Phillip9

If you were married, she could could get a Non O visa based on being your dependent.  But since she is only your gf, that is not an option.

Her other possible options are the very expensive elite visa, or to study Thai and get an Education Visa.

54 minutes ago, RamenRaven said:

East Asian men (ethnic Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino)

That's quite a diverse group.  Do you realize that men from these countries have nothing at all in common with each other?

Seems like an ED visa is your best / only option to stay long term unless you get married.  I would contact a school or two in Phuket and ask them if they think you can get an ED visa.  The school should be able to advise you.

If you haven't used your visa exempt entries by land yet this year, you can safely do that twice, and then extend 30 days each time.  That will give you 4 months to start with.

1 hour ago, parafareno said:

how come they dont grow mango? It is same climate as in thailand

They certainly grow mangos and other tropical fruit, but it's a bit harder to find than in Thailand.  You usually have to go to the one central market in each town.  There are not lots of roadside vendors or night markets like in Thailand.  

On 9/5/2023 at 4:20 AM, parafareno said:

 Also do they have lots of fruit to sale in markets? Like in thailand?

There is fresh fruit available, but not much other food that is edible.  I spent 2 months there and the best meal I had was fried chicken at McDonald's.

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Which immigration office did you not require a TM30 for "10+ times"

Phuket

57 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

She would however need to bring a copy of the TM-30 notification that the Hotel/Guesthouse where she is staying has to make stating that a foreigner is residing at their premises.  And that Hotel/Guesthouse needs to be in the same province as the Imm Office where she would be applying.

I think whether or not she will need a copy of the TM30 depends of the Immigration office she extends at.  I've never been asked for it in the 10+ times I've extended a visa exempt entry.

8 minutes ago, Caldera said:

If you leave one day late by air, there will be no fine.

 

Thanks for the info.  I assume I wouldn't get an overstay stamp for one day late then?

I think I can depart just one day late, but still not sure if that flight will be cancelled also.

3 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

 

Guessing you weren't already in the airport and passed immigration when you found out your flight was delayed,

 

Correct, I was notified in advance before I went to the airport.  

I currently have my departure flight cancelled due to a typhoon in Hong Kong.  All flights to Hong Kong are cancelled today.  Does anyone know if I will still get an overstay fine / stamp on my passport if I leave a day or two late due to this.  I arrived visa exempt and have already used my one extension.

I would really prefer not to get an overstay stamp on my passport.  I could fly to an alternate country if I have to, but that would obviously be at significant extra expense.  I am considering just waiting for the next available flight.

11 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

What about Thai Airways business class full flex?

When I checked Thai a couple of months ago they didn't offer any fully refundable fares.  Flex usually means you can change the date with no fee but refunds still have a fee.

Keep in mind that it currently takes 2 - 4 months to renew a US passport if you are living in the USA.  Based on posts by others here it seems to be much easier and quicker to renew your US passport if you are living in Thailand.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html

When entering Thailand on a one way ticket, I usually book a fully refundable onward ticket to KL with Malaysian airlines and then refund it once I arrive.  They offer fully refundable fares, have easy booking and super easy refunds.

Just make sure to book on their website and make sure to choose a refundable fare.

Other airlines with fully refundable tickets I am aware of are qatar, emirates, ethiopian and delta.  Just again always make sure to book on the airlines website and choose a refundable fare.

There is absolutely no reason to book a renta ticket or throw away ticket that are frequently recommended here.

40 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Fully Flexible/Refundable tickets are more expensive than a restricted ticket so it does cost you when you purchase the ticket but I get some guys want the flexibility so are willing to pay more. 
 

 

True, refundable tickets cost a bit more, but they are not ridiculously expensive.  When entering Thailand on a one way ticket, I can usually find a fully refundable onward ticket to a nearby destination for about 4000 baht.  But I just put that on my credit card and refund it as soon as I arrive (which takes a few clicks and less than a minute of my time).  

The whole thing costs nothing, takes about the same effort as buying a rent a flight, and you get the added benefit of having a real usable ticket incase questioned by an immigration officer upon arrival.

I can never understand why people don't buy a fully refundable onward ticket and then just refund it when you get to Thailand.  I've done this many times when traveling on one way tickets to various countries. 

It ends up costing nothing, you get a real onward ticket, and you can buy it as far in advance as you want.

On 5/2/2022 at 3:25 PM, aussiexpat said:

That was my point. His flight is already bought so is it a transit flight or is it a multi-city layover flight.

 

If it's a transit flight, he shouldn't be allowed to leave the airport?

In Singapore he would normally be allowed to leave, at least pre-covid he would be.  I've done it a couple of times there when I had a 18+ hour layover.  They even used to advertise city tours at the airport for people with long layovers.

8 minutes ago, Mikeheo said:

There's no maximum stay, if you've never had an ed visa before, you can easily sign up with a language school who can get you a 9 month to 1 year visa, if you've had one before, you can go through an agent to get one for 1 year for about 40-50k. Process usually takes around 3-5 weeks.

With an ED visa at a non formal school (language school for example), you can stay a maximum of one year from your original date of entry into the country.  That limit doesn't apply if you attend a university.

6 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

It would certainly be required to EXIT the country of residence and  by the airline.

It wouldn't be required if they are a dual citizen with a valid passport from their country of residence as many Thais living overseas are.  

I just got a Thailand pass approved yesterday using only a photo of my US CDC card as evidence of vaccination.  None of the fancy QR codes are necessary.

15 hours ago, WhaleBomb said:

I will look into the Philippines, I didn't know they was open, thank you.

Philippines is definitely the easiest option in the region right now.  You only need a vaccine certificate, pre-departure PCR , and insurance.  There is no test on arrival, or any of the Thailand Pass type ridiculousness.

It's extremely unlikely the covid extension will actually end in January.  They have been saying those are going to end for a year now.  They will likely continue indefinitely until the borders are more or less open as normal.

There is a hotel airside In Doha, so you don't need to leave the airport or pass through immigration to use it.  Its expensive, but I find its worth it for a long lay over, especially during these covid times.

3 hours ago, sandyf said:

Many airlines are offering flexible tickets with changes free of charge.

I recently altered my emirates ticket to June next year, the change was free of charge

Not only flexible, but fully refundable.  Many airlines (including emirates) are allowing full refunds of any ticket purchased.  I've purchased and refunded a couple of emirates tickets this year-- it's super easy with just a couple of clicks online.

10 hours ago, buick said:

the proof of flight is likely a requirement so that'll be the tough part.  which flight does one book for the departure/throwaway ticket.

Actually not tough at all anymore.  Due to covid, many airlines are issuing fully refundable tickets.   Emirates and Qatar are examples that I am familiar with that will refund in full any ticket no questions asked.   Many airlines are also doing the same.  Its very handy for those of us that routinely travel on one way tickets.