Marriage visa

[Dooball]

Does anyone know what the current requirements are for a marriage visa?

400k in bank or 65k monthly?

I read somewhere there's a consulate in Laos which does not require any financial proof for a marriage visa. Is that true?

[Justin Side]

Savannakhet Laos will issue a multi entry Non Imm O Visa without any bank details. 5,000 Baht fee.

 

For a 12 month extension at Immigration you need 400,000 in the bank or 40,000 monthly income

1,900 Baht fee.

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by Justin Side

[bumofdabeach]

Does anyone know what the current requirements are for a marriage visa?
400k in bank or 65k monthly?
I read somewhere there's a consulate in Laos which does not require any financial proof for a marriage visa. Is that true?

Keep in mind Savanaket is a two day process turn in papers one morning pick them back up next day

Sent from my SM-J250F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ubonjoe]

The requirements of 400k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months or proof of 40 baht income have not been changed for many years to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage.

The consulate at Savannakhet will issue a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage with no financial proof needed. The visa allows unlimited 90 day entries for a year from the date of issue.

[Dooball]

Thanks for the replies.

 

So if i apply for a multi entry Non Imm O Visa at savannakhet no fianancial proof is required.

But it will be required when i extend the visa after 12 months at the Thai immigration office. How many times can the visa be extended?

 

UbonJoe, you speak of 90-day entries. Do i have to leave the country every 90 days on a marriage visa?

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, Dooball said:

So if i apply for a multi entry Non Imm O Visa at savannakhet no fianancial proof is required.

But it will be required when i extend the visa after 12 months at the Thai immigration office. How many times can the visa be extended?

 

UbonJoe, you speak of 90-day entries. Do i have to leave the country every 90 days on a marriage visa?

Yes you do not need financial proof to apply for the visa in Savannakhet.

A visa cannot be extended. You can extend any of the 90 day entries from the non-o visa for one year. Or 60 days to visit your wife.

You have to leave the country every 90 days to get a new entry if you have a multiple entry non-o visa.

If you have a one year extension of stay issued by immigration you can stay for the entire year if you want to and when it expires you can apply for another one without leaving the country.

[Dooball]

After the first 90 days i have to leave the country, then return. Atfer 90 more days i can extend for 1 year by providing financial proof like the 400k in the bank. Is that correct? I then do not have to leave the country for a whole year.

Sorry, it's a bit confusing! Maybe i'm overthinking it.

if someone could post a schedule with days allowed to stay then leave, extension date etc. that would be really helpful.

[Dooball]

I found this bit of information mentioning after entering the country with marriage visa i have 90 days to extend it for 1 year.

Once you enter Thailand you have 90 days to extend this visa for 1 year and this process normally takes 3-4 weeks to complete. They will need the following documents for the extension for the visa.

• Copy of your passport;
• Copy of your Thai marriage certificate (both versions);
• Copy of your Thai wife’s ID card;
• Copy of your Thai wife’s Tabian Baan (House Papers)
• Copy of a map to your residence in Thailand;
• Copy of photos showing you and your wife together;
• Copy of your bank book showing 400,000 THB in your bank account;or
• Copy of your income showing 40,000 THB per month in income

https://www.thaiimmigration.net/marriage-visa-for-thailand.html

It sounds a bit simplified, some users report officers coming to their house, having to take ridiculous photo's on the bed, in front of the fridge etc.?

And then i still have to report my address to immi. every 90 days?

Why not attach a GPS tracking device to my ankle? Jeez.

 

 

[elviajero]

53 minutes ago, Dooball said:

After the first 90 days i have to leave the country, then return. Atfer 90 more days i can extend for 1 year by providing financial proof like the 400k in the bank. Is that correct? I then do not have to leave the country for a whole year.

Sorry, it's a bit confusing! Maybe i'm overthinking it.

if someone could post a schedule with days allowed to stay then leave, extension date etc. that would be really helpful.

At what point, if any, will you transfer 400K to Thailand or start transfering at least 40K pm?

[Dooball]

1. Arrive in TH on visa exemption

2. Open bank account (but how???) and deposit 400k

3. Get non imm. o visa at Savannakhet
4. Enter TH with non imm. O visa
5. After 90 days extend visa with seasoned funds in bank account.

Is that order correct?

I'm just trying to figure out how to open a bank account on visa exemption... I read it's not allowed for tourists to open a bank account, a work permit is needed for that.

[Tanoshi]

8 minutes ago, Dooball said:

1. Arrive in TH on visa exemption

2. Open bank account (but how???) and deposit 400k

3. Get non imm. o visa at Savannakhet
4. Enter TH with non imm. O visa
5. After 90 days extend visa with seasoned funds in bank account.

Is that order correct?

I'm just trying to figure out how to open a bank account on visa exemption... I read it's not allowed for tourists to open a bank account, a work permit is needed for that.

You can get either a 90 day single entry Non Imm O Visa, or a multi entry Non Imm O Visa from a Thai Embassy/Consulate in your home Country before arriving when married to a Thai.

