Genuine facts and experiences of Visas

Post by **2dandan** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:29 pm

I've not heard about anyone being refused a second visa outright....

Thai embassies in neighboring countries are becoming increasingly restrictive....

Some embassies have on occaision told applicants....

They must provide documentation as to why...

Sciamachy.

Your intentions are obviously good and for the benefit of others but check out the above comments, which are all taken from your post.

They all refer to situations which do not concern you personally.

The purpose of this specific thread is....... I did this and I done that. This happened to me. I had to provide this or that document etc etc.

Keeping this thread on a very tight line will prevent unnecessary rumours/stories being added as FACT.

Post by **Sciamachy** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:35 pm

as I think I already clarfied those statements DO concern me personally. The language implies that they apply not only to me because I was either told such by the embassy official, or friends who have had the same experience have told me such.

Post by **Takiap** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:03 am

Okay here goes. I have posted on another thread but this thread seems to be better suited. I have just returned from Panangthree days ago.

I went down to apply for a non-imm O visa on the basis of a Thai spouse.
The agent informed me that I would only get three months rather than a year visa as I had gor in the past but that I can extend in Thailand.

I only had a copy of my marriage certificate and my photos.

I was refused a non imm O and was given a two month tourist visa.

The agent informed me when I went to collect my passport that the consulate did not grant the visa I wanted because they wanted to see the following:-
1) Copy of marriage certificate
2) Copy of my wife's ID
3) Two passport photos
4) My/our bank book

I was also told by the agent that I can apply in Thailand but I really doubt that this is true. Judging from other posts on here, I thing I will head off to Singapore when my two months run out but this time I will take everything including my daughters birth certificate, etc.

I have some other questions but I will post those on another thread as I don't want to get this thread side tracked.

I agree, lets keep this one to the point with facts only.

Cheers guys
Shane

Post by **Takiap** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:17 am

Sorry but having looked at the other thread, I think my questions are best suited to this one.

My questions are actuall to "lomuamart" so here goes.

Like you, I also have to rely on the "married to a Thai" visa in order to be allowed to remain with my wife and kid (soon to be kids)

My problem is this - As I have permanently left the UK, I have only last month closed my UK bank account and now make do with a Thai bank account and a US bank account. My wife and I have been earning our living on the internet for about seven years now so I cannot show proof of employment and as I have shut my UK bank account, I cannot show proof of a regular income which I might add is certainly more than the required 40K baht.
If we arranged things so that all future money goes into her Thai bank account, would this then be accepted by immigration as proof enough of the 40K required monthly? Also, by the time my two month visa runs out and I get a 90 NON IMM O that would be five months down the line before having to do the application for extension in Thailand. What I'm asking is, will five months proof be enough?

Any comments welcome please
Shane

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:06 am

I'll try with this one, Takieb, but it's a "grey area" as I'm sure you're aware.
The regulations now specifically state that the 40k income is household income, so that includes what your wife may earn as well as what you get. That being the case, I would think that it would be OK for your wife to earn the whole 40k+ and you nothing. You'd be a "kept man".
However, how imm would view this is a different matter. They may not like it.
One option would be to go to imm in HH and ask them. The thing is that you mustn't give them any indication, or reason to suspect, that you're working here. Even if it's on the net and maybe Thai companies aren't paying you, it's still technically work and you need a work pemit. So, you'll both have to satisfy imm that your wife does all the work.
You mention that you've got a US account. Can you organise things so that the required amount gets deposited there? That should solve the problem. There's no need for the money to be in the UK. If you can do this, then a trip to imm would be advisable first to ask what they require from you to prove the income. I'd think they'll want a letter of some sort from your Embassy certifying it. I'm not sure what your nationality is, but whether Brit, or American, or whatever, it'll then need a call to the relevant Embassy to see what they need from you - bank statements etc.
As far as the 5 months is concerned, I'd think that's plenty of time to build up a "history". When applications are made now on the basis of 400k in a Thai bank (you can still do this if you've had an extension on this basis before Oct 1st), imm want to see it in the bank for 3 months before the application. Hence my reckoning that a 5 month history with you should be OK. Again, I'd ask imm.
I keep meaning to pop in there myself as I'll be going down this route at some point, but I can still make my current visa work for another year.
Hope that helps.

Post by **Guess** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:59 am

Sciamachy wrote:Those are the facts, based on my personal experiences. Just cause you have not had the same experience doesn't mean mine are less factual -- rather, our divergent experiences are perhaps evidence that the system is capricious.

That is it exactly which is why I said in the original post to state when and where. This is very relevant and actually so is who? but that would be more difficult to find out if they are not wearing a dog tag.

