What Are My Visa Options? I Am Married To A Thai.

[steve19836]

I have been married for over a year now (she is Thai). I went back to England for 9 months early last year and have only been back in LOS for 3-4 months. I am currently on a multiple entry tourist visa but I only have 1 more entry left then im stuck. I am low on funds to show the 400,000THB to get the 1 year visa (if that is even still operational, is it?). My wife works and I have been doing a bit of freelance work since ive been back and we actually are earning 40-50,000THB a month between us. But with no work permit, as I am doing private freelance work please let me know what are my options, as im quite ignorant on what I can or cant do. Many thanks for your time and advice.

[lopburi3]

You are aware I hope that working without a work permit can have serious repercussions. As you say free lance it appears to be within Thailand and is likely to be found out at some point.

There is no 400k bank deposit method to one year extensions of stay but it would insure a one year multi entry non immigrant O visa from Singapore. Currently the only local source without such funds is probably Penang or KL (both may or may not issue). Home country is normally the best place to obtain.

If you are young, as it appears, I would give serious thought to your future and if living in Thailand is going to supply the future you both want. Without legal work it could be a problem. Without combined taxable income of 40k the non immigrant O visa(s) are your best option.

[steve19836]

You are aware I hope that working without a work permit can have serious repercussions. As you say free lance it appears to be within Thailand and is likely to be found out at some point.

There is no 400k bank deposit method to one year extensions of stay but it would insure a one year multi entry non immigrant O visa from Singapore. Currently the only local source without such funds is probably Penang or KL (both may or may not issue). Home country is normally the best place to obtain.

If you are young, as it appears, I would give serious thought to your future and if living in Thailand is going to supply the future you both want. Without legal work it could be a problem. Without combined taxable income of 40k the non immigrant O visa(s) are your best option.

Thanks for the advice and im aware of the problems I may face by not having a work permit. I am 27 and to be truthfull I cant get a job out here, but I will not leave my wife here alone. We both love leaving here together. I may look at opening a company this year, hence obtaining a work permit, or getting a 1 year education visa. I just do some editing and translating from home, as I can speak fluent Thai. What do you think I should do sir?

[astral]

To extend your current visa for one year you will need to show a combined income of 40K.

I believe the immigration will want to see the tax receipts to cover the income.

This will be difficult given your illegal status:

1. Working on a Tourist Visa

2. No Work Permit

Lopburi is right when he says:

I would give serious thought to your future and if living in Thailand is going to supply the future you both want. Without legal work it could be a problem.

If you do decide to stay then you will be best served by getting a multi-entry Non Imm O visa back in the UK.

PS There is no such beast as a multi-entry Tourist Visa.

TV's are always for a stated number of entries, 1, 2 or max 3.

[lopburi3]

Is there some reason the wife can not follow you to where you can get a job? As you are still young (27 is young) you have many years ahead. Can you find a legal avenue for your translation abilities perhaps?

Sorry - don't have any magic bullet and know it sounds like a preacher. All you can do is your best.