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How can I apply for a Thai marriage visa without a Thai bank account while on a tourist visa?
Marriage VisaThai Bank AccountVisa Application ProcessExpatriate in ThailandNON-O VisaPension StatementThai Immigration Rules
Jan 23, 2022
4 years ago
Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHey you guys. I need help once again. So I got my wife thai citizenship sorted and she can enter the country as a thai. But now I need help with the marriage visa. How can I get a thai bank account on a tourist visa? How can I even apply for the marriage visa if I don’t have a thai bank account. No I can’t apply from Germany because they are super slow with giving me my residency here. I’m also doing the 40k baht method not the 400k method. Also I’m American. I have a pension statement. I also I have statements from my German bank that says I have been receiving my pension for over 2 years. So what do I need to actually start my marriage visa in Thailand?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking guidance on applying for a Thai marriage visa despite being on a tourist visa and lacking a Thai bank account. They mention having a Thai spouse, a pension statement, and a history of receiving pension funds but are currently unable to apply from Germany due to delays. Responses suggest that opening a Thai bank account with the spouse's assistance is possible, and that funds in a Thai bank are only necessary for extending the spouse visa in Thailand, not for the initial application.
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Steve **********
You may have to go to a few branches ,but can get. Many offices want COR
or Cert from Consul/ Embassy, but a smile works more readily.
Bring copy of lease or letter from hotel.
or Cert from Consul/ Embassy, but a smile works more readily.
Bring copy of lease or letter from hotel.
Mark **********
Here’s a quick read if you need some help and a consult.
******************************************************
Steven ***************
You don't need money in a Thai bank to get a spouse visa outside Thailand. You need it in a Thai bank to apply for a spouse EXTENSION once you are in Thailand.
To get a Thai bank account, walk into a bank in Thailand with your wife and all your documents and you are almost guaranteed one. She can cosign to get you one.
To get a Thai bank account, walk into a bank in Thailand with your wife and all your documents and you are almost guaranteed one. She can cosign to get you one.
Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
yep I just found it. I will definitely submit it through the website thank you so muchSteven ***************
@Stephen *****
. Call them. It's an evisa applied for online so I'm guessing they won't need your passport. It will probably be done electronically and show when your passport is scanned on entry. Most countries do this now.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
ok thanks I will try this way but I wonder if I will need to send in passport because I currently live in Germany.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. According to website of thai consulate in Los Angeles you can, and can apply online.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. Have tou thought about making a quick trip back to your home country to get one? Might solve all your problems. If a 1 year spouse visa is still available at thai consulate in USA, then your issue is solved.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
that’s the only reason I can’t apply for the marriage visa through the consulate.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
I know I haven’t even got my visa germany yet.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. It's not possible because it's no longer an option...Try getting a spouse visa for Australia, Europe,Canada or USA for a foreigner spouse and you will see how hard it can really be. Thailand is a lot easier in comparison.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTERUgh this is so stupid. Why even have the option when it’s not possible. But thank you.
Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
.Wait until you have the 400k.
Apply for a 1 year retirement visa if you are 50 or over, but it turns to 65k a month, not 40k, then change it to a spouse extension later.
There are no other real options apart from getting a job here or enrolling at a university here and getting a visa based on them.
There's elite visa, but if you don't have 400k, then you can't afford it anyway.
Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
soooo any suggestions? I can’t do the 400k baht method at this moment. I also know that if I do a STV I can’t change it to another visa.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. The option you are trying is no.longer available because embassies stopped issuing letters of income. I was in same situation 3 years ago. Used a letter from Australian embassy. They stopped issuing them because Thai imm wanted them to verify the income which the embassy can't do. All embassies were doing were witnessing a statement you declared as true. I had to switch to 400k in thai Bank. To my knowledge, US embassy stopped too.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. It's not a loophole.. its the option of 400k in a thai bank for 2 months instead of 40k a month for 12months. Or they already have a retirement visa or work visa.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
there has to be poop whole because ppl get married in Thailand all the time and are able to stay without 12 months of income to be verified.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
hmmm so I can’t apply for the marriage visa because I don’t have 12 months of payments coming into Thailand. But it’s ’mpossible to have it if I’m just getting into country.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. Yes that's correct, but from a THAI bank, not your current US bank, and 12 months history statement... this is what I am trying to tell you..where the money comes from is irrelevant, it has to be in a thai bank accountStephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Vance *******
hopefully because I was told by the consulate I could do my marriage visa in Thailand.Vance ********
@Stephen *****
maybe it’s changed. This was several years ago shortly after the US Embassy stopped notarizing income statements. The Royal Thai Embassy in the US accepts statements from your bank accompanied by notarized letter from the bank. Thai Immigration here does not or at least did not three years agoStephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTERWhere did you do this at?
Vance ********
Thai Longstay Visa said they couldn’t help me with the documentation you have.
Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Vance *******
I was told different that all I needed was the 12 month statement printed out from my bank and the bank needs to certify that I receive the money every month.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Vance *******
wtf so I can’t use the 40k method?Vance ********
@Stephen *****
I believe it must be notarized by your embassy not your bank. The US Embassy no longer provides that service. I was told I couldn’t use the 40k method. I’m a US citizen.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
I was told that I as long as I have my 12 month statement from my bank and letter that is notarized from the bank saying that I’m on pension then it should be fine.Steven ***************
@Stephen *****
. You won't have any issue getting a Thai bank account if you are married to a Thai. Trust me. Some banks/branches are reluctant to, but keep trying. Best to go to a branch close to your wife's registered home adress(housebook) Tell them you want to deposit 40k a month and they will be more accommodating. By the way, if you are using the 40k a month method, you need to do it for 12 months before you can use it for a 1 year spouse extension/visa inside Thailand. Your only other option is 400k for 2 months prior.
Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
she has all but the thai iD and she will get it straight awaySteven ***************
@Stephen *****
. As I said, when you get here, go to bank with your wife and open an account. She can sign as guarantor of your account. Account must be in your name only. Take your marriage certificate , your passport, her thai ID card, her tabien bahn(housebook) . If she doesn't have ID card and housebook yet, you will need to get them asap when you both arrive. You won't get any form of spouse visa without them. Thai ID card is easy because she has citizenship. Housebook may be a problem if she has no family here.Stephen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steven **************
I’m am doing the 40k route and I am wondering how hard it will be to get a bank account on a tourist visa. But while I’m Thailand I will be applying for the marriage visa.Reply to
Stephen ******
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