robo

Charlie,

Explorer is correct, except that a visa status change is possible (although not guaranteed) without leaving the country. Previously, it was possible to apply for a PR as a retiree until former Interior Minister Purachai upset the system by having that category removed. However, in the case of a retiree, a PR application can be submitted on the grounds that you will support a Thai wife. However, you will need to meet the qualifying financial and other requirements of Immigration.

Supat Skonchai

Skonchai & Oliver Law Office

Explorer is correct, except that a visa status change is possible without leaving the country.

Previously, it was possible to apply for a PR as a retiree until former Interior Minister Purachai upset the system by having that category removed. However, in the case of a retiree, a PR application can be submitted on the grounds that you will support a Thai wife. However, you will need to meet the qualifying financial requirements of Immigration.

Supat Skonchai

Skonchai & Oliver Law Office

Hey guys !

I hold a British passport and coming to LOS in January to marry my longtime thai GF. I am planning to stay in Thailand permanently and eventually get a residence permit.My questions are :

1) Is it better to get a tourist visa before getting here ?  (rather than the 30-day stay permit on arrival)

2) will I need a trip out of the country  before I can get the desired visa ?

3) what type of O-visa is best to get after the marriage ? ( I am planning to stay in Thailand for 45 days , then  go back to the UK for 1-2 months to sort out the necessary funds to start a new life, then come back to LOS to stay permanently.

4) Is a residence permit guaranteed after three consecutive extensions ? ( I also hold a Spanish passport if that helps)

And a last question on behalf of my mate who's coming together to meet his GF to , but hasn't sorted out his divorce papers back home yet: Are you aware of any cases where marriages could be registered in remote amphuns (e.g. near Ubon) without the need of the embassy papers (stating that you are single etc)? (but perhaps with some proper compensation  ?)

Cheers,

Charlie

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For a change in visa status without leaving the country, when on a tourist visa or entry permit granted on arrival, an applicant must meet the qualifying requirements for being granted a non-immigrant visa.

Incidently, the law only states that a non-immigrant visa is required for being able to apply for a work permit. The categories (B, O etc.) are just an internal system used by Immigration to differentiate the reasons for a non-immigrant visa application. Therefore, immigration is breaking the law when stating that an applicant for a work permit must have a category B non-immigrant visa.

Supat Skonchai

Skonchai & Oliver Law Office

From a 30 day PERMIT ? More info please.

The law DOES permit a change (without leaving the country) in visa status to that of non-immigrant, provided that the applicant meets the qualifying requirements.

Supat Skonchai

Skonchai & Oliver Law Office

Pattaya Today has been given the wrong information. In fact, the announcement by the head of Pattaya’s immigration bureau, Pol. Col Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, is incorrect. There is no law or regulation that allows such five-year visas to be issued. The reference to providing evidence of "living" in Thailand for the past three consecutive years is one of the prerequisites for qualifying to apply for a residence permit. Perhaps this is where the confusion has arisen. However, a residence permit is permanent -- it is not just a five-year visa.

Supat Skonchai

Skonchai & Oliver Law Office

Hi, Mike,

The interview will be in Thai, but the questions will be basic. Incidentally, this is not required by law...it is something which the Immigration Bureau has introduced using its own discretion! If you have any questions, you could contact Khun Supat Skonchai at Skonchai & Oliver Law Office. He is the leading expert in immigration and emploment laws, and related issues.

Robert

Hi,

I have recently submitted my application for Thai residency in Bangkok and have an interview on March 1st. I was expecting to answer some basic questions in Thai. However, when submitting my application I was informed that everthing was in Thai, which means reading Thai. Does anyone have any experience of this?

What type of questions are asked? Is there anywhere I can go to get some lessons aimed towards the test?

Regards

Mike