Multi Entry Non O

[KhaoYai]

Been visiting Thaland for many years. Was married to a Thai and held a multi entry Non Immigrant O Visa based on that marriage. Now divorced and visiting on multi entry Tourist visas. I've never been questioned when entering on a Non O but I was only staying a couple of weeks - max 1 month and then returning home for 2 months.

 

I've been planning to move to Thailand for a long time and don't wish to change those plans just because I'm divorced. I have a house, motorbikes and all sorts of stuff already there.

 

My question is this:  If I was (heaven forbid) to get married again and go back on to Non O visas but more or less stay in Thailand all the time doing visa runs every 90 days, am I likely to encounter problems? I don't know of any limit to entries on Non O visas but I just wondered if anyone who is doing the same, has ever had a problem re-entering Thailand?

[ubonjoe]

No reports on anybody having a problem entering the country with a multiple entry non-o visa other than at the Aran/Poi Pet border crossing.

[KhaoYai]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

No reports on anybody having a problem entering the country with a multiple entry non-o visa other than at the Aran/Poi Pet border crossing.

Thank you Joe, its most likely that I will have a B visa when I do make the move - just covering all bases.

[BritTim]

14 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

My question is this:  If I was (heaven forbid) to get married again and go back on to Non O visas but more or less stay in Thailand all the time doing visa runs every 90 days, am I likely to encounter problems? I don't know of any limit to entries on Non O visas but I just wondered if anyone who is doing the same, has ever had a problem re-entering Thailand?

Under the current processes being followed by immigration, this would not be a problem. However, there was no problem coming in on tourist visas until the last couple of years. I think it would be unwise to rely on immigration's policies remaining unchanged. This is especially true as there seem to be more marriages of convenience than before. I see no reason why immigration could not start using Section 12 (2) to deny entry to those with Non O visas if they decide people without Thai work permits are spending too much time visiting on Non O visas. Immigration could well decide that Non O visas are being used to circumvent immigration's conditions for issuing extensions of permission to stay on the basis of marriage and crack down. I am not saying they should do this, only recommending you plan your life with this very real possibility in mind.

[somtumwrong]

Cough yes sure, let the rumors on NON-O being cracked down begin. Nice speculation. ????

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, somtumwrong said:

Cough yes sure, let the rumors on NON-O being cracked down begin. Nice speculation. ????

I am not saying a crackdown will happen, only that it could and should be taken into account. I can well remember those who scoffed at the idea immigration would ever crack down on tourist entries because of the loss of revenue Thailand would experience if they did.

[Denim]

7 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I am not saying a crackdown will happen, only that it could and should be taken into account. I can well remember those who scoffed at the idea immigrationdon't would ever crack down on tourist entries because of the loss of revenue Thailand would experience if they did.

A very fair comment , especially considering the current political impasse. I don't think the current government has an especially benign attitude to expats and since there is a more than evens chance that they will continue in office it is only prudent to look to the future and try to plan ahead in case of more changes to the current rules.

[problemfarang]

15 hours ago, BritTim said:

Under the current processes being followed by immigration, this would not be a problem. However, there was no problem coming in on tourist visas until the last couple of years. I think it would be unwise to rely on immigration's policies remaining unchanged. This is especially true as there seem to be more marriages of convenience than before. I see no reason why immigration could not start using Section 12 (2) to deny entry to those with Non O visas if they decide people without Thai work permits are spending too much time visiting on Non O visas. Immigration could well decide that Non O visas are being used to circumvent immigration's conditions for issuing extensions of permission to stay on the basis of marriage and crack down. I am not saying they should do this, only recommending you plan your life with this very real possibility in mind.

 

Agreed and actually i have a story about this.

 

I got my 3rd non-o multi visa 3 months ago. Coming back from Mukdahan.. At the border all of these 3-4 years no question nothing, this time she asked me why i dont make it 1 year but go and come back every 90 days. I told her the truth, i dont have enough money at the bank, she laughed and let me go...  All was ok again... but theres a small detail: she asked this time.. Maybe it was her curiosity or something like this post. Well, i will go again on 28 may. we will see

[KhaoYai]

Thanks for your comments gents. Yes, I'm aware that things can and have changed with regards to visas/entry requirements.  Just covering all the bases at the moment - my intention will eventually be to go into business in Thailand but for the first couple of years I'll probably be learning the language/preparing the ground for that business.

 

What I was getting at in my original post is that when I used a Multi O based on marriage, I used it as I presume it's intended - for multiple visits to a Thai spouse whilst I live/work elswhere. As far as I know, there's nothing in the rules that says you can't stay all the time and simply do a visa run every 90 days but I doubt that's the original purpose of the visa.

 

I just wanted to hear what the current position is regarding staying in Thailand all the time on a ME Non O with of course, the requirement to leave every 90 days.  I have 2 mates currently doing just that and neither have had a problem but I am aware that some entry points apply the rules differently and so wanted to have a better understanding of how things are at the moment.

[problemfarang]

3 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Thanks for your comments gents. Yes, I'm aware that things can and have changed with regards to visas/entry requirements.  Just covering all the bases at the moment - my intention will eventually be to go into business in Thailand but for the first couple of years I'll probably be learning the language/preparing the ground for that business.

 

What I was getting at in my original post is that when I used a Multi O based on marriage, I used it as I presume it's intended - for multiple visits to a Thai spouse whilst I live/work elswhere. As far as I know, there's nothing in the rules that says you can't stay all the time and simply do a visa run every 90 days but I doubt that's the original purpose of the visa.

 

I just wanted to hear what the current position is regarding staying in Thailand all the time on a ME Non O with of course, the requirement to leave every 90 days.  I have 2 mates currently doing just that and neither have had a problem but I am aware that some entry points apply the rules differently and so wanted to have a better understanding of how things are at the moment.

 

im pretty sure you dont need to worry about this for another 2 years