Non Imm O based on family income

Post by **buksida** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:07 pm

I've heard about this being the case now but has anyone actually got a visa or extension based on "family" earnings within Thailand (ie not bringing money from overseas)? I can't imagine its something that Hua Hin immigration would happily grant given their current policies and previous track records.

Grateful of any info or experiences with this one.

Post by **buksida** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:15 am

I take it nobody has obtained this elusive visa in Hua Hin then?

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:30 am

I missed this thread. I havn't done it with family income, but here's the relevant Police Order that's currently in force:
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/2n ... p606EN.pdf
Section 7.17 is the one you need to look at. I've also got a telephone number at Soi Suan Plu. I called about "having to bring income into Thailand" to get the extension. That's what HH had told me. BKK said that was incorrect. I appreciate you're in a different situation, but I'll get the number off the missus when she wakes up. The woman I spoke to was very helpful and spoke good English.

Post by **Takiap** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:50 am

For anything other than a 30 day extension, I would not waste the time or energy going to HH immigration. While they have always been friendly enough, I simply cannot be bothered with their red tape. A word of advice which will save you a lot of hassle when taking care of visa matters, go to Bangkok.

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:03 am

I have not bothered with HH immigration either, even when I left the province for 3 weeks. I assume since iv'e escaped to the jungle now i'm safe...

Post by **buksida** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:50 am

I figured as much, last time I was in there I asked them about the family income visa and got a blank look in return.

Their attitude seems to be "we only deal with retirees who want to bring money to Thailand, everyone else can F*off".

Post by **lomuamart** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:03 pm

buksida wrote:I figured as much, last time I was in there I asked them about the family income visa and got a blank look in return.

Their attitude seems to be "we only deal with retirees who want to bring money to Thailand, everyone else can F*off".

Yup, that's my experience of them as well. They're not exactly the most friendly Imm Office in this wonderful world.
Certainly, some people can have a good experience, but the following was said to my face:
"There are too many farangs in HH now". That was it. Nothing else.
So why don't they make an objective or even (heaven forbid) legal reason for their intransigence? Or is it just their whim?
PS, I could write a book about my experiences and how my enforced exits from Thailand simply costs the country money. If I'm spending in Malaysia, I'm not spending it here - so how can I take care of my wife?
Not that that's the requirement any more - it's family income. HH just hasn't got out of the 18th century yet.

Post by **HHTel** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:17 pm

Sorry but I have a blank look as well. What is a family income visa? If it's because you're married to a Thai wife then it's quite straightforward although a bit involved. I had one for a couple of years but now I'm on a retirement visa which is very simple but the money requirements are double.

Post by **buksida** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:12 pm

HHTel wrote:Sorry but I have a blank look as well. What is a family income visa?

Read the link lomu provided, section 7.17 clause 6 - "familiy income" of 40k can come from the "alien" or the Thai spouse.

The only problem being (as highlighted above) that this is virtually impossible to get in Hua Hin so a trip to Bangkok - where they are quite friendly and accommodating - is necessary.

Post by **lomuamart** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:39 pm

HHTel wrote:Sorry but I have a blank look as well. What is a family income visa? If it's because you're married to a Thai wife then it's quite straightforward although a bit involved. I had one for a couple of years but now I'm on a retirement visa which is very simple but the money requirements are double.

The requirements and the law changed on Oct 1st 2006.
My Thai wife could earn 40k a month and pay tax on it. I don't need any income in that situation. It's family/combined income.
I could be a kept man. Dream on

Post by **Takiap** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:27 pm

Hi all

My wife did ask once when we were at immigration in Hua-Hin and she was told that the main thing required, was that we could show proof of having paid tax on the 40k monthly income. When they asked her what I do or what she does, she explained that she has an online business as well as a day job. They asked if she pays tax and she said. With this, the officer said that we would have to show tax records in order to go that route. I have since read on another forum that one can go and register for tax and that they will even back date it for you. Apparently the tax on 40,000 baht a month income is, I think, 2800 baht per year, payable every six months.

Even with this info, I won't even consider HH immigration when I do apply as we will go to Bangkok for it.

Post by **Jockey** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:42 pm

I have said on previous posts the HH immigration is helpful and friendly. I take this back. They seem to have changed tact over the last couple of years. Since they moved office, they seem to have taken on a bad attitude to Farangs, and are disinterested with anything out with the norm. Last year they fined me 800 baht for leaving the country but not reporting to them within 24 hours after my return. (I thought immigration at customs was sufficient reporting). I needed to get a letter of confirmation of address for car registration from them. They knew that so I think they were looking for any opportunity to wangle money and I had to reluctantly pay up.

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:52 pm

Takiap wrote:Hi all

My wife did ask once when we were at immigration in Hua-Hin and she was told that the main thing required, was that we could show proof of having paid tax on the 40k monthly income. When they asked her what I do or what she does, she explained that she has an online business as well as a day job. They asked if she pays tax and she said. With this, the officer said that we would have to show tax records in order to go that route. I have since read on another forum that one can go and register for tax and that they will even back date it for you. Apparently the tax on 40,000 baht a month income is, I think, 2800 baht per year, payable every six months.

Even with this info, I won't even consider HH immigration when I do apply as we will go to Bangkok for it.

That's my understanding as well. If your wife is "supporting you" and you're relying on the 40k a month income, then she needs to show tax documents that the required amount has been paid in tax on a minimum of 40k.
If the farang is contributing to the family income - say 20k a month and the wife the same - the important document is a certificate of income from your respective BKK Embassy. Ie: It's quite plain that The Brit Embassy require your last three UK bank statements - it's on their web site. They'll issue the certificate of monthly earnings on that basis.
Soi Suan Plu confirmed this to me by telephone (I appreciate things might be different when I go). HH were demanding that 40k a month was transferred into a Thai bank account to satisfy them that I was supporting my Thai wife. Utter rubbish. She can support me.
Again dream on

Post by JD » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:23 pm

Takiap wrote: Apparently the tax on 40,000 baht a month income is, I think, 2800 baht per year, payable every six months.

Slight correction, tax is 7%, so that would be 2,800 Baht per Month, payable every six months (if self employed), payable from your employer if working.

You do also get allowances, marriage, children, etc.. So your payment every six months should be 2,800 x 6 - Personal Allowances.

Any Thai accountant can sort this out for you for not very much money, or just go to the Tax Office, they will happily sit with you and your wife and get your tax records up together.

You will then be given a certificate of tax paid to show immigration when you next apply for your visa extension. They 'should' not disagree with a formulated and stamped tax certificate from their own Amphur. If they do, ask them what they need, then go back to the tax office and ask them to supply the correct info for you.

Post by **Takiap** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:10 am

I know this sounds strange and maybe its the only case in LOS but yes, my wife can support me and she does

Keep in mind though that this was not always the case and we must also remember that it was I who bought two houses before reachng this easy stage