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Do I need to transfer money from my wife's Thai account to the US and back to qualify for a marriage visa in Thailand?
Aug 16, 2020
6 years ago
Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI need some clarification. I've read in other posts in the group that the 400,000 baht required for the visa based on marriage must be transferred in from abroad into my personal Thai bank account. I am saving money every month from my teaching salary here in Thailand. I should have 400,000 baht saved in about a year. The money, as it is being saved, is going into my wife's bank account. The plan is that when I have the full amount saved, I will transfer it to my own Bangkok Bank account. However, if the money has to be transferred from abroad, do I need to transfer the money from my wife's account to my American bank account and then back to my own Bangkok Bank account?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post raises a question about the requirement of transferring 400,000 baht from abroad into a personal Thai bank account for a marriage visa. The user plans to save the amount in Thailand, currently storing it in their wife's account. Comments suggest that the money does not need to come from abroad if the user is applying for an Extension of Stay based on marriage after saving the full amount in a Thai bank account.
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Frank *********
Think about how much money you will lose in the process of transferring
Tod *********
Glad you got your answers (y) good luck with it, stay safe :)
Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI learn something new all the time. I just found out yesterday that I won't need to change my visa "type" and can go to my local immigration office and get a new extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national. That blew me away so much, Robert Lagas had to tell me three times. lol
Tod *********
@Stuart *******
and you also found out that the 400K baht doesn't have to come from abroad for a yearly extension either, only be in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply for the extension. Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTERTod Daniel's, yes. So, all of my concerns were addressed. No more real need to keep the thread open unless you want to invite more replies.
Reply to
Stuart ********
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Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTERFrank Peeter's, it would be quite expensive. I just needed clarification as to whether or not the money has to be shown as coming from abroad.
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Stuart ********
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Robert *******
You do not need a new Non Immigrant O visa,
As you are inside Thailand and working, you apply every year for a new 1 year Extension of Stay (a big stamp) at your local Immigration Office, You can apply when you have the money in your bank for the Extension of Stay based on being married to a Thai citizen,
Example of the stamp
As you are inside Thailand and working, you apply every year for a new 1 year Extension of Stay (a big stamp) at your local Immigration Office, You can apply when you have the money in your bank for the Extension of Stay based on being married to a Thai citizen,
Example of the stamp
Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay. You answered my questions. Thank you.
Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
, right now I am on an extension of stay of my Non-B visa based on work as a teacher. Once I have the required money, I would like to switch to a Non-O based on marriage. Robert *******
@Stuart *******
If you have the money on the bank, wait until your extension runs out and apply for a new on based on marriage in stead of workingStuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
, yes. But the question is whether the money has to be transferred in from abroad, or if I can directly transfer the money from my Thai wife's bank account to my personal Thai bank account. Robert *******
@Stuart *******
NO, money from abroad is a requirement for the Non Immigrant visa and you do not apply for the visa as described but for an Extension of Stay There must be a minimum of 400,000 Thb in your bank account at least 2 months prior application, Where the money comes from or it is a built up from monthly savings does not matterMike ******
@Robert ******
Sorry I'm confused now about the source of the THB400K. So if first time applying for a marriage visa the source must be from abroad to my Thai bank account (minimum 2 months sitting in my Thai bank a/c from date of application) but subsequent extensions it doesn't matter so long as you have that THB400K also minimum 2 months before applying for an extension on the marriage visa?
Robert *******
@Mike *****
Yes, as we say so many times, there are huge differences between a visa and an Extension of Stay and therefor it is important to use the correct terminology to get correct answers, If you try to convert a visa exempt entry or tourist visa into a Non Immigrant O visa the money needs to come from abroad and there is no seasoning,
If you already have a Non Immigrant visa and like to stay longer you apply for the Extension of Stay and therefor money needs to be seasoned at your bank for at least 2 months
Mike ******
@Robert ******
OK thanks again. Just want to be sure.Stuart ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
, since I am currently on an extension of stay on my Non-B visa, don't I need to go through the process of getting a new visa if I want a Non-O based on marriage? Robert *******
@Stuart *******
Third time NO, NO new visa needed, Reply to
Robert *******
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