UK citizen living in Singapore and exiting-handing back my rental property 10 Dec and will move to BKK to live with Thai spouse, who's working there.

I'm not working nor retired and have a dormant BBL account (had an O spouse visa a decade ago before we moved to Singapore for work).
 

I am planning to apply for the O visa in Singapore and will arrive in BKK 10 Dec as my first entry.
Will apply for the 1 year extension and multi-entry status next day in BKK before travelling to the UK 18 Dec and return late Jan 2026. 
Further travel in and out of Thailand is expected in February and March so the key is all travel ends back in Thailand.
Is this 1 working week in Dec long enough to get the 1 year extension? Does Chaeng Watthana have an express service for these visa extensions (short of using an agent)?

 

Second option if above isn't doable or necessary, apply for the O-visa in the UK when there in Dec (ie the festive period). Any ideas how long this takes to issue the visa in London? 

 

Third option - I enter as a tourist each time in Dec, Feb & March. On the March entry, extend (30-days) in Laksi, then further extend 60 day on "visiting family". And later in 2026, apply for the O visa in BKK? Can this be done without wife in tow as she works outside BKK?

Thanks

23 minutes ago, alc16 said:

Will apply for the 1 year extension and multi-entry status next day in BKK before travelling to the UK 18 Dec and return late Jan 2026. 

Sadly, that's not gonna work at all..  

 

23 minutes ago, alc16 said:

Is this 1 working week in Dec long enough to get the 1 year extension?

In Bangkok, the soonest you can apply for a year extension entering on a Non-O 90 day would be when you have 45 days or less left on your current entry stamp, so if you enter Dec 10th that'd be about any time after Jan 24th

You COULD come in on the 90 day entry stamp, buy a single re-entry permit when you leave, come back BEFORE the 90 day entry stamp runs out, then apply for the year extension after your 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only are seasoned the 2 months. 
 

 

23 minutes ago, alc16 said:

Second option if above isn't doable or necessary, apply for the O-visa in the UK when there in Dec (ie the festive period). Any ideas how long this takes to issue the visa in London? 

 Usually takes 3-10 business days to get an eVisa from the thai consulate in London 

 

23 minutes ago, alc16 said:

Third option - I enter as a tourist each time in Dec, Feb & March. On the March entry, extend (30-days) in Laksi, then further extend 60 day on "visiting family". And later in 2026, apply for the O visa in BKK? Can this be done without wife in tow as she works outside BKK?

That's gonna be up to the officer you're standing in front of when you stamp in, because they take a dim view indeed of people comin' in/out on repeated 60 day free stamp entries. 
You also can't get the 60 day visit thai family extension without the reason you can apply for that extension (your thai wife) being with you. Nor can you apply for the Non-O visa in country at ANY immigration office without her being there.. 

I'd say of your outlined options, (if you can get the timeline to work out) do the first one, get the Non-O, come in take the 90 days, get a re-entry permit, do your travel, get back get stamped in for the rest of the 90 days, get your ducks in a row, documents together, go (with your wife) to apply for the year extension based on marriage to a thai at Chaengwattana for 1900 baht.

You'll get a 21 day under consideration stamp (if you have to travel during that time you'd need to buy a new re-entry permit which is good only for that stamp) then when it runs down you go get the year extension inked in and buy a multiple re-entry permit for 3800baht which lets you exit/re-enter all you want for the year the extension is valid for.   

2 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

Sadly, that's not gonna work at all..  

 

In Bangkok, the soonest you can apply for a year extension entering on a Non-O 90 day would be when you have 45 days or less left on your current entry stamp, so if you enter Dec 10th that'd be about any time after Jan 24th

You COULD come in on the 90 day entry stamp, buy a single re-entry permit when you leave, come back BEFORE the 90 day entry stamp runs out, then apply for the year extension after your 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only are seasoned the 2 months. 

 

 

 Usually takes 3-10 business days to get an eVisa from the thai consulate in London 
 

 

That's gonna be up to the officer you're standing in front of when you stamp in, because they take a dim view indeed of people comin' in/out on repeated 60 day free stamp entries. 
You also can't get the 60 day visit thai family extension without the reason you can apply for that extension (your thai wife) being with you. Nor can you apply for the Non-O visa in country at ANY immigration office without her being there.. 

I'd say of your outlined options, do the first one, get the Non-O, come in take the 90 days, get a re-entry permit, do your travel, get back get stamped in for the rest of the 90 days, get your ducks in a row, documents together, go (with your wife) to apply for the year extension based on marriage to a thai at Chaengwattana for 1900 baht.

You'll get a 21 day under consideration stamp (if you have to travel during that time you'd need to buy a new re-entry permit which is good only for that stamp) then when it runs down you go get the year extension inked in and buy a multiple re-entry permit for 3800baht which lets you exit/re-enter all you want for the year the extension is valid for.   

Appreciate the response, thanks for your writeup.
I've been overthinking this too much when I should be focusing on the actual exit-move and looking forward to our family time over the festivities.

Totally intend to go for the O-visa asap as i've been in & out as a tourist over the past year which I agree it really doesn't look great.

 

Skip idea of Non O in Singapore and extension in Dec. 

Concentrate on the move. 

For initial stay use visa exempt etc. 

 

When in UK obtain the Non O eVisa. 

When next in Thailand you enter with the Non O . You will have a 90 day entry stamp. 

In last 30 days obtain a 12 month extension. 

You will also buy a multiple reentry permit. 

Note there are no longer any multi entry Non O visas. Single entry only. 

