Can I spend the 400,000 baht after my marriage visa is granted, or does it have to remain in the bank for annual immigration checks?

Jan 10, 2021
4 years ago
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
entering on a tourist exemption visa and hopefully will change it over to a marriage visa, I am aware I have to have 400,000 in a Thailand bank account for 2 months before I can apply for marriage visa,

my question is can I spend the 400,000 after marriage visa is granted or does it have to stay in the bank so that every year when I go to immigration they have to see the money in the account?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the financial requirements needed for converting a tourist exemption entry into a marriage visa in Thailand. A key point raised is the necessity of showing 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account, which must be maintained for at least 2 months before applying for the marriage visa. Once the marriage visa is granted, there are varying opinions on whether that money can be spent immediately or if it needs to remain in the account for future immigration visits. Many participants share their experiences and advice regarding different immigration offices across Thailand, emphasizing the differences in local practices and requirements.
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Tod *********
ALL POSTERS ON THIS THREAD:

Here's a pro-tip and you need to take it to heart.

NEVER EVER (under any circumstances) trust an embassy worker at a thai consulate OUTSIDE thailand about anything to do with visas/extensions from an immigration office INSIDE the country

AND the reverse is true too

NEVER EVER (under any circumstances) trust an immigration officer at a thai immigration office INSIDE thailand about anything to do with getting visas from a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country

They are two totally different government agencies;

embassies/consulates are run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office

and

immigration offices are run as a division of the Royal Thai Police.

Neither of them have the slightest clue what the other can or cannot do.

There are reports of embassy websites stating that 30 day visa exempt entries (which are now 45 days) can't be extended for 30 days, BUT that is totally false and they can indeed get 30 day extensions. That rule allowing it is an immigration rule NOT an MFA rule and hasn't changed.

There are also reports of embassy websites stating that 'regular' tourist visas (the one that gets you stamped in for 60 days) can't be changed to another visa type inside the country. Again, that is totally false and you can indeed go from a 60 day tourist visa entry to an in country Non-Immigrant Type visa if you meet the requirements for the visa you're applying for. That rule allowing it is an immigration rule NOT an MFA rule and hasn't changed either.

Sorry this was long, hopefully helpful
Tod *********
@Wy***
and
@J**
there are TWO different steps you take to get from a tourist visa or a visa exempt to a "marriage visa".

FIRST you apply for an in country 90 day NOn-O visa based on marriage to a thai (that cost 2000baht). When you apply using banked money there is no seasoning requirement (meaning the money doesn't need to be in the bank for any set amount of time) BUT it does have to be transferred in from abroad into a thai bank account in your name only.

You apply for this visa and it will go under consideration for between 2 and 3 weeks depending on the immigration office (Bangkok is 14 days Chiang Mai is 21) then you go back, get the Non-O visa inked in and a new 90 day stamp.

