Can I Access My 400,000 Baht in Thai Bank Account Before Visa Approval?

Jun 19, 2020
4 years ago
Julian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have applied for a non o visa for marriage in Thailand. Paperwork all accepted, house interview completed and a date stamped in my passport to return next month and hopefully get the one year visa. My question is can I now access the 400,000 baht in my Thai bank account, or must I leave it another month?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus from commenters is that you should not access the 400,000 baht in your Thai bank account until your non O visa is officially approved, which is expected to be in approximately one month.
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Dave ********
Don't touch it for 2 months
Tod *********
that is not correct.

The requirements are the money needs to be in the bank for 2 months BEFORE you apply for the extension and the O/P has already said they got their 30 day under consideration stamp

Also only some immigration offices want you to keep the money in the bank for the 30 day under consideration stamp and show your bank book when you go back

Those offices make it really clear when you apply you need to do that. So if the O/P wasn't told about it when he applied for the extension I'd say he's free and clear to do what he wants with the money
Dave ********
@Tod ********
Sorry, I thought that applying for your first marriage visa was the same as renewing one (the rules change every 2 minutes ๐Ÿ˜Ž)

When renewing your Thai Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa you must have the necessary funds cleared in your Thai Bank account at least 3 months prior to your renewal application. Some (but not all) immigration offices insist that you keep it for 2 months after renewal
Tod *********
@Dave *******
that is not correct :( .

The financial requirements for a yearly extension based on marriage to a thai using banked money are; have 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the extension. If it's based on marriage the seasoning is 2 months before you apply for the next extension.

AND

While there is nothing written into the immigration rules about it some offices want you to leave the money in the bank for the 30 day under consideration period, update your bank book and show the balance when you go back to get the year extension inked in
Dave ********
@T**
, I have just renewed mine and needed proof that the money had been in my account for 3 months, also that i need to keep it there for a further 2 months.

(The two month rule might be up to the discretion of the officer dealing with the renewal, some are jobsworths, while others are more relaxed)

Either way, it's better to err on the side of caution
Michael ********
@Dave *******
Dave you are confusing 2 different extensions.....1. Marriage extension...400k for 2 months before...and usually keep it for a month after to be safe (it has never been 3 months before and 2 after)

2. Retirement extension...800k 3 months before application and 2 months after, mandatory for every renewal. (also min 400k for the other 7 months of the year)
Dave ********
@Mic****
, ok, I'm wrong .... I know what immigration told me, but you lot carry on with what you believe
Michael ********
@Dave *******
They would have meant retirement when they told you that.
Dave ********
@Michael *******
I have a marriage visa, so no, it wasn't for retirement
Tod *********
@Dave *******
, that immigrations told you something doesn't mean that's what the real rule is and that you followed it doesn't mean that either.

The real rule based on marriage extensions is what I said it is

Here's the thai and the english of the current police order in effect
Marty *********
@Dave *******
Those sound like the requirements for the 800,000 baht need for an extension based on retirement.
James ********
DO NOT TOUCH THE 400,000 UNTIL AFTER your visa is approved..in approx one month.
Julian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Ok cheers, will do then.
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