ChiangmaiRob

5 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

this is a completely different version of this story. what i read yesterday was two trucks were over taking each other and ran this guy down like a dog. there is dashcam video. 

 

a PCX is not a motorcycle.

 

RIP

Well I guess I'm wondering what you believe it to be if it's not a motorcycle? ????

On 11/14/2019 at 6:54 AM, BritManToo said:

Renew it online ticking the box allowing them to use your passport and former address.

Collect new D/L from your old address in the next 14 days.

 

Never tell any UK authorities you live outside the UK.

By doing that, you are committing an offence. Besides, if your old address now belongs to a complete stranger, it makes it a bit difficult to collect the new licence. You would also need to time your illegal renewal application to coincide with a time you are actually in the UK.

It's also easier to hire a car using a Thai licence than UK licence if your addresses on your UK licence and credit card don't match, providing of course, the addresses on your Thal licence and credit card do match. There's also the added bonus, as already mentioned, that it's highly unlikely you would be fined for any (minor) traffic infringement as you are on a foreign licence with a foreign address and it's just too difficult for them to chase it.

Oh, and BTW, you would definitely want to tell one UK authority you live outside the UK .... and that's HMRC.

On 9/5/2019 at 8:09 AM, jacko45k said:

There is no such Visa, I would suspect it has been mis-stamped. 

Just an update for you ... been in and out twice no problem but the visa certainly caught immigration officers eyes! They were surprised and showed it to other officers but confirmed the visa was valid. One officer asked me how much it cost, I told him, he sort of shrugged and passed my passport back to me.

Looks there is such a visa after all ... well at least one anyway! ????

15 hours ago, shadowmaster1971 said:

I got my Non-O based on marriage a couple of weeks ago in HCMC and so a couple of points to note from the experience.

 

As for the letter my wife basically did the same as per above, however my wife wrote the request for ME to see her and our kids.  She wrote this on the back of the copy of her ID card.

 

If you are going to mention having children then be prepared.  I took our kids Birth Certificates with copies as well as all their passports.  Upon submitting the application and seeing it mentioned kids they ask to see their birth certificates and took the copies ( this has happened before in Savannakhet too).  They did ask if I have the kids passports, they examined the passport and compared the details with the Birth certificates.  

 

Even if you haven't written on your non-O application and details about children its worthwhile having their documents on hand just in case.  Even just verbally mentioning you have children may result in do have any of their documents.

 

I also took the wife's change name document and had copies at the ready.  I tend to bring a lot more than with me than required , eg birth certificates, passports, blue book , wife ID as more of just in case i am asked for it or something extra is required - after all its a longways back from HCMC even Savannakhet to wherever it is, if insisted on further documents.

 

Getting the NON-O in HCMC very fast no crowds.  Dropped off on a Thursday - walked straight in 10 mins out the door, probably saw half a dozen people making applications of sorts.  Picked up Friday afternoon saw a dozen people in/out 5 mins.

 

The visa label in the comments section indicated the non-o is for the purpose of visiting the wife and her name was indicated.

 

As I stayed in district 1 in HCMC the Thai Embassy was a 20 min walk.  About 10 mins from one of the main gates of the old Presidential Palace of South Vietnam.  The Thai embassy is fairly non-descript and its not immediately apparent its there until you're standing at the front of it.  The Japanese embassy   is only a block away (100m or so) easily identifiable on a corner location with their flag prominently displayed so if you see that you know you are very close to the Thai consulate.

 

 

 

 

You shouldn't put the kids details on the application as it's specifically for accompanying kids. The kids documents are optional but obviously helps your case and I've take my kids birth certs every time but I've never taken their passport copies or the wife's name change document and never been asked for them. As you said, my wife also stated in her letter I was going to see her and the kids and every time I just breezed through the process, no hassle, no questions, no problem!

3 hours ago, stament said:

Yes, fully understood. Fortunately I'm very happily married ????????

 

Looks like a trip to Vietnam is in order for me ????

Just be sure to bring $US cash as they don't accept THB, VND or credit/debit cards.

Check the consulate web page for details of what's required and you can also download the application form as well which saves you doing it when you get there.

22 hours ago, stament said:

What funds did you have to show out of interest and for what period of time do they need to be in place?

No requirement to show funds but that's for non O based on marriage.

30 minutes ago, BritTim said:

That is surely an error, and a pity you did not detect it before leaving HCMC. Unlike errors by immigration, getting corrections made to visas is a pain. Are you in Bangkok? If so, there is a special department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that can arrange to correct the error. If you have already entered Thailand successfully using the visa, I am a little surprised immigration had no comment. I certainly would not try to use the visa to enter Thailand after 29 August 2020, and would try to get the visa sticker corrected if possible (perhaps, if you are visiting HCMC again in the next few months) at the HCMC consulate).

I did actually spot it before I left the consulate but I thought, what the hell, nothing to lose!

