Marriage visa 1st time extension changes?

[Robstar]

Hi,

We called our local immigration office here in Korat today to confirm what documents are required for me to bring so i can extand my initial 3 month Non 'O' marriage visa. To my surprise, they are stating new rules from the end of last year and now require bank funds of 400,000bt to be in your Thai bank account for at least 3mths now? We called 3 times and spoke to various people, they said the 'new boss' requires it to be 3mths. We explained that we were informed my initial 1st time extension requires funds to be in the account for 2mths and subsequently 3mths for further renewals but not any longer according to Korat immigration. We stated that we are aware the extension takes around 1 month for my initial 3mth visa and will expire in just over a months time so what can we do? They are stating I should wait until the funds are in my bank account for 3mths and then go to immigration where they can extend my initial 90 day Non 'O' for up to 2 further months allowing them to do the necessary checks to then extend fully for the 1 year?

I have looked on notice boards, I have looked on the Thailand immigration site, nowhere does this appear and nowhere have i read of this new 'rule' change.

I have little faith in my local office based on too many negative reports sadly and i am quite concerned that if i wait until my initial 3mths is almost up that this will turn into a money making exercise and or worse, somehow turn into an overstay for which there should be no need, I have now had my funds in my Thai account for the initial 2mths already, is anyone aware of this change or can advise please?

Many thanks in advance

[elviajero]

• There is no new rule. The standard is for the money to be in your account for 2 months the first and for subsequent years. However, these are minimum standards and the office can ask for 3 months if they want.

You can apply for a 60 day extension of stay to visit your wife which will give you the time needed, and once the money has been in your account for 3 months you can apply for the 1 year. No proof of finances are required for the 60 day extension.

[Robstar]

• There is no new rule. The standard is for the money to be in your account for 2 months the first and for subsequent years. However, these are minimum standards and the office can ask for 3 months if they want.
• You can apply for a 60 day extension of stay to visit your wife which will give you the time needed, and once the money has been in your account for 3 months you can apply for the 1 year. No proof of finances are required for the 60 day extension.

Thank you so much for the quick reply and information, much appreciated. Yes, it makes sense they can choose to do whatever they wish to do,I should have expected that, only wish it was made that much clearer on the offical Immigration page as no doubt others will come across this. Can I ask if they will be charging for this 60 day extension by any chance?

[ubonjoe]

From clause 2.18 of Police Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay. There has been no change it. Perhaps somebody that does know the written rules.

"(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year."

Edit: An immigration officer has no right to change the written rules. They can ask for addition documents and etc but not vary what is written in the police order.

[elviajero]

• There is no new rule. The standard is for the money to be in your account for 2 months the first and for subsequent years. However, these are minimum standards and the office can ask for 3 months if they want.
• You can apply for a 60 day extension of stay to visit your wife which will give you the time needed, and once the money has been in your account for 3 months you can apply for the 1 year. No proof of finances are required for the 60 day extension.

Thank you so much for the quick reply and information, much appreciated. Yes, it makes sense they can choose to do whatever they wish to do,I should have expected that, only wish it was made that much clearer on the offical Immigration page as no doubt others will come across this. Can I ask if they will be charging for this 60 day extension by any chance?

• Yeah it is frustrating, but local rules can sometimes work in our favour.
• Yes, I'm afraid all extensions cost 1,900 baht.

[Robstar]

From clause 2.18 of Police Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay. There has been no change it. Perhaps somebody that does know the written rules.

"(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year."

Edit: An immigration officer has no right to change the written rules. They can ask for addition documents and etc but not vary what is written in the police order.

That was what i thought, tthey have a 'new boss' in there apparently, but we know what happens if we challenge this, is it worth the hassle? So basically this gets them the extra 1,900bt extension fee? We will contact and speak to Bangkok tomorrow for advice perhaps, have to say im not surprised at this ploy sadly :/