Confused-marriage Visa Rules!

[Sunbelt Asia]

i have read through all this thread exhaustively, thanks to SBA for a sound legal approach

Thanks for the kind words.

The lawyer told me that when i come to renew my visa my wife must be present and she will face the same gruelling interview as we had first time round - I dont see that mentioned anywhere on this thread??????????

Is this correct?

correct

second point, the home visit. if resident in bkk then entirely practicable but we live up country 2 hours from khorat - the nearest (newly opened ) immigration office.

Are they going to start trying to visit all of us wierdos who live out in the jungle (assuming they can find us)

how will they have the staff to do this? and what about the expense of travelling long distances, and if they are doing spot checks and you are out and about?

Any ideas on this one?

They will find you.

My wife says stop worrying its just another stoopid thai man's idea of popular government. I tell her that she is not a flang and has no idea of how spiteful beurocrats can be to us (especially as they are not getting any tea money anymore - how can they live on a government wage?)

You sound like a fun couple!

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[croydon]

Dsfbrit, many thanks.

Ok, at the moment I have no plans to go to Thailand, just a what if situation. It all started with wondering what changes the coup would bring up coupled with my Bangkok tenant (I live in UK, have a tenant in a studio I own in BKK and my Thai wife in Jomtien!) in case I decided to move to Thailand later this year or next.

My tenant told me there was a marriage visa with a 400k requirement and I told him I thought, from the last time I looked at the Thai Embassy/London site, that there was only a retirement visa with an 800k need.

Ok, so if I did apply tomorrow, I could go either route, problem I think that I might have is that for the second extension, I might not be able to show actual income of 40k per month, no problem showing a 400k + balance but I know that does not count now for new applicants.

So, if I decided to move to Thailand, seems I might be best to just go the retirement visa route.

Thanks.

CROYDON

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Be sure and go the retirement route. IMHO it is a better and easier option than the support visa.

[dsfbrit]

Dsfbrit, many thanks.

Ok, at the moment I have no plans to go to Thailand, just a what if situation. It all started with wondering what changes the coup would bring up coupled with my Bangkok tenant (I live in UK, have a tenant in a studio I own in BKK and my Thai wife in Jomtien!) in case I decided to move to Thailand later this year or next.

My tenant told me there was a marriage visa with a 400k requirement and I told him I thought, from the last time I looked at the Thai Embassy/London site, that there was only a retirement visa with an 800k need.

Ok, so if I did apply tomorrow, I could go either route, problem I think that I might have is that for the second extension, I might not be able to show actual income of 40k per month, no problem showing a 400k + balance but I know that does not count now for new applicants.

So, if I decided to move to Thailand, seems I might be best to just go the retirement visa route.

Thanks.

CROYDON

I think you and 'dr pat pong' are right about the retirement route being the better option. I have to wait 3 months to get my 'marriage' extension. This is three trips to the immigration department, compared to getting the retirement visa on the same day- just one visit!!.

I reckon the 'marriage' visa will be made more difficult in time to come - more checks etc.

I was considering the retirement route for next year, but was put off by the fact I could not get a Work Permit. I dont want to work anyway - but its nice to have the option. It appears though according to the thread below, you can actually get a WP even on a retirement visa (is this new?), so if that is the case its a retirement visa next year!!! I will have to remember to have the 800K baht in the account 90 days before I apply!

good luck with it all.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=87303

[suk22fool]

So what do those of us with a bit of cash but not normal employment do? I have over 15mil baht in long-term deposits in Thai banks, a 5mil baht condo and a 7mil baht house in my wife's name. The interest from the deposits and the rent from the condo more than exceeds 40,000 per month but does it qualify?

We have been spending most our time overseas so I was fine with the 30 day visa the 3-4 times we were in Bangkok each year. Now we plan to come back to Thailand for good as my wife will give birth soon.

All seems a bit backwards... I have plenty of money, interest being taxed, but might have problems meeting the 40,000 per month criteria.

Maybe I need a good lawyer... I am still only 40 so the "retirement visa" route is closed for some time.

.

Edited October 7, 2006 by suk22fool

[Sunbelt Asia]

The interest from the deposits and the rent from the condo more than exceeds 40,000 per month but does it qualify?

