1.I have applied for and received non-imm o single entry "visit family" (marriage) visa for several years at the Thai consulate in Penang, Malaysia. They have never before asked for a "bank statement" for single entry visa.

This time, June 23, it was different. The man behind the counter said

"Do you have bank statement".

"No, it is single entry."

"Next time bank statement"

"How much ?"

"For 90 days 40.000"

I should add that it is part of the picture that I have been to the consulate in Penang so many times that they recognize me and hardly bothers to look at the documentation I hand in. It might not have been a "next time" for somebody they didn't know.

2. Next day I picked up my passport and got on a van to Hat Yay, Thailand. At the border crossing into Thailand the immigration person asked

"Do you have money ?"

"What do you mean ?

"You need 30.000 in cash."

"I have never before been asked to literally show money.I never carry that much in cash."

"Go to office."

After a long wait in line some senior person allowed me into Thailand without showing money for the usual 90 days.

Finally, yes, I know that there are laws that require many foreigners to bring 10.000 - 40.000 in cash depending on type of visa and length of stay. The point is that after 12 years in Thailand I have never before been asked to show money.

Am curious to know OP's nationality.

why have u not gotten merely an 1 year extension?

or is it that you don't have the $$

and if that is the case what do you live on?

god forbid you have been working here

Edited July 1, 201412 yr by phuketrichard

Many of us working in the offshore industry (outside Thailand) though how much most of us would love to cannot apply for the 1 year extension due to having to return to work at regular intervals in whichever country we work maybe every 4 or 5 weeks, or whatever which means we aren't in Thailand long enough to complete the application/consideration period required to apply to extend, therefore probably the best option for married guys working regular rotations in the offshore industry is most likely the non imm o multi entry visa, I'm not saying this is the scenario with the OP but maybe a possibility

why have u not gotten merely an 1 year extension?

or is it that you don't have the $$
and if that is the case what do you live on?

god forbid you have been working here

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Am curious to know OP's nationality.

EU

Non-imm o single entry based on marriage can only be extended once with 60 days. Then you must leave the country and apply for a new visa.

If you have at least 400.000 deposited or a monthly income it is possible to extend the visa with one year without leaving the country.

Many of us working in the offshore industry (outside Thailand) though how much most of us would love to cannot apply for the 1 year extension due to having to return to work at regular intervals in whichever country we work maybe every 4 or 5 weeks, or whatever which means we aren't in Thailand long enough to complete the application/consideration period required to apply to extend, therefore probably the best option for married guys working regular rotations in the offshore industry is most likely the non imm o multi entry visa, I'm not saying this is the scenario with the OP but maybe a possibility

quote name="phuketrichard" why have u not gotten merely an 1 year extension?

or is it that you don't have the $$

and if that is the case what do you live on?

god forbid you have been working here

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in your scenario i can see u being just fine using the 30 day visa exempt as ur not abusing the system, an as i posted on another thread i think u would be fine.. but than again if they will continue issuing you a multi entry, because your married, its no dif as your leaving all the time

BUT the OP said this;

They have never before asked for a "bank statement" for single entry visa.

So it seems he is just living in Thailand on single entries, perhaps he can explain more.

To get a 1 year extension because your married, i would think you could apply for it, ( takes up to a month i am told), get a re entry permit an go to work, while it is "under consideration" and than when u return get the extension.

Something you should look into when your next here. I know a few that have done it that way here in Phuket.

Bow;\

so why not apply for a muti visa ( as the other poster does) or get the extension ( must have the 400,000 in the bank, i dont think the income works for marriage extension, only retirement)

Just saying traveling out to get single entries must get expensive when their are alternatives better and easier.

PS;

Not string thr pot. Just clarifying for others.

Edited July 2, 201412 yr by phuketrichard

It is 400K baht in the bank for 60 days or 40k baht income to get an extension of stay based upon marriage.

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife for a visa exempt entry. You do not have to a have a visa entry.

I suppose I have put myself in a position where I have to explain myself.

I like Penang. I like going down there once every five months. My wife owns a large and profitable restaurant. I am what they in Thailand call a "house daddy".

Am curious to know OP's nationality.

EU

EU is not a single nationality.

Am curious to know OP's nationality.

EU

EU is not a single nationality.

True

Sweet deal you get the benefits she works.