Edited March 16, 2019 by Tanoshi

[elviajero]

4 hours ago, Dooball said:

1. Arrive in TH on visa exemption

2. Open bank account (but how???) and deposit 400k

3. Get non imm. o visa at Savannakhet
4. Enter TH with non imm. O visa
5. After 90 days extend visa with seasoned funds in bank account.

Is that order correct?

You can open a bank account any time but the funds will need to be in your account for at least 2 months before you apply for the extension. Your initial 90 day stay can be extended by 60 days if you need more time before applying for the extension.

 

4 hours ago, Dooball said:

I'm just trying to figure out how to open a bank account on visa exemption... I read it's not allowed for tourists to open a bank account, a work permit is needed for that.

It's not easy. Bangkok bank is a good option unless you know a foreigner or Thai with a good relationship with their bank and can introduce you.

 

From Bangkok banks website;

 

• Foreigners without a work permit

Passport and one of the following documents:

A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations

• Embassy or international organization
• International institution, e.g. pension certificate issued by overseas organization
• An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT
• Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, government officer, director of a private company, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank
• Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.
   

Other documents with the customer’s name and address can be used as supporting evidence for opening a bank account(in addition to the documents stated above) such as a lease agreement or apartment sale agreement.

[Tanoshi]

I notice from your other topic your 32 and suffer from autoimmune disease.

Just a thought, but how do you propose to finance staying in Thailand.

[Dooball]

14 hours ago, elviajero said:

You can open a bank account any time but the funds will need to be in your account for at least 2 months before you apply for the extension. Your initial 90 day stay can be extended by 60 days if you need more time before applying for the extension.

 

It's not easy. Bangkok bank is a good option unless you know a foreigner or Thai with a good relationship with their bank and can introduce you.

 

From Bangkok banks website;

 

• Foreigners without a work permit

Passport and one of the following documents:

A reference letter issued by one of the following institutes or organizations

• Embassy or international organization
• International institution, e.g. pension certificate issued by overseas organization
• An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT
• Trusted individuals such as a Bangkok Bank staff member or customer, government officer, director of a private company, government or private educational institutes located in Thailand trusted by the Bank
• Trusted companies, e.g., an employment letter from the company if the customer is in the process of applying for a work permit.
   

Other documents with the customer’s name and address can be used as supporting evidence for opening a bank account(in addition to the documents stated above) such as a lease agreement or apartment sale agreement.

Thanks, so it will be either - An overseas bank where the customer holds an account sent via SWIFT OR i have to bribe someone to vouch for me.

[Dooball]

8 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

I notice from your other topic your 32 and suffer from autoimmune disease.

Just a thought, but how do you propose to finance staying in Thailand.

I have savings to live off from for a few years. The autoimmune disease is pretty much under "control", i've not been on medication for several years. Asthma is still a problem but inhalers are cheap.
The first year i don't want to do anything, i really need a year off.
 

After that i hope to work for my LLC which is a disregarded entity (pass-through taxation to country of residence). I'm unsure if i need a work visa for that because it's not a Thai company, funds are not located in Thailand and the business does not have any customers in Thailand.
Either that or change the tax-structure to corporate and then live off dividends.

I'll probably need to contact an accountant or tax specialist in Thailand about the matter.

Does Thailand still only tax territorial? If so, then probably i'll have to pay no tax at all.

[Dooball]

As a sidenote, it's really unfair.

Wifey received a 5 years residence permit in Europe, can come and leave as she pleases. No reporting to do, no need to buy any visa or whatever. No ridiculous requirements like DRAWING a map and providing photo's of us on the freaking bed when she applied for her residence. No harassment by immigration officers when entering the country.

She can buy and own land, do any work she likes, is entitled to benefits if needed and has amazing health insurance which covers her pre-existing illness.

 

Me coming to Thailand? NONE of the above. Living in Thailand now sounds nothing more than an extended holiday really. I can great weather and a much better quality of life too in Southern Europe.

I'm now only half sure if i want to make the leap. We've been discussing it and maybe we will relocate to another European country, and visit Thailand for holiday only. 8 months Europe, 4 months Thailand.

 

The only drawback of living in Europe is the tax.... Although Portugal offers great tax incentives to new residents.

[JackThompson]

5 hours ago, Dooball said:

Does Thailand still only tax territorial? If so, then probably i'll have to pay no tax at all.

Income brought into the country in the year earned is taxable. 

But if paying taxes on that same income in another country, there are dual-tax treaties which may prevent you from needing to pay twice.

Income earned in previous years can be brought in tax-free.

 

Currently, working remotely for your own business operating entirely outside of Thailand is not being prosecuted as "working illegally."

[Dooball]

Ok, good to know. So then it's just a case of keeping the funds outside of Thailand for a year before wiring it to a Thai bank account.

What if i never wire my income to a Thai bank account and keep it offshore forever? I can pay bills or whatever easily using my offshore account and transferwise.
Does withdrawing from an ATM count as bringing funds into the country?

Is working for an offshore company without a work permit 100% legal, or a grey area? Like there's no law covering that aspect so they kind of tolerate it until they don't....

