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?

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

@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.

I may be wrong but it says 400,000 or monthly income of 40,000 bht ?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.