Asking immigration about marriage visa requirements

[laphanphon]

OK...........continuing on, with Retirement to Marriage Visa, from the 'Income Affidavit thread'

Yes, I got that, and get the impression, they hate marriage visas, especially if having retirement already.

So thinking of prepping for both. Applying for (changing to) marriage, saying don't have proof of finance for retirement, doing a deposit, but then having the affidavit as back up.

I'll see how receptive they are this afternoon, cry the blues, "can't do the financial for retirement, and need to do marriage or I can't stay in Thailand" .....

See how receptive they are .... Or just a good day out.

So, a very good day out, at HH Imm. Guessing they are getting a few like myself, inquiring about changing Ret to Marriage visas, as had the info on his desk.

A very pleasant IO, and with exception of one comment, didn't try to discourage me from changing. Quite the surprise and counter to past queries about changing.

Actually quite helpful. Pull out the requirement immediately, at hand's length away. Went thru each part, with wife, English for me and Thai, probably more details to her, as chatting and had a chuckle.

Just the one; "If put 800k in, then easier" comment, but realized that wasn't going to happen. So no more attempts or comment to change my mind.

Didn't suggest doing in Udon Thani, as that's where our house books are, which would have been and easy out for him, also, asked and told just my name on the lease is fine.

400k deposited for 2 months, than apply at our leisure, no need to wait until end of Feb when Ret Visa ext expires.

Asked about pics, and he showed pics of an application sitting there. Photos to include address #s of house, and a few of inside. Living room, porch, whatever. No need for bedroom, as I've heard on some forums. Along with ones shown, same attire in all, so looked as posed simply for the application.

Only other thing, was hoping not to need, was a witness. As except for landlord, even after 2 years, I don't know anyone here. A private, anti-social guy. Big surprise...

But landlord does visit mum quite a bit, and she lives in HH. Even suggested her going, but since never met, that might not work.

Absolutely no negatives for the day, so much so, I forgot to ask about; If and how long will you be accepting the 'income affidavits', as completely scratched that idea now.

That question asked and answered already on other thread, though I do prefer my 1st hand knowledge for things.

Form he gave us, with required docs needed, and info below. Sure your significant other can do a translation if needed.

Cheers




[MOD edit: bullshit removed, thread title fixed, topic moved to the correct section. Ranting about forum data management efforts like a 5 year old will not help your situation, this is an information website, not a playground. ]

[Big Boy]

Thank you laphanphon - very encouraging.

[huahin4ever]

Spot on laphanphon. I think I have experienced all the things you have mentioned above during several years on a marriage visa here in Hua Hin, and I cannot wait to become 50 years old (shit....hard to believe me saying something like this) so I can stay here on retirement visa. (So much easier to make extension than the marriage visa). I sometimes joke with my wife that the day I become 50 we are no longer married

[laphanphon]

[heartofmidlothian]

I do my marriage visa every year when I am back in the UK. Very simple process through the Thai Consulate in London. Download and print off the forms and send them with my money and supporting evidence of bank deposits. Get it back within 1 week. I don’t have to deal with all the nonsense of the Immigration office in Hua Hin.

[buksida]

I don't need to remind people that what one 'officer' says and what you actually have to deal with on the day you go are likely to be two entirely different things. Retirement extensions are black and white - marriage extensions are grey, entirely up to who you deal with on the day, they can and will ask for things not on that official list.

[hin]

Beneficial anyway to keep the minimum 800,000 salted away in a separate account at all times, year around. Easy to put it out of mind after it has been there a while. If somthing morbidly bad happens to you your wife will have easier access to it than she would to some other resources = your own private insurance policy. If you do not know how to hide her name on the account, submerged from imm’s view, ask your bank. And you will not have to remember the date each year when it needs to be deposited for extension of stay - which can easily trip you up as you slip deeper into senility.

[StevePIraq]

Just a snippet recently told to me by my lawyer.
If on a marriage visa and you divorce you cannot just revert to a retirement visa, your visa is cancelled and you have to start the full process for obtaining a Non immigrant O visa again. I believe that has to be done from overseas, I can't remember for sure.

He did not mention and I did not ask if you can revert to a retirement visa from marriage visa if you stay married.

[laphanphon]

14 years ago, but I got my Retirement Visa in country.

Pretty sure nothing has changed since then.

[handdrummer]

I began with a marriage visa and changed to a retirement visa, so that can be done and the imm. office would prefer that. Now I'll see if I can change back.

[handdrummer]

If I can change to a marriage visa do I have to have a bank acct. in my name only or can it be a joint acct.?

Do I have to prove that the 400,000 BHT came form out of the country or is the fact that it's in the bank sufficient?

[laphanphon]

Can't answer you questions, but if a yank, be prepared for an additional form or 2, including IRS's W9 to be completed while there. Don't remember filling out in the past.

Took about an hour to open the account yesterday, and they were very apologetic for that. But apparently I was the first Yank they ever had to deal with. If I was them, I'd be the last. USA making them fill more forms and reporting than other countries. Just silly.

I really hate banks. I've had my share of banking experiences here ....

[T.O.M.]

If I can change to a marriage visa do I have to have a bank acct. in my name only or can it be a joint acct.?

Do I have to prove that the 400,000 BHT came form out of the country or is the fact that it's in the bank sufficient?

Your name only.
You don't have to prove the origin of the money.

[T.O.M.]

Can't answer you questions, but if a yank, be prepared for an additional form or 2, including IRS's W9 to be completed while there. Don't remember filling out in the past.

Took about an hour to open the account yesterday, and they were very apologetic for that. But apparently I was the first Yank they ever had to deal with. If I was them, I'd be the last. USA making them fill more forms and reporting than other countries. Just silly.

I really hate banks. I've had my share of banking experiences here ....

Seriously?
You went to open another account....After having had accounts in at least 5 other banks already (judged by your picture)
Why make life simple....if you can make it complicated.....
During my more than 15 years here, I have had ONE and the same savings account.....

[laphanphon]

That doesn't even include the BBK Bank accounts when I first got here.

The UOB and CIMB accounts were necessary, for 'real international banking', as Thailand was, still is, 3rd world for that. Needed those 2 for multiple currency and online banking via Singapore. Larger amounts / free fee services, don't exist here.

Thailand slowly coming into the 20th century, with simple online banking. They still issue bank books..... They love their paper.

I stopped using banks in the 80's, and didn't need until I came here. Still don't use in the USA, just use brokerage account. Banks are for ignorant people.

Who pays to use their own money, from an institution that uses your money to make profit. They should be paying you.