What Shall I Do? What Visa?

[harrymand]

Hi all. I will try to explane my situation in understandable English. I am working on oil-rigs overseas, 4 week on 4 weeks off. Entery Thailand on 30 days tourist visa because I leave the country after 28 days. I am renting an appartment from a Thai, living there with my Thai girlfrend. The renting contract is in my name. I have also bought 2 Rai land that I will lease in one or the other way from her (Long therm lease or the usufruct option).I have just bought a used pick-up truck as well.

Now the problem starts. I like to "own" the car my self and get it registered in my name. I also have a international driving licence and will then apply for a Thai licence. Now my girlfrend has come up with something that make me frightened. If I renting an appartment on tourist visa, the landlord must go to the immigration office with the renting contract and the copy of my passport EVERY time I COME or GO! This is the same as the hotels have to do, but they do it by sending them the info electronic I assume. But to bye and register a car, I need a proof of address / renting contract she says. Is this the case when I ask for a driving licence as well? The international licence can only be used for 6 month as I understand.

So if the landlord (owner of the appartment/house) dont go to the imm. office, I am in trouble. I cant get the car in my name, and after 6 month I must stop driving!

what is the best to do: Get a multipel entry visa or a Non Imm O-A since I past 50. Can I come an go as many time on any of this visa? Shall I keep quite and put everything in my girlfrends name and travel on tourist visa until I can elevate my retirement pension (3 years from now)?

I will be grateful for all answer I can get that can help me relax.

harrymand

[madjbs]

You cant own a car unless you have a non immigrant visa.

Edited October 16, 2007 by madjbs

[Crossy]

OK Harry.

Firstly DON'T PANIC the Boys in Brown are not going to come banging on the door

1. Whilst what your GF says is correct, many landlords don't bother, and you're doing just the same yourself when you fill in your arrival card anyway.
   
2. To get a Thai driving licence you need a non-immigrant visa of some sort (although there have been reports of people getting one with a tourist visa it's not the norm).
   
3. To register the car in your name you also need a non-immigrant visa.
   
4. The 6 month clock for use of your international licence re-starts every time you enter the country.
   

You have several visa options, depending upon your geographical location and how easy it is to get to a 'friendly' consulate (likely UK or Aus).

1. You could get a non o-a (retirement visa), check the requirements.
   
2. You could get a multi-entry non o on the grounds of 'visiting friends and family' from a friendly consulate.
   
3. You could convert your 30 day stamp into a non-o which you can then extend on the grounds of retirement (you don't have to leave the country to do this). Needs 800,000 in a Thai bank for 3 months first. You should be able to do this in one day at immigration. You will need to get a multiple re-entry permit as well.
   

EDIT Watch out for the "90 days in 6 months" rule with your continual visa-exemption (30 day) entries, you may get a shock (and a short stamp) on day

Edited October 16, 2007 by Crossy

[tmd5855]

Hi all. I will try to explane my situation in understandable English. I am working on oil-rigs overseas, 4 week on 4 weeks off. Entery Thailand on 30 days tourist visa because I leave the country after 28 days. I am renting an appartment from a Thai, living there with my Thai girlfrend. The renting contract is in my name. I have also bought 2 Rai land that I will lease in one or the other way from her (Long therm lease or the usufruct option).I have just bought a used pick-up truck as well.

Now the problem starts. I like to "own" the car my self and get it registered in my name. I also have a international driving licence and will then apply for a Thai licence. Now my girlfrend has come up with something that make me frightened. If I renting an appartment on tourist visa, the landlord must go to the immigration office with the renting contract and the copy of my passport EVERY time I COME or GO! This is the same as the hotels have to do, but they do it by sending them the info electronic I assume. But to bye and register a car, I need a proof of address / renting contract she says. Is this the case when I ask for a driving licence as well? The international licence can only be used for 6 month as I understand.

So if the landlord (owner of the appartment/house) dont go to the imm. office, I am in trouble. I cant get the car in my name, and after 6 month I must stop driving!

what is the best to do: Get a multipel entry visa or a Non Imm O-A since I past 50. Can I come an go as many time on any of this visa? Shall I keep quite and put everything in my girlfrends name and travel on tourist visa until I can elevate my retirement pension (3 years from now)?

I will be grateful for all answer I can get that can help me relax.

harrymand

Hello Harrymand.

I have an indentical situation, in that I work offshore doing 4/4 as well. Been coming and going on a 30day TV for approx 3 years. Never once has my landlord/lady went to immigration. Maybe having my GF name on the lease has something to do with it? (More exp'd members can advise?)

You do not need to show 800K in the bank only you are in receipt of 65k+ a month.

Colleague onboard took his wage slips to Jomtiem when applying for a Non, Multi entry 'O' visa. He got one. (yet again others more exp'd can advise if he was lucky).

Hope that helps, best of luck.

TMD

[Crossy]

You do not need to show 800K in the bank only you are in receipt of 65k+ a month.

Good point, brain evidently not functioning fully yet That said, if you have the money already in the bank it'll save you the (expensive) hassle of getting the income verification letter from your embassy.

[tmd5855]

You do not need to show 800K in the bank only you are in receipt of 65k+ a month.

Good point, brain evidently not functioning fully yet That said, if you have the money already in the bank it'll save you the (expensive) hassle of getting the income verification letter from your embassy.

Hello Crossy,

You appear to be one of the exp'd members. Regards a verification letter from the Embassy? If I show 65+a month going into a Thai bank will that satisfy Jomtiem immigration for converting my TV to a multi non 'O'. Reason, may be be spending more than 30days next year on one leave so do not want to take any risks with the 90 day in 180 rule.

regards

tmd

[lopburi3]

Immigration can not convert anything into a multi entry visa - they are only available from a Consulate outside Thailand. Immigration can convert to a single entry non immigrant O visa for extension under retirement but I seriously doubt thay will do that without an Embassy letter of income.

Singapore should be able to provide a multi entry non immigrant O visa with proof of 800k or more in a bank account somewhere.

[PeaceBlondie]

I agree with Crossy that the tenant probably has no responsibility to notify Immigration when they return to the country and start living in the rented house again. You do your part merely by listing the address on the entry card when you arrive in Thailand. It is the landlord's responsibility to notify immigration about the tenants. My landlady is very strict about obeying that law, perhaps because her husband is a police general, but it never concerns me.

[harrymand]

I agree with Crossy that the tenant probably has no responsibility to notify Immigration when they return to the country and start living in the rented house again. You do your part merely by listing the address on the entry card when you arrive in Thailand. It is the landlord's responsibility to notify immigration about the tenants. My landlady is very strict about obeying that law, perhaps because her husband is a police general, but it never concerns me.

Thanks everybody. Now I understand more. The reason why I have my name on the renting contract, was that the tax office in my home country require a proof of address in the country I "emigrate" in to. Also to get a driving licence. After that, I can let my girlfrend sign as the renter. But for safety, I think I will look more to get a multipel entry visa. As TMD pointed, I my stay one period longef than 30 days, and then the risk of exceed the "90 d in 6 mnd" (say if I get sick, and cant go offshore). I guess I will find a consulate in Mexico City or in Amsterdam which is my arrivel and departure airports.

harrymand.