Am curious to know OP's nationality.

EU

That narrows it down. lol

• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus (the Greek part)
• Denmark
• Germany
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• United Kingdom
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Austria
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Czech Republic
• Sweden

Many of us working in the offshore industry (outside Thailand) though how much most of us would love to cannot apply for the 1 year extension due to having to return to work at regular intervals in whichever country we work maybe every 4 or 5 weeks, or whatever which means we aren't in Thailand long enough to complete the application/consideration period required to apply to extend, therefore probably the best option for married guys working regular rotations in the offshore industry is most likely the non imm o multi entry visa, I'm not saying this is the scenario with the OP but maybe a possibility

I work in the same industry and I have used multiple re-entry permits on the 1-year marriage extensions to come and go.

I have also used the re-entry permit while the extension was still 'under consideration'. That was with the Udon Thani Immigration office so best to check with your local Immigration office first. The first year I asked, the first reaction was 'cannot' but then she asked the boss and he said it was possible. The second year, the same girl said 'cannot'... and then remembered me (we all look the same?) and issued the multiple re-entry permit. I never had any issues at airport Immigration using a re-entry permit on an 'under consideration' extension either.

I like Penang as well, was just down there last week

http://phuket.zenfolio.com/p867215729

MY only complaint is the hotels are not value for money as Thailand.

seem easier to get a multiple entry visa and do visa runs every 90 days an go to Penang when you want PLUS save on pages used.

;

That's interesting Nan, but I thought it was only possible to apply for the extension during your last 30 days of permitted entry? In which case I'd have to be in country for 60 days before I can apply, assuming we're talking of entry on a non imm o multi, Are there other options to this scenario?

Thanks

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That's interesting Nan, but I thought it was only possible to apply for the extension during your last 30 days of permitted entry? In which case I'd have to be in country for 60 days before I can apply, assuming we're talking of entry on a non imm o multi, Are there other options to this scenario?

Thanks

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You could get a re-entry permit for the the 90 day entry you get from a non-o visa and the apply for the extension when your return.

If you can't do the 1 year extension ( no idea why) than u can go to Savanakheht an get a 1 year multi

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/732024-savanakhet-multi-o-visa/

Ok, not so important for me right now since I'm only a couple months into my 1 year non imm o multi but this is interesting to consider closer to time for reapplying,,, so if I understand this correctly,, when the time comes I must first apply for a re entry permit before I can apply for extension? On my Next entry I can apply for an extension based on marriage? Thereafter I must wait for the consideration period of around 30 days,,,, is this correct??

As an added scenario to this, what if due to work commitments I must leave Thailand before the consideration period is up as depending if I was on a 5 week rotation at the time I'd only be "in country for only 32 or 33 days,, Can I collect the extension on the following entry or must I restart the whole process again ?

Thanks

ubonjoe" quote]

You could get a re-entry permit for the the 90 day entry you get from a non-o visa and the apply for the extension when your return.

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Ok, not so important for me right now since I'm only a couple months into my 1 year non imm o multi but this is interesting to consider closer to time for reapplying,,, so if I understand this correctly,, when the time comes I must first apply for a re entry permit before I can apply for extension? On my Next entry I can apply for an extension based on marriage? Thereafter I must wait for the consideration period of around 30 days,,,, is this correct??

As an added scenario to this, what if due to work commitments I must leave Thailand before the consideration period is up as depending if I was on a 5 week rotation at the time I'd only be "in country for only 32 or 33 days,, Can I collect the extension on the following entry or must I restart the whole process again ?

Thanks

ubonjoe" quote]

You could get a re-entry permit for the the 90 day entry you get from a non-o visa and the apply for the extension when your return.

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The re-entry permit would be so that you can do your extension during the last 30 day of one of your non-o entries. The re-entry permit keeps that entry valid.

The timing is is tight to do an extension with your rotation.

Dependent upon where you you apply the under consideration period can be longer than 30 days because some offices start the 30 days from your permit to stay date instead of when you apply. Meaning if you applied 30 days early you would have a 60 day wait. if you are not here by the report back date you loose it all.

My suggestion for most people doing a rotation is to get the multiple entry non-o visa.

