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Can I obtain a 90-day marriage visa for Thailand in Penang before returning to apply for the yearly extension?
Non-Immigrant O VisaVisa Application ProcessThailand Visa RequirementsBank Requirements for VisaExpats in ThailandMarriage to Thai NationalVisa Change ProcedureThai Immigration Rules
Dec 3, 2023
2 years ago
Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone, I am an Australian and recently got married to a Thai. I am planning to go to Penang, Malaysia for 2-3 months and getting the first 90 day marriage visa, before returning to Thailand to get the yearly extension.
I was looking at form 12 - NON-IMMIGRANT VISA (O) FOR DEPENDANT on [members only] but noticed on section 8.3 (see attached) that you need a bank statement for the last 6 months with 400k THB in a Thai bank account. I suspect this may be for the 1 year visa, but I can't find the checklist on the requirements for the 90-day visa like there is for the Laos requirements on [members only].
What I wanted to do was go to Penang, get the single entry 90 day marriage visa, go back to Thailand, open a bank account, and deposit the money from my Australian bank into the Thai bank, then renew it in Thailand for 1 year. Can someone please confirm if this is possible to do in Penang, or if I will need to go to Laos (or another near-by country) for the initial 90 day marriage visa. All the information seems to be geared towards the 1 year extension and would love to clarify what is needed before getting to that step.
Thank you!
I was looking at form 12 - NON-IMMIGRANT VISA (O) FOR DEPENDANT on [members only] but noticed on section 8.3 (see attached) that you need a bank statement for the last 6 months with 400k THB in a Thai bank account. I suspect this may be for the 1 year visa, but I can't find the checklist on the requirements for the 90-day visa like there is for the Laos requirements on [members only].
What I wanted to do was go to Penang, get the single entry 90 day marriage visa, go back to Thailand, open a bank account, and deposit the money from my Australian bank into the Thai bank, then renew it in Thailand for 1 year. Can someone please confirm if this is possible to do in Penang, or if I will need to go to Laos (or another near-by country) for the initial 90 day marriage visa. All the information seems to be geared towards the 1 year extension and would love to clarify what is needed before getting to that step.
Thank you!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about applying for a 90-day marriage visa in Penang, Malaysia, before returning to Thailand for an extension. Key points include the requirement of a bank statement with 400,000 THB for the visa application, the possibility of changing visa types from within Thailand, and advice to avoid Penang due to stricter consulate rules compared to other locations like Savannakhet, Laos, which may offer easier access to the 90-day visa without financial proof.
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Hristo ***********
I did this visa 1 month ago switching from tourist to non o in Phuket. They required bank account, but i was told that the requirement for 400k 2months+ is for the extension, as my 400k were transferred 40 days before the application. Additionally, there is not requirement for this money to come from abroad, in my case i just did transfer them from my wife's account. Visa application was approved. The best is just to call them.
Nongnuch ********
the requirements listed:
************************************************************************************************************************************************
*******
/6.FOR-PROVIDING-SUPPORT-TO-OR-BEING-A-DEPENDANT-OF-A-THAI-CITIZEN-SPOUSE-VISA-NON-O.pdfNongnuch ********
@Jon *********
there is an alternative route you could take. Just apply to a 60-days Tourist Visa on Penang, or enter Thailand visa-exempt (upon which you will receive a 30 days stay permit). Immediately apply on immigration for a "change of visa type" from the tourist visa to a "90-days Non-Imm-O married to a Thai wife visa". The fee is 2000.- THB. You can apply as long as there are a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp. NOTE TO SELF: you will need the proof that the 400,000.- THB sitting in your Thai bank account in your sole name, came from abroad. For the "change" to the visa, no seasoning period is needed. From up to 30 days before the 90 days expire (it's 45 days in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Jomtien) you can go from the Non-Imm-O visa to the 1-year extension of stay based on being married to a Thai wife. The fee will be 1900.- THB. Proof will be needed that on the dy of the application, the 800,000.- THB have been sitting in your account for two months. Check out step number 6 - it will show you the requirements needed for the change on Immigration **********************************************
Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
Awesome! Thanks so much, I will give it a try!Nongnuch ********
@Jon *********
at the Thai Embassy Vientiane you would need an appointment. Other than that, it also is a very relaxed embassy and worth using itJon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
Thank you for letting me know. My tourist visa actually does expire in a week and I'll need to leave Thailand before then so I won't be able to get an agent to open a bank account for me before I leave.With this new knowledge I have gained, I won't go to the Thai embassy in Penang anymore. I was still thinking of going to Malaysia for a holiday though. To my surprise, it looks like there aren't any flights to Savannakhet from KL, or if they exist they are probably too expensive.
