tourist visa entry or from a border crossing entry.

For the 60 day extension your wife needs to go with you. You will need (plus copies) your marriage certificate, your wife's house book and ID card. Plus the same passport copies and TM6 departure card you need for the 30 day extension.

Getting the multiple entry visa would be the best option.

[TerryLH]

"I understand I am entitled to one 60 day extension based upon my tourist visa."

As Ubonjoe posted, you can get a 60 day extension, but it is not based on you having a tourist visa. It's based on you having a Thai wife.

For the tourist visa, you could get a 30 day extension first, then get the 60 day extension after that.

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife on any entry, but you can't get them back to back.

Right now there doesn't seem to be a limit on how many of these extensions you can get, but that could change or be limited in the future.

[Maestro]

CAn you please point me to the link with the correct information for this process?(The basics does the wife go? What do I need?) The second option sounds like exactly what I am looking for, When you say 60 day extension are you referring to my current 1 extension left TV or the question about applying for a 60 day visa after a 30 day land crossing?

Thanks for the reply I knew one of you two would know the answer or the general direction one must take. The person who told me about filing additional extensions off of land crossings is very keen on these matters and has always been solid advice. I just needed that second opinion from people who have seen, heard or utilized this method.

Paragraph 2.24 of Thai Police Order 777/2551 and Immigration Bureau Order 305/2551

[BigRick]

Thanks for the information I knew you guys would have the answers.

Can you please clarify a couple of things and you may not know the answers.

1. I can file my 30 day extension + a 60 day extension on top of that because I am married?

2. When you say back to back do you mean I have to have a border crossing visa run in between or only one extension for a given period?

3. My wifes house book She has a copy of the house book but the actual book is kept in their home in Phayoi. We have a rental contract for our current home. We also own a motorbike(bought new by my wife a few years back)

4.If I choose Savanaket would I have to make this trip during one of my extensions? The 30 day extension or 60 day? When you say 90 day check in for a year do I need to provide further information every 90 days and does my wife have to go to the local immigration office with me?

5. Her new ID card has my last name do I need to provide both and does she need to come with me?

Thank you guys as always very solid useful answers and information. Those links were great and a tad bit confusing but overall the answers were there. You are helping me understand the complexity and options presented before me.

[ubonjoe]

Thanks for the information I knew you guys would have the answers.

Can you please clarify a couple of things and you may not know the answers.

1. I can file my 30 day extension + a 60 day extension on top of that because I am married?

2. When you say back to back do you mean I have to have a border crossing visa run in between or only one extension for a given period?

3. My wifes house book She has a copy of the house book but the actual book is kept in their home in Phayoi. We have a rental contract for our current home. We also own a motorbike(bought new by my wife a few years back)

4.If I choose Savanaket would I have to make this trip during one of my extensions? The 30 day extension or 60 day? When you say 90 day check in for a year do I need to provide further information every 90 days and does my wife have to go to the local immigration office with me?

5. Her new ID card has my last name do I need to provide both and does she need to come with me?

Thank you guys as always very solid useful answers and information. Those links were great and a tad bit confusing but overall the answers were there. You are helping me understand the complexity and options presented before me.

1. It would depend upon the immigration office you go to. Some will do the 60 day extension after the 30 day extension while others would not.

2. It is one extension per entry. You cannot get an extension and then apply for another one.

3.You will need the original house book or possibly a print out of the house registry that can be obtained from any Amphoe. The rental agreement would serve as proof of residence when you apply.

4. You can apply for the visa in Savannaket at any time you want. It will a multiple entry non-o visa that allows for 90 entries. Meaning you will need to do border runs every 90 days.

5. Just her current ID. The old one is no longer valid.

[BigRick]

Perfect that is what I figured on most of the information I just needed those finite details that always come up. The border and immigration are very close to where I live in Kanchanaburi. The house book is up north with her family but we do have copies. I might just file the 60 extension and plan a nice trip to Laos with the misses at the end of May. Again thanks for the help I knew you guys would come through.

[ggold]

I would go with option 2. If you transfer dollars to Thailand and get the local bank to convert it to baht you would get a better rate of exchange than doing that in LA. Bank Ayudhya give the best exchange rate compared to other banks IMO. I wouldn't use ATM machines to get baht form dollar accounts!

Shame your not 55 then you could have gone with the O non immigration visa for one year. Can't give any advice on other visa options sorry.