If you're married to a Thai lady, you need to apply for this type of visa before your first 30-day tourist visa upon first-time arrival runs out. Once you've got this visa, you're good for a year.
Time frame: The "Non-immigrant O for Thai Wife" visa has to be renewed every year. You can begin the application process (going to the immigration office and filing for the renewal) as much as 1 month before your visa expires.
Re-entry permit: Even if you have had a Non-O visa stamped on your passport, you still need another stamp if you plan to leave Thailand and come back. This stamp is called a "RE-ENTRY" permit. Remember to always go to the immigration office to get this before you take off. If you don't have this permit, your Non-O visa becomes void as soon as you step out of the country. You can ask for a single or multiple re-entry permit, with different amount of fees of course.
90-day current address report: Ninety days after your entry into Thailand, you are required to send a report of your current address in Thailand. This is simply for them to know your whereabouts. The process is pretty easy and painless, and you don't have to go to the immigration office by yourself. Read about the process of submitting this report on this page.
RENEWAL APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Document preparation (see next section for the current list of required documents): This takes quite a while since you need photos and a large amount of cash in your bank account, so plan well and way ahead of time.
2. Renewal application at the immigration office: You get a number and you wait. Sometimes it is fast, but most of the time it can take up to 3 to 5 hours of wait-time. The officer looks at your documents, possibly asks you some questions if he/she wishes, has you and your wife sign things, has you or your wife walk over to pay a fee, takes your photo, has you or your wife take the documents to the boss for him/her to check and sign, and tells you to come back in a month for the hearing with a date stamped in your passport. That's right--you don't get the visa right away, sorry.
3. You go back to the immigration office on the date stamped in Step 2 for a hearing. Get a number, give them your passport and, if nothing goes wrong, you get your Non-O visa.
DOCUMENTS FOR RENEWAL APPLICATION (THAI WIFE TYPE ONLY)
* Documents no. 1 to 3 and no. 7 on can be prepared ahead of time. Documents no. 4 to 6 have to be asked for, filled out and signed on at the immigration officer's desk (although I have heard that some shops have them for sale). Cross and sign on every page of documents except your photos and map.1. The form TM.7 (it's called an "application for extension of temporary stay in the kingdom"--I know, we're staying here for ever and you call it temporary and still make us do this every single year?!!!)
2. A 1.5x2.5-inch photo. As current as possible. Glue this to the photo slot on the back of the TM.7 form.
3. Cash. I honestly don't remember how much (somewhere between 1,900 and 3,000 Baht), but there is a page on their website that list all the fees--whose information I'm not sure is up-to-date, but at least it will give you an idea.
4. บันทึกคำให้การ (หมายเลข 3) (Literally, a note of report, no. 3) This is a form that your wife will fill out and sign on. It is to guarantee your application.
5. ใบรับทราบเงื่อนไขการอนุญาตให้อยู่ต่อในราชอาณาจักร (แบบ สตม.2) (Literally, a guarantee that you know of their conditions about your stay in the kingdom) I also don't remember what it all says on this form because I have no chance to make a copy of it or anything. But it mostly requires some filling out basic information and signing your name.
6. ใบรับทราบเงื่อนไขเงินฝาก 400,000 บาท 2 เดือนย้อนหลัง (A guarantee that you know of the condition that you have to have had at least 400,000 Baht in your bank account for at least 2 months prior to the application)
7. A photocopy of your passport. I usually photocopy all the pages in the passport, just to have some taken out of the stapled pile. But you never know what they're going to want or not want.
8. A copy of your marriage certificate. If you got married abroad, be sure to have the certificate translated and get an affidavit from your embassy. Then the Consulate will also have to put a stamp on it for the whole thing to be valid and used for any official matters in Thailand.
9. A certificate called คร.22 that guarantees your family status (being married to your wife). This form can be obtained (with a small fee) at the district office in your area. They may ask how many copies you want, making you feel that you need to have many. This form can be photocopied, however, and the last time I did my husband's visa I used the copy version, and it was fine.
10. A copy of your wife's ID card (You also need your children's ID documents if you have children.)
11. A copy of your wife's house registration
12. A letter from your bank certifying that you currently have at least 400,000 Baht in the bank in Thailand. This costs 100 Baht at Siam Commercial Bank. Make sure the letter is in Thai.
13. A copy of your bank book pages starting from 2 months earlier until the day you file for the renewal application. I make a copy of all but the most recent page in the bank book. Then on the day we go to the immigration office, I go to an ATM, take out 500 Baht or so, and then update the bank book. Then I photocopy that last page. This is what they want.
14. At least 4 photos of you and your wife at your house. Take your pictures with the house address number, the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom, etc. I was once told not to smile too broadly (happily?) or look too playful. Stand up or sit straight.
15. A map to your house. Don't ask me why.
16. If you rent a house, submit a copy of the lease/contract.
17. If you rent a house, submit a copy of the house owner's house registration.
18. If you rent a house, submit a copy of the house owner's ID card.
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