Just Married

[sanjames]

I am a citizen of The United States, 45 years of age next month, male. I was recently married to a Thai national (12/02/07). I am currently here in Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa (ends 02/04/07). I wish to possibly extend my current stay by 30 days. I plan to return to the US to work for 3 to 6 month and then return to Thailand again for 3 to 4 month stay. This maybe on going for 1 to 2 years as I continue work in US to build investment portfolio and possibly seek employment and/or business in Thailand. I live and work in the Los Angeles area where I attained tourist visa from Thai Embassy.

My question is what are my best options at the present moment. Is it best to seek extension of tourist visa and upon return to the US visit Thai Embassy for further assistants? Or should I pursue non immigrant visa while still in Thailand?

Thank you for any info!!!

[lopburi3]

You can extend tourist visa 30 days or you can extend your stay to visit your wife for 60 days if you need a bit more time. Cost will be the same but for the 60 days you will need marriage proof as below. While in US you could make application by mail to an honorary Consulate and probably obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa for future trips (90 day stay each entry - unlimited entries for period of one year). Once you decide to live here you will need to have evidence of 40k monthly income to extend your stay at Immigration on a yearly basis.

1. Application form

2. Copy of the applicant's passport

3. Copy of household registration

certificate

4. Copy of the national ID card

held by the Thai concerned

5. Copy of the marriage/birth

certificate

[sanjames]

lopburi3, thank you for your help! As it turned out, by a stroke of divine luck the apartment the wife and I rented is on Soi Suan Phlu 3. Was nice to get something done with out spending an hour in a Taxi. Anyhow, did the 30 day no sweat. The only thing I am still not sure of is the household registration certificate, did not see it listed on Royal Thai Consulate General , Los Angeles: http://www.thai-la.net/visa/visa-non-im-o.htm

Thank you again!!!

[lopburi3]

What you see on LA Consulate is for a visa. What I provided was a way to make that 30 days 60 days at no additional cost. There is a special provision under the new immigration regulations that allows a 60 day extension of stay if you provide the listed items.

If you intend to obtain a visa in the US I strongly suggest you use a smaller Consulate and obtain the multi entry type. For that you will likely only require a copy of your marriage certificate. If you apply at LA they will most likely only issue a single entry visa and tell you to extend your stay at immigration based on 40k monthly income on a yearly basis. If that is your intent fine. If not the multi entry gives you much more freedom to travel.