Annual Marriage Visa Extension

[mouse]

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report for others to learn by.

Went for my annual VISA renewal based on being married to a Thai citizen and having three children together. In any case, for the first time in 8 years I was told that I would have to show the required monies going into a Thai bank account and then being withdrawn form there. As every year I supplied an Affidavit from the U.S. Embassy that I receive a pension from the U.S. Government which well exceeds the 400,000 Baht annual requirement.

Never the less, the Immigration Officer insisted that I would have to show the monies going into and being a in a Bank account. I then showed some of the many ATM receipts that had collected in my wallett over the months and pointed to the previsous years application that they had luckily retrieved from their files. In that previsous years application, a similar notarized letter by the Embassy had been cosnidered sufficient.

To make a long story short, it was that reasoning and these proof that prompted them to call their head office where they were advised that my Embassy Affidavit would suffice. The Immigration Officer managed to spend another 5 minutes on the phones asking "are you sure?" "but.." as if they did not want me here anymore.

Should be approved without a problem and from now on every time I withdraw my monthly Retirement, I will have it immediately placed in my Thai Bank account that I can withdraw from it based on my needs. It should be noted that during the entire time the "if you had 800,000 Baht in the bank then you would have not problem" story came up again and again.

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report, for others to learn by.

[lopburi3]

As the amount required in the bank account is 400k question the 800k you speak of at the end. Is that a typo or were they trying to get you to change to retirement?

[stoneman]

Just a quick related question for you...I am in Thailand on a retirement visa and I have the 90 day reporting requirement...Does the marriage visa also require the same 90 day reporting..

[lopburi3]

Yes. Any one year extension of stay when you remain in the country longer than 90 days you must report your address to immigration.

[eugengeri]

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report for others to learn by.

Went for my annual VISA renewal based on being married to a Thai citizen and having three children together. In any case, for the first time in 8 years I was told that I would have to show the required monies going into a Thai bank account and then being withdrawn form there. As every year I supplied an Affidavit from the U.S. Embassy that I receive a pension from the U.S. Government which well exceeds the 400,000 Baht annual requirement.

Never the less, the Immigration Officer insisted that I would have to show the monies going into and being a in a Bank account. I then showed some of the many ATM receipts that had collected in my wallett over the months and pointed to the previsous years application that they had luckily retrieved from their files. In that previsous years application, a similar notarized letter by the Embassy had been cosnidered sufficient.

To make a long story short, it was that reasoning and these proof that prompted them to call their head office where they were advised that my Embassy Affidavit would suffice. The Immigration Officer managed to spend another 5 minutes on the phones asking "are you sure?" "but.." as if they did not want me here anymore.

Should be approved without a problem and from now on every time I withdraw my monthly Retirement, I will have it immediately placed in my Thai Bank account that I can withdraw from it based on my needs. It should be noted that during the entire time the "if you had 800,000 Baht in the bank then you would have not problem" story came up again and again.

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report, for others to learn by.

Thank you "mouse" for your report to us.

Our Officer said to us (my wife and me) more than once, a pensioner visa extension would be to be issued more easily and faster for me than marriage visa extension, although all papers are correct and I have some more than 400k in the year pension. But I'm not 50 up now. I believe him.

[digitele]

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report for others to learn by.

Went for my annual VISA renewal based on being married to a Thai citizen and having three children together. In any case, for the first time in 8 years I was told that I would have to show the required monies going into a Thai bank account and then being withdrawn form there. As every year I supplied an Affidavit from the U.S. Embassy that I receive a pension from the U.S. Government which well exceeds the 400,000 Baht annual requirement.

Never the less, the Immigration Officer insisted that I would have to show the monies going into and being a in a Bank account. I then showed some of the many ATM receipts that had collected in my wallett over the months and pointed to the previsous years application that they had luckily retrieved from their files. In that previsous years application, a similar notarized letter by the Embassy had been cosnidered sufficient.

To make a long story short, it was that reasoning and these proof that prompted them to call their head office where they were advised that my Embassy Affidavit would suffice. The Immigration Officer managed to spend another 5 minutes on the phones asking "are you sure?" "but.." as if they did not want me here anymore.

Should be approved without a problem and from now on every time I withdraw my monthly Retirement, I will have it immediately placed in my Thai Bank account that I can withdraw from it based on my needs. It should be noted that during the entire time the "if you had 800,000 Baht in the bank then you would have not problem" story came up again and again.

Not complaining just posting my yearly VISA extension report, for others to learn by.

Mouse, a couple of questions Please.

Was it the head Office of Immigration in BKK?

Bottom line, will the letter from US Embassy still work?

Regards

[abdulrahman]

The Immigration requests an Embassy statement that the amount received annually is 400000 Baht,respectively 800000 Baht AND proof that the money came in a Thai Bank Account,(copy of Bank book and statement from the bank.That,at least is my experience of many years.

[eugengeri]

...and it‘s easier, if it a home of one's own have, and the house registration certificate (tabianban) there is registered where you live with your wife (I only rent a house) - immigration officer said us...

[astral]

...and it‘s easier, if it a home of one's own have, and the house registration certificate (tabianban) there is registered where you live with your wife (I only rent a house) - immigration officer said us...

My initial reaction to Mouse's post was, "A new immigration officer, trying to look efficient."

This post confirms that.

IMHO whether you live in your own, or rented accomodation is irrelevant.

[mouse]

Mouse, a couple of questions Please.

Was it the head Office of Immigration in BKK?

Bottom line, will the letter from US Embassy still work?

1.) NO! I do not care for Bangkok and only go there if I have to

2.) Until now the letter seems to have worked.

I will keep all posted as soon as I either get my VISA or get told off.

Edited June 15, 2006 by mouse