Answered8 years ago

What are the financial requirements for obtaining a marriage visa in Thailand regarding bank accounts in foreign currencies?

Marriage Visa Thai Immigration Financial Requirements Bank Accounts Foreign Currency Accounts Visa Application Process

Martin ***********

asked Jun 8, 2018

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After visiting Khon Kaen immigration department today, I would just like to pass on a little information which will hopefully help when applying for, in my case, a marriage visa, ( and as informed any other visa ). 

I have read in many google searches, visa websites & personal advice that the financial requirements had to be in a thai bank in thai baht for 3 months. 

This is somewhat incorrect, This is the information I was given "If you have a foreign currency account within a thai bank, in my case U.K. Pounds Sterling account with the Bangkok bank, the financial requirement of 400,000 baht DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN THAI BAHT. 

On application for your visa you can provide immigration department a letter from your Thai bank to show you have the necessary funds that could be exchange when required.... "

Hope this helps someone out there . 🙏🏼

Answer summary

The author shares valuable insights from their visit to the Khon Kaen immigration department about the financial requirements for a marriage visa in Thailand. Contrary to the common belief that the funds must be held in Thai baht for three months, they were informed that having funds in a foreign currency account at a Thai bank suffices. Specifically, the requirement of 400,000 baht does not need to be in Thai baht if you have a foreign currency account; a bank letter confirming the available funds is necessary for the visa application.

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Ralph **********

Thanks, that is useful info.

8 years ago

Martin ***********

As i was already in Khon Kaen renewing the wifes passport & I had heard & read so many conflicting reports, i just had to go and ask the question myself, who knows when the time comes to apply for the visa it may be a different officer in a different mood,

8 years ago

Tod *********

thanx for the update (y) some immigration offices give people grief about foreign currency accounts, but there is nothing in the rules prohibiting it

8 years ago

Tod *********

There is no requirement that the money be a thai baht account, it can be in any currency a thai bank will give you an account for. The only requirements are IF you are using banked money for a yearly extension of stay (or the initial 90 day Non-O) at the immigration office inside thailand is that the money be in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months prior to your application.

You do need a bank letter, need to update the bank book and most banks now print the last couple of months transactions for you too because sometimes updating the bank book won't show the balance of that date.

8 years ago

Martin ***********

@T**

i am judging you have lived here many years so can afford to stand 'toe to toe' as you say, i am a newbie going through the initial process and cant afford being arrogant to immigration, i have been here a few weeks to see how the clock works, back home not many would upset me as its my country so i know where i stand.

8 years ago

Graham *******

@Tod ********

......cheers for clarification...obviously i had it tbe wrong way round.......dont want to confuse anyone....sorry

8 years ago

Tod *********

That's where we differ then

@Mar***

,

I am not impressed or intimidated in the least by a gov't employee in a too tight of uniform with baubles hanging off it telling me wrong information.

I've gone toe to toe with many of them about the immigration rules over the years. I've even filing appeals to decisions I thought were wrong and got decisions overturned.

I'm NOT tryin' to be their friend, or to get on their christmas card list.

I'm tryin' to follow the rules as they wrote them and I expect them to do the same.

8 years ago

Martin ***********

@T**

my money has been banked for 1yr , so no issue for me, but with power given to immigration, its a very difficult situation when the majority come here for a quiet life, i personally wouldnt want my comings & goings seriously scrutinised. Pen to paper is easy, face to face not so & the nice smile to your face would soon disappear.

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Graham ******

The ONLY extensions of stays that have variable months seasoning are for one based on being over 50 (retirement) when the money needs to be seasoned 60 days for the first yearly extension and 3 months for every yearly extension after that

AND

the one based on raising 100% foreign children here where the money needs to be seasoned 30 days for the first yearly extension 3 months for every yearly extension after that.

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Mar***

then someone needs to man up and show the immigration officers the rules in thai that say banked money for marriage extension need to be in the bank just 2 months :/ I HATE that they make up rules like that >:(

8 years ago

Graham *******

In jomtien i think its 3 months for the first application then 2 months for every renewal after initial application....thats my understanding .....kohn kaen may be different as there seems to be no consistency......feel free to correct me if i am mistaken......cheers have a good weekend

8 years ago

Martin ***********

Tod i will add that khon kaen immigration insist on funds being deposited 3 months, apparently same as hua hin

8 years ago