Border running re: Non-O visa

[JesseHumphry]

Hello TV,

I'm 26 and American. 

My fiance and I plan to get married in December of this year. After that, I'll go to Laos to apply for a Non-O Multiple-entry, but my question is this: 

Since I'm only allowed to stay 90 days at a time under a Non-O, is it acceptable to do the Mae Sai run or will I need to leave for several days each time in order to remain in good legal standing with Thai Immigration? 

I know that "good legal standing" for Immigration is basically "be white and have money" but I'm only in possession of substantial amounts of the former, and thus I'm concerned about my status here.

Any help is greatly appreciated, and if there are any tips you can offer to make the Non-O application more expeditious, I'd appreciate it. 

[ubonjoe]

All you have to do is cross the border enter another country, then turn around and come back.

You can also get a 60 day extension to visit your wife of each 90 day entry.

[JesseHumphry]

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

All you have to do is cross the border enter another country, then turn around and come back.

You can also get a 60 day extension to visit your wife of each 90 day entry.

Sorry, so just to clarify this. 

I come in for 90 days, and can extend it for another 60 days (a la Tourist Visa extension)? Does this then require having that 400k baht in the bank, or is it just a form to fill out at Immigration?

[kralledr]

3 minutes ago, JesseHumphry said:

Sorry, so just to clarify this. 

I come in for 90 days, and can extend it for another 60 days (a la Tourist Visa extension)? Does this then require having that 400k baht in the bank, or is it just a form to fill out at Immigration?

yes and not need 400k for that, just pay 1900 thb

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, JesseHumphry said:

Does this then require having that 400k baht in the bank, or is it just a form to fill out at Immigration?

No need for financial proof.

Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. Marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of her house book registry and ID card.

And a completed TM7 form.

[kralledr]

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No need for financial proof.

Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. Marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of her house book registry and ID card.

And a completed TM7 form.

sorry but for me i never needed that o_O in hua hin all i needed was 1900 thb

[JesseHumphry]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No need for financial proof.

Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. Marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of her house book registry and ID card.

And a completed TM7 form.

So because this puts me over 90 days in-country, I assume I'll need to do TM30 at the same time? I've been on exemption stamps and SETV, so I've yet to do the TM30 at Immigration.

If I do the border hop, will I still need to do the TM30? 

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, kralledr said:

sorry but for me i never needed that o_O in hua hin all i needed was 1900 thb

Not sure what you are writing about.

Everything I wrote is a standard requirement for the 60 day extension.

[JesseHumphry]

6 minutes ago, kralledr said:

sorry but for me i never needed that o_O in hua hin all i needed was 1900 thb

If it helps, I'm in Chiang Mai so maybe it's more strict. I can always give it a shot a few days before the required departure date and see what they say. 

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, JesseHumphry said:

If I do the border hop, will I still need to do the TM30? 

That will depend upon the immigration office you would report to. Many want one every time you leave and re-enter the country.

If you do one another one will not be needed to apply for the extension.

[kralledr]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Not sure what you are writing about.

Everything I wrote is a standard requirement for the 60 day extension.

Yes the 60 days extension, i 100% NOT needed this documents just the tm7 and 1900 thb iv done 3 60 days after the 90 days so far

[steve187]

10 minutes ago, JesseHumphry said:

So because this puts me over 90 days in-country, I assume I'll need to do TM30 at the same time? I've been on exemption stamps and SETV, so I've yet to do the TM30 at Immigration.

If I do the border hop, will I still need to do the TM30? 

you are confusing tm30, which is required by the owner of the property where you are staying withing 24 hours of arrival ( depends on office), and a 90 days report tm47, so you may need to do one depends on office

[steve187]

1 minute ago, kralledr said:

Yes the 60 days extension, i 100% NOT needed this documents just the tm7 and 1900 thb iv done 3 60 days after the 90 days so far

so no wife was with you, no photo taken together

[BritTim]

At present, it is easy to get a multiple entry Non O visa (from Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City) with no financial proof, and do border bounces. However, there is a very real possibility this will not be possible in the future:

(1) Financial proof might in future be needed for Non O visas (as they already usually are for tourist visas) and multiple entry Non O visas might no longer be available, period.