Interest from the deposits does qualify.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[thaigene2]

The interest from the deposits and the rent from the condo more than exceeds 40,000 per month but does it qualify?

Interest from the deposits does qualify.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Sunbelt -

I'll be in a similar situation soon when my work permit expires.

I'll be given 7 days to leave the country..and then what? What if I don't have a new job lined up? How do I come back since I no longer (temporarily) have the required 40,000 income? Do I get a tourist visa then come back and apply for an O Visa in Thailand? What if I don't have any income for a few months while I try to line up a new job? Does that mean my Thai wife and our Thai kids have to leave? Or am I supposed to abandon my family here?

[ljerams]

Sunbelt, earlier you stated I think that a combination of money in the Bank and an income/pension could satisfy the Baht 400,000.- requirement for a Marriage Visa.

This rule used to apply about 3 years ago and was stopped. For the last 2 years I have had to prove that over Baht 400,000.- was in the Bank.

I think you said that it was now at the Officer's discretion?

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Sorry to labour this matter.

[lopburi3]

thaigene2

You would exit and obtain a non immigrant O visa to visit your wife and children. There is no financial requirement for that.

[Back Sida]

3. It's no longer possible to get a multiple entry 'O' in Asia - So every 15 months will require a trip back home.

Looks like it's time for many of us to pack our bags and go home

Hi,

I don't understand. What is the problem to someone to go every 12-15 month home to the home country and do every 3 month a trip to Laos, Malysia...? I always enjoy those trips.

Back

[thaigene2]

thaigene2

You would exit and obtain a non immigrant O visa to visit your wife and children. There is no financial requirement for that.

Thanks Lop,

If I understand correctly then... That means I could just go to KL or Singapore to get the 90 day Non-Imm O then get one-year extension in BKK? There would be no financial requirement/considerations?

Then one would look for a job/WP inside Thailand and if not found within that 15 month stretch, you need to leave Thailand (leave Asia actually) return to your home country, apply for a 90 day O visa and do it all over again? But when would the 40,000 requirement kick in - sorry still a bit confused.

[billd766]

Sunbelt, earlier you stated I think that a combination of money in the Bank and an income/pension could satisfy the Baht 400,000.- requirement for a Marriage Visa.

This rule used to apply about 3 years ago and was stopped. For the last 2 years I have had to prove that over Baht 400,000.- was in the Bank.

I think you said that it was now at the Officer's discretion?

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Sorry to labour this matter.

I was lucky enough to renew my support visa on 10 September and when I went in August I did not have 400,000 in the bank but my pensions came to more than 40,000 a month and I had no problem.

3. It's no longer possible to get a multiple entry 'O' in Asia - So every 15 months will require a trip back home.

Looks like it's time for many of us to pack our bags and go home

Hi,

I don't understand. What is the problem to someone to go every 12-15 month home to the home country and do every 3 month a trip to Laos, Malysia...? I always enjoy those trips.

Back

Backsida

I AM at home in Thailand. It is that other country where I was born which is foreign to me now. Apart from my son by my first marriage and a couple of friends I hane nothing to go back to or for.

This is my country now, good times and bad and I will stick around here until I die, get cremated, get my ashes dumped in the front garden and then live in the spirit house and watch over my family.

Edited October 7, 2006 by billd766

[ljerams]

Billd766,

My specific question was "can a pension plus some money in the Bank make up the required Baht 400,000.- for a marriage visa?"

You satisfied them on the minimum Baht 40,000 pension income which is quite different to my question?. It seems that they took into account the new rules which presumably they knew were about to be issued.

[Sunbelt Asia]

My specific question was "can a pension plus some money in the Bank make up the required Baht 400,000.- for a marriage visa?"

For the new people applying the first time after Oct 1st 2006, the answer is no. Both money and income is no longer acceptable. Must be all income.

Sunbelt, earlier you stated I think that a combination of money in the Bank and an income/pension could satisfy the Baht 400,000.- requirement for a Marriage Visa.

For people that had the extension or had applied before Oct 1st 2006, this is ok.

