Extension to a Non O on the basis of marriage/support

Post by **Norseman** » Fri May 18, 2007 3:39 am

Good luck Onlyme and same wishes goes to every single one of you who have to do this every year. A hair-raising experience sometimes, depending of how many copies of this and that you forgot to bring.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:28 am

I have done some investigating on this issue, as I intend to go down this route later in the year. I was under the same impression as lomu, but have been told by other expats that although the money does not have to be in a Thai bank account, immigration do want to see evidence of the money coming into Thailand, which can be shown with bank statements and accompanying ATM slips to the amount in question. Obviously the easiest thing is to have the required amount appearing every month in a Thai bank as a transfer from overseas though, but I understand why some may not want to go this way. Either way though you have to show 40k baht coming into Thailand as 'proof' that you can support you and your wife (which can be wife's income as well).

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:13 am

Interesting, WL.
I can understand that Imm would want to be satisfied that you're not working and they're doing this by saying that they want to see 40k coming into Thailand. But there's never been a requirement that you spend that amount. Technically, you could show a spend of 20k a month, but I'd reckon the red flags would start going up then.
Additionally, there's the potential problem of opening a Thai bank account as another post is demonstrating. I don't think that's insurmountable, but it may be more grief.
Also if, for instance, I transfer 40k here every month, but we only spend 35k, it leaves a surplus of 60k in the Thai bank at the end of the year. Now, if I need that back home for my property, can I get it out of the country easily and quickly? I tend to think not.
Sure, I have other savings from the rent back home, but as an example, I'll be spending in excess of 50k within the week on redecorating. the tenants were wanting me to spend over 120k. That's down to my negotiations with them, but if a boiler packs up, it'll cost 100k++ to replace and I might need to draw on funds from here to cover it. That's the simple reason I don't want any money tied up here at all.
Interesting you mention the ATM slips. I'm not sure if I've got them all over the past 3 months, but the UK bank statements will show withdrawals of more than 40k over the required period. Maybe that'll suffice.
Anyway, I'm visiting the P.Office again this morning. The statements should be there now. If so, I'll get organised and go to Imm again next week. Will keep you all updated.
As an aside. My current visa will keep me going until Xmas. I turn 50 next August. So, I can mess around with Tourist Visas and some 30 day stamps for 8 months - it's not the end of the world. Then get a Tourist Visa upgraded to Non O and apply for retirement. The 65k income requirement also won't be a problem to demonstrate. My understanding is that these funds definitely do not have to come into the country. The Embassy letter should suffice, with supporting documents. Is this the case? Obviously, I havn't done it before.

Post by **machersjohn** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:10 pm

At my last renewal for the o-a visa i went armed with all the usual documents. Letter from the embassy,bank,hospital, copy of bank book and passport. They were only interested the letter from the embassy confirming my pension. The hospital document,bank letter and copy of bank book were not necessary. I was unable to ascertain why. However i renew in September and will take all the aforementioned docs as things can change overnight. I have renewed my o-a 5 times and never was one like another. Sometimes health letter needed sometimes not . Sometimes copy of bank book sometimes not. The only consistent docs asked for are letter from embassy confirming pension amount and copies of passport. I'm rambling but my advice would be to take all you can of the above to be sure your covered.

Post by **Huahinian** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:30 pm

I renewed my retirement visa in Hua Hin yesterday. A medical certificate is no longer required if you are applying in person. A bank letter is only required if your pension is less than Baht 65K per month in which case your bank statement must show a balance that brings your pension times 12 up to the Baht 800,000 (being the total requirement). Please note that the required bank balance must have been in your bank for 3 months prior to your visa application.

Post by **SHADOW** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:59 pm

Just to add an other twist as you can apply for a visa extention on a ninety day visa you only have to show three deposits of 40k, how do you show income before you got here. I would then spend that and go back to what you do now ATM every month.

Post by **Jack Daniel** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:23 pm

Hey lomuamart
Did you get your multiple non o visa in UK or did you have to go to the immigration here after arrival and make the o visa multiple???

