Can an expat borrow money to meet the bank balance requirement for an O Visa marriage extension in Thailand?

400,000 for 2 Months prior to application and 3 months after extension. Then the amount cannot go under 200, 000 or you lose your extension and must start over with a new Visa

Simple answer to your question is yes you can do it that way and no, its not illegal. In the case of an extension based on marriage, the amount is to show you can support your wife - its not a security deposit. Do it for your first year then make sure you transfer the required amount into a Thai bank account each month for the next year. I believe the amount is still 40,000 per month but check with your immigration office as its possible that has changed. Next year, supply evidence of those transfers (again check with immigration how they want that to be) and you can apply for the extension without the need for 400k in the bank.

I would guard against using an agent for a marriage based extension - they are much more complicated than a retirement extension and a lot of what is required has to be carried out by yourself/wife in any case. I also don't think most agents will arrange the 400k for a marriage based extension. That amount is usually withdrawn on the same day after a retirement extension is obtained. With a marriage based extension you may be asked to show evidence of the funds being in your account 3 times. Once on application, again when the home visit is carried out and again when you collect your extension. None of that happened to me but I was warned that it could. An agent may be able to get around the ‘seasoning period’ but the funds may have to stay in your account for 8 weeks after application (I was given a 60 day ‘Under Consideration’ stamp) - I doubt an agent would be prepared to facilitate that.

What a screwed up system!

Your screwed

Your screwed

I think the bank balance can’t drop below 400.000 & it’s got to be 800.000 3 months before renewing

I really think if you need to borrow it you probably can't afford to live here.

I really think if you need to borrow it you probably can't afford to live here.

Borrowing money (whether from a bank or family members) for a visa extension is looney tunes: that’s what agents are for.

But agents are not just for people who don’t have the THB 400K or 800K to hand.

Take the example of THB 400k, using an agent. Keep the THB 400K invested overseas, and it’s easy to make 5% on that investment.

5% of THB 400K is THB 20K per year, and you have now covered the agent’s fees!

Yes, it really is that simple.

First step to get a retirement visa currently living in Australia cheers?

First step to get a retirement visa currently living in Australia cheers?

That's what agents do. However most of them won't touch a marriage extension, because it goes "under consideration" for 4 weeks and the application gets sent to the Bangkok headquarter, whereas a retirement extension gets issued the same day by the Immigration that handles it. Sorry but you have NO CHANCE that an agent will touch it. You could try the owner of this group, Thai Visa Centre and see what they say

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that money lending thing typically is what agents are doing. They put the deposit into your bank account for 10 minutes, and get your extension stamped. However, most agents won't touch a marriage extension. They prefer the retirement extension as it is less complicated. You will need to shop around and ask agents. There are many of these in Pattaya and Bangkok, but also in every touristy town

If you don’t have 400k Myb you should look at your spending

If you haven't got the money why the he'll are you living here, or show proof of income with Embassy avadavet if your Embassy issuer's one.

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You pay the agency...agency pays the "fees". I don't really support any thing that involves "overpayments and added fees" . It makes it harder for the people who just do it all on their own, and want to pay nomal fees for services.

that money lending thing typically is what agents are doing. They put the deposit into your bank account for 10 minutes, and get your extension stamped. However, most agents won't touch a marriage extension. They prefer the retirement extension as it is less complicated. You will need to shop around and ask agents. There are many of these in Pattaya and Bangkok, but also in every touristy town

Just do it within the rules and you'll have no problems.

lol, just try to borrow from a bank here! Even if you have several chanotes, and villas worth 50 mill, unless you can show a tax receipt of any income, it’s a complete waste of time !

Just use an agent, pay a year, thousands of people do it that way

Each bank had different requirements

Don’t want 3 months of seasoning then maintain the amount 4 months after

Not many people are willing to lose that much money for a potential 7 months

Good luck

Isn't the alternative to show you have 40,000 baht monthly income? Or 65,000 depending on which visa.

Just be careful some banks if they see the 400,000 has just gone in asking for you to sign that you will keep the money in for a period of time .

Thai visa center Bangkok. Talk with Grace

It’s legal..but that 400k deposit should come from abroad if you want it to go smoothly..the bigger question of course is if you don’t have that money then what do you plan on doing to live here?…lol

Then when it comes time to renewal you will need to repeat and make sure its there in time.

Immigration doesn't care where the money comes from as long as you have it in your bank account for the appropriate period. I'd recommend keeping it in the bank until you have the actual extension stamped in your passport

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