What are the options for an American spouse on a Non O Visa wanting to open a bank account and extend their stay in Thailand?

Non O Visa Visa Extension Marriage Registration Bank Account Opening Expats in Thailand Thailand Immigration

Jan 7, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, I am an American, arrived in Thailand on 2 January with a Non O Visa based on marriage to a Thai citizen. We are planning on staying here for 4 and a half months. I had planned on getting a 12 month extension and a reentry permit and coming back here again in November of this year. A couple of days ago I went to a bank to open my own account and they said that I needed to register our marriage at the district office. So to do that I need to go to the US Embassy and get our marriage certificate notarized since we were married in America. Their earliest appointment is on February  1st. I booked that appointment. My concern is that will not give me the 2 months for the funds to be seasoned before applying for the extension. 

My questions are what are my other options, 60 days extension for visiting Thai family? (I would prefer the 12 month extension)

Or could someone recommend a group in Pattaya that could suggest a bank with easier restrictions for opening an account in my name?

Sorry for the long question.

Thank you in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An American recently arrived in Thailand on a Non O Visa based on marriage is seeking advice on extending their stay and opening a bank account. They plan to stay for 4.5 months and initially sought a 12-month extension but face delays in getting the necessary marriage certificate notarized from the US Embassy. The situation raises concerns about the timeline for fulfilling bank requirements and possible visa extensions based on family visits. Community members offered advice on the marriage registration process, alternatives for extending stay without financial proof, and recommendations on banks accommodating expats.

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Benjamin ******

This group is neither banking advice or for the process on how to get a marriage registered within Thailand. Different amphurs have different requirements for getting a marriage certified inside Thailand.

For the best banks to use, ask on a Facebook group that's local to where you live.

For getting a foreign marriage legalized, ask the local Amphur office.

3 years ago

AF ********

To register yer marriage at local district office and to get 1 yr extension u will still need to get yer marriage cert notarized by the Embassy and then translated, then both must be stamped by Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Same must be done for data page of yer passport and a Embassy affidavit that states that you guys are married. Then all is taken to local Amphur to be registered. After that and with lots more paperwork, u can apply for the 1 yr Extension.

3 years ago

Wannikea *********

Try to stick with the big three banks, Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, or Siam Commercial Bank.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

> We are planning on staying here for 4 and a half months.

If you entered on a single entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national, you will have entered for 90 days. You can get ONE 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai family at the local immigration office. You may need to get your marriage registered at the local Amphur office.

A 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai family does not require any proof of finances 🙂

>I had planned on getting a 12 month extension and a reentry permit and coming back here again in November of this year.

As Lloyd mentioned above, opening a bank account does not require proof of marriage. Take your wife with you, and start going to various banks around town. The first bank you will go to will probably not allow you to open the account, and you'll have to keep on trying different banks.

Bring your passport, and a rental agreement (if you're renting). If your immigration office allows a residency certificate to be issued before submitting a 90 day report, get an residency certificate and use that.

3 years ago

Kyle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

ok I will. Thank you so much! I have learned so much from all of you over the last couple of months. All of you provide a great service to everyone in this group.

3 years ago

Kyle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

we own a house together(my wife has the housebook in her name). I registered the TM 30 on 4 January that says I am living at our house. Would it be helpful to show the bank that also?

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Kyle *******

Yes it would. If you can bring the TM30, and your wife's housebook, it will help with opening a bank account.

3 years ago

Kyle ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

thank you. Also the employee at the bank we tried said that because I am staying in Thailand on a Non O based on marriage is the reason that I need to show proof that our marriage is registered at the district office. It seems to me that my Visa should be proof enough.

3 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Kyle *******

Banks can make their own rules on who to open an account with. You need to try multiple branches to find one that will open the account.

3 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Lloyd ********

You are opening a bank account in your name only, absolutely no need to register a marriage.

3 years ago

Reply to

Lloyd ********