Can You Convert A 30 Day Voa To A Non Imm O In Bkk?

[my benny rai]

When I called immigration weeks ago, I was told by the woman that I could convert a 30 day entry stamp that I get on a visa run at the border to a Non Immigrant O Visa in Bangkok if it still has 21 days left on it. Anyone ever actually done this after October First? Is this still possible?

[Sunbelt Asia]

When I called immigration weeks ago, I was told by the woman that I could convert a 30 day entry stamp that I get on a visa run at the border to a Non Immigrant O Visa in Bangkok if it still has 21 days left on it. Anyone ever actually done this after October First? Is this still possible?

It is still allowed.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Bertil]

With the correct paperwork, does this mean...

1. I can do monthly border runs, maximum three runs (3 x 30 days).

2. After that, apply for a non immigrant O visa in Bangkok. I don't even have to travel to Penang, just be careful so there is about three weeks left of the entry stamp.

3. I can then go to the border again, doing three monthly runs. Let's say I can't do the yearly extension for financial reasons.

IF the above is possible, it then means we really don't need the multiple visas anymore. Because if we can convert an entry stamp (this is not even a visa!) to a non imm. O visa, we don't even have to go abroad!

/Bertil

[my benny rai]

Thank you Sunbelt, the information god!

I am amazed that it is as simple as coming back from the border and a day later heading to Suan Plu to apply for a Non Immigrant O in country. This will save a lot of time and money.

Just a few more questions to anyone who can answer.

What sort of stuff will I need to get my 30 day stamp converted to a Non Immigrant O? (I am assuming marriage document, Wife's ID/Passport/House registration/Birth Certificate.)

Do I need to show proof of income of 40,000 baht at this point and what does that entail--tax documents, letter from work to show salary?

Does my wife need to come with me when I apply to change from VOA to Non Immigrant O?

Do I need to have other proof of our relationship such as pictures, map to our house, etc.?

Thank you again for all who have answered questions here. What a great place to get information!

[lopburi3]

Nor do I and expect Sunbelt will return to set it strait. You only can change to a non immigrant visa when doing an extension of stay for the allowed reasons. It is not a new visa issue service. Also I would not count on anything several months from now to be the same as today.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Nor do I and expect Sunbelt will return to set it strait. You only can change to a non immigrant visa when doing an extension of stay for the allowed reasons. It is not a new visa issue service. Also I would not count on anything several months from now to be the same as today.

As Lop stated, they don't hand these out like candy. You must qualify to get it either based on marriage or retirement. The same requirements that are required for the extension of stay based on retirement or marriage are the same criteria for the change. If you meet the critera, you can do the change.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Sunbelt Asia]

With the correct paperwork, does this mean...

1. I can do monthly border runs, maximum three runs (3 x 30 days).

2. After that, apply for a non immigrant O visa in Bangkok. I don't even have to travel to Penang, just be careful so there is about three weeks left of the entry stamp.

3. I can then go to the border again, doing three monthly runs. Let's say I can't do the yearly extension for financial reasons.

IF the above is possible, it then means we really don't need the multiple visas anymore. Because if we can convert an entry stamp (this is not even a visa!) to a non imm. O visa, we don't even have to go abroad!

/Bertil

If you qualify to get the extension of the non-O, no need to do the visa run. In order to get the non-O, you must meet that criteria.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Sunbelt Asia]

What sort of stuff will I need to get my 30 day stamp converted to a Non Immigrant O? (I am assuming marriage document, Wife's ID/Passport/House registration/Birth Certificate.)

Yes along with proof of income

Do I need to show proof of income of 40,000 baht at this point and what does that entail--tax documents, letter from work to show salary?

Proof of this income is the last three months of Phor Ngor Dor.1 (Personal Income tax form filed on a monthly basis) and Phor Ngor Dor.91 ( Filed on a yearly basis in March) if you work in Thailand. If its outside, then proof from a statement notorized by the Embassy or letter from the employer.

