Visa/Extension of stay for Foreign parent with Thai children....

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

So I've been on a retirement Visa and am just considering changing my Visa/Extension of stay....

 

I have sole parental control for my 2 teenage Thai/British children, both have Thai/UK passports. As myself and the Thai mother were never married I did have the Court document stating I was also the father. Both kids have my surname and passports in that surname etc.

 

A few years ago I did get a Guardian type Visa but the IO at Phuket Immigration was livid for some reason that I wouldn't go for a Retirement Visa, maybe (I seem to recall) that it had to get approved from Bangkok and he had to type out an extra form on an old dusty and rusty typewriter. He kept telling me in a loud voice "You difficult man, you difficult man".!

 

I've got 2 months til my current extension expires so will go down to immigration and enquire but just wondered if any other BMs had tried in Phuket (or other provinces) to get a Guardian/Dependant Visa and if so how they got on/ Documents required.

 

Cheers,

BBJ....

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

You do not need a new visa to change the  reason for your extension of stay (it is not a visa) from retirement to a extension based upon being the parent of a Thai.

A parent cannot be a guardian of their children. That can have custody of their children after a divorce.

Info is here on the Phuket immigration volunteers website. https://piv-phuket.com/long-stay-extensions/custodian-to-thai-child/

Note they incorrectly call it a guardian extension.

 

 

[BritTim]

If you happen to meet the financial requirements for a retirement extension of stay, it is easier for both immigration and yourself if you continue down that route. However, there is no legitimate reason why you cannot change to an extension of stay as the parent of Thai children. The immigration official might not like it because it is extra work for them. It will also mean that the extension will be taken under consideration (unlike with a retirement extension) needing sign off at regional headquarters, so you will need to return to immigration again about a month later.

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

Many Thanks UbonJoe and BritTim,

 

So Financially it's the Retirement Extension of Stay 800k thb "all year round"

            (I keep the 800k thb for Retirement in a specific bank account and don't touch it) 

Versus

400k thb for just one week before renewal for the Parent option.

 

And how much grief Phuket IO are going to give me to for having to use their Typewriter ! 

 

From website. https://piv-phuket.com/long-stay-extensions/custodian-to-thai-child/

 

Signed and stamped bank letter AND Signed and stamped bank statement showing the money ( Minimum THB 400.000 ) for at least 7 days. (Max 7 days old)

 

There's also a potential IO induced hiccup of Blue Book for their Mother who lives abroad nowadays...

Copy house registration of mother. (Blue book)
Copy house registration of child. (Blue book) 

 

[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, BangkokBoyJohnny said:

here's also a potential IO induced hiccup of Blue Book for their Mother who lives abroad nowadays...

Are you sure you do not have a copy to it someplace. She could send you a copy of it by email is you do not have one.

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

12 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Are you sure you do not have a copy to it someplace. She could send you a copy of it by email is you do not have one.

 

Actually I think I do ...although I also think I have to move the kids to my new address as they're still registered on the previous address's Tabian Baan so am going to start work on the Blue books(s) and Yellow Book when school breaks up 1 week ....

[ubonjoe]

8 hours ago, BangkokBoyJohnny said:

Actually I think I do ...although I also think I have to move the kids to my new address as they're still registered on the previous address's Tabian Baan so am going to start work on the Blue books(s) and Yellow Book when school breaks up 1 week ...

Your children do on have to change their address. Their house book registry cannot be changed unless the holder of a house book as house master agrees to allow it.

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Your children do on have to change their address. Their house book registry cannot be changed unless the holder of a house book as house master agrees to allow it.

 

Noted thanks UJ,

I sort of am house master (own) both houses !

Hence have both blue and one yellow House books ...

But feel it's time to get us listed at same address as it's been 14 years or so.

 

Regards 

BJJ

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

Just a quick update....

 

After 3 fun visits to Phuket Immigration my Custodian application has now been completed and in the process of being sent off for the 30 day wait to the powers that be. Mr Jolly IO (used to hang out at the Retirement office) assisted me throughout the process and I seriously could not have had a more fun time ! He even paid my 1900thb yesterday and got it from me today !

 

The German female Volunteer Police was also a pleasure to chat to.

 

On the documents side I ended up taking loads and loads including ... well almost every document to do with me in Thailand : 

 

"my" Thai Company that owns my land and house where me and the kids live.

Tabiaan Baans, Yellow and Blue

Fresh of the press from DBD Companies documents,

Rental contracts that never existed before today,

hell we even threw in my Pink Id and the kids Thai Id's even though not specified anywhere...

And plenty more that are all on the Volunteers list...

 

We got upto about 1cm thick in paperwork and we all know by now, thickness of wad of documents is important ! 

 

For fellow Phuketians there's now a new medium size car park inside on the right.

The Photo copy shop is 100 yards behind the main building, 2 thb per sheet and looks like they sell Food.

If you get locked in after Noon the exit is by the loo's !!!!

Education Visa is behind the main building, the IO on his phone cos not "Students" requiring processing.

 

BBK "Out"

Ps Will update Yeh/Neh when I get the Extension or NOT !

 

 

 

 

 

[BangkokBoyJohnny]

For anyone doing the same in the future, 1 year Extension based on Custodian was granted after the 1 month wait....

Phuket Immigration upstairs extremely helpful BTW.