Thailand visa question No. 070/20: Year extension
Questioner: Danny
I have been coming to Thailand for about 10 years on a multiple entry visa. So you can stay in Thailand for 9 months if you look at it a bit with your visa. I am Belgian. Now my question is, how do you get an annual visa? Yes deposit 800.000 baht into an account. But as a tourist, no bank wants to open an account for me. Might be a stupid question but how do you do this?
Reaction RonnyLatYa
Since you say you can stay for 9 months, you stay here with a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa)
If you want a year extension, you will first have to switch from a Tourist status to a Non-immigrant status, because you can only obtain a year extension if you stay here as a Non-immigrant.
You can do this through your immigration office. Please note that you still have at least 2 weeks of stay left at the time of your application. So you get that right away. That takes a while and that's why those 2 weeks. It is best to visit your immigration office beforehand so that you know exactly which documents they want to see. Of course there will be financial requirements and they are normally the same as if you were to ask for an annual extension. Only then the money does not have to be in the account for 2 months. Perhaps the income statement is accepted in your immigration offices and that is also a solution. But if you want to use a bank amount, you will first have to see that you can open a bank account somewhere. So you will have to look around and visit different branches. Or ask your acquaintances. Asking the question at immigration sometimes helps too. I don't know where you're staying, but in Bangkok it's simple. All those offices in the Govern complex where immigration is located know what you're coming for and opening an account is usually no problem there. Maybe ask your immigration office. You also have those who want to cooperate…
If your application is accepted, you will first receive a residence period of 90 days. Just as if you would have entered Thailand with a Non-immigrant visa. You can then extend those 90 days for another year. If you use a bank amount, it must be available for at least 2 months with the application.
Success.
Regards,
Ronny