Immigration Rumours?

[PEP]

Hello everybody.

Seems we here are going through the “Immigration Rumour Mill” again. I realise that this topic probably has been done to death, but:- Does anyone know the truth?

• Non-Immigrant Visas can be issued in Bangkok?
  
• Extension of a 1 year M.E. Non-O can only be made for one week at the cost of 1800 Baht?
  

This information (true or false) was told to me at Khemarat immigration yesterday 08/09.

[Lite Beer]

Non O Visas can be issued in Bangkok if they are part of a years extension for those that qualify.

Dont know what ME is.

At a guess I think you are talking about upgrading Tourist Visa or a Visa Exempt 30 day stamp to a Non O Visa.

Then applying for a year extension based on marriage to a Thai lady.

Yes the Visa Exempt stamp can be upgraded to a Non O Visa if you have at least 21 days on your stay.

With the Non O you can apply for the extension at a cost of 1,900 Baht.

Edited September 9, 2008 by Lite Beer

[torrenova]

Agreed with LB above but nothing has come out to indicate any means of renewing a regular non imm "O" visa within Thailand without marriage etc. Back to your home country or favourable other country is, as far as I know, still the only option.

[monty]

They do not issue visa's per se, but they can change your visa status when you qualify for a 1 year extension.

Key word is that you have to qualify for a 1 year extension, i.e. married and 40,000 income, over 50 years old and 800,000 in the bank etc...

It does not matter on what visa you are here, even the 30 day visa exempt stamp will do, as long as you have 21 days of stay remaining you can initiate the procedure to change your visa status.

Cost is 2000 Baht for the change of status, add to that 1,900 Baht for the 1 year extension. Another 1000 Baht for single re entry or 3800 Baht for multiple re-entry stamp and you are set for a hassle free year!

If you are here on the 1 year ME (Multiple entry) you normally cannot extend beyond the 90 days you receive on each entry, if they do accept, maybe due to personal circumstances on your side, it will most probably be 7 days at a cost of 1900 Baht.

[Lite Beer]

If you are here on the 1 year ME (Multiple entry) you normally cannot extend beyond the 90 days you receive on each entry, if they do accept, maybe due to personal circumstances on your side, it will most probably be 7 days at a cost of 1900 Baht.

I think you have cracked it Monty. Are you good at crosswords?

[PEP]

Thanks Fellows for your advice.

To clarify a bit:- I now have a Non-Imm- O multiple entry. I am going to UK to renew it but would like to delay my departure to about 90 days past the expiry date of the Visa. Khemerat "Gentlemen" say they will only give me a 7 day extension "as the rules have changed"

[PoorSucker]

Thanks Fellows for your advice.

To clarify a bit:- I now have a Non-Imm- O multiple entry. I am going to UK to renew it but would like to delay my departure to about 90 days past the expiry date of the Visa. Khemerat "Gentlemen" say they will only give me a 7 day extension "as the rules have changed"

Make a border run before your visa expires and you'll get another 90 day stamp.

[thaihome]

Thanks Fellows for your advice.

To clarify a bit:- I now have a Non-Imm- O multiple entry. I am going to UK to renew it but would like to delay my departure to about 90 days past the expiry date of the Visa. Khemerat "Gentlemen" say they will only give me a 7 day extension "as the rules have changed"

The rule change they are referring to may be the fact that 10 day extensions [on a tourist or 30 visa exempt) used to be given but were reduced to 7 days a while back. I did not realize you could get any extension, other then the 1 year, on a 90 day entry stamp for a Non-Imm visa.

TH

[ubonjoe]

Thanks Fellows for your advice.

To clarify a bit:- I now have a Non-Imm- O multiple entry. I am going to UK to renew it but would like to delay my departure to about 90 days past the expiry date of the Visa. Khemerat "Gentlemen" say they will only give me a 7 day extension "as the rules have changed"

If you are still in Khemarat suggest you make a visa run via Mukdahan to the Thai Consulate in Savannakhet and get a 90 day single non-o.