I am also still in HCMC and could go back to the consulate and inquire, but to be perfectly honest, I'm willing to give it a go and see what happens. I'm in and out of Thailand and Vietnam on a regular basis and if I get pulled up at immigration and told the visa is not valid, I'll simply get a 30 day stamp and head back to HCMC after that and get it sorted at the consulate.

In my mind, I know it's an error and it's only a matter of time before it's flagged but the devil in me wants to take a chance and see what happens, after all what can they do .... it's unlikely they would stop me entering because of their mistake.

23 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Not if you apply for a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage that allows unlimited 90 day entries for a year from the date of issue.

You have to leave the country every 90 days for a new entry.

You could get a single entry non-o visa and the apply for a one year extension of stay that requires 400k in a Thai bank for 2 months or proof of 40k baht income. No need to leave the country every 90 days if you get the extension.

I just got my passport back on Wednesday from the HCMC consulate with my new multiple entry non-o visa based on marriage. This is the third time I've been there and got my visas no problem simply by following the requirements they have on their official web site.

To my surprise, the "Valid Until" date is 29 Aug 2022 .... yes, on the face of it, that's a 3 year visa! 

I am fully expecting to be pulled up sometime I enter Thailand when an immigration officer sees the date or if i try to enter after 1 year I'll be told the visa expired on 29 Aug 2020 and it's just a misprint on the visa.

I'm not concerned if that happens but I was just wondering if any members had experienced this before and if there is a chance the visa will be honoured for the full 3 years.

Thanks for any feedback.

34 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

 

Not quite what you said previously. 

Does it matter! ????

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Well that may occur at an inconvenient time and place and the computer likely has an expiry date of 29 Aug 2020 attached to it. But up to you of course. 

Of course it is and as I'm regularly in Saigon I will visit the consulate this time next year just to check the validity. If it's a mistake, I'll simply apply for a new one. 

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

There is no such Visa, I would suspect it has been mis-stamped. 

The visa is genuine, same as I always get and it may be a mis-print but regardless, the "valid until" date is 29 Aug 2022 and I will continue to use it until such time it is questioned and cancelled. 

I just picked up my Visa yesterday from the Thai consulate in Saigon, got a non O "marriage" visa which I've had a few times from there and to my absolute delight, I didn't get my usual 1 year multi entry, I got a 3 year multi entry .... and for the same price as a 1 year! Now that's what I call a result! 

I got my one in September in Saigon, took both sizes with me and they used the 3.5 x 4.5 ones.

On 10/20/2016 at 7:37 AM, ubonjoe said:

It does not need to be legalized to get a visa.

If you wanted to a apply for a one year extension of stay it would have to be legalized to register your marriage at an Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22.  If you plan on doing that in the future it might be worthwhile to get the long entailed procedure required to have it done in the UK now.

Just a quick update on the O visa .... I went to the consulate in Saigon and submitted the required documents (as per their own website) at 08:45 and was out of there before 09:00. Was told to collect the next day between 13:30 and 15:00 so went and got my passport back, complete with 1 year multi entry O visa, within 2 minutes.

I've never been to Savannakhet and I'm sure it's more convenient for many but as I know Saigon very well, and for sure it's a lot more fun than Savannakhet, I'd recommend Saigon for those who don't mind spending a few baht on an air fair (mine was 5800 baht return BKK to SGN) and who like to have a good night out. 

Thanks for the replies guys. I know the certificate has to be legalised to register the marriage here and that's what I'm aiming for later but right now my priority is getting my O visa and from your replies it seems I don't need it legalised for that.

As I have friends in HCMC I want to catch up with, I'll fly down there and get it done and update you on the result ... hopefully successful.  :-)

10 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A embassy or consulate will accept a marriage certificate in English or Thai. No need to have yours translated.

Savannakhet would be the best location to get the multiple entry non-o visa. No financial proof is required there.

You can fly domestic via Don Mueang  (DMK) to Mukdahan and cross over to Savannakhet. Or you can fly Lao Airways directly to Savannakhet from BKK.

You can also get a multiple entry non-o in Penang Malaysia if you can show 400k baht in the bank or proof of income.

I have seen no confirmed reports of a multiple entry non-o visa being issued at any other nearby embassy or consulate.

Does the marriage certificate have to be legalised?

Thanks.

11 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Upon what basis are you applying for a non-o visa?

Only one set of copies is needed.

The copies have to be signed to make them certified. For a non-o based upon marriage you wife has to sign the copies of her house book registry and ID card.

Hi Joe, sorry to hijack this post but I hope you can help. Up until about 5 years ago, I managed to get 3 x 1 year non immigrant O visas from the consulate in Hull and this was simply based on me having a GF here in Thailand. Things have been tightened up in Hull now so for the last 5 years I have been in and out on a 30 day visa exempt stamp, as my regular trips abroad for work allowed me to do this.

Now I want to get a non Immigrant O based on marriage and kids. I have a Thai wife and 2 kids living here in Chiang Mai . 