This rule used to apply about 3 years ago and was stopped. For the last 2 years I have had to prove that over Baht 400,000.- was in the Bank.

I think you said that it was now at the Officer's discretion?

I stated it is the officer’s discretion, if you did not have the 400K in the bank acct, 3 months prior to submitting the new application for your renewal. The law states 3 months prior. They can give discretion if its only been 400K for one month. No discretion if you don't meet the income or money in the bank criteria( for old applicants before Oct 1st)

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Nothing has changed on that front for old applicants. New applicants that never applied before Oct 1st, this combo will not work.

[

Sunbelt -

I'll be in a similar situation soon when my work permit expires.

I'll be given 7 days to leave the country..and then what? What if I don't have a new job lined up?

It is not a very good law in your case. As you need to show a work permit if the income is in Thailand( if your wife does not have the income as well) Your work permit had been turned in. As well as you know you can't show savings to qualify.

You can't either just get hired in the 7 day period, then go for the extension of stay based on business as not enough time. ( A work permit receipt is not sufficient to apply for the extension of stay) The only exception would be hired for a company that qualifies for the one stop center ( like a BOI company)

How do I come back since I no longer (temporarily) have the required 40,000 income?

Go out and get a 90 day non immigrant visa from an Embassy/Consulate. ( Show your marriage cert, id card of your wife and household registration of your wife ) Get your work permit back in Thailand and then apply for the marriage visa.

Do I get a tourist visa then come back and apply for an O Visa in Thailand?

It gets complicated as you can't get an "O" without a work permit. You can't get a "B" unless the company has been trading for a year and has a track record. If that did happen, you would in that case change from a " 7 day stamp extension" off your current visa or tourist visa to a "B" to a "O" It's better and easier just to get the "O" visa outside Thailand.

What if I don't have any income for a few months while I try to line up a new job? Does that mean my Thai wife and our Thai kids have to leave? Or am I supposed to abandon my family here?

See above. You have any problems, give us a call. We'll help you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[lopburi3]

thaigene2

You would exit and obtain a non immigrant O visa to visit your wife and children. There is no financial requirement for that.

Thanks Lop,

If I understand correctly then... That means I could just go to KL or Singapore to get the 90 day Non-Imm O then get one-year extension in BKK? There would be no financial requirement/considerations?

Then one would look for a job/WP inside Thailand and if not found within that 15 month stretch, you need to leave Thailand (leave Asia actually) return to your home country, apply for a 90 day O visa and do it all over again? But when would the 40,000 requirement kick in - sorry still a bit confused.

You will need to meet the financial requirements to extend your stay at immigration. It is an immigration extension of stay requirement; not a visa requirement.

[ljerams]

QUOTE

My Question:-

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Sunbelt reply:-

Nothing has changed on that front for old applicants

Sorry to labour this point. You state that nothing has changed for old applicants, however two years ago the immigration stated to me that a combination of my pension plus money in the Bank was no longer acceptable. They required a Bank balance of at least Baht 400,000.-

If they are now accepting a combination again this is indeed a welcome change back to the rule they applied three years ago.

Kindly clarify this as it is rather important. It means that it is easier to achieve and doesn't tie up money that could be better spent elsewhere.

Edited October 7, 2006 by ljerams

[thaigene2]

thaigene2

You would exit and obtain a non immigrant O visa to visit your wife and children. There is no financial requirement for that.

Thanks Lop,

If I understand correctly then... That means I could just go to KL or Singapore to get the 90 day Non-Imm O then get one-year extension in BKK? There would be no financial requirement/considerations?

Then one would look for a job/WP inside Thailand and if not found within that 15 month stretch, you need to leave Thailand (leave Asia actually) return to your home country, apply for a 90 day O visa and do it all over again? But when would the 40,000 requirement kick in - sorry still a bit confused.

You will need to meet the financial requirements to extend your stay at immigration. It is an immigration extension of stay requirement; not a visa requirement.

Thanks Lop

Your specialist advice is again appreciated - sh*t I'm really starting to sound 'native' - Krap Pee!

So then, we're talking about a 90 DAY window to get a new job. Sounds like a new topic to me.. Or show that you have - or bloody well don't have - 40,000 baht external sources each month to feed your family - even if you have 40 billion baht in the bank...yeah well ya know. This screams NEW TOPIC!