Does my wife need to come with me when I apply to change from VOA to Non Immigrant O?

Yes

Do I need to have other proof of our relationship such as pictures, map to our house, etc.?

Yes

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[my benny rai]

Is that everything I need? Have I forgotten anything under the post October 1st rules?

Just to make sure I have everything, I am seriously considering bringing in the kitchen sink and maybe even the soi dog that sleeps in front of our place.

Thanks again Sunbelt for your speedy replies!

Edited October 5, 2006 by my benny rai

[my benny rai]

What about Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage if we were married outside of Thailand? From my understanding, one just has to get their marriage certificate authenticated at their respective embassy and then translated and registered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[meadish_sweetball]

What about Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage if we were married outside of Thailand? From my understanding, one just has to get their marriage certificate authenticated at their respective embassy and then translated and registered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

That sounds like the information I was given as well, so chances are great it is true.

[my benny rai]

Unless I am told otherwise, I am assuming that "Clarification of Status before Marriage" is not needed if you were already married outside of Thailand. I am assuming that only those who are married inside Thailand need to do this. Am I wrong?

[Sunbelt Asia]

Is that everything I need? Have I forgotten anything under the post October 1st rules?

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage.

Family certificate of I.D. Card and Household Registration of Thai Wife.

Copy of birth certificates of children. (if any)

Photo of place of residence. (show house’s number)

Map and telephone’s number of place of residence.

Pictures of your wives clothes and your clothes in the same closet, picture of you and your wife on a living room sofa and a picture of the outside of the house with the house # in the picture. (This is not required if you have a birth certificate of children together.)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[fred.30]

Is that everything I need? Have I forgotten anything under the post October 1st rules?

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage.

Family certificate of I.D. Card and Household Registration of Thai Wife.

Copy of birth certificates of children. (if any)

Photo of place of residence. (show house’s number)

Map and telephone’s number of place of residence.

Pictures of your wives clothes and your clothes in the same closet, picture of you and your wife on a living room sofa and a picture of the outside of the house with the house # in the picture. (This is not required if you have a birth certificate of children together.)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

The "Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage" ?

Where does one obtain this?

Is this require by (1) the wife, or (2) the husband?

Thnx.

[my benny rai]

Called a friend of mine and apparently one does not need a "Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage" if legally married outside of Thailand. Just get your marriage certificate certified (at their respective embassy), translated and then registered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It seems it is an either/or deal. If you want to get married in Thailand, you need the "Clarification..." and you need to officially register your marriage. My friend said it was actually more expensive and time consuming to register your marriage in Thailand because it cost more to get the "Clarification of Maritial Status" at his embassy than it did to pay the embassy and translation service to authenticate his marriage certificate he got outside of Thailand.

Sunbelt or others, was my friend correct?

[my benny rai]

Thank you yet again, Sunbelt!

Family certificate of I.D. Card and Household Registration of Thai Wife.

Is this something different than the ID card my wife carries in her wallet? The household registration is where she lives now, correct?

I hope I don't have t rely on any papers from my mother-in-law. She lost my wife's birth certifiate and her Bacherlor degree!

[lopburi3]

The home register (blue-book) that lists your wife. Normally it will be her mothers.

[my benny rai]

Oh, no. So that means my wife has to rely on my mother-in-law? Ouch. I thought the house registration book was where my wife lives now. I think she went back home to get her name moved off of her mother's house.

Or am I talking about two different things here, i.e., the house were my wife was first registered as an infant AND/OR the place where she is now (where she is registered to vote)?

[lopburi3]

It is the one your wife is listed on. Just that most never change until they buy a home of there own. You may have lucked out (if the wife can find it).

[my benny rai]

I am pretty sure she changed it. I think she did so when she found out her mom had lost important documents my wife had needed at the time.

So all we need to do is photocopy my wife's ID, her household registration and all the other stuff that has been listed and off we go.

Edited October 6, 2006 by my benny rai

[lopburi3]

I believe they want to see the originals the first time - but that was awhile ago so could be wrong.