Ricardo's answer was exactly what was wanted. The discussion about why you would want tom take your wife is not. Everybody will have personal reasons that decide who accompanies them on a journey. It is the getting of the Visa that is the important thing. I was told by an agent in Penang two years ago that my wife had to be with me but when we got there he went off with her ID card and marriage certificate and came back two days later with my Visa. This is history, as is the closing time of Ranong immigration and so irrelevant except that the question had to be asked and Ricardo has answered it.

Sargeant, perhaps you could me more specific regarding your experience including where, when and what you were applying for.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:29 am

Are you saying, Guess, that if you return to imm in Ranong after 4pm, they will be closed/not stamp you in. It may well have changed over the past 3 months, which is when I was last there.
Also, it's important to know as the bus leaving HH is quite often late doing so and by the time you've arrived, it can be very tight to make it back from Burma by 4pm.

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:50 pm

Sorry guess you lost me i havent said i am applying for anything I just said i would later

I am interested in this thread to learn so i can give factual advice to frends who ask.

I have posted how i got my retirement visa on 2 threads already but i got it 2.5 years ago not since Oct 1st

Helping and advising my friend all the way through his retirement visa is all fact but not an (I) did it as such but is relevant because it was done & dusted 7th oct 2006 but i am waiting for another poster who can say (I) have just got a retirement visa I will only post it if noone else comes forward

Like you i want this thread to be the facts the whole facts and nothing but the facts

Post by **Onlyme** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:47 pm

Takiap. Forgive me if I'm wrong but, You went to Penang to get a non imm O without your marriage certificate?
If that statement is true, I have no sympathy for you!
Onlyme.

Post by **Onlyme** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:55 pm

Takiap. Just to help you out. Take your marriage certificate, child's birth certificate, wifes ID and anything else you can get your hands on. Apply for a 3 month non imm O visa in Penang.
If you're as wealthy as you sound, you will have no problem putting 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. That will suffice, irrelevant of age, to keep you in Thailand to support a "Thai spouse."
Onlyme.

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:17 am

Onlyme wrote:Takiap. Just to help you out. Take your marriage certificate, child's birth certificate, wifes ID and anything else you can get your hands on. Apply for a 3 month non imm O visa in Penang.
If you're as wealthy as you sound, you will have no problem putting 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. That will suffice, irrelevant of age, to keep you in Thailand to support a "Thai spouse."
Onlyme.

800k in a Thai bank has nothing to do with getting an extension for supporting a Thai national - that figure's for retirement.
Only 40k per month household income will suffice for the former now - unless you're grandfathered in on the basis of 400k in a Thai bank account - ie you've had an extension on this basis prior to Oct 1st.

Post by **Takiap** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:35 am

Okay let me clear this up. I did take a copy but they wanted the origianal.

I am not wealthy and have never implied that I am. In fact it is the exact opposite but I do have a family which I love dearly. I certainly don't have 800K nor do I have 400K.

Okay so I am not rich or wealthy as others on here may be but that does not change the fact that I have emotions for my wife and child!!!!

Post by **Guess** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:57 am

Guess wrote:
Sargeant, perhaps you could me more specific regarding your experience including where, when and what you were applying for.

Sorry Sarge, Freudian slip it should have read:

Guess wrote: Sciamachy, perhaps you could me more specific regarding your experience including where, when and what you were applying for.

While I am on I would also like to say that discussion about Burmese immigration and trips across the Estuary and the time difference between Burma and Thailand is not really what this thread is about. It is about real life experiences regarding availability of visas at various locations inside and outside of Thailand especially during this period of change.

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:21 am

Guess wrote:
Guess wrote:
Sargeant, perhaps you could me more specific regarding your experience including where, when and what you were applying for.
Sorry Sarge, Freudian slip it should have read:

Guess wrote: Sciamachy, perhaps you could me more specific regarding your experience including where, when and what you were applying for.

While I am on I would also like to say that discussion about Burmese immigration and trips across the Estuary and the time difference between Burma and Thailand is not really what this thread is about. It is about real life experiences regarding availability of visas at various locations inside and outside of Thailand especially during this period of change.

So, come on. Answer my question about closing times.

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:39 am

And to be pedantic.
I've got to Ranong at 6am. Far too early, but they opened up.
I've got back at 4pm and seen the distress caused to others who couldn't leave Thailand.
If you want any specifics, I'll look through my three passports and take a general guess about the exact date.
If I can't be specific, will you forgive me?
Sorry, I forgot that about 50 times to Ranong didn't count.
The opening times are REALLY important.
So, an answere to my REAL question would help. No innuendios please.
The above are facts. Thought you wanted them.