[suk22fool]

Sunbelt - so since the interest I make on all that baht sitting in Thai banks is over 480,000 per year (40k/mo) I can qualify? No hassle about work permits, tax id? Still need a statement from embassy? How much does Sunbelt charge to sort this out?

[Sunbelt Asia]

Sorry to labour this point. You state that nothing has changed for old applicants, however two years ago the immigration stated to me that a combination of my pension plus money in the Bank was no longer acceptable. They required a Bank balance of at least Baht 400,000.-

If they are now accepting a combination again this is indeed a welcome change back to the rule they applied three years ago.

Kindly clarify this as it is rather important. It means that it is easier to achieve and doesn't tie up money that could be better spent elsewhere.

We had clients allowed the combination before. In fact, even one case where they just had 200K in the bank and no pension/income. Immigration in this case, gave a 6 month visa so the foreigner could have time to get a job. Depends on how the foreigner and the Thai girl looked, if it was a real deal, how the Thai wife spoke, etc.

No variance on new applicants under no circumstance. But with old applicants, some discretion is used from time to time.

I will double check on Monday but this is more a case by case situation, where you plead your case rather than getting a black and white rule that is only 400K or 40,000 Baht income. Allowing a combination makes sense. Example: If the foreigner is getting 30K salary per month, why does he need 400K in the bank as well, if he doesn't have the funds at this time?

Sunbelt - so since the interest I make on all that baht sitting in Thai banks is over 480,000 per year (40k/mo) I can qualify? No hassle about work permits, tax id? Still need a statement from embassy? How much does Sunbelt charge to sort this out?

You qualify and do not need a work permit. Our professional fee is 6,500 Baht.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[99BigLad99]

I have tried to read the entire thread but must admit skipped some posts that did not relate to me so my question is this :- I am 55 receiving a consultancy fee in UK well in excess of 40,000baht I have lived with a girl for the past four years and we are toying with the idea of being married on paper, I do want to go back to UK however each 15 months so I have been getting the annual 90 day non imm "O" visa could you tell me my options that I will have will I still be able to carry on as I do now ?

Edited October 8, 2006 by mgc

[lopburi3]

We don't have any information that you could not continue.

[aletta]

Does Sunbelt offer the service of marriage extentions at the Nong Khai immigration offices?

Edited October 8, 2006 by aletta

[Sunbelt Asia]

Does Sunbelt offer the service of marriage extentions at the Nong Khai immigration offices?

Yes

We have a Udon Thani office.

Roger Ullmann, Esquire is the Office Manager and will be happy to help you.

Sunbelt Northeast Co., Ltd.

130/6 Thamajedi Road

Udon Thani, Thailand 41000

042-348-173

05-852-2702

[email protected]

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Casanundra]

I went along to renew my annual visa the other day showing sufficient funds for a marriage visa only to be informed that as of 1st October I now also need to show a stipend of 40,000 baht per month as family income because the showing of funds was insufficient.

The reason for this request is well known of course because it is designed to stop those borrowing money for a short time from doing so to hoodwink the immigration bureau, however what this new rules has done is to make it harder for the legitimate owners of such funds to continue to stay in Thailand and if like me you keep 1.5 million baht in your Thai account at all times and own a Condo, it can be a little frustrating and disconcerting.

This new income rule, states that it has to be either earned by the wife or by myself or jointly. If the source of the funds is from Thailand then it needs to be supported with either a paid up tax receipt and/or work permit for the foreign husband. However if the income is earned outside of Thailand then a letter from my embassy confirming where my salary is coming from and confirming that I do indeed bring in 40,000 baht per month to support my family is required.

All well and fine, however, what if like me and the several thousand others who are currently too young to retire but who don’t necessarily need to work because they are self sufficient to not need to do so. How are we supposed to show income to satisfy Thai immigration requirements? For me to show the embassy my offshore earnings as well as to get them to certify that my funds offshore funds are genuine would require a huge leap of faith and trust from both me and them to certify my claims (not to mention paying tax on offshore funds coming in as income thus defeating the whole object in the first place). It would also require me to waver or contravene my rights to privacy under both European and USA laws.

