Prepare To Get 'non-o' Visa

[xfreak]

I just found this very helpful forum while searching to get a proper visa for my girlfriend to stay in Thailand. I am currently study abroad so getting information from local is quite difficult. I am a Thai citizen planning to marry to my girlfriend (foreigner) in September in Bangkok. After married, my wife will stay with my family while I will fly back to continue my study until March next year. What is my best option to get visa for my girlfriend? Here is my plan:

Because I will have only 1-2 week maximum to stay in BKK in September, I am planning to get tourist visa for her so she can stay at least 60 days or 90 days with an extension with my family. We are likely to be very busy with marriage stuff so there will be no time left to get non-immigrant visa during that period. I will get about 2 weeks holiday in November, so I will go back to Bangkok again to get 'Non-O' visa for her as my wife.

Could anybody tell me:

1. Do we have to go outside Thailand to get 'non-o' visa?

2. Also, according to immigration website, I don't need to show any financial proof, am I correct? I am worried because I have no income.

3. When can we change to 1 year 'non-o' visa? Do we have to wait until the first visa almost expire?

After that, in March I will finish my study and hopefully get 1 year 'non-o' visa for my wife. Will this plan work? Thank you in advance

[santhosh]

i am not sure but as far as i know if a male thai marries then the female is eligible for citizenship immediately...if ur gf is from a country where they accept dual citizenship then she can get a thai too...i guess sunbelt could clarify this

[puuchai299]

Depending where your girlfriend comes from she could get a 1 year multiple entry before she arrives in thailand from her own country,that is if she is not already in thailand,this visa would then give you plenty of time to sort out what to do when your married,ie citizenship in thailand.

[lopburi3]

Once married she can obtain a 60 day extension of stay from Immigration one time so up to 5 months could be covered with tourist visa/30 day extension/60 day extension. After that she can obtain at least a single entry non immigrant O visa from a nearby Consulate. If you and she visit Immigration they may be able to allow the normal 1 year extension of stay without the 40k family income but have not seen any reports since the new rules went into place - previously do not believe Thai husband had to meet any specific income conditions and foreign wife did not have to meet the normal support requirements.

[xfreak]

Thank you very much for all of your reply.

Puuchai299, is it possible to get 1 year visa before she even married with me? She is Japanese but currently stay in Australia.

Lopburi3, I believe that when you said nearby Consulate mean it has to be outside Thailand. I am planning to bring her to Singapore to get the non immigrate O visa.