Off merrily, not, to Nong Khai Immigration yesterday, armed with paperwork the equivalent amount of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Even after seven years, always apprehensive that there’ll be something the officers are not happy about or ‘new law’.
I was aware there are some new faces there and some ladies who speak English well. A breath of fresh air. But I’m still worried whether they are all singing from the same hymn sheet (perhaps that should be Buddhist chant?) as far as rules or the interpretation is concerned.
I have to use a combination of confirmation of pension from Embassy + balance in the bank to reach the required 800,000 for extending my annual retirement visa. This time I’m told that the BALANCE I'M USING FROM THE BANK NEEDS TO HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE VISA APPLICATION DATE. Haven’t heard that before. Anybody else?
One of the new ladies happened to give me an instruction sheet a few months back(out of date?) when I was there for something else. No mention on that, only that they wanted copy of your bank book showing transactions for last 3 months.
Did get my visa, but not certain if that’s a new rule and is going to be applied.
And turned out male officer did want copy of another document. No rather nice Rajaphat girls taking care of photocopier just two feet outside entrance door. Male officer said ‘have to go outside’. Back in car, up to shop near Friendship Bridge, return – yes, only to find another officer using the machine. Thank you so very much!

This appears to be another "make it up as you go along" from the good folk at Nong Khai.

The 3 month rule (which, BTW, is now 2 months for 1st time applicants) applies to those using the 800k in the bank route.

There is nothing in the legislation requiring any time period for the money + income route.

jackspratt wrote:This appears to be another "make it up as you go along" from the good folk at Nong Khai.

The 3 month rule (which, BTW, is now 2 months for 1st time applicants) applies to those using the 800k in the bank route.

There is nothing in the legislation requiring any time period for the money + income route.

I understood it to be a requirement for first year applicants only.Most certainly the guy I mentioned on another thread who was advised to borrow 300k by the officer we all love, having done so, went back and got his visa extension the very next day.

Is it 400,000 Baht required for a Marriage Visa? and also can that be a joint account ? or a deposit account
thanks as I am a little confused

valiant wrote:Is it 400,000 Baht required for a Marriage Visa? and also can that be a joint account ? or a deposit account
thanks as I am a little confused

No it's now 40,000 baht income per month, it can either be from the husbands pension, or joint income from both of you. The 400,000 in the bank was dropped a couple of years ago.

Prenders, there was a topic in Udonmaps visa section under the heading the 'new visa extension rules dated 25 november 2008' and a link to Thaivisa for the translated version performed by Issanlawyers.Section 2.18,part 6 relates to marriage to Thai.
The 400,000 deposit has been reinstated for marriage and you need to show it at least 2 months in a Thai account prior to application to show immigration.
I did download the document as now you have to become a member at Thaivisa to open the link.Maybe Issan lawyers could post their translated document direct to Udonmap for its members.

This is the previous thread on this Forum:-

new-visa-extension-rules-dated-25-nov-2008-t11318.html

Back to the OPs point - Rule 2.22(5) in the above link from arjay says quite clearly:

"Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less than BAHT 800,000 as of the filing date of application" (my emphasis).

Nothing about 3 months, or any other period.

stop it, you all know already what the rules are...................their interpetation is the key, same office, 2 different people, #1 need for couple months, #2 go borrow and come back a.s.a.p., go figure. we all know its and/or for renewal. better luck tomorrow, sadly the only solution.

my impression, both renewals. we are back to square one, which today appears to be round.

good luck folks

my turn next week

Pompui,

I asked Siam Legal last week and they said they have never heard that 400,000 baht for married couples has been reinstated. I did read that link on Thai Visa, but checked up with Siam Legal anyway.
Siam Legal told me it's still joint income.

Prenders have a look at 2.18(6), after following arjay's link. It shows 40k income, or 400k in the bank for 2 months.

For what its worth I renewed my retirement visa on 3 Feb without a problem. The female officer doing the review asked for my pension letter from the embassy and a copy of my bankbook. The bank letter was not required. Sufficient funds had been transferred into the account on 2 Feb. and no one raised an eyebrow. Once the initial review was completed I was asked to accompany the lady to the supervisors office who reviewed everything and did the final approval. This is my 3rd renewal at Nong Khai and all have gone very smoothely.

Thanks for your responses.

As i implied, it appears one officer's interpretation maybe not the same as another's, which just shouldn't be the case. On departure from the office WITH my visa, the newish, tall slim officer clearly told myself and partner that I now know it should be money in bank for 3 months for the next application. Aaaagggghhhh!

1. There has not been a requirement for 3 months in account when using the combined Embassy letter/account but there have been several recent requests for such so it may come to pass. Normally it is 2 months for first application and 3 months for later applications only when using the money in account method.
2. The rules did indeed change and 400k in bank account or 40k foreigner income is now the requirement for Thai Wife extension of stay from what I read. The other good news is that child support provision has also been restored.
3. Joint accounts used to be accepted for marriage but there have been reports that they now may require it be only in the applicants name (not clear if nationwide of some officers). For retirement it has to be in applicants name or double the amount is required (married foreign couples sometimes each get rather than use the spouse provision).

The current one year extension of stay rules are available in English from the Issanlayers site http://www.isaanlawyers.com/images/New% ... edited.pdf

The marriage requirements are outlined in section 2.18 sub para 6