The argument then is that I should work here or provide a way for my wife to earn 40,000 baht per month to show as income but let me ask, how many educated MBA Thai’s like my wife actually have the opportunity to earn a decent salary here in Thailand when the average salary for professional educated and qualified workers is 15,000 baht. One solution of course is for me to hoodwink the process by just getting the wifes boss to declare that she is earning a slary of 40k, to paying the tax on it and to just showing a receipt of tax payments at 2700 baht per month instead.

I could of course work instead, but has anyone looked at the Thai employment market lately?

Please explain to me how a highly educated and experienced foreigner in Thailand is able to get a job outside the English teacher profession; and let’s face it, not all of us want to be English teachers; when all of the normal professional job advertisements in my field are for Thai citizens only with 10 years experience whilst being under the age of 35. Quantum physics especially as my field is only about 3 years old in thailand with no locally grown Thai talent in the field either. I could become a consultant but even that is no longer allowed.

This leaves me with the option of investing in a business here but as Thailand has currently limited foreign investments to the point of taking the money but asking the foreigner ‘to please wait outside’ then this no longer becomes a viable option either.

So now I am in a dilemma because the Thai government in its drive to rid itself of the undesirables has also created a whole new string of casualties by turning away the decent foreign folk of Thailand as well. Hasn’t the Thai government realized that they are also letting their own citizens down by doing this because as I see it, they are sending out a very clear message that should a Thai citizen decide to marry a foreigner then they too are also putting themselves at considerable risk in their own country and indeed they are effectively being abandoned by their own country for their decision to fall in love with a foreigner. I wonder how many absent foreign fathers or divorces it will take with its inevitable downstream impact before Thailand wakes up and realizes that it’s not only hurting its own sons and daughters but its economy too. Do they care?

It’s time to wake up Thailand, we are living in the 21st century for crying out loud and if Thailand continues to do things this way then they shouldn't be too surprised when the tourist planes start passing over their new airport stacked full of foreigners off in search of more foreign friendly lands.

Now will the 10 year old that came up with these new visa rules please come to my house and explain to my wife why I won’t be allowed to stay around to spend time with her in her own native born country anymore.

Edited October 9, 2006 by Casanundra

[Artisi]

l

Provisional Section

13. Within 1 year from the enforcement date of this Order, for the case of the foreigner who has entered Thailand and has been granted to stay temporarily in the Kingdom of Thailand before this Order will be enforced and disqualifies to the criterions set forth on this Order, the Commander of the Immigration Bureau or the authorized officer shall be responsible to consider granting the permission, based on the necessity of the applicant, case by case.

This Order shall be in full force from the 1st October 2006.

Order issued on the 8th September 2006

Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Police

without reading thru the whole posting, I am not sure if this part of the rules posted by Sunbelt have been highlighted

The provisional section gives those people who were eligible for a particular visa and who had not taken up this option because they were using an alternate visa to now apply for the former visa at the discrention of the Immigration authority.

For example, as I my case - I have always been eligible for a "marriage visa" but used the easier alternative of employment contract.

I intend within the next few days to apply for a change of visa status form "work related visa" to a "marriage visa" sighting this provisional clause as the grounds for the change.

The following extract from the clause seems to have a small problem with translation or wording

- - - - "Order will be enforced and disqualifies to the criterions set forth on this Order, "

I think it should read something like -- if the person is disqualified by the criterion set forth ---

Anyway fingers crossed

[dsfbrit]

I went along to renew my annual visa the other day showing sufficient funds for a marriage visa only to be informed that as of 1st October I now also need to show a stipend of 40,000 baht per month as family income because the showing of funds was insufficient.

The reason for this request is well known of course because it is designed to stop those borrowing money for a short time from doing so to hoodwink the immigration bureau, however what this new rules has done is to make it harder for the legitimate owners of such funds to continue to stay in Thailand and if like me you keep 1.5 million baht in your Thai account at all times and own a Condo, it can be a little frustrating and disconcerting.

