Ok lets we try this again, tot been a little flaky last couple of days.

Well today went to the Udon branch and got my 30 day extension on my 60 day tourist visa. He was very helpful, said I needed to go out of country and get an "O" visa, then apply for the married visa, but that I needed 400,000 baht in a thai bank! So this is the rule he is following.

He gave the wife (I think, she took it) a printed paper, and it stated the rule of 40,000 per month or 400,000 in the bank. Seemed to me like business as usual.

Go figure

Seems to me like he was following the old rules, pre Oct 1. When I asked if he could issue the "O" visa, he said no, had to go to embassy. The new rule says that they can. I said nothing about my experience in embassy in Savannakhet, Lao. Didn't want to rock the boat

Oh and yes got a 30 day extension, reading the fine print, says you might be refused, but no refund of the 1900 baht, whoa there cheetah

Dakoda wrote:He was very helpful, said I needed to go out of country and get an "O" visa, then apply for the married visa, but that I needed 400,000 baht in a thai bank! So this is the rule he is following.

He gave the wife (I think, she took it) a printed paper, and it stated the rule of 40,000 per month or 400,000 in the bank. Seemed to me like business as usual.

Go figure

Seems to me like he was following the old rules, pre Oct 1.

This goes against the current rulings as I understand them where EXISTING visa holders are grandfathered through the 400K in the bank BUT it must be deposited 3 months prior to application. New applicants have to show an income of 40K per month.

Bandung_Dero wrote:This goes against the current rulings as I understand them where EXISTING visa holders are grandfathered through the 400K in the bank BUT it must be deposited 3 months prior to application. New applicants have to show an income of 40K per month.

guess thats the point. From what he was telling me, (and I didn't ask, just wanted my extension, but wife maybe did) if I had an "O" visa, and proof of 400,000 baht in bank with the forms and pictures, he would have sent it off to Bangkok, for approval. Maybe it would have been refused

But it all comes down to who you get ! Makes life interesting.

I think that some time in the future I am just going to have to up my deposit to 800K and start doing things that reflect my olde age. The imm officers at Nong Khai suggest this every time I get my 'O' extension.

On that point I have an email from the Aus embassy in BKK stating that they do not provide statements of income to Aussie expats for visa purposes. Makes it very hard for pensioners to get an 'OA' extension if they want to show the monthly income option.

Bandung_Dero wrote:On that point I have an email from the Aus embassy in BKK stating that they do not provide statements of income to Aussie expats for visa purposes.

Wow, that makes life difficult. What reason do they give??

Is the income statement from an embassy the only way to verify income?

as I said above, wife did take the paper and one side is in Thai and the other is english. It says:

4. Evidence showing the financial status of the foreign husband
- having a saving deposit not less than 400,000 baht (...) for annual use.
-

Dakoda wrote:as I said above, wife did take the paper and one side is in Thai and the other is english. It says:

4. Evidence showing the financial status of the foreign husband
- having a saving deposit not less than 400,000 baht (...) for annual use.
-

I'm sorry,are you talking about a paper of instructions or a proof of income statement?

BobHelm wrote:

Bandung_Dero wrote:On that point I have an email from the Aus embassy in BKK stating that they do not provide statements of income to Aussie expats for visa purposes.

Wow, that makes life difficult. What reason do they give??

This is the email I received, no reason offered:

Dear Bruce

Thank you for your message regarding your Thai visa. The Embassy does not provide assistance for Australians to obtain Thai visas.

I recommend you check with Thai Immigration what they require and present them with evidence of your income to obtain the visa.

Regards

Robin Hamilton-Coates
First Secretary and Consul
Australian Embassy Bangkok
Phone: 66-2-3446453
Fax: 66-2-2874534

The latest travel advice for Thailand and information on Australian passport issue are available at www.dfat.gov.au www.passports.gov.au or www.smartraveller.gov.au

BKKSTAN wrote:

Dakoda wrote:as I said above, wife did take the paper and one side is in Thai and the other is english. It says:

4. Evidence showing the financial status of the foreign husband
- having a saving deposit not less than 400,000 baht (...) for annual use.
-

I'm sorry,are you talking about a paper of instructions or a proof of income statement?

paper of instructions top heading says:

Application to Re-stay in the Kingdom

...........

doc... evidence for consideration of approval

1.
2.
.
.
11.