(ii) Immigration might decide that a Non O visa is intended for visiting your Thai wife, not living in Thailand, and might decide to abrogate your multiple entry Non O (as they are increasingly doing with tourist visas).

 

I wish you luck, and the worst may not happen, but it is as well to start thinking about what you would do if you needed to apply for one-year extensions in Thailand (with financial proof) or relocate outside Thailand.

[JesseHumphry]

6 minutes ago, BritTim said:

At present, it is easy to get a multiple entry Non O visa (from Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City) with no financial proof, and do border bounces. However, there is a very real possibility this will not be possible in the future:

(1) Financial proof might in future be needed for Non O visas (as they already usually are for tourist visas) and multiple entry Non O visas might no longer be available, period.

(ii) Immigration might decide that a Non O visa is intended for visiting your Thai wife, not living in Thailand, and might decide to abrogate your multiple entry Non O (as they are increasingly doing with tourist visas).

 

I wish you luck, and the worst may not happen, but it is as well to start thinking about what you would do if you needed to apply for one-year extensions in Thailand (with financial proof) or relocate outside Thailand.

Thanks Tim. This is the biggest concern for me right now. Things seem to be tightening up for no real reason, despite the fact that I wouldn't be doing anything morally (or legally) wrong. It's more frightening because I can't imagine having to be away from my wife. I love being in Thailand, I love everything here except immigration. I guess I'll have to come into a nest egg of some kind in order to get the extension based on marriage. 

[steve187]

23 minutes ago, BritTim said:

At present, it is easy to get a multiple entry Non O visa (from Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City) with no financial proof, and do border bounces. However, there is a very real possibility this will not be possible in the future:

(1) Financial proof might in future be needed for Non O visas (as they already usually are for tourist visas) and multiple entry Non O visas might no longer be available, period.

(ii) Immigration might decide that a Non O visa is intended for visiting your Thai wife, not living in Thailand, and might decide to abrogate your multiple entry Non O (as they are increasingly doing with tourist visas).

 

I wish you luck, and the worst may not happen, but it is as well to start thinking about what you would do if you needed to apply for one-year extensions in Thailand (with financial proof) or relocate outside Thailand.

a lot of 'mights' in that post

[ukrules]

31 minutes ago, JesseHumphry said:

Thanks Tim. This is the biggest concern for me right now. Things seem to be tightening up for no real reason, despite the fact that I wouldn't be doing anything morally (or legally) wrong. It's more frightening because I can't imagine having to be away from my wife. I love being in Thailand, I love everything here except immigration. I guess I'll have to come into a nest egg of some kind in order to get the extension based on marriage. 

You could always get a job, considering you have little money that might not be a bad idea and it would take care of your visa needs as well.

 

[EricTh]

"good legal standing" for Immigration is basically "be white " 

 

What do you mean by this?

 

[Nong Khai Man]

57 minutes ago, ukrules said:

You could always get a job, considering you have little money that might not be a bad idea and it would take care of your visa needs as well.

 

But What IF Yer too Old to Work Like Me,& NO Work Permit ??

[kralledr]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

so no wife was with you, no photo taken together

correct... why shall it be needed?!

[Nong Khai Man]

48 minutes ago, EricTh said:

"good legal standing" for Immigration is basically "be white " 

 

What do you mean by this?

 

I Think He Means NOT Black ( But That's Racist ) Ain't it ??

[Nong Khai Man]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

At present, it is easy to get a multiple entry Non O visa (from Savannakhet or Ho Chi Minh City) with no financial proof, and do border bounces. However, there is a very real possibility this will not be possible in the future:

(1) Financial proof might in future be needed for Non O visas (as they already usually are for tourist visas) and multiple entry Non O visas might no longer be available, period.

(ii) Immigration might decide that a Non O visa is intended for visiting your Thai wife, not living in Thailand, and might decide to abrogate your multiple entry Non O (as they are increasingly doing with tourist visas).

