matta330

You are fine removing the staples and HK slip.  I travel to HK frequently, and what I do is have a paper clip at the back of my passport with all of my HK immigration receipts just in case anyone asks.

This looks like departure immigration.  There are many flights out of BKK that depart after 1100PM so not entirely surprising.

It looks like all the other commenters answered all of the questions.

For my situation, the visa works better than an extension.  I travel frequently. so I get a new 90 days whenever I come back.  Plus, I don't like that each immigration office seems to run by their own rules, so the hassle factor definitely comes into play here.

9 hours ago, sabai5 said:

Thank you for the report.  I will be there on Wednesday for my first non-O visa and hope everything goes as smoothly as your trip. 

Just have all of your documents and you should be fine.  The people that I saw getting tripped up all had something missing from their documents.

At one time I bought a couple of pairs of elephant pants to use as pajamas - not to wear in public.  Purchased at different places, they lasted two washings before falling apart.

I have taken my wife to Singapore without problems.  If they let you approach immigration together, that is the best.  If not, have her go first and she should be able to point to you and say that you are traveling together.  What Singapore immigration is really looking for are Thai ladies traveling by themselves for, um, work purposes.

I have visited Bali with my Thai wife two times - no problems on either visit.  But on the second visit, my wife saw the immigration officer first; after she was stamped in and I approached the officer, he asked me "do you know that lady?"  I started laughing and said yes, that it was my wife and he just smiled.  No further customs checks were had on either trip.

If you apply for the visa at the embassy or one of the 3 official consulates they will accept documents in Thai. No need to have your marriage certificate or your wife's house book or ID card to be translated.

If were to apply at one of the honorary consulates they might want a translation of your marriage certificate since they do not have Thai staff but it would not have to be certified.

For the past seven years, the Portland Honorary Consulate has not need any documents translated to English either.

This has come up in our family but in the other end of the spectrum, a relative of my wife was offered a "job at at Thai restaurant" in the US but she had no experience and the salary being supposedly offered was well over the average waiter's salary in the US. I told my wife it was probably a sex trafficker trying to lure her in and my wife actually agreed with me, so we convinced the relative not to take the job.

Unlike my home country, the US, Thailand has a national identification card. Just out of curiosity, why do many government offices also ask for the Thai citizens' Tabian Baan? It seems like it is an unnecessary addition.

Good info, great service. Wish this was the norm here in LOS.

I wish it were the norm too. I give Mary at the consulate props for always being organized and efficient.

I always appreciate seeing other forum members reports, so I thought I would add my own. I will tell you up front, that as usual with Portland, the entire transaction was quick and drama free.

I have two kids in Thailand, neither "legitimized" although both hold US CRBAs. Since I live in the area, I go every year to the Portland Oregon Honorary Consulate; this is the 7th time that I have gone for a Non-O visa..

Documents brought: Filled out visa application, two photographs, copies of children's Thai birth certificates, bank statement, and $200 fee. Every year prior to this there was a note on the web site that you had to have a bank statement showing at least $500, Although this requirement is no longer listed on Portland's web site, I brought mine anyway just in case.

I walked in the door at 936AM, and there was one other person ahead of me (also getting a Non-o) who was being helped by Mary. As soon as his visa was finished, she came over to me and inspected my paperwork and she did take the bank statement. While she was working on my visa we had a short discussion on the new METVs, and she was telling me that they were not that popular with her "regulars" at this point. As usual, Mary was very efficient, she finished up the visa quickly, handing me back my passport with new one year Non-O multiple entry visa and receipt and I handed over the $200 and was out the door at 950AM.

I have done it with the Thai wife and kids too. Not an issue. And even the occasional smile from the immigration person when they see the O visa in my passport.

Why is it a dodgy visa or something ? And if your married why not just get an extension ?

The visa's fine; I get one very year like clockwork at the Portland, Oregon consulate. I just refuse to live in Thailand. I would rather make regular visits to see the kids.

I had all of one flight on OX. Not my idea at all, but my wife "surprised" me before I could book our ticktets. Flew CEI-DMK in a older MD-80. When I checked the registration later, I discovered the plane was delivered new to New York Air. 29" seat pitch at best. It wasn't the worst flight I ever had, but knowing the history of OX, I am not about to step on another one of their aircraft.

I have done it with the Thai wife and kids too. Not an issue. And even the occasional smile from the immigration person when they see the O visa in my passport.

As a long time EVA Gold member (and former Diamond member) yes, the miles plus fare is a bad deal. I also use my miles to either upgrade from Elite to Business or use them for other Star Alliance carrier awards. I really like EVA as an airline, but I really don't like their Infinity MileageLands program. As far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about having Gold with EVA is to also have Star Alliance Gold.

So wait, do the red shirts get red cards and the yellow shirts get yellow cards? Surely, they aren't officially using soccer terms?

More Americans in the U.S. have been married to Kim Kardashian than have died from Ebola. Just a little perspective.

I've never had an issue with my electric razor going through security in BKK or HKT. It does go into my carry-on of course, and not my checked luggage.

If you have been to any Disney park in the U.S., it is an interesting comparison. The emphasis on HKG Disney is shows over rides. There are less rides and more shows vs the U.S. version. Had a great time though and will go back again.

There is a lot of history to this article that goes unsaid, including the fact that Qatar Airways (and where is Al Jazeera based?) is trying to get a lower price for their 787s. As for me personally, I love to fly them, they are my favorite aircraft. Since they are pressurized so the cabin atmosphere feels like 6000' vs the normal 8000' I feel much better when I arrive.

His "fortune" may not be enough to support 20 kids. Add another few zeros and then maybe.

Back to the original post. It must depend on the consulate/embassy you go to. I have two kids in Thailand and not married to their mom. Every year I am able to get a one year multi non-o based on the kids by just showing their birth certificate.

I'm not concerned about the Thai legalization as we have already gone through the process at the US Embassy, and both my kids received their CRBAs and US passports. Both also have my last name on the birth certificate, and I went to the Amphur both times to register them.

There may be a few places where you can get the multiple entry non-o visa but is official policy that you need to be the legal father of you child by way of legitimization.

Getting the US CRBA does not change anything for Thailand's requirements. If you ever want to stay here long term by getting a one year extension of stay based upon being the parent of Thai you will not get it unless your are the legal father under Thai law.

Good point. The decision has been made already that if I end up staying in Thailand, then the kid's mom and I will get married and the kids are "legitimized" that way. If we decide to relocate everybody to the US, then we'll go with the fiance visa since that is a quicker route than a marriage visa for US immigration purposes. That way we have both options available.

The fiance visa may not be the quickest way if you are staying here full time or for at least the last 6 months when the time comes. If married already you could file the I-130 at the USCIS office in Bangkok and possibly have her visa in 3 or 4 months.

Thanks for the reminder. Unless my current schedule changes, I don't stay in Thailand long enough for the direct file. I'm back and forth between Thailand and the US every other month. Great for frequent flyer miles, lousy for the family. Thank god for Skype.