They do have decent flights into Vientiane though. I saw that they have a Thai embassy in Vientiane. Not sure if you have heard much about it, but I was looking at requirements on
******************************************************
and It doesn't mention the financial requirement here from what I can tell. It would be a little more convenient but It wouldn't be a big deal to make my way to Savannakhet.Nongnuch ********
@Jon *********
correct - open a bank account with the help of an agent and make sure the transfer of 400,000 THB equivalent ist shown as coming from abroad. Rthen apply for the "change". NOTE: you need a minimum of 15 days left on your stay permit to be allowed for the application ,because your application will go "under consideration" for 2 weeksNongnuch ********
@Jon *********
in your place I would avoid Malaysia and Penang in general. They are know for unfriendly service, and have tightened the rules for a single entry Non-Imm-O visa married to a Thai wife. . . . . The consulate of Savannakhet, Laos, is the better option. Beginning in October 2023, Savannakhet will issue the 90-days single entry without proof of funds, and the multi entry 1-year Non-Imm-O only with proof of funds (no seasoning required!)Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks so much! I was planning on doing it by deposit because I do have the equivalent of 400,000 THB that I could send into a Thai bank account from my Australian bank. Although I am planning on opening a bank account here in Thailand (very) soon, perhaps through an agent.
Nongnuch ********
@Jon *********
in case you do not understand the requirements, you can ask me, OR ask Immigration. The most crucial thing is, HOW will you meet the requirement of the financial proof. Will it be by income, or will it be by deposit. I am aware that if you use the income method, Australians cannot get an income affidavit from their embassy any more. So you would need a 12 month bank statement of incoming from abroad minimum 40,000.- THB. . . The 400,000.- THB deposit statement is easier - it just has to sit in your account on the say you apply for the changeNongnuch ********
@Jon *********
aye, you can actually receive a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa on the Immigration inside Thailand. I am aware many people do not know this option. However there are equally many people who have done so, with easeJon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nongnuch *******
Thanks so much for sharing! I haven't heard about this 'change of visa' type before because everything I was searching seemed to talk about doing it outside of Thailand. It definitely seems quite convenient to be able to do it from within Thailand with this alternative approach.Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
Andy **********
If you can't open a bank account yourself, just contact an agent, they can get you one for a fee.
Brandon ************
@Frances *******
possible that demand is exceeding supplyFrances ********
@Brandon ***********
hmmm 2 agents in Pattaya quoted that😨Brandon ************
@Frances *******
that's pricey. Normally 5-6,000 as a standalone serviceJon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
Great idea! I will try do that. Thank you for letting me know. Much appreciated!Frances ********
@Jon *********
yes. Get an agent. They will get a bank account for you. Runs about 9,000 Baht to do it.Andy **********
The thai car and motorcycle licenses are completely separate licences, no motorcycle entitlement on the car license like your home country license, It sounds like the Australian car license is the same as the UK with everything you said in your comment, you can ride a low powered moped on your IDP international car licence (with motorcycle entitlement) for Upto 3 consecutive months I believe, then legally you need full thai licenses for both car and motorcycle, just convert your home car license into full thai car and motorcycle licenses, as I suggested in the other comment, you need to be careful with travel insurance etc, any accidents and you don't have the appropriate license it will void the policy.
Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
Thank you so much for sharing, that seems well worth it! I have a (car) driver's licence from Australia, but not a motorbike licence. Usually people would only get the motorbike licence in Australia if they ride the bigger motorbikes that have gears, as the regular driver's licence allows you to drive small mopeds without needing the motorbike licence.
Just to clarify, is the motorbike licence for you to drive the bigger motorbikes with gears? Or perhaps it is also needed for the simpler mopeds I tend to find myself on?
Cheers!
Andy **********
@Jon *********
to just convert your home country licence into Thai car and motorcycle licenses, your home license needs to include motorcycle entitlement, also you need a IDP, then it's a visit to the land and transport office with the agent for a simple colour blind and reaction test, the agent I used charged me ฿5000.To open the bank account you need 30 days or more remaining on your current stamp in your passport, they will do the resident certification, the agent will accompany you to the bank and do all the paperwork work, no need to buy accident insurance, it was ฿700 for the MasterCard payable to the bank plus a cash deposit into your account. The agent fee was ฿4000. There are lots of agents in all the major tourist resorts, just have a walk around and sit down and have a chat about what you need doing, I'm sure you will find one that will assist you.
Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
That is really great to hear you were able to get both a bank account and a Thai driving license so recently. It is a really good idea and I think I will do the same. I'm up in Chiang Mai but imagine they would have similar agents around here. May I ask how much it cost you to do? If it isn't too expensive it sounds like it would be very handy. Cheers!Andy **********
@Jon *********
apparently a lot of the rules and regulations with thai banks have recently changed, making it difficult or impossible to open an account on a short term visa doing it yourself. I opened a bank account a few weeks ago, and also converted my home country driving licence together with my international IDP into Thai car and motorcycle licenses, I used an agent in Pattaya, very easy. It would probably be worth getting a quote to do everything, if you don't mind paying the fees and it would save you a headache.Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
That is really interesting, I didn't realise they had agents for that. Sounds like a good plan, cheers!Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
Bernd ***********
This form is for -dependant- ......
Daniele ***********
@Bernd **********
it says for spouse/children of a thai citizen. Does children of a thai citizen even need a visa?Jon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernd **********
I couldn't find any other forms relating to the 90 day marriage visa on their website. The second bullet point under 'purpose of visit' states that this dependant visa is suitable if you are a foreigner and married to a Thai citizen. I could be wrong but I think Malaysia seems to have stricter requirements to get the visa, especially for the initial 90 day one.Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
John **********
You need money in a Thai bank for the initial 90 day Non-O visa as well as for the 12 month extension
Graham ******
@John *********
yes, they've never mentioned it but definitely do it (I have one)John **********
@Graham *****
they certainly don't mention finances on their website but it's not the most accurate thing, they don't mention the 12 month multi entry at allJon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Graham *****
This was what I was thinking and hoping for. @John *********
I suppose I could go into another bank and try again with my Thai wife. Although, It seems like a bit of a catch-22 situation. Perfectly happy with the 90 day single entry. From what I have read there have been some updates very recently in Laos. Perhaps I will give it a go and report back if I can't open a bank and anyone is interested.Graham ******
@John *********
I believe that Savannaket only require finances for the 12 month multi-entry, if you don't have the proof they issue you the 90 day single entry Non-O.John **********
@Jon *********
I think you'll find Laos is now the same and requires money in a Thai bank. Opening a bank account requires a bit of work and every branch of every bank has its own rules so you need to try a good few of them. If you have a Thai who can vouch for you take them along and start with their bankJon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Okay, thanks for clarifying. Sounds like I will also need to go to Laos. I went into the bank and they wouldn't let me open an account on a tourist visa and said I need to be on a non immigrant visa to open the account.Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
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