Marriage: Why some issued SE, some ME?

[ttkeric]

Good day everyone.

 

I'm sorry if this is a "done to death" sort of question, but I'm probably searching the forums incorrectly pertaining to the Non-O visas for marriage to a Thai.

 

I'm curious why some people are issued multiple entry Non-O good for 1 year, while others (me!) so far could ever only obtain a single entry 90 day Non-O?

 

Of course, I've done an extension in Thailand but the pros of having a 1 year ME sounds good me. For one, being in Chiang Mai, I could avoid the really delightful to be at immigration office. Then, presumably, I could take a trip out of Thailand without bothering with a re-entry permit.

 

I'm Malaysian, married to a Thai. I did all my visas at the Kuala Lumpur Thai embassy. Last visit, I filled in "1 year" where it asked how long I would like the visa to be. 

 

Upon collection, I was still issued a 90 day Non-O visa. I tried asking but I think the poor University intern working there couldn't really put her words together other than to tell me to "check website", which I did and it didn't really enlighten me. 

 

Applications are free for me in KL (ASEAN). I wonder if that's why? Are MEs being issued differently at different embassies? Anyone has any idea?

 

Thanks and have a great weekend.

[ubonjoe]

Kl does not issue multiple entry visas.

Penang does but you will need to show 400k baht in the bank or proof of 40k baht income.

Savannakhet Laos does them with no financial proof.

You are exempt from visas fees due to a bilateral agreement between Malaysia and Thailand. See: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15382-List-of-countries-which-have-concluded-bilateral-a.html

You can get them free at any embassy or consulate.

[cadcat]

Has the 400K in Penang to be seasoned?

Bank book,-  and I guess bank letter needed?

Pls elaborate.

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, cadcat said:

Has the 400K in Penang to be seasoned?

Bank book,-  and I guess bank letter needed?

Pls elaborate.

The 400k baht only has to be in the bank on the date you apply and does not have to be in a Thai bank.

Up to date bank book or statement. No letter needed.

 

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

The 400k baht only has to be in the bank on the date you apply and does not have to be in a Thai bank.

Up to date bank book or statement. No letter needed.

 

 

UBJ,

I hope you don't mind me adding this but, I'm adding with my opinion of getting multi O's from Penang for a good few years, and my feeling is that they will possibly on the first application issue a 90 day O even if you have the required money/marriage paperwork etc.

If you successfully get an extension for a year in Thailand by showing the requirements to Imm'  in Thailand they will then issue a multi O the next time you apply to them in Penang.

Could be they are looking for proof that that the 400,000 you have is not a short time loan you have from a friend etc to get your visa and has been in your bank etc for a while.

As I said IMHO

[elviajero]

5 hours ago, ttkeric said:

I'm curious why some people are issued multiple entry Non-O good for 1 year, while others (me!) so far could ever only obtain a single entry 90 day Non-O?

 

Of course, I've done an extension in Thailand but the pros of having a 1 year ME sounds good me. For one, being in Chiang Mai, I could avoid the really delightful to be at immigration office. Then, presumably, I could take a trip out of Thailand without bothering with a re-entry permit.

Thai authorities seem to be making it harder for people to get ME visas based on marriage/family, which is probably because of the reason you want one. If you live in Thailand they want you to prove you have the money/income to stay, prove it's a genuine marriage and report regularly. Therefore, they want people to get a SE visa followed by an extension of stay issued by immigration.

[4evermaat]

17 hours ago, overherebc said:

 

UBJ,

I hope you don't mind me adding this but, I'm adding with my opinion of getting multi O's from Penang for a good few years, and my feeling is that they will possibly on the first application issue a 90 day O even if you have the required money/marriage paperwork etc.

If you successfully get an extension for a year in Thailand by showing the requirements to Imm'  in Thailand they will then issue a multi O the next time you apply to them in Penang.

Could be they are looking for proof that that the 400,000 you have is not a short time loan you have from a friend etc to get your visa and has been in your bank etc for a while.

As I said IMHO

 

17 hours ago, elviajero said:

Thai authorities seem to be making it harder for people to get ME visas based on marriage/family, which is probably because of the reason you want one. If you live in Thailand they want you to prove you have the money/income to stay, prove it's a genuine marriage and report regularly. Therefore, they want people to get a SE visa followed by an extension of stay issued by immigration.

 

The  extension of stay obtained in the local immigration office is entirely separate from obtaining a non-immigrant visa at an embassy/consulate outside Thailand.   There is no requirement to do any extension within thailand prior to obtaining a ME non-imm.   In the case of Penang, there were some reports of possibly having to obtain a SE non-imm first, if it was your first non-imm.  You would then return to Penang after the SE was used and from then onwards you can get ME non-imm if you meet the other requirements.   

 

OP simply was unaware that different Thai consulates have slightly different policies on what they will or will not issue.   Penang and Savannakhet are better options for Multiple non-imm.  Financial proof, if required, does not have to be seasoned.

[elviajero]

6 hours ago, 4evermaat said:

OP simply was unaware that different Thai consulates have slightly different policies on what they will or will not issue.

Yes, but that doesn't explain why these policies exist. I was simply expanding on the reason why the policy of issuing a ME visa is changing and becoming harder, and that consular services and immigration are pushing people towards SE visas and extensions of stay.

[ttkeric]

Thanks for the replies. So as I gather every Thai embassy/consular will have different practices. Based on the "Intel" here, everybody's best bet for a 1 year METV would be either Penang or Savannakhet. 

 

Oh well, I've always wanted to visit Laos.

[JackThompson]

18 hours ago, ttkeric said:

Thanks for the replies. So as I gather every Thai embassy/consular will have different practices. Based on the "Intel" here, everybody's best bet for a 1 year METV would be either Penang or Savannakhet. 

 

Oh well, I've always wanted to visit Laos.

Not "METV" - which is "multi-entry tourist visa" - another thing entirely.  "ME Non-O based on marriage", yes.  Not sure why anyone would go anywhere but Savanahket for this, though.