 

I wish you luck, and the worst may not happen, but it is as well to start thinking about what you would do if you needed to apply for one-year extensions in Thailand (with financial proof) or relocate outside Thailand.

Tim, I've been on a Non-Imm " O " Multi ( Marriage ) for approx the past 25 Years, I'm also Retired here now but DON'T Have the required funds to get Extensions......Do YOU Really think that immigration would " Kick Me Out " If & when they do away with the Multi " O " ??..... And Who would then SUPPORT My Wife as I'm Bloody 100% positive that The Thai Government Would'nt !!!!

[steve187]

22 minutes ago, kralledr said:

correct... why shall it be needed?!

how can you get an extension to visit Thai wife without the wife being there.

[kralledr]

Just now, steve187 said:

how can you get an extension to visit Thai wife without the wife being there.

No idea?!...

i been to the immigration filled out 1 paper paid 1900 bath and got 60 days, 3 times so far no joke..

[steve187]

1 minute ago, kralledr said:

No idea?!...

i been to the immigration filled out 1 paper paid 1900 bath and got 60 days, 3 times so far no joke..

your lucky, 3  times on the same entry or different entries

[JesseHumphry]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

You could always get a job, considering you have little money that might not be a bad idea and it would take care of your visa needs as well.

 

I've considered this, but getting a job in-country without post-secondary education seems to be a little bit difficult. I do have a job at the minute, but it doesn't give me the cushion to save up for that.

To be clear, I bring in money every month. When I say I don't have the finances, I simply mean that I'm not able to accumulate the 400k baht necessary to get a 1-year extension. What I'm working to do at the minute is video game / film composition and toplining, which brings in a fair amount of cash. 

 

1 hour ago, EricTh said:

"good legal standing" for Immigration is basically "be white " 

 

What do you mean by this?

 

What I mean by this is that it's easy to note the primary link between the "overstayers" caught during Big Joke's tenure, and one can't help but notice that a specific feature is there to link them all together. Perhaps it's more accurate to relate the link to one's country of origin, but even that has historically physical effects. Now we can say "Well they were overstaying" but if we're honest, we all know their crime is the excuse for booting them out, especially since as recently as August, Immigration said pretty explicitly that they knew people were coming here to escape natural disasters in those countries and explicitly attempted to bar them out as a result. 
 

 

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

a lot of 'mights' in that post

And I think, Steve, that the point is it's possible, so it's best to be prepared. 

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

All you have to do is cross the border enter another country, then turn around and come back.

You can also get a 60 day extension to visit your wife of each 90 day entry.

If the law doesn't mention entering another country where does this requirement come from?Does it mention it in the Thai version or is this assumed?

[ukrules]

If you can manage it then there's always the Elite visa which works out pretty good for people under 50 who plan on staying for a long time in Thailand.

 

It's not so cheap but it's very flexible once you have one.

[JesseHumphry]

6 minutes ago, ukrules said:

If you can manage it then there's always the Elite visa which works out pretty good for people under 50 who plan on staying for a long time in Thailand.

 

It's not so cheap but it's very flexible once you have one.

idk man something about that always struck me as a racket. Is that the visa you're currently on?

[4evermaat]

2 hours ago, JesseHumphry said:

Thanks Tim. This is the biggest concern for me right now. Things seem to be tightening up for no real reason, despite the fact that I wouldn't be doing anything morally (or legally) wrong. It's more frightening because I can't imagine having to be away from my wife. I love being in Thailand, I love everything here except immigration. I guess I'll have to come into a nest egg of some kind in order to get the extension based on marriage. 

 

2 hours ago, steve187 said:

a lot of 'mights' in that post

 

The unlimited back-to back VE/TV loophole was eventually going to close.  I remember the same fear-mongering when they first started doing the unlimited VE border run crackdown back in 2014-2015. I wouldn't worry about non-immigrant multiple entry status changing any time soon.       

 

Just cross that bridge if/when it comes.   It would be a shame for my son though.