Clarifying Confusion - Multiple Entry Non-imm 'o' With No Income Req?

[dlwc1975]

I stand somewhat corrected (it was a bit early!) - although the basic premises still apply...

1. Yes, 'extension of stay permitted' up to the day prior to one year after original (first) entry. ie 365 days.

2. I understand that the extension of stay ends if you leave the country. It just so happened that the timings of our hols (and those of our friends) totally co-incidentally meant that the 90 day rule was/has never been/will not be broken (so my question as to why they 'needed' a re-entry permit is still valid?).

3. This was info from employer (and I am sure I saw it notified on the Imm. website and at the office - although can't seem to find it when looking now). Anyway, if can't be done via email/internet then in person is no great hassle, registered post is fine, and/or employer can take care of it.

Job's a good 'un.

Edited June 19, 2007 by dlwc1975

[Crossy]

2. I understand that the extension of stay ends if you leave the country. It just so happened that the timings of our hols (and those of our friends) totally co-incidentally meant that the 90 day rule was/has never been/will not be broken (so my question as to why they 'needed' a re-entry permit is still valid?).

A re-entry permit protects your extension date allowing you to leave the country and not lose the extension (you get a new stamp with the same date when you return).

If your friends had multi entry visas (without extensions of stay attached) then they didn't need re-entry permits (B3800 in the immigration tea kitty methinks).

[dlwc1975]

That's how I understood it! Hope it's a nice cuppa tea! (Or several!)

[lopburi3]

This is very important and has nothing to do with any 90 day rule.

You said you obtained an extension of stay for one year from Immigration by payment of 1,900 baht. Any exit of Thailand voids that extension of stay. You say you did in fact exit the country. If you made an exit without a re-entry permit you are now here on a 30 or 90 day stay from your previous 1 year multi entry visa and must leave at the end of those 90 days or you will be on overstay. You must have a re-entry permit when on an extension of stay to keep it alive and use the re-entry permit number when you return to Thailand. If you did not do so, after your extension of stay, you are here on either a 30 day visa exempt entry or a 90 day non immigrant entry from your old multi entry visa. You need to check this out. What stamp was put in your passport when you returned from overseas the last time?

[Crossy]

You said you obtained an extension of stay for one year from Immigration by payment of 1,900 baht. Any exit of Thailand ......

.......extension of stay, you are here on either a 30 day visa exempt entry or a 90 day non immigrant entry from your old multi entry visa. You need to check this out. What stamp was put in your passport when you returned from overseas the last time?

A hypothetical question Lop, if our OP had a work permit attached to the extension, and then voided his extension by leaving, does the WP become void too?

[lopburi3]

I suspect so as they have to be re-activated on visa entry. That's why I am pushing to get this straight - I hope I am just misreading something.

[dlwc1975]

It says 'visa class - non-o' on the (most recent) stamp and dated for 90 days. Dates are fine as we'll be gone before the stamp expires.

[JimGant]

I have enough to live on but am not able to meet the B40,000 p/m income requirement. Therefore, what my research seems to tell me is that my best option for a long stay is a multiple-entry non-immigrant 'O' visa, of the type which requires me to leave and re-enter Thailand every 90 days.

Bzalt, glad you finally contacted an honorary consulate. Oregon has a good track record, as do the three in Texas, especially Houston (which I can vouch for personally). Anyway, getting your Nom Imm O from Oregon should be a piece of cake, as having a Thai wife greases those skids -- even at MFA consulates.

If you live near a Thai border immigration site, 90 day runs should not be a hassle, nor a problem, since having a Non Imm O multiple entry, you'll not be treated as a 30-day border runner. And, if closer to the border than an Immigration Office, a 90-day run would seemingly be easier than a mandatory 90-day report-of-existence to an Immigration Office (exiting and reentering obviates the need for 90-day reporting). (But, yes, you can 90-day report by mail, which can be convenient.)

But, if border runs will be inconvenient, I'd suggest re-looking into your financial bonafides. Even tho' you and the wife don't have a joint "income" of 40k baht per month,will you have access to 40k/mo from all sources (wages,savings, return-of-capital, loans, gross rents, etc)? If so, you'll meet the spirit of the Thai requirement -- tho' maybe not the literal legal definition, whatever that might be -- for "income." So, having met the 'spirit' requirement, you next attest to the American Embassy that you "receive an amount" (i.e., you don't attest to an "income") of at least 40k equivalent in baht. No documentation required, just your word. Then, you can apply at Immigration for a one-year extension of stay, which, if granted, will do away with the burdensome 90-day border runs, plus the requirement to eventually renew your Non Imm O multiple entry visa 15 months hence at some foreign location -- with certainty not guaranteed.

Some Immigration Offices (but apparently not many) are apparently looking for 'proof' of the monthly 40k cash flow -- notwithstanding Embassy attestation. So, assuming you have the assets, wiring at least 40k baht equivalent per month to a Thai bank account for, say, three months, should do the trick. If you can't do this every month until renewal time the next year, well, set up a new account three months prior to renewal time each year, wiring money accordingly.