When that new 90 day stamp runs down to about a month left on it you go back to the immigration office and apply for the year extension of stay based on marraige for 1900baht . This step is the one that requires the 400K baht be 'seasoned' in your account for 2 months before you apply for the extension. When you apply you'll get a 30 day under consideration stamp (and some offices say you need to keep the money in the bank during that time too) and then you go back and get the year extension inked into your passport. After that you can spend the money as you want to.
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
wow that’s very detailed information Tod many thanks for taking the time and effort to share it with me 👌👌👌👌
Wylie *******
@Tod ********
thanks!! Thats what I thought, but had recieved conflicting info from immigration and comments.
Kuan ******
I may be wrong but it says 400,000 or monthly income of 40,000 bht ?
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kuan *****
40,000 baht 👍
Kool *******
@Kuan *****
for the bt40k a month option, your bank account has to show those direct deposits from outside the country for the last 12 months. This can not be done if it hasn't been coming into your Thai bank account for at least 12 months before applying.
Will ************
The London Embassy has basically said this last few days to people going in on 45 days visa exemption that they are not going to allow the 30 day extension in Thailand.
Stuart *********
@Will ***********
the RTE in London are a completely separate entity to the Thai immigration police. Don’t count on what one says as regards to the others policies.
Bob **********
You can come in on your stamp get a 30 day extension then apply for a non-o visa good for 90 days which gives you time to get your money in place and move on to the marriage visa
Kool *******
If you are not married yet, the 45 day visa exempt stamp will not do it for your banking requirement, especially if you do not already have a bank account. The first 15 days will be spent in quarantine, then you need to open an account, and that can take days to do on a tourist exempt stamp. You will be declined at most every bank, mainly because you do not have a work permit. If you find one then you either have to have the cash with you to immediately deposit, or it will take another day, or two, to transfer the money into your account. Oh, and Bangkok Bank now requires a letter from your embassy verifying that your passport is ligitimate. Your visa exemption is figured in days, 45+30, with the first 15 in quarantine, but, the financial requirement is figured in months, with a few months having 31 days, which messes you up for the two months by a few days. Get the single entry tourist visa, and what ever you do, DO NOT get the 90 day STV visa, with two extensions, as it is very specific that it can not be changed into any other visa/extension inside Thailand. If you can, bring your cash for the marriage extension with you, bt400,000+ at least. When you put that down in front of the bank staff, they are more inclined to open an account for you, as the manager can make exceptions. I would use Kasikorn Bank, as Bangkok Bank will still require the embassy letter verifying your passport, and that costs money. As far as your marriage goes. It is not the party, with the monks, and all the cultural traditions with her parents. You must go to the local Amphur, and get married there, as that is where it is registered and you get your two sets of documents. Without those you are not technically married, and, depending on the Amphur you might have to make an appointment. The parents, or her, might pick the auspicious day to do it. Do not argue with them on that, if they do. Good luck.
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
many thanks for your time and effort, it’s a very complicated process but with everyone’s advice I will hopefully succeed 👍👍👍👍👍
Steven ***************
@Kool ******
. There's a simple fix to the bank account issue. Take your Thai wife and marriage certificate with you when applying. They won't deny you a bank account when the wife demands it.
Kool *******
@Steven **************
that can be true, but then given the time it takes to get married, and the maximum amount of time he has with a visa exemption stamp, he won't have enough time to meet the financial requirement for his marriage extension. He'll be about a week short at the best.
Steven ***************
@Kool ******
.he can get married, takes an hour at the amphur, then use the paperwork to get a 60 day " visit family " extension just before his visa expires instead of a 30 day extension.
Nigel *********
If you're not yet married and entering on visa exempt you're cutting it a bit fine. You'll get 45 days + 30 (extended). Why not apply for a tourist visa? Do you already have a bank account in Thailand? It's possible to get one on TV but some people have experienced difficulty.

Once you're out of quarantine I'd head out straight to the immigration office you plan to use and ask them for the hand out. All requirements are similar but each are different. For the money it's 2 months before and to be kept in the bank whilst under consideration (some immigration offices differ). After that you can use the money as you see fit.
Robert *********
@Nigel *********************
I agree and always advise the same
Wylie *******
I got the requirements sheet from the Chiang Mai immigration to do exactly that. For the initial non-O it only states that the 400,000 baht needs to be in the bank. Not that it needs to be in for 2 months. On the requirements sheet for the 1 year extension it states it needs to be in for 2 months. I'm curious if anyone can confirm this since there was also some confusion when talking to them at immigration.
Steven ***************
Done this 3 times . 2 months prior plus the 30 days under consideration. When you return after 30 days to collect your stamp, you can then do what you want with your money.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
was that for the initial 3 month in country non-o visa based on marriage or the 1 year extension? I believe they have different requirements.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. When I applied 4 years ago for a Thai spouse visa, I had no choice but to obtain it outside Thailand. I have extended it 3 times. I don't know if they now allow in country applications seeing you can get a yearly spouse extension off most entry visa types anyway.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
my understanding is you cannot get the 1 year extension off a tourist visa. It needs to be from a non-o. So they gave me the requirements list (see above post) to convert to a non-o based on marriage first.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. Thats why I said" most" . You can off a retirement, work and dependant visas, I personally know people who have switched in the last 12 months due to losing jobs or getting married since entering on those visas/extensions.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. One year extension. You can't get a visa inside Thailand, only an extension based on marriage.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
I'm fairly certain you are incorrect on that. You can convert a tourist visa to non-o based on marriage in country. I've been to immigration twice now to discuss and get the required documents. You first need to do that, then get the 1 year extension after that.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. Are you confusing an extension with a visa? Tourist visa to spouse extension may well be possible , but tourist visa to spouse visa won't happen. To my knowledge spouse VISAS are only obtained outside thailand. Yearly extensions are only available inside thailand and can be done off the back of another entry visa or extension . Visas are to enter, extensions are to remain longer.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
no I am not confusing the two. I specifically asked about the non-o based on thai wife and they gave me the list that I posted above for the requirements along with "application for change of visa" below.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
then thats a new procedure since I tried. Perhaps covid had something to do with it. The previous photo you showed is also the requirements for a spouse extension.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
since it wasn't crystal clear I did everything I could to get the 400k in an account as soon as possible. Unfortunately due to losing 16 days in quarantine followed by the holidays it was already cut close. But then the bank would not allow me to open an account without a work permit, which I don't have on a tr visa, or a residency certificate. Unfortunately CM immigration is not giving those at the moment due to another system being down, which they again have no clue when it will be up again. So I had to wait for an appointment with my embassy to get a certified copy of my passport. Due to all of that the money will be in my account tomorrow. Which will leave it just short of two months if I only get the 30 day extension. I will try for the 60 day covid extension before the 29th though just in case I've been given incorrect information from the IO and it does indeed need to be 2 months.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. I was in a similar situation. Last year I was about to return to Australia for 2 weeks to visit family and get a fresh yearly visa S the financial requirements and process are much easier. 3 days before my flight my wife was rushed to hospital. I wanted to stay to take care of her but my extension was expiring and didn't have the 400k for 2 months in bank. Didn't need to due to flying home. I went to immigration and explained. They gave me a 60 day visit family extension ( allowed once only per visa) which allowed me to stay and bought me 60 days to put and keep 400k in my bank account. Covid then got big and borders closed 2 weeks later. I got lucky in a way.

