HELP::: Getting married what to do next for visa

[toffo]

So can i go to korat first and then they send it off to bangkok to change it into a non o  or do i have to go to savann first.... My Extension runs out 19th this month... cheers WW

[Welsh Wonder]

So can i go to korat first and then they send it off to bangkok to change it into a non o  or do i have to go to savann first.... My Extension runs out 19th this month... cheers WW

Right... first you have to convert your tourist visa to a Non-O so it can be extended for marriage purposes.So you have to go to Savannakhet before the 19th of this month after you are married.Once you have your 3 month Non O you can then apply for an extension based on married.This is done as my previous post.They then stamp your passport for one month and you go back to Korat to get your 1 year stamp in your passport on that date.
What are your map drawing skill like Toffo....LOL

A bit more info... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/524800-marriage-visa/

[toffo]

Haha Im an x soldier so map reading is easy lolol

[Nobby]

Haha Im an x soldier so map reading is easy lolol

Hows your drawing though, as thats what he asked! Is it as good as your reading???


(Sorry,Mate, couldn't resist)

[toffo]

My drawing is shite  its the driving on the roads that pisses me off... Just got back from bangkok and im super tired ffs 

[Jon Terry]

Not quite sure what you mean by back handers but never mind.

It all depends on ones own circumstances. Transport to border is neither here nor there as one would have to go to either the border or Khorat every 90 days anyway. Also having to go twice for the extension as the first time you only get an "under consideration" stamp.

It would cost, for visas only, 12500baht for a 17 months stay( cheaper if you apply for a Cambodian Evisa).A multi also enables you to go out of Thailand any time you want without needing a re entry permit.

If you take into account all of those things plus the costs of keeping 400k in the bank earning bugger all, or the cost of proof of income from embassy in Bangkok, then there is probably not a great deal of difference.

I was, after all, only offering and option. I know quite a few people that do it this way as an extension based on marriage is becoming more difficult to get.

Starman,
I think he talking about the guys who want to fill out your forms or so called VIP treatment some officers try to sell you, basically waiting in line for you or jumping the que to get your visa stamped then taking you  through the same bollocks to get you stamped in again, 7 years ago I fell for this the first time, but the second which was a month later the same guy who amazingly remembered my name asked if I wanted the service and feeling a bit skint and looking at the que of tourists I said no thanks then he began to try and negotiate the price, thats when it dawned on me I only need to pay at the booth for the stamps, but to be honest when a border guy with a gun is asking for money you do (or I did) think it was legit.
 Thats the only ones I can think of.

[Starman]

.

 I was, after all, only offering and option. I know quite a few people that do it this way as an extension based on marriage is becoming more difficult to get.

We all here to help Starman and to offer options ,don't take it personally if someone offers different information to you but if you had read the OP you would have seen Toffo has his letter from Embassy already and just wanted information for the best way to extend his visa at Korat.
 I don't know what you mean by saying "extension based on marriage is becoming more difficult to get". Its been the same for many years now apart from now you have to draw a map of where you live and have a few photo's of you and the Mr's around the home.Even most ex-pats with low IQ's can surely do this ...LOL

Not so many years ago you needed only 250 000 in the bank the day before you extended. You only needed passport, bank book, marriage visa and passport photo. Extensions were given on the spot. No need to send to Bangkok.

There is one Imm office, I think it is Pitsanulok, that now ask for a neighbour to varify the family photos. There is another office that insist on a home visit before extension can be given. They do not say when they are coming. If you happen to be out when they turn up then extension is refused.

Imagine if during the next Immigration merry go round that Chief is the next head guy at Khorat. That is why I said it is getting more difficult.

Toffo.......You do not need to go to Savannakhet to "convert" your visa from tourist to Non O. In actual fact you no longer have a visa. You have an extension of stay based on tourism.

When you have all of your documents together you can convert your current extension of stay to a Non O visa at immigration. You may, however, need to go to Bangkok to do this (phone Khorat 044 492 903 to ask if they will do it for you).
I think you have to wait until the last 14 days of your current extesnion of stay so you can do it now.

You will receive a 90 day Non O stamp(2000 baht) That can then be extended to 1 year within the last 30 days of stay.

That save you the 1500baht fee for a visa to enter Laos.

[Welsh Wonder]

Not so many years ago you needed only 250 000 in the bank the day before you extended. You only needed passport, bank book, marriage visa and passport photo. Extensions were given on the spot. No need to send to Bangkok.

