Answered6 years ago

How can I successfully extend my non-immigrant "O" visa based on marriage in Thailand without complications?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Extension Marriage Visa Retirement Visa Thai Immigration Procedures Financial Requirements for Visa

Brian ********

asked Aug 30, 2020

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Hi guys,

My non-imm "O" visa is due for extn at CW by the 16th Sept and I am hoping for some advice to avoid last year's nightmare.

From July 2011 up until last year I had always extended my non-imm visa for “retirement” at CW, but with the withdrawal of the embassy letter a large portion of my income could no longer be taken into account, so I changed to “marriage” extn. This had always been a fairly straight forward procedure, using the monthly income route, until the change.

Last year it took 6 visits and a 7th return once it had been agreed. There were multiple problems but the final hurdle was that they insisted that B40, 000 had to be deposited in my SCB a/c from UK and remain there for one full month. When I complained that this was not in their procedures and that I had well over the B40k coming in each month I was referred to a captain. She backed up the IO and said my choice was put the money into my account or leave Thailand.

My visa is due for extension before 16th Sept and I am worried that there may be a repeat performance.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing and what advice can you offer regarding appealing to a higher authority

Answer summary

The user seeks advice on extending their non-immigrant "O" visa based on marriage after encountering difficulties the previous year. They experienced issues with new financial requirements, specifically needing to maintain 40,000 baht in their SCB account for a month, despite having sufficient monthly income. Other users comment on the financial criteria for the visa and suggest using an agent to simplify the process.

14 repliesnewest first

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Richard **********

Last guidance from CW IO was that you could request a Credite Advice for the last 12 months from your SCB bank in the main Bangkok office. Went with an agent instead.

6 years ago

Paul ********

Use a Agent easy time

6 years ago

Kool *******

@Paul *******

, after you do this once, agents are just a waste of money, as the process doesn't change, and if it does, immigration is very nice and works with you, as long as you are nice, don't cause problems, and are really married.

6 years ago

Kuan ******

@Kool ******

it’s not a waste of money for agents. It’s a peace of mind and ease of process. That is - if u can afford it.

Julian ********

agents are illegal

Paul ********

Really

Noel ***********

No their not. Where do you get this nonsense from.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

For O visa extension based on marriage you need 400,000 baht in your account or 40,000 baht per month international transfer. That's the criteria.

6 years ago

Brian ********

@Bo***

I know that, but when a captain in immigration tells you to put B40k in you a/c or you don't get the visa, what is the course of action?

I even printed off their regulations but made no difference

6 years ago

Kool *******

@Brian *******

, that was last year when you changed over from retirement to marriage/Thai wife. This year has no comparison to last year. New year. Forget what happened last year. This is a new year, and there is a difference in how the money is treated, AND, not all the regulations are written in their handouts. The first difference, and problem you might run into is that you should start your marriage extension renewal at least 30 days before it expires. They are requiring the 12 months of deposits coming in from overseas of at least bt40k a month, every month, without exception, or bt400k in the bank for at least 3 months. It can not be a combination like it used to be. After all your documents are accepted, the same documents as last year, with all new pictures, and new letters from your bank, one stating that it is your personal account, and the other showing each months deposit from overseas of at least bt40k. Your updated bank books, that day, showing all your deposits. Then you get your 30 day waiting period stamp, just like last year, and when you come back, they want to see your updated, that day, bank books again, with copies. That is it. I just did it for the fourth year last May, at ChiangWattana. One thing you have to remember about Thai culture, and what is called "face", is you never show an officer that is making a decision about your life basically, that he/she is wrong. Immigration officers have the ability to, at their discretion, reject, or approve you. You have the opportunity to appeal their decision, but, if you try to show them as being wrong, they can loose "face", and that can be very bad for you. Be nice. Say okay, and do what they say, or you could be leaving Thailand, and not by your choice. It very seldom happens that extremely, but it does on ocassion. Play the game, as it is their game, and they make, and can change, the rules. You need to get in to renew your extension right away, as now you are on about two weeks, instead of the 30 days.

6 years ago

Bobby ********

@Brian *******

. Do you have 12 months of international transfers already?

6 years ago

Brian ********

@Bo***

Yes they do, last year I saw about half a dozen different IOs plus 2 captains. Problem was, they would not admit that they were wrong about the deposits. I even managed too keep calm and not have a rant at them even though I was boiling inside. I've had non-imm O since 2011 and haven't had a problem before

6 years ago

Bobby ********

@Brian *******

. And they show as international transfers? If so, I'd be trying again with a different immigration officer

6 years ago

Brian ********

@Bo***

Yes, I have 2 UK pension that have been paid into my SCB accounts for about a decade

6 years ago