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What are the requirements for extending my stay based on marriage in Thailand, particularly concerning bank funds and application timing?
Thai visa extensionmarriage visafinancial requirementsbank accountimmigration rulesThailandexpat advice
Oct 22, 2020
6 years ago
Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTERGood afternoon. I have an extension of stay, based on marriage, which expires on 21st January 2021. I understand that I must show funds of at least 400,000 THB in my Thai bank account for 2 months in advance. I plan to apply for a new extension around 10 days before the expiry date, which will be 11th January. Will I therefore need to show that 400,000 THB was in my account from at least 11th November onwards? Or only from 21st November?
From experience, once I have successfully submitted my application, I will be issued with a stamp stating “application of stay is under consideration” and instructed to report back to immigration 30 days later. Is it necessary to continue to keep at least 400,000 THB in my account during this period? Or can the funds be withdrawn once the application is under consideration? Many thanks.
From experience, once I have successfully submitted my application, I will be issued with a stamp stating “application of stay is under consideration” and instructed to report back to immigration 30 days later. Is it necessary to continue to keep at least 400,000 THB in my account during this period? Or can the funds be withdrawn once the application is under consideration? Many thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks clarification on the financial requirements and application timing for extending a marriage-related stay in Thailand. It is confirmed that a minimum of 400,000 THB must remain in a Thai bank account in the applicant's name for 2 months prior to the application date. To qualify for an extension filed on January 11, the funds should be present since November 11. Furthermore, it's advised that maintaining the balance during the application consideration period may vary by immigration office, with some requiring the funds to remain until the processing is complete or even longer. The maximum advance application time is generally 30-45 days before the current visa expires, depending on the office. Users also discuss variations in enforcement practices at different immigration offices.
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Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
one further question please; what’s the maximum number of days, in advance of the expiry date, that I can submit my application for an extension? Thanks. Tod *********
that varies by immigration office
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Krabi and a couple other offices are 45 days or less left on your current stamp
The rest are 30 days or less left on your stamp.
AND applying early does not short you any time because the year is added to the expiration date of your current stamp
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Krabi and a couple other offices are 45 days or less left on your current stamp
The rest are 30 days or less left on your stamp.
AND applying early does not short you any time because the year is added to the expiration date of your current stamp
Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
thanks. So if I applied 30 days early would my application be placed under consideration for 30 days from then? So I could expect the extension to be issued around the same time as the current expiry date? Or will the period of consideration be 30 days from the expiration date, not the application date? Henrik ****
Gareth John, application date.
Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ***
Thanks. It’s important because the sooner the extension is issued, the sooner I can withdraw the 400k. So I will apply 30 days in advance of expiration.Henrik ****
Gareth John, I would be careful to withdraw the 400k. At my immigration, some ppl are even asked to keep the 400k for 3 months after getting the extension. The exact "logic" is hard to figure out, if there is any...
Henrik ****
Gareth John, but your extension will start from the expiry date, so you cannot get "more" by coming late...
Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ***
I already have the 400k in the account. So the sooner I can get the extension the sooner I can access it. So if the 30 day period under consideration starts on the day the application is accepted, it makes sense for me to apply as early as possible. Whilst recognising that it won’t be effective until the expiry date, at the earliest. Henrik ****
@Gareth *****
, yes, but still the question if you can access it at application date, end of consideration date or even 3 months after... Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ***
yes I understand. Last year I accessed it as soon as the application was accepted. I was given the impression that was ok so I did not wait for the confirmation of the extension. I guess I’ll discover if that was against the rules when I apply this time. Henrik ****
@Gareth *****
, I know three ppl applying for the same marriage extension at my immigration. We all got different rules for money. I was only asked for money on the application date. One was told to keep the money for 3 months. And one was the same me asked for nothing after the application date, but when he showed up to get the extension, they suddenly asked to see money, and when he didn't have it, he was asked to leave Thailand in 7 days...Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Henrik ***
thanks for the words of caution Tod *********
You didn't mention
@Gareth *****
the office you will be using, and with 70 immigration offices some who do request the money stay in the bank and some who don't during the under considration period, I think the best course of action is to see what they say when you apply DON'T ask them about it when you apply because of course they'll say you need to keep it in. Wait for them to TELL you the update the bank book and bring it back after the under consideration stamp runs out. If they don't tell you, you don't do it Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
understood, good advice, thank you. I use Udon Thani immigration and they are always very helpful. Benjamin ******
@Henrik ***
I think it's a question only the local immigration office would know the answer. Henrik ****
@Benjamin *****
, yes, or even only the officer of the day... Reply to
Henrik ****
Reply
Tod *********
Whether you need to keep the 400k baht in the bank account and update your bank book to show them when you go back after the 30 day under consideration stamp is up is an immigration office specific thing.
In Bangkok, they tell you to keep the 400K baht in the bank, update your bank book and bring it in on the date your 30 day under consideration stamp is due
In Bangkok, they tell you to keep the 400K baht in the bank, update your bank book and bring it in on the date your 30 day under consideration stamp is due
Philip **********
@Tod ********
... they definitely want to see it for the 2 months before when you apply and fir full time of “ under consideration” if you go to Chaeng Wattana ...experience from recent application . Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
ok I’ll check with the local immigration office although it might be wise to keep it there just in case. Thank you. Henrik ****
Gareth John, keep it. It is an "officer of the day" thing. Two people at the same immigration, different rule...
Reply to
Henrik ****
Reply
Tod *********
The 400K baht banked money needs to be in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you APPLY for the extension
So if you're applying on Jan 11, you'd need the money in the bank since Nov 11. (two months date to date NOT 60 days)
So if you're applying on Jan 11, you'd need the money in the bank since Nov 11. (two months date to date NOT 60 days)
Gareth ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
ok great thanks very much for clarifying. Reply to
Gareth ******
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