Answered4 years ago

What documentation is needed for a marriage visa in Thailand if using monthly income?

Marriage Visa Thai Immigration Income Requirements Documentation Thai Visa Rules Non-O Visa

Edwin ********

asked Nov 8, 2022

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I would love to hear more -- via Private Message or public comment -- from the person who pointed out that for marriage visa it "might" be possible to show THB 400,000 in the bank OR THB 40,000 a month income, while also warning that it may be "a bit of a trick" to document the latter properly for the Thai authorities. A non-Thai friend of mine would like to know more about the latter. He says he already has THB 38,000 in guaranteed monthly income, and can easily supplement that to be THB40,000/month plus, if that is the correct figure. However, he wonders what kinds of documentation may be needed to satisfy the immigration officers. The person also wonders if the matter can be processed at the provincial immigration office or if it is necessary to go outside the country? And finally, which should normally come first -- the marriage or the marriage visa (my own experience was bringing a Thai spouse to the USA, and the USA had things set up in a way that made both paths possible...). Looking forward to responses (and please keep all the jokes "clean" and amusing!) :-)

Answer summary

This post discusses the requirements and documentation necessary for a marriage visa in Thailand, particularly focusing on the option of proving income. The user seeks clarification on the need for THB 40,000 monthly income and what specific documentation is required for immigration authorities. It is noted that if one's embassy provides an affidavit of income, it may simplify the process. Additionally, there are inquiries about the processing of the visa at a provincial immigration office versus having to leave the country and the sequence of marriage and visa application.

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Bonnie *******

Why go through the hassle? Won't it really mess up your life if you don't stay on top of it all the time? Put the money in an account and you won't have to do any of that other stuff

4 years ago

Edwin ********

@Bonnie ******

You raise a valid point. Fortunately, my friend's current source of income is *not* the USA Social Security system, and they have never made a late payment to him in the 4.5 years since beginning the payments.

4 years ago

Braulio *********

@Bonnie ******

Why do folks always look to :"game" the system...

4 years ago

Bonnie *******

@Braulio ********

I don't think it's trying to sneak. I just think the simplest way is the best. Better to wait and save up your money if you have to

4 years ago

Edwin ********

Not a useful response. Because if my friend had THB 400,000 to put into a Thai bank account, he would not be asking this question about how to prove income, now would he?

4 years ago

Bonnie *******

@Edwin *******

I don't have any advice on how to do it the other way because I wouldn't do it like that. I think you are risking too much doing it that way. What if your pay for the month got held up for some reason? Wouldn't you have to leave the country?

4 years ago

Brandon ************

If the person is from a country whose embassy will provide an affidavit of income, then I believe some immigration offices will only accept the affidavit to use the monthly income method instead of the banked money method.

If their embassy will not provide the affidavit, then they will need to transfer the required amount every month into Thailand for a year, and then show proof of that transfer from the previous 12 months in order to apply for an extension based on monthly income.

You cannot get a non-O based on marriage to a Thai if you're not married to a Thai.

4 years ago

Edwin ********

And...The graphic provided (which I see is not from the Thai government anyway) is ambiguous in an important detail -- in one section it appears to suggest income OR bank account, and in the next section the wording suggests that both items may be needed. So I think I and my friend are still looking for a more definitive answer.

4 years ago

Edwin ********

@Brian Thurkettle, that makes sense to me. Especially since I get the impression that the provincial immigration offices can issue these kinds of visas without my friend having to leave the country. So we may do exactly what you are suggesting -- go consult with local immigration officiels -- thanks!

4 years ago

Brandon ************

@Edwin *******

there is no definitive answer without physically going to the immigration office that will be used and asking there. Every immigration office has their own policies. The graphic is generalized to account for that.

But none will require a bank account AND monthly income. It's one or the other. Other things vary based on office like some may require you to use banked money the first time but you can then use monthly income after.

4 years ago

Edwin ********

@Brandon ***********

Thank you for the details. And if I may clarify, according to the Internet, an affidavit is merely "a sworn statement put into writing," which is exactly what the USA embassy provided to me when I myself got married in Thailand back in 1990 -- the USA official simply had me raise my right hand and swear that what I had just written was true. (And that is all the USA will do for its citizens, possibly because doing more than that would be considered by many Americans to be "an invasion of privacy by our government"). So does that principle still apply? Just a sworn statement stamped by the embassy officer?

4 years ago

Brandon ************

@Edwin *******

the US embassy no longer provides income affidavit

4 years ago