This new income rule, states that it has to be either earned by the wife or by myself or jointly. If the source of the funds is from Thailand then it needs to be supported with either a paid up tax receipt and/or work permit for the foreign husband. However if the income is earned outside of Thailand then a letter from my embassy confirming where my salary is coming from and confirming that I do indeed bring in 40,000 baht per month to support my family is required.

All well and fine, however, what if like me and the several thousand others who are currently too young to retire but who don’t necessarily need to work because they are self sufficient to not need to do so. How are we supposed to show income to satisfy Thai immigration requirements? For me to show the embassy my offshore earnings as well as to get them to certify that my funds offshore funds are genuine would require a huge leap of faith and trust from both me and them to certify my claims (not to mention paying tax on offshore funds coming in as income thus defeating the whole object in the first place). It would also require me to waver or contravene my rights to privacy under both European and USA laws.

The argument then is that I should work here or provide a way for my wife to earn 40,000 baht per month to show as income but let me ask, how many educated MBA Thai’s like my wife actually have the opportunity to earn a decent salary here in Thailand when the average salary for professional educated and qualified workers is 15,000 baht. One solution of course is for me to hoodwink the process by just getting the wifes boss to declare that she is earning a slary of 40k, to paying the tax on it and to just showing a receipt of tax payments at 2700 baht per month instead.

I could of course work instead, but has anyone looked at the Thai employment market lately?

Please explain to me how a highly educated and experienced foreigner in Thailand is able to get a job outside the English teacher profession; and let’s face it, not all of us want to be English teachers; when all of the normal professional job advertisements in my field are for Thai citizens only with 10 years experience whilst being under the age of 35. Quantum physics especially as my field is only about 3 years old in thailand with no locally grown Thai talent in the field either. I could become a consultant but even that is no longer allowed.

This leaves me with the option of investing in a business here but as Thailand has currently limited foreign investments to the point of taking the money but asking the foreigner ‘to please wait outside’ then this no longer becomes a viable option either.

So now I am in a dilemma because the Thai government in its drive to rid itself of the undesirables has also created a whole new string of casualties by turning away the decent foreign folk of Thailand as well. Hasn’t the Thai government realized that they are also letting their own citizens down by doing this because as I see it, they are sending out a very clear message that should a Thai citizen decide to marry a foreigner then they too are also putting themselves at considerable risk in their own country and indeed they are effectively being abandoned by their own country for their decision to fall in love with a foreigner. I wonder how many absent foreign fathers or divorces it will take with its inevitable downstream impact before Thailand wakes up and realizes that it’s not only hurting its own sons and daughters but its economy too. Do they care?

It’s time to wake up Thailand, we are living in the 21st century for crying out loud and if Thailand continues to do things this way then they shouldn't be too surprised when the tourist planes start passing over their new airport stacked full of foreigners off in search of more foreign friendly lands.

Now will the 10 year old that came up with these new visa rules please come to my house and explain to my wife why I won’t be allowed to stay around to spend time with her in her own native born country anymore.

I sympathise with you predicament.

Are you saying that last year you had a so called 'married' visa extension and this year you went to renew it for another 1 year married visa extension and you were refused as you supplied just proof of having 400k baht?

Or last year did you have a different sort of visa extension not based on the Marriage criteria?

It is only supposed to be for NEW applications after 1st October that this rule ie: have to have monthly income fir married extension - was supposed to come into force.

I haven't read through this thread for about 3 days - surely the rules haven't changed again?

Apologies in advance if I have misunderstood what you have said. May I ask which Immigration Office this was please as I am currently applying at Jomtien.

Edited October 9, 2006 by dsfbrit

[gmac]

Hi Sunbelt

I'm a Newbie to this site but lived here 5 years. I thought I understood what was going on but reading this thread for the past couple of hours has fried my brain!!

I'm 51, married to a Thai girl and have had 2/3 successful renewals of a "marriage" visa to date. My income is only a small company pension in the UK (already confirmed by Embassy) which equates to about 36,000 Baht per month. Last year this was acceptable although I was asked to provide a Bank book and confirmation letter in addition and I actually deposited 100,000 Baht on the day, just so there was a balance, as I usually draw my funds direct from the UK via ATM.