I know the above sounds 'slicky.' But, again, the 'spirit' of the Thai requirement, at least as makes sense to me, is that they want to be assured that you have access to 40k/mo, which could be wages, drawing down an inheritance, a loan from Aunt Martha, whatever. Yeah, if push came to shove, this might not stand the sniff test. But, it's no further afield of what's currently kosher, namely allowing 'gross' wages, rents, etc as acceptable "income." Heck, after taxes, rent expenses, whatever, net income -- what Thailand most certainly really wants to see -- could be well south of the 40k baht requirement.

Anyway, point is, nothing to lose in trying to get a one year extension. Worst case: your stuck with 90-day border runs -- and maybe a trip back to the US every 15 months for a new Non Imm O multiple entry visa. But, if you can stretch into the 40k requirement, well, it would be well worth the try -- even without the three month lead-up of wiring 40k.

[eugengeri]

...

3. Would like to know what office is accepting on-line address reporting? I don't know of any that are. Have you done this?

Lop, I think I've found something like that, but only for TM.7.

http://imm.police.go.th/bkkimm/e_app/etm_menu.php

But sorry I didn't try it out - I would need it only for address reporting. But I'm a bit confuse, it has options for reason for extension also...

[lopburi3]

The above looks as if will be an appointment scheduler rather than on-line service and do not believe it is active yet. The TM.8 can currently be emailed so this would be an online extension of that system - you would be given an appointment time and show up with documentation/payment and they would have the application already in computer and any paperwork available so it should save processing time and queue waits. But again do not believe it is active yet. If anyone is due to process a TM.7 would invite them to try it out and see if they really get an appointment. I really hope this is a look at what is to come. Was at Suan Plu this week and they have returned to calling numbers (in Thai) but actual processing time seems to have greatly improved since last year (maybe because so many did not respond to the number call?). I really don't know how the front line officers can keep up with all the paperwork they have to simultaneously process. Having application/appointments and paperwork at hand would help them I am sure.

[BigC]

I'm a US citizen, age 37, have spent most of the past 3 years in Thailand using 'visa runs', and last year married my Thai girlfriend. I have spent the last 6 months working in the US and am planning to return to Thailand shortly, trying to plan a long stay of up to a year.

I have enough to live on but am not able to meet the B40,000 p/m income requirement. Therefore, what my research seems to tell me is that my best option for a long stay is a multiple-entry non-immigrant 'O' visa, of the type which requires me to leave and re-enter Thailand every 90 days. My wife recently confirmed with a UK citizen (also married to a Thai) that he has obtained this type of visa, which only required him to sign an affirmation on the application that he had adequate means of support. (It seems to me that the other way, which does require the income proof, is to enter on a 90-day non-Imm 'O' and then apply for the one-year extension...?)

But the discussion in this forum and elsewhere has left me very confused. So, straight and simple, does this category truly exist? Is it easily obtained from any Thai consulate in the US? (Los Angeles would be my first option).

If this is true, then one more question - do I need to have advance tickets booked for outgoing travel for each future entry period, before I apply?

thanks.

i duno if u can find a thai lawyer in the u.s probably near them embassy or a company that specialises in visas but i sore a thai lawyer in samui for my non immergrant B visa. apperently he told me that i have to go back to england to make it. or sinagpore. due the the heavy influx of people in K.L they have stopped issuing them..

so u r best off get your shit soreted out in the u.s. save you 2 trips.

the other option would be the ring a thai lawyer in thailand. maybe through askype phone to stop getting charge throug the nose.

they are the supposed to be pro's they should help you . for a fee better off paying it and getting what you want than going backwards and forwards and going round in circles.

there are many adverts on here.

good luck

[bzalt]

JimGant, thanks for the info and advice. There is an immigration office 30 min from me (the border is an overnight bus ride away). So first thing I'll do is check with them about what my 90 day check-in options are.

You were right, it was a piece of cake getting the visa from the Oregon Honorary Conuslate, and they were also very courteous and straightforward on the phone. I used UPS two-way document mailing for safety, and got my passport back in less than a week.

To sum up for those who are confused about this like I was, here are the requirements I had to fulfill for the multiple-entry non-immigrant category 'O' visa:

1. copy of my Thai marriage certificate

2. copy of my wife's Thai ID card (the photo page; can also be a passport but she doesn't have a passport yet)

3. documentation showing that I have at least $1000 in my bank account (no monthly income proof or affirmations thereof).

4. $125 payment (but I guess this will be increasing soon...?)

5. and of course, application form, my passport, and two passport-sized photos.

note: they did not ask for proof of onward travel tickets for the visa application.

Of course it goes without saying that everyone should double-check all this with the consulate before making plans. But it all worked out just fine for me... thanks again to all who offered relevant advice.

[JimGant]

So first thing I'll do is check with them about what my 90 day check-in options are.

Without getting an extension of stay based on marriage and having Embassy/Consulate paperwork indicating 40k/mo cash infusion, you have no 90 day check-in options. Your only option is a border out and back every 90 days, plus having to obtain a new Non Imm O every 15 months.