What should I do if I need to apply for a visa extension but don't have the required bank account history in Thailand?

Visa extension NON-O visa Parental rights Bank account requirements Immigration process Thai nationality Expat life in Thailand Children's education in Thailand Amphur procedures

Sep 24, 2023

a year ago

Shaun ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone, I’m new here, Australian. I am not married however I have 2 Thai national children with my Thai partner of 10 years. Applied for a 1 year multi entry non immigrant o visa and was approved in Australia by the consulate. I don’t have a Thai bank however I will be opening one when I arrive. My question is you need to apply for an extension 45-30 days out but you also need 400k in a Thai bank for 2 months. Given it will take me a week or so to open an account and transfer funds I might be cutting it fine to have 2 months of history and be 30 days before my stamp expires. Would the best bet be to open the bank and deposit the 400k in the first week then exit and reenter Thailand on the multi entry and apply for an extension 45 days out from the end of my second entry? Thanks in advance all.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian expat with two Thai children is seeking advice on obtaining a one-year extension of their NON-O visa, despite not having the required banking history in Thailand. They need to open a Thai bank account and deposit 400,000 baht but are concerned about timing their extension application within the rules. Community members suggest using their current multi-entry visa to travel in and out of Thailand while gathering necessary documentation for a future extension and acquiring legal parental rights at the Amphur.

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Shaun ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for all these answers, it’s great to speak to such knowledgeable people. I wanted to clarify I am still with the Thai mother of the children (not married) and the idea is for us all to move to Thailand for 2-3 years while the children are in Primary education so they can learn the Thai language and culture before returning to Australia for their secondary education. Is this not reason enough to apply for a 12 month extension in the eyes of immigration? One child was born in Thailand the other in Australia but both dual nationals.

a year ago

Tod *********

@Shaun **********

unfortunately the REASON you want a year extension is sound, but you won't get it until you meet the requirements for that extension. The rules are clear, when thai children are born out of wedlock the foreign father does not get granted parental rights at birth (like he would if he was married to the mother) and instead has to go thru the process to get parental rights granted via family court OR (as in your case when the children are old enough) at the local Amphur. .

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Anne *******

As an Australian there is a 10 year visa available. I think you need to be in Aus to get it but could be wrong!

a year ago

Michael ********

@Anne ******

Much better to apply for that in Oz. No money required in Thailand.

a year ago

Ellie *******

@Anne ******

, if you mean Non-OX or LTR, you can apply for them inside Thailand, but the requirements' details might differ from those at the embassy/consulates, especially one from Sydney. and 400K or 800k baht is not enough for those visas.

a year ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Tod *********

you can apply for a yearly extension when you have 30 days or less left on ANY of those 90 day entries you get from that visa during the year it's valid for. AND seeing as you have it I would say might as well use it and get the value out of it by bouncing out and back every 90 days for new entry stamps until you're sure the year extension would fly at your immigration office

a year ago

Tod *********

That you got the year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on being the foreign father of thai children born outside of marriage from a thai consulate before you came here does not mean you can get the year long extension inside the country at the immigration office where you live. 😕

You would need to be granted legal parental rights (and your name on the birth certificate isn't enough for that) thru either family court or (if the children are old enough usually 6 or 7) thru the local Amphur (city hall). Once you have that you can then use the children as a reason to get the year extension issued at the immigration office.

The proof of funds for extensions based on raising thai children is 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only BUT there is no specific amount of time listed in the rules that the funds need to be banked for. SOME offices do require it seasoned two months like the extension based on marriage to a thai though.

What I would suggest is;

you have a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa <- giving you unlimited entries of 90 days each for the year the visa is valid for.. Just use the visa like it's designed (bounce out and back every 90 days) for this year. Take your time, go to your immigration office get the hand out listing the requirements for the year extension based on raising children.

THEN

once you got the 15 months this visa affords you (in 90 day increments) you can apply for the year extension when you have 30 days or less left on any of your 90 day entry stamps

a year ago

Shaun ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

ahh I understand now. At some point we need to travel back to where my son and daughter were registered (city hall) and have me legitimised there. My partner was actually telling me a while back we need to do this. My children are 7 and 9 so the process seems simple enough.

a year ago

Shaun ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for taking the time to assist me

@Tod ********

it’s very much appreciated. You’ve made my life a lot easier. 🙏🙏

a year ago

Tod *********

@Shaun **********

your children are TOTALLY old enough to go to the local Amphur (City Hall) and for you to get parental rights granted that way without much issue at all. Have your partner call and see what documentation you need so it can be done.

Once you have that parental right decree issued from the Amphur you will have no issue getting a year extension of stay based on raising children here

a year ago

Shaun ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

sorry for all the questions. I am guessing this needs to be done at the Amphur the children were registered at, at birth? And not just any? We will be based in Bangkok so means a trip to Korat.

a year ago

Tod *********

@Shaun **********

there are FIFTY Amphurs in Bangkok, have your partner start calling around. It's outside the scope of the group sorry, it's not a visa thing..

BUT I know at any Amphur the children are old enough to qualify for you to get parental rights granted via the Amphur and no need to go thru family country..

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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