I was working in Ho Chi Minh before and tried to get the O visa there but they would only give me the 90 day single entry and told me if I was married and had the marriage certificate I could get the 1 years multiple entry.

We got married almost 3 months ago in the UK so now I have a UK marriage certificate but I believe I need to have the certificate legalised and translated to Thai to be accepted at any Thai consulate. Can you confirm this is required and also your suggestion for the easiest way forward to get my O visa whether it be in Vietnam or Savannakhet or wherever. I'm not bothered about the cost and I'd much rather fly somewhere regional than spend hours driving so I'm not looking for the cheapest option, but the easiest, hassle free one.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

Unless you have full parental rights I think she will need to sign the application.

Check the guidance notes you can open here: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/applying/child/united-kingdom

When I went through the steps to get to that page I assumed you were born in the UK. If not you will have to go back and change that.

Thanks man, appreciate that, yes im born in UK with both parents born UK also

I just got my 2 kids British passports, and although you don't need the mothers signature, you do need her birth certificate and certified translation plus her proof of residence and certified translation as well as the kids birth certificates and certified translations.

Even though they are submitted together, they are actually processed individually in HMPO Liverpool, and I did get an email from HMPO requesting a letter of permission from my sons mother for him to be issued a British passport but my daughters application went through no problem with no such request. I got a call from VFS Bangkok 12 days after I applied, that my daughters passport was ready for collection and only today I got a call from VFS that my sons passport is now ready for collection, a mere 14 days after I applied for them ... HMPO have really got their act together from 12 - 18 months ago ... great job HMPO and of course VFS Bangkok.

Best of luck with your applications but you will need your wife's input for you to get your kids British passports.

p.s. I am not married to my kids mother but the whole process was easier and faster than I had expected. I even got away with scanning the signed permission letter and emailing it to the relevant people at HMPO.

Doubtful that a visa can be obtained in Japan.

You will receive a "visa exempt" entry on returning to Thailand which can be extended by 30 days at an immigration office for 1900 Baht

Perhaps they've changed the rules, but as far as I am aware, you cannot extend a visa exempt entry.

Yes you can. I had 30 day extension done in Jomtien in April and just had another 30 days done on Samui on Wednesday! All that's required are your passport, copies of the main page and departure card and a photo ... oh and of course 1900 baht!

Thanks for your advice. My only worry is that it may look sort of dodgy as I have been in Thailand so long so maybe they won't give me the exemption or let me in at all. Has anyone had any experience in a similar situation?

Don't worry, I have only had 3 Non O's in 14 years and all the rest have been exempt stamps with a few 30 day extensions. I am in and out regularly and my last passport was full of Thai exempt stamps and I've never been questioned once.

So, after being stamped out of Thailand on the Aussie passport, can I switch to the UK one on arrival in Saigon?

Depends on whether or not the Vietnamese immigrations officer wants to see your exit stamp from Thailand. If they ask, you could try explaining as did realenglish1. From his explanation, it wasn't an issue.

Assuming you intend to return to Thailand, if you enter and leave Vietnam using the UK passport, it's possible the Thai I/O would want to see your exit stamp from Vietnam if you intend to switch back again to the Aussie passport. If you get the new Thai visa from Saigon in the UK passport and have the exit stamp from Vietnam in the UK passport, there shouldn't be a problem ... although if the immigrations computer brings up your recent departure on the other passport, you might be asked a few questions.

VN immigration have no interest in your Thailand stamps.

I travelled every month for 4 years between Thailand and Vietnam using one passport for my VN visas and stamps and the other passport for the Thai ones and was never asked where my Thai stamps were.

Reply to Nancyl

I am sure your first question will be answered by others

The second point is interesting. I am also on a extension to stay for retirement in Chiang Mai - I make the 90day reporting by mail and the annual extension by appointment at which time I also apply for a multiple exit visa - thus the overcrowding situation at the immigration office has a limited effect on me.

A lady friend has just applied for the Elite visa as she is not yet 50 - she has opted for this after spending 1 year on the Ed visa and is looking forward to the hassle free benefits- she will have to report every 90days( by mail) and if she does not exit in the next year then have an extension made in Bangkok ( Chiang Mai immig. Cannot do this). This is still much easier than the alternatives to her.

However , I am not applying as the baht 500,000 cost every 5 years is far higher than the extension of stay for retirement , even though you need baht 800,000 in a bank account.

John

I hope you realise that you don't need to have the 800,000 baht in the bank all the time just the 3 months before you renew the visa . Also if you have income of 65,000 baht per month ( from a pension, rental income , lottery winnings , ect ) you don't have to have any money in a bank. You can use a combo method as well say 400,000 in the bank and income of 32,500 baht per month.

Yes, and the money is always yours and can be withdrawn if you decide to leave the country. Unlike the TE cost of 500K baht, which cannot be recovered.

Take a taxi, they're the only thing that's cheap in Singapore!