There is one Imm office, I think it is Pitsanulok, that now ask for a neighbour to varify the family photos. There is another office that insist on a home visit before extension can be given. They do not say when they are coming. If you happen to be out when they turn up then extension is refused.

Imagine if during the next Immigration merry go round that Chief is the next head guy at Khorat. That is why I said it is getting more difficult.

In July 2004 the Immigration law changed from 200k deposited in a Thai bank account to 400K ( never been 250k as far as I know ) to meet the requirements for an extension based on marriage.This was done because there was far to many short-term, co-operative loans between friends, a practice of which the Thai authorities disapproved of .( a practice that still goes on and there is even people that Advertise on TV that offer this service )
The others things you have mentioned are not the norm and are only done when the Immigration feel that the applicant may not be telling the whole truth,( which is their right )
Many guys come here with money in the bank but end up spending more money than they bargained for on keeping their trophy wife happy because their wife's insist on having new cars,big screen TV's and all the other thing families of farangs are supposed to have .They then have to do multi visa runs because their money has diminished and they can't meet the requirements.
Immigration laws change and that's life,so we better get used to it. 

PS..Toffo...as the TV link that I posted and Starman repeated you can change from a Tourist visa to a Non O but be prepared for some fun at the BKK Immagration,so keep your cool 

[Charlie]

My first extension based on marriage was 250000 in the bank. That was a few years ago now.

My mate had a visit from Immigration in Sukothai. It was his 7th extension in a row so hardly an excuse for Immigration to disbelieve him. Lukily he was in at the right time.

Welsh you are correct that the rule changes are because people abuse the system but please dont make an assumption that changes are because immigration dont believe. There have been many instances lately of "changes" when in actual fact it is nothing more than a new officer enforcing an old rule.

I remember years back when the Kap Cheong office was a pokey little shop front. Run by police. They didnt have a clue. Then it changed over to full blown Immigration and all hell broke loose.

I too think that things will only get more difficult in the future.

If you are over 50 go the retirement route. It is far easier

[Starman]

There are a few people I know who have money but choose the multi route just because it is convenient. These people travel a couple of times a year so no need to fork out for re entry permit.

Welsh.....I would take care with your commas and inverted commas. People may start to think you are someone else.

[Welsh Wonder]

My first extension based on marriage was 250000 in the bank. That was a few years ago now.

Like I say I remember it was 200k and then going up to 400k but if you say you had to show 250k ,I believe you .Maybe they had a transitional period

My mate had a visit from Immigration in Sukothai. It was his 7th extension in a row so hardly an excuse for Immigration to disbelieve him. Lukily he was in at the right time.

Immigration  probably fancied a day out and though they may be a free beer....
I had the Police come round about 7 years ago,I think they were doing some sort of census on Westerners living in the area'.

Welsh you are correct that the rule changes are because people abuse the system but please dont make an assumption that changes are because immigration dont believe. There have been many instances lately of "changes" when in actual fact it is nothing more than a new officer enforcing an old rule.
I remember years back when the Kap Cheong office was a pokey little shop front. Run by police. They didnt have a clue. Then it changed over to full blown Immigration and all hell broke loose.

Yes I remember how lackadaisical the Immigration was Kap Cheong and how I thought it was nice to find Immigration so easygoing compared to the Immigration office I was used to before moving here.But alas times change 

I too think that things will only get more difficult in the future.

Yes, next time we go we may have to jump through a hoop of fire 

[Welsh Wonder]

Welsh.....I would take care with your commas and inverted commas. People may start to think you are someone else.

Why are people so obsessed { compulsive even } to worry about who we all are on Internet forums.Some just want to keep it to a small clique on local forums ,don't want anyone with a different point of view or a bit smarter than us on here ....do we 

[Starman]

Welsh.....I would take care with your commas and inverted commas. People may start to think you are someone else.

Why are people so obsessed { compulsive even } to worry about who we all are on Internet forums.Some just want to keep it to a small clique on local forums ,don't want anyone with a different point of view or a bit smarter than us on here ....do we 

On the contrary with your unrivalled wit and enthusiasm it would be a shame to see you banned again so soon.

That was my point of writing.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

If members did not wish to see others trying to make a come back, under a different name , get banned once again, it might be best not to mention or even hint at their former involvement with the forum.

[dundeemk6]

The easiest way is NOT TO GET MARRIED and live on a retirement visa ... just do the 'local' marriage cerremony and have a BIG party = a lot of 'face' ... and just live together as long as it suits you ... in the end it will be a lot better for you IF any future problems might arise ... AND THEY WILL ARISE !!!!