Edited March 17, 2019 by Dooball

[elviajero]

43 minutes ago, Dooball said:

Ok, good to know. So then it's just a case of keeping the funds outside of Thailand for a year before wiring it to a Thai bank account.

What if i never wire my income to a Thai bank account and keep it offshore forever? I can pay bills or whatever easily using my offshore account and transferwise.
Does withdrawing from an ATM count as bringing funds into the country?

Yes it does. But unless you voluntarily complete a tax return no one is going to know about your income or come looking for you.

 

43 minutes ago, Dooball said:

Is working for an offshore company without a work permit 100% legal, or a grey area? Like there's no law covering that aspect so they kind of tolerate it until they don't....

Any legal work you do outside of Thailand is legal. It is only work carried out on Thai soil that could be considered illegal.

[Dooball]

Ok, interesting.
 

It sounds like you have some experience with it, do you have a business in another country too?

[elviajero]

30 minutes ago, Dooball said:

Ok, interesting.
 

It sounds like you have some experience with it, do you have a business in another country too?

I have a company in the UK and two in Thailand. 

 

As long as, when on Thai soil, you’re working for a foreign based company operating outside of Thailand you aren’t doing anything the authorities are likely to be bothered about. Although I’d keep quiet about it.

[Dooball]

Accountant confirmed something like you said, but i have a meeting set up to discuss the details, need to be sure ofcourse. ????

I'm in a split, at the moment it just doesn't sound too appealing to move to Thailand. The only reason i would move right now is the low tax. I have some very prosperous projects coming up the next 2 years which can set me up for life. If i stay in Europe then the effective tax rate on my income will be around 45%.

If i move to Thailand that will be much lower to none.

So, sacrifice 2 to 3 years of my life and earn 45% more nett. so i can possibly retire before 40? Or just stay in Europe and keep working 3 to 5 more years.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Dooball

[JackThompson]

If immigration is being a PITA at your office (many are, some aren't) a Non-O-ME Visa based on marriage is the solution.  No immigration-office bull to deal with - just go out ever 90-days for a new entry.  You can get it in your passport-country or a nearby country to Thailand such as Laos.

 

You could keep the bulk of your funds/income accumulating offshore - British Virgin Islands or similar.  Bring what you need into Thailand the following year after earning, and you are set. 

 

If short on savings for a full year's expenses in Thailand now, you could bring in some same-year earnings - but not an amount that creates a big tax-bill.  If your business works out as planned, your offshore account should be able to cover you with "prior-year" earnings to bring in tax-free from then on.

[teetersb]

On 3/16/2019 at 7:01 PM, ubonjoe said:

A visa cannot be extended. You can extend any of the 90 day entries from the non-o visa for one year. Or 60 days to visit your wife.

You have to leave the country every 90 days to get a new entry if you have a multiple entry non-o visa.

If you have a one year extension of stay issued by immigration you can stay for the entire year if you want to and when it expires you can apply for another one without leaving the country.

So, I go to Savannakhet (2 nn's in Savanakhet) and pay the 5,000 baht and get my multi-entry Non-O marriage visa. Then every 90 days I must leave the country for 1 night to renew it.

1. Do I have to pay 5,000 Baht every 90 days when I leave and come back?

2. Do I have to go to Savannakhet every time?

Thank you Ubonjoe for the info.

 

 

[BritManToo]

Just now, teetersb said:

So, I go to Savannakhet (2 nn's in Savanakhet) and pay the 5,000 baht and get my multi-entry Non-O marriage visa. Then every 90 days I must leave the country for 1 night to renew it.

1. Do I have to pay 5,000 Baht every 90 days when I leave and come back?

2. Do I have to go to Savannakhet every time?

Thank you Ubonjoe for the info.

No need to leave for a night, hop over the border at Mae Sai for 10 minutes is good enough.

No need to pay again until the one year VISA expires.

No need to visit suvannakhet.

[teetersb]

Thank you Britmantoo. I live in Surin, so Mae Sai is too far and the closest border crossing is Chang Choem, or Poi Pet.

 

[Nyezhov]

Easist bank to deal with on a TV is Krungsri

[Number 6]

What supporting documents are needed at the Savanakhet consulate out of curiosity?

 

License

KR2

Affirm to marry

Wife ID, PP

Wife name change document

House book

Domicile? Rental agreement?

 

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

47 minutes ago, teetersb said:

So, I go to Savannakhet (2 nn's in Savanakhet) and pay the 5,000 baht and get my multi-entry Non-O marriage visa. Then every 90 days I must leave the country for 1 night to renew it.

1. Do I have to pay 5,000 Baht every 90 days when I leave and come back?

2. Do I have to go to Savannakhet every time?

1. No

    The only cost will be to a get visa on arrival for Cambodia in Chong Chom (forget Poipet as an option.

2. No

 

To apply for the non-o visa you will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card signed by her. A completed application form with 2 photos attached.

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

What supporting documents are needed at the Savanakhet consulate out of curiosity?

 

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

To apply for the non-o visa you will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card signed by her. A completed application form with 2 photos attached.