BritTim

This stale thread is now closed. It is better not to resuscitate old threads that may contain out of date information, even if you think you have something extra to add. CLOSED

Note that you can save money by having clean, undamaged US$ for the Laos visa (US$40 = approx. 1,400 baht).

Note for those who are unaware: the KR2 and KR22 are different. If you married in Thailand, you will get a KR2 which confirms that you are still married. If you married abroad, but subsequently registered your marriage in Thailand, you only get a KR22. This does not guarantee that you are not divorced, but Immigration tend to accept it.

Depending on your nationality and current location, you can probably get a single entry tourist visa using the e-visa system (https://www.thaievisa.go.th/). This gives you a 60-day permission to stay that you can extend by a further 30 days at the local immigration office.

This is not a bad idea. If changes are made that do not include grandfathering, transition rules are going to be complicated.

If you entered visa exempt, you need to use Form TM87. If you entered with a tourist visa, use Form TM86.

If you are staying in a hotel, you do not need to submit the TM30 yourself. It is only needed when staying in private accommodation.

No, but (i) if you do not renew your passport before you apply for a new extension in July 2024, it will have an expiry date of 22 Nov 2024; and (ii) it would be prudent in any case to ensure that a passport renewal is completed by about April 2024 if you might want to travel after then.

He would receive the regular one-year extension. However, even with a re-entry permit, it might be difficult to travel once the passport has less than six months remaining validity. This is mainly because of the immigration rules of other countries, and sometimes because of airline policy.

Just the bank book is sufficient. It is strongly recommended that you conform with the requirements specified in https://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-visa-2?menu=63bcd875e8b39d00fd0e7513. They will be strictly applied if Vientiane views you as a long stay tourist.

No. Immigration at the airport will only check the insurance.

Just a bank book will suffice. If your history as a tourist in Thailand is very limited, they might relax some of the requirements, but I strongly recommend complying. A planned itinerary and hotel bookings (which you can cancel later) are not that onerous to provide.

You do not provide much to go on, but it might possibly be a weekend technical glitch. Immigration's IT systems are pretty fragile.

As long he can show an insurance policy acceptable to Immigration at the airport, and the visa's expiry date has not been reached, he will be stamped in for a year. If he wants to leave Thailand and return after the expiry date of the visa, he should ensure he has a re-entry permit to keep his permission to stay intact.

I still fail to understand his desire to travel regularly. However, with one-year extensions from Immigration in Thailand, he still has the option of traveling, but needs to get re-entry permits to protect his extended permission to stay. If he wants to travel frequently, he can get a multiple re-entry permit at the same time as the annual extensions from Immigration in Thailand.

It is correct that a multiple entry Non O visa must be applied for outside Thailand. However, I cannot understand why someone who has difficulty traveling would want to subject themselves to regular border bounces. Opening a Thai bank account is much harder than it used to be, but can be achieved (if necessary, with the help of an agent). For older people who would prefer to avoid international travel, getting a single entry Non O visa at Immigration, followed by one-year extensions will usually be best. If there are difficulties with the visa application and extension process in Thailand, there are agents who can assist.

He will not be able to return later for a multiple entry Non O in Vientiane. It would be possible in Savannakhet. Both in Vientiane and Savannakhet, if walking is a problem for him, best will be to cross in a wheelchair with a companion. To cross to Vientiane most easily, get a Lao e-visa in advance, and use the international bus. Better yet, would be to do the border bounce by air. He will need to attend the consulate in Savannakhet when applying for the visa. What is the reason for not applying for the Non O visa and extension at Immigration in Thailand? I hope it is understood that financial proof will still be needed when applying for a Non O visa on that basis in Savannakhet.

The main category of people over age 50 who do not work in Thailand is those who are retired. However, there is no requirement (with one exception that I explain below) for you to be retired to receive that Non O visa. [That is how it differs from a Non O based on marriage which does require that you are married.] The exception (which may still exist) is that the Thai embassy in the UK used to issue a multiple entry Non O visa to anyone in receipt of a UK state pension (of any amount).

The days when an agent could get you a tourist visa that you cannot get yourself are over. You do not state your immigration history. Under all but the most extreme circumstances, you should be able to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. You need an appointment (https://thaivisavientiane.com/) and should conform, scrupulously with the requirements (https://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-visa-2?menu=63bcd875e8b39d00fd0e7513) If you want to use an agent (in spite of the fact that they cannot do anything special) there are visa run companies in Bangkok and Udon Thani who liaise with locals in Vientiane. You are basically paying money for assistance with transport.

The initial Non Ed visa will, indeed, only be for 90 days. This will be extended in Thailand by one year at a time with the assistance of the school. If your child will study at an international school in Chiang Mai, do not worry. The school will have lots of experience, and your child's immigration status will be easy to deal with. For a trip out of Thailand (whether during the initial 90 days, or when the permission to stay has been extended) you need to get a re-entry permit (1,000 baht at the immigration office, 1,000 or 1,200 baht at the airport). For proof of residence for a child, the passport is sufficient. For proof of finance, just provide a note that, as the parent, you take responsibility. Should any mistake ever be made with respect to your child breaching immigration law, there is no drama. A child up to the age of 15 is not subject to penalties.

It is more likely that they will fall into those categories if they do not have positive occupations to fill up their lives. Being aged over 50 does not guarantee that you will end up a sozzled pot head, addicted to bar girls. (Yes, quite a few can end up that way.)

Those who are cautious might well be uncomfortable with having an imperfect understanding of everything that is happening at Immigration. But, that conflicts with the whole idea of using an agent where you take it on faith that the agent knows what to do, and trust everything is done correctly without verifying that properly.

This is not correct. Prior to possession of an appropriate entry from a visa or extended permission to stay, the Labour Department can give you a kind of pre-approval document that indicates you and the company qualify in principle. However, the work permit itself will only be issued once you have the correct immigration status.

I guess that might be possible for some if they drink enough the night before.

You are like me. I hate signing anything that looks like a legally binding document without understanding what it says. That said, routine documents placed in front of you in whatever language when applying for an extension can probably just be safely signed.