Non Immigrant 'O' Visa extension

[Wanderlust]

Just thought i would relate my tale of a trip to Singkhon (Hua Hin) Immigration in Soi 102 today. I have a multi entry Non Immigrant 'O' visa which i obtained in Kuala Lumpur last February, and I did a visa run to the Andaman Club in December, which gave me until 15th March 2008. I finally got all the bits of paper I needed together yesterday to apply for an extension based on marriage/family income, and so headed to Immigration along the still desperately awful road that is Soi 102. One mistake I discovered immediately was that i arrived just after 12 so they were all about to go to lunch, but the officer had a quick look at my papers and pointed out a second error on my part, which was that I needed 2 copies of everything. So while they had lunch I (and my wife and child) had the necessary copies made and filled in the 2nd application form they also require.

I will list here what i provided:
2 completed application forms
My passport and 2 copies of the relevant pages in my passport; the photo page, the current visa page and the latest entry stamp page with the departure card attached.
2 passport size photos.
A letter and 2 copies from the British Embassy verifying my income.
Bank statements/letters and 2 copies of each page showing my income to a UK bank.
Marriage certificate plus 2 copies.
Our child's Thai birth certificate plus 2 copies.
My wife's ID card and Terbian Ban (house registration book) where she is registered plus 2 copies.
All copies were countersigned by me except the last items countersigned by my wife.

These were presented to the officer, who to be fair had a fairly quick lunch break, and the only strange hiccup in the procedure was that I was asked to fill in another application form so they had 3 from me - no idea why. Via my wife, it was then explained to me that we needed to come to the office again, as soon as we could, with pictures from our wedding and a Thai friend or relative that had been at the wedding. We also had to draw a map of how to get to where we live, and I had to give my mother's and father's full names, the highest education qualification I had achieved, and my last job in the UK. These last bits of information were then typed up into a document which i had to sign; it also stated in it that I had such and such monthly income and was able to support my family, where my wife and I met and how long we had been together before we married. My wife also had to sign a similar letter with her relevant details, and of course there were 2 copies of each.
I think there are two copies of everything because one is sent to Bangkok and one stays in Hua Hin. Anyway, I then had to pay the fee of 1900 baht, got a receipt, all the original documents (except for the Embassy letter) and my passport back, which had been stamped for another month's stay while the application was processed. We go back in a couple of days with the photos and mother in law to complete that strange procedure - seeing as we were standing there holding a wailing baby and my wife is 6 months pregnant that did seem a rather unnecessary requirement I have to say but we will jump through the hoop.
Other than that it was a straightforward application and didn't really take too long, and the officers were all very friendly. Hopefully it will be a successful application, and I will try to keep everyone posted with the result on here. I also hope that this thread will help others hoping to do the same. One note I would like to add too is that anyone on a non immigrant 'O' visa who is married to a Thai can apply for a shorter extension, up to 60 days, without needing to show any financial proof, just marriage certificate and Thai spouse's ID card, plus your passport and application form; this may be useful for those who are planning a trip out of Thailand to get a new visa but are in danger of overstaying.
I now wait and hope!

[lomuamart]

Interesting post, WL.
As you know, I had problems with this extension last year. Imm were telling me that the 40k minimum had to be transferred into a Thai bank and they wouldn't budge on this point. I have since called BKK and they confirm that it isn't necessary, but The Embassy letter and UK bank statements are.
I notice all the finer details as well, most of which I was aware of. Maybe I caught the officer on a bad day?
Anyway, BKK said I could apply up there and bypass HH. After all, marriage/family income extensions are granted by BKK, not locally. Retirement extensions can be done locally.
I'll wait with baited breath to see how you get on. On my single entry Non O, I've got to wait until approx the end of April to apply. 2-3 weeks before the extension expires, so hopefully you'll have good news by then
BTW, how many months of bank statements did you show? 3 months?

[Wanderlust]

My bank statements were from an investment account that pays interest monthly, so i had those for most of last year (as there was only 2 sheets of paper) but not covering the last 3 months; however as it is a fixed interest 5 year account I also had the certificate from the bank stating all the necessary details (5 years, sum invested, fixed interest rate) so combined that was enough. I think all that is required by the regulations is the last 3 months, but if you can show more then I think it all helps.

[JimmyGreaves]

Not sure if I missed something here but how long of an extension does this procedure refer to?

[lomuamart]

I'm sure it'll be for a year.

[Wanderlust]

Yes it is a year; sorry forgot to mention that in my initial post

[JimmyGreaves]

Read somewhere if your over 50 and have a child then you can get the extension without having to show income. Sounds better than the Retirement!

[buksida]

Read somewhere if your over 50 and have a child then you can get the extension without having to show income.

This is true and bloody ridiculous IMO, Thai immigration know older guys are more financially secure so thats why they want them here. How can you put an age limit on fatherhood and why do they make it harder for under 50's to stay and support their families in Thailand?

Fascists

Reading Wl's post also indicates to me that the simple marriage extension is getting harder also, more hoops to jump through ... at least in Hua Hin - I imagine the process is easier in Bangkok. These few stuck out as being new requirements and yes they may only be applicable in Hua Hin:

A Thai friend or relative that had been at the wedding.

My mother's and father's full names.

Highest education qualification I had achieved.

Last job in the UK.

What the hell have the last three got to do with supporting your wife in Thailand (in addition to the bank statements which should be more than enough)?

[Big Boy]

What the hell have the last three got to do with supporting your wife in Thailand (in addition to the bank statements which should be more than enough)?

That was my my first impression when I read the OP. I thought about it a while, and came to the conclusion it was a way of you proving who you are by answering a few very personal questions when they come visiting you.

[buksida]

Thats a nice thought BB but a simple photo would solve the identification issue should they get confused with the overwhelming number of foreigners living in Hua Hin.

[Big Boy]

Not if I had taken it