Answered5 years ago

What are the steps and requirements for obtaining a Non-Immigrant O visa in Thailand for a spouse?

Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Application Process Visa Extension Dependent Visa Thai Immigration Financial Requirements for Thai Visas

Walter *******

asked Nov 18, 2021

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Yesterday, I went to CW to obtain a non-Immigrant-O for me and my wife. We came in visa exempt.

Some feedback:

- We were in and out in 40 minutes. Went in at 09:20, got a ticket for counter C1, our ticket number was nr.5 (only the 5th application on that morning?), absolutely no queuing, straight to the IO;

- I tried for my wife to be “dependent” (no financial requirements for her), but that was denied immediately. Though, the IO added that “take care” would be possible when we come back in three months for the yearly extensions. The IO asked for a copy of the fully legalized marriage certificate (and asked to see the original) and added it to my wife’s application. Afterwards, before leaving, when I asked her to confirm that “take care” would be possible for the extensions, she seemed to backtrack, and told me to “ask and explain” when we’ll go for an extension. So, I’m not sure it will really happen…

- My wife had the 800.000 THB in her bank account, because I was told here already that an in country Non-O “dependent/family” would be impossible to get.

- The IO gave a thumbs up for the FET that proved the money came from abroad;

- Before, when we went to the bank at CW, to obtain the “letter from the bank” for my wife, I was confused when they asked if we wanted “letter or statement”. The letter was 100 THB and the price of the statement depends on the number of months (1, 3, 12,…). In the end I understood that the statement was in fact a list of the bank transactions of the account. For the in country non-O, you only need to have to 800.000 on the day of the application, so I went only for the letter (which is a declaration from the bank that you have XXX THB in your account);

- I’m from one of the affidavit countries, so for me, the +65.000 THB affidavit from the embassy was accepted. The IO did check the documents that supported the affidavit, and asked some questions; 

- The IO stamped and signed a copy of the affidavit. She explained that, in 3 months, I can get my extension with this copy (and the supporting documents). So I don’t have to go back to the embassy for a new affidavit.

All in all, a smooth experience with a very friendly IO.

I will update this report when we go for our extensions.

Answer summary

The user shares their recent experience obtaining a Non-Immigrant O visa for themselves and their wife, highlighting the efficient service they received at the immigration office. They detail the financial requirements, including the need for a bank certificate and the amount needed in the bank account. They discuss challenges encountered with the dependent visa status and the documentation required, including a legalized marriage certificate and a feasible process for yearly extensions. Overall, the experience was positive, as they appreciated the help from the immigration officer and noted the importance of their financial documents.

9 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

Walter Claes Thanx for the update. I knew you were trying to 'push a rope' with the "get a non-o based on retirement and then get the extension based on trailing spouse. BUT at least you both got year extensions and now have time to get your documents together AND next year switch the reason for her extension from retirement to trailing spouse.

Good luck, congrats on getting your extensions 🙂

5 years ago

Tod *********

They started doing that (stamping the embassy document and giving it back to you) on people applying for in country Non-O's a good while back. I think that's great that you can use the document for your yearly extension necessitating only a single trip to the embassy for you.

Glad it worked out. Don't forget to go back on the date on your receipts to get the Non-O visas and the new 90 day stamp inked in.

AND when you do get those visas inked in see if they say retirement on them or has thai writing saying ใช้ชีวิตบั้นปลาย <- live out the end of your life 😮 😛 that's the real reason you're getting those Non-O's for 😉

5 years ago

Tod *********

I sure wouldn't pull that 800K baht out of your wifes account before you find out from Section L-1 <- the people that actually DO yearly extensions based on retirement/trailing spouse/marriage IF she can get her extension piggy-backed on yours (trailing spouse) or if she has to show the 800K baht banked and go that route on her own stand alone retirement extension.

5 years ago

Walter *******

@Tod ********

So I guess the only way to get back to the "trailing spouse" route, is to apply for a new visa in our home country. But this has other obstacles such as a mandatory insurance for a Non-O. We'll probably stick to this visa, but change the proof of finances next year to the 65.000/month method...

5 years ago

Walter *******

Oh wow, great advice! We'll try this next year. I'll keep you informed. Thanks

@Tod ********

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Walter ******

just make sure you meet the seasoning requirements for THIS extension (if you used the 800K baht banked money) because even if you are going to change the reason to another extension next year IF you don't meet the requirements for this extension for the whole comin' year it will be void the day you stopped meeting the requirements and she'd be on overstay

SO keep the 800K in the account for 3 months and then don't let the balance go below 400K the rest of the year 🙂

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Walter ******

I was pretty sure she weren't gonna get a year trailing spouse extension on the FIRST extension from that new Non-O visa she just got based on retirement.

The rule is you need to get ONE extension from on the reason you got the visa and she got it based on retirement 😉

However

That doesn't mean that you couldn't change the reason next year. She would have to KEEP her 800K baht for 3 months after she got the extension granted and then the balance couldn't go below 400K baht after that <- to meet the seasoning requirements on the extension she's on.

THEN

Next year when you both go apply for a new yearly extension you do yours on retirement and she changes the reason for her extension from retirement to trailing spouse. That is totally within the rules and there shouldn't be any issue doing that as long as you have the correct documents

5 years ago

Walter *******

@Tod ********

Yesterday, we went to CW for our extension of stay. The trailing spouse option was denied ☹️. The IO pointed to the mention of "retirement" on my wife's Non-O and said you cannot be "take care" on a retirement visa. So we had to go down the 800K route...

5 years ago

James ********

Thank you for your report 😊

5 years ago