Thanks joe,, one thing I'm not clear on,, at application time do they give you a date when the consideration period will be up? ie,, when to return,, I'm wondering if it's possible to submit application for extension, go to work and return back to Thailand in time to collect the extension?

sorry guys, I've no probs in dealing with the I year non imm o multi application,, but this extension is all new territory to me

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The whole post is a little worrying, did you travel through Sadao to get to Penang ?

I dont use Penang ( to get a 3 month single entry O ), I use Kota Bahru to get a 3 month non-O.

I have a similar situation to you, why should i keep 400,000B in Thailand. I dont have enough of a steady stream of cash coming in from the UK to qualify for a visa, but between the wife and I we have enough to live a nice life in Thailand.

I can take 2 days out every 3 or 5 months and get my non-O from Malaysia. I live close to the Malay border, a ride down on the bike into Malaysia is a nice break, the food a little different, pick up some items that have a lower tax than Thailand in Tesco, grab some a bottle of vodka or some wine in the duty-free, hardly a crime is it ?

Actually, keeping 40K in a bank account is no biggie either, but i guess it would have been a bit of a shock.

Thanks Mr bow for the heads up....from bangbo

Have also friends since 10 year

In Penang nice city!

Food I found more fat, Kuala Lumpur for me more delicious !

Yeah and the talay also not good for people like clean water maybe I come to late..

Thanks joe,, one thing I'm not clear on,, at application time do they give you a date when the consideration period will be up? ie,, when to return,, I'm wondering if it's possible to submit application for extension, go to work and return back to Thailand in time to collect the extension?

sorry guys, I've no probs in dealing with the I year non imm o multi application,, but this extension is all new territory to me

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On both my marriage extensions issued in Udon, I departed on a re-entry permit while the extension was 'under review'. The first time I actually left the very next day but the second time wasn't such a rush. But both times, I was out of the country for more than 45 days and when I returned, I went to the Immigration office and they validated the extension with the Bangkok approval they had received some time while I was away. I wasn't aware of them rescinding everything if one didn't come back 'on time' but maybe that's for Immigration offices that call you to say it is ready? Udon Thani never do that, one just waits about 35 days and then start dropping by once or twice a week to check.

Better to check with your own local Immigration office though as we all know they are same, same... but different.

BTW, I changed to a Retirement extension earlier this year and life is much, much easier in that regard.

Edited July 2, 201412 yr by NanLaew

Just dont understand. what type visa are you on? 90 day visa and you have been doing this continually for 12 years? You go back and forth every 90 days for twelve years????

Am curious to know OP's nationality.

EU

That narrows it down. lol

And one wonders why visas and extensions are getting harder to obtain.... being evasive might come into play.

Thanks joe,, one thing I'm not clear on,, at application time do they give you a date when the consideration period will be up? ie,, when to return,, I'm wondering if it's possible to submit application for extension, go to work and return back to Thailand in time to collect the extension?

sorry guys, I've no probs in dealing with the I year non imm o multi application,, but this extension is all new territory to me

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You can get a re-entry permit for the under consideration period that will valid up to the report back date. Whether you will have time to go out for work will depend upon how the office does the stamp. Some start the 30 day from the date you apply for the extensions while others start if from you permit to stay date.

If they do them from the permit to stay date you could have as much as 60 days between the date you apply and the report back date.

Just dont understand. what type visa are you on? 90 day visa and you have been doing this continually for 12 years? You go back and forth every 90 days for twelve years????

To speak for the OP.

It's a 90-day Non O, based on marriage. Cost 1900B ( i think, I pay in Ringitt around 200 ). No need to show finances in the past, just supply marriage, TB and wives ID documents.

I have been doing it for a few years, its no biggie as I live 5 hours from either KB or Penang.

The OP must have a reasonable relationship with his local immigration, as he extends this another 60. So he goes to Penang 3 times in 15 months.

If he wants to do this, as i do, if he enjoys the trips, as i do, then there is certainly no problem. The alternative is a multi-entry from Savanakhet, which is a return flight to BKK, a return trip out to Mukdahan ( on an overnight bus ?), a couple of nights in a Laos hotel, probably one or two nights in Bangkok. For southern residents, its just an easier route to go to Malaysia and probably just the same cost.

Many thanks joe and nan for the info re extensions, nearest imm office for me is ayuthaya, I'll look further into that and take it from there

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