As my pension is 4000 Baht less than the new figure, will it still be acceptable as it equates to over 400,000p.a. but not the new 480,000? Will I need to just provide the difference in a lump sum and if so will this amount have to be in the account 3 months in advance.

Maybe I need to start making regular deposits to my thai account as evidence.

Cheers

Gmac

[rudolf von hamburg]

Is the rule ever changing here? I have a non-immi multiple on marriage and intend to get a one year extension. I and my mom have wired into Thailand in the past 4 years total near 10 million bahts. I spend a portion for living with my Thai wife, a portion for a condo, and keep rest portion of about 5 million in bank accounts, ING accounts, and Tisco. The money have been here for over 2-4 years.

Then I just read the new law that require proof of income over 40000 bahts a month. Now even I have still 5 million in accounts in Thailand for some years, this does not count for extension?? I am early retiree in 40's, my father passed away and left me and my mom with big assets, so I retired early. Not to brag or anything but I have enough assets back home to lead many many lives of luxury in Thailand with my wife and my future kid, she is preganant now. But I don't have proof of income of of 40000 bahts a month, but can show I wired in Thailand nearly 10 million in past 4 years, and also can show I have joined family assets in bonds, mutual funds, and also real estates back home that worth thousands times as required. Any advice from Thai experts?

[apetley]

Hi, looking for some constructive advice.

Must admit this news came as a bit of a shock as this is the first time I have logged on for a couple of weeks.

Moved here to Thailand for what I hope was permanent 11 days ago.

Currently on a non-o multi entry that I was hoping to extend next April on basis of being married to a Thai.

I am a UK male, nearly 47.

I do not work in Thailand but live off my savings in the UK. These give reasonable interest but not the required 40k Bht per month.

I have a house in the UK but this provides no income as my daughter and boyfriend live there. Maybe I will sell it in a couple of years.

Can I set up a monthly direct debit from my UK bank for 40k per month? Will this count as income?

If yes, can I then get a letter from the Brit Embassy that this is what is happening and then apply for the one year extension?

If this is not the case I guess a trip home every year is needed for another non-o until I am 50 when I qualify for the retirement visa.

Thanks for reading, Andy.

[Casanundra]

Hi, looking for some constructive advice.

Must admit this news came as a bit of a shock as this is the first time I have logged on for a couple of weeks.

Moved here to Thailand for what I hope was permanent 11 days ago.

Currently on a non-o multi entry that I was hoping to extend next April on basis of being married to a Thai.

I am a UK male, nearly 47.

I do not work in Thailand but live off my savings in the UK. These give reasonable interest but not the required 40k Bht per month.

I have a house in the UK but this provides no income as my daughter and boyfriend live there. Maybe I will sell it in a couple of years.

Can I set up a monthly direct debit from my UK bank for 40k per month? Will this count as income?

If yes, can I then get a letter from the Brit Embassy that this is what is happening and then apply for the one year extension?

If this is not the case I guess a trip home every year is needed for another non-o until I am 50 when I qualify for the retirement visa.

Thanks for reading, Andy.

Basically you are stuffed if you plan to come here on a non imm O and to get it extended without showing the 40k per month income. Your best bet is to get a job (as a teacher perhaps) and to get your work permit and visa that way thus keeping your personal money secure and safe offshore, but one thing is for sure being married and relying on a marriage visa now under the current rules brings its own hassles especially when you add into the mix money exchange rates and tax to be paid if the money is currently held offshore and earning interest.

The grand father extension on the 400k seems to be a hit and miss affair and is subject to the hormonal whims of the Thai you get to meet on the day I am sure.

To get around the problem I am mulling over the creation of a second Thai bank account or to just transferring the 40k monthly stipend from my current funded Thai bank account into that account as a sort of salary and getting her to pay approx 2700 THB per month in tax to hoodwink our way through the nonsense and to slowly reduce down the money that i have in my Thai bank account here instead. This should cover us for about 3 years or so at which point the Thai world may have changed shape again.

At the end of the day, the call on this is is your but you should either a) get a job, transfer money in at an extra cost of exchange fees plus tax (say 45k per month real cost) or c) find a creative solution to overcome the sillyness.

Edited October 9, 2006 by Casanundra