Only advice I can give you is only speak to an actual immigration officer and get their name too. The help desk staff arent always right, I've been led astray myself by them at Changwatanna immigration.
Tod *********
@Steven **************
there is no problem applying for an in country 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai or being over 50 at most immigration offices from a 30 day visa exempt entry or a tourist visa entry.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
it is almost the same. For the initial application the IO said only the items above the financial requirement (which does not mention 2 months) were needed. They had another list which merely states "thai wife" at the top and is virtually identical, but specifically stated 2 months for the 400k baht. It does not mention non-o or 1 year extension which made it confusing. That is why we went back and talked to an actual officer instead of the volunteers outside helping.

Unfortunately, unlike some of their embassies in other countries there does not seem to be any official website here in Thailand that clearly states the rules and requirements. The CM immigration website is down and they have no clue when it will be back up.
Steven ***************
@Wylie ******
. Regarding opening a bank account, I had issues until I was married. Take your marriage papers and wife to a bank and you'll get one. Especially when your wife demands one... haha. Open a joint account if necessary, then open a sole account straight after, they can't refuse, wife may need to sign as a "guarantor " for yours. Don't ask me why one is needed for a debit account.. thats the Thai way of doing things.. Kasikorn are good.
Wylie *******
@Steven **************
i was successful when I went back with the certified copy of my passport from the US embassy, although it cost me over a week. They wanted some letter stating my passport was valid, which the US embassy knew nothing about. In the end they accepted the certified copy since it would be hard to obtain if the passport wasn't valid. It is a bit strange they make it so difficult since all I was trying to do was open a savings account and give them my money, not borrow any.
Karim ***************
@Wylie ******
Chiang Mai office seems to be a little more relaxed and helpful, compared to other immigration offices.
Oliver *******************
@Wylie ******
it depends which office you go to, in krabi they require 3 months I was 5 days short because I had a bank fee come out a few times, there's also a multiple entry visa which you renew every 3 months but not sure if its doable with all the restrictions, some say 2 but do 3 just in case
Michael ********
@Wylie ******
2 months prior i just did in Samat Sakorn
Stuart *********
If you’re already married why not apply for a Non O visa based on marriage before you enter. Gives you 90 days to sort out banking and finances.
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
not married yet
กรพัทธ์ *********
@Jim *********
as​ now​ for​ covid​ they​ not​ doing​ any​ marriage​ registration​ for​ foreigners​ but​ u​ can​ confirm​ first....
Stuart *********
@Jim *********
OK. Scratch that option.
David *********
Check with immigration as now they want copies of your bank book dated back 12 months plus updated bank book on the day you go to immigration plus letter from your bank
Steve *********
Let's start by asking exactly what you're entering on - a visa? Which visa? Or a visa exemption (ie. No visa)? This might make a difference as to your next step.
Stuart *********
Steve *********
@Stuart ********
the phrase "tourist exemption visa" was puzzling me.
Stuart *********
@Steve ********
yes terminology is useful but I’m a sure he means coming in on a visa exemption entry.
Steve *********
@Stuart ********
that was my thought, but I wanted to be sure.
Stuart *********
In theory you can spend it as soon as you get your extension. However a number of offices will give you an under consideration stamp for 30 days. Some require the 400k to be still in the bank at the time you return for the remaining days stamp. Once you have the stamp you can spend all of it. If you want another years extension it’ll have to be back up to 400k 2 months prior.
Jim **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
many thanks👍
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