 

Be aware of the nonsense BBL is playing with providing bank letter for immigration. 

With the Non O you should be able to open a bank account. 

If dealing with Bangkok immigration then Kasikorn and SCB do not have branches at CW. 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Skip idea of Non O in Singapore and extension in Dec. 

Concentrate on the move. 

For initial stay use visa exempt etc. 

 

When in UK obtain the Non O eVisa. 

that would work too 
I was just trying to find a way they could get the year from the Non-O they were gonna get in Singapore before they came the first time 

Maybe it is better for them to just get moved, then get the Non-O in the UK when they're back there, come back here and go for the extension on that one after their whirlwind traveling is over 🙂 

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Skip idea of Non O in Singapore and extension in Dec. 

Concentrate on the move. 

For initial stay use visa exempt etc. 

 

When in UK obtain the Non O eVisa. 

When next in Thailand you enter with the Non O . You will have a 90 day entry stamp. 

In last 30 days obtain a 12 month extension. 

You will also buy a multiple reentry permit. 

Note there are no longer any multi entry Non O visas. Single entry only. 

 

Be aware of the nonsense BBL is playing with providing bank letter for immigration. 

With the Non O you should be able to open a bank account. 

If dealing with Bangkok immigration then Kasikorn and SCB do not have branches at CW. 

Thanks, I will look into this option and see if I can make this work as an alternative.
l know the Thai embassy in Singapore does things quickly so that would be easiest at the moment until I exit, plus I’ve been here for many years and don’t have as much of a base (apart from family) in Blighty.

Just wondering if the METV may be a better option to cover your travel plans through Dec, Jan, Feb and March.

Apply for the Non O and extension when more settled and more time to process it.

9 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Just wondering if the METV may be a better option to cover your travel plans through Dec, Jan, Feb and March.

Apply for the Non O and extension when more settled and more time to process it.

You mean convert to Non-O while in BKK? I assumed and likely misread somewhere I could only apply for this from my place of residence or country of citizenship.

2 hours ago, alc16 said:

You mean convert to Non-O while in BKK? 

You could or alternatively apply for the Non O at a local Thai Embassy.

 

2 hours ago, alc16 said:

I assumed and likely misread somewhere I could only apply for this from my place of residence or country of citizenship.

That's the Non O-A visa, not the Non O.

 

Obtaining the Non O isn't an issue, but you'd have to be in Country to apply for the 1 year extension, at which point you'd be given a 30 day under consideration stamp and would need to be in Country to receive the extension stamp on the given date. With your posted travel itinerary, that could prove a challenge.

20 hours ago, Liquorice said:

You could or alternatively apply for the Non O at a local Thai Embassy.

 

That's the Non O-A visa, not the Non O.

 

Obtaining the Non O isn't an issue, but you'd have to be in Country to apply for the 1 year extension, at which point you'd be given a 30 day under consideration stamp and would need to be in Country to receive the extension stamp on the given date. With your posted travel itinerary, that could prove a challenge.

Ah ok thanks for this, understood.

On 10/29/2025 at 9:14 AM, alc16 said:

You mean convert to Non-O while in BKK? I assumed and likely misread somewhere I could only apply for this from my place of residence or country of citizenship.

You can show up here free stamp (visa exempt) and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at most immigration offices (Chaengwattana included) for 2000 baht. Usually you need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp (because of the under review period the application goes thru).

 

They are recommending you get 6 month METV because of your extensive planned entries/exits before you finally pull the trigger and get the non o. 

 

No one on this group or any really can tell you if you'll skate in free stamp entry or get questioned when you stamp in. The METV would be a viable choice until you decide to do the non O visa.

22 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

You can show up here free stamp (visa exempt) and apply for the 90 day Non-O visa at most immigration offices (Chaengwattana included) for 2000 baht. Usually you need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp (because of the under review period the application goes thru).

 

They are recommending you get 6 month METV because of your extensive planned entries/exits before you finally pull the trigger and get the non o. 

 

No one on this group or any really can tell you if you'll skate in free stamp entry or get questioned when you stamp in. The METV would be a viable choice until you decide to do the non O visa.

Noted - it's another option and the good thing is i'm not totally hamstrung which is what I assumed once I depart from Singapore.

On 10/28/2025 at 10:46 AM, alc16 said:

Third option - I enter as a tourist each time in Dec, Feb & March. On the March entry, extend (30-days) in Laksi, then further extend 60 day on "visiting family". And later in 2026, apply for the O visa in BKK? Can this be done without wife in tow as she works outside BKK?

You would need to buy "safe entry" from immigration's agents (~4500 baht) for the 2nd and 3rd entries, to avoid possible denied-entry, an airport-detention cell, and forced-flight back. 

 

On 10/28/2025 at 11:14 AM, alc16 said:

i've been in & out as a tourist over the past year

... in that case, you might need it for all 3 entries, if arriving as a tourist - unless those previous were short trips, and not recent to the first entry.  When paying for "safe entry," one can do back-to-back visa-exempt entries w/o issue.  Reports on that are here:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1364034-has-anyone-used-friendly-thai-visa’s-airport-safe-entry-service-only-real-experiences-plz/

 

And, yes, your wife has to be involved in the 1-year extension, in all cases. 

Hopefully, timing will allow your 2nd option to work, getting the Non-O in the UK.

 

The METV suggestion is also possible, though immigration have been known to tell people with them they stay too much in Thailand, then deny further entries with it.  At least, you'd probably get a warning - then could "safe entry" the next flight-in - vs locked-up and booted-out w/o warning.