I was on the embassy in Oslo on monday and applyed for visa and i asked if i culd have this multiple o visa but here they say i have to go to immigration in thailand. I can have 3month o visa but not multiple.

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:08 pm

Jack Daniel.
There's no way you can get a multi-entry Non O in Thailand. There never has been. The visa itself has to be obtained outside of Thailand. Extensions to that are done here.
JD, I assume you've got a "single entry Non Imm" visa. Good for 90 days on arrival. The multiple-entry types of these are quite difficult to get. If you're married to a Thai national or are applying for retirement visa, you've got a chance in your home country. Otherwise, Thailand simply dosn't want you to be here for a long time.
Shadow - I'm thinking about that. Easy in the first year, but maybe more difficult in the second.
Huahinian, it could be a lot easier if I reach 50 years old!!! Retiremant will be a lot more easy.
Thanks people. My bank statements came through today. I'll see what they say this time. I'm not holding my breath, but my wife may have something to say about the situation.

Post by **Jack Daniel** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:30 pm

Thanks lomuamart for the answer.

You`re right, im married with thai and thats why i dont understand whyt i can`t have the multyple o visa here. A friend told me that he got a multiple o visa in Vientiane. He`s in the same situation as me. Same age, same income, married with thai, so maybe i should try my luck there.

Good luck vith your visa

Jack Daniel

Post by **Norseman** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:57 pm

Jack Daniel:

Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa â€œO-Aâ€

Post by **Nereus** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:07 pm

[quote="Norseman"]Jack Daniel:

Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa â€œO-Aâ€

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:38 pm

Yup,
The "AO"/OA, whatever it is, allows you go get a year's visa, stamped in for one year on arrival from your home country asuming you meet the requirements of Imm here. On the basis that you're over 50 etc etc for funds. Plus police report and maybe medical. That visa is simply a fast track to a one year extension on the basis of retirement. In the second year, you'll have to prove incone the same as everyone else.

Post by **Jack Daniel** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:38 pm

Have i understand this right?
Im 40yo and married with thai, i have a child with thai wife and i have more than 1mill bath a year income.
The visa i get here was 3mnd non o, When i come to thailand i can go to the immigration and exstend it to 1year. Right???

I must be real slow today.
OH. it`s fiday

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:02 am

Jack Daniel wrote:Have i understand this right?
Im 40yo and married with thai, i have a child with thai wife and i have more than 1mill bath a year income.
The visa i get here was 3mnd non o, When i come to thailand i can go to the immigration and exstend it to 1year. Right???

I must be real slow today.
OH. it`s fiday

As you're under 50 and assuming it's your first attempt for year's extension on the basis of being married to a Thai, it should be pretty simple- 40k average income over 3 months, verrified with document from your Embassy in Thailand.
The income requirement is an average of 40k a month, over three months. So, your 1 million etc must be split into 3 bank statements, averaging out at 40k per month. Simple. Your lump sum isn't valid now.

The only thing I'm trying to argue is whether that 40k a month has to be brought into Thailand. After October 1st 2006, I'm pretty sure it dosn't have to be. Time will tell.
Basically, yes you can do everything from your visa, Must be a Non O. You can change a Tourist Visa to a Non O, for about 2000B, I think. The thing is that it can be done here. Make sure you have a VISA, not a 30 day entry stamp. You'll be fine.

Post by **Jack Daniel** » Sat May 19, 2007 3:17 am

Thanks again loumamart

I have had non o visas before too but only two months non imm and i have ask them what to do for the next visa, they have always said, leave the kingdom. This have been in Mae Sot and Poi Pet.

I have told this before that i have very littl balance SO when i whent to the embassy this time they wanted copy a of my marriage document.
(They always helped with this before) I sais i did not know that it was required. The lady looked at me and said, we dont have this service here.
I said ok, where can i go and make a copy? Near by? She look at me for 5sek and ask me, can you really not walk? I said truethfully, no i can`t.
Then she was willing to make the copy for me.

This people are representatives for a foreign contry

I will be ok for the next 10years now anyway so im greatful for that .

JD