Looking To Stay For Two Years

[HalfSquat]

Hello, I am from the UK.

My girlfriend is starting a teaching job in Bangkok at an international school in August on a two year contract.

I would like to go with her but am unsure on how long I could stay for.

From what I can tell there are two routes I could go down: get a tourist visa or get a work permit. Is this correct?

If I wasnt working would it be possible for me to get a 90 day visa and do visa/border runs for two years or is two years too long?

If I wanted to work are my only options teaching english? I have a BSc degree but no TEFL.

Does Thailand do a student visa? Could I student something like muay thai and get a visa?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

[Lite Beer]

Hello, I am from the UK.

My girlfriend is starting a teaching job in Bangkok at an international school in August on a two year contract.

I would like to go with her but am unsure on how long I could stay for.

From what I can tell there are two routes I could go down: get a tourist visa or get a work permit. Is this correct?

If I wasnt working would it be possible for me to get a 90 day visa and do visa/border runs for two years or is two years too long?

If I wanted to work are my only options teaching english? I have a BSc degree but no TEFL.

Does Thailand do a student visa? Could I student something like muay thai and get a visa?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Your best option is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. You can get this from the Thai Consulate in Hull. Website You apply by reason of Visiting Freinds.

This lasts for one year and gives you multi entries of up to 90 days each. Meaning every 90 days you have to hop over the border and come back again. If you do the last border run just befor it expires you get another 90 days giving a total of 15 months.

When this expires you can get Tourist Visas in neighbouring countries.

You can research working options when you arrive. You will need a Work Permit to work as will your Girlfriend assuming she is not Thai.

[PoorSucker]

You could also get an Ed-visa for learning Thai.

See the sponsors on top of page.

[HalfSquat]

You can research working options when you arrive. You will need a Work Permit to work as will your Girlfriend assuming she is not Thai.

Thanks for the information. If I came on the 'Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa' and then found a job, could I then apply for a work permit or does that have to be done before entering the country? Where it says Multi Entry does that mean I can leave and enter the country as many times as I like or is there a limit?

You could also get an Ed-visa for learning Thai.

See the sponsors on top of page.

Thanks, I will have a look at the sponsors. Do you know if you can work part-time on a Ed-visa like you can on a student visa in the UK?

[Lite Beer]

You have to be offered a job before you apply for a Work Permit. You can work with a Non Imm O Visa if you have a Work Permit. You cannot with a Tourist Visa.

The Multi Non Imm O means you can come and go as many times as you want, each stay is a maximum of 90 days.

Take advantage of being in th UK as that is one of the very few places that issue that Visa for Visiting freinds.

Do not try the Embassy in London. Go to Hull. You can apply by post and get your passport back within a week.

[Sophon]

Your best option is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. You can get this from the Thai Consulate in Hull. Website You apply by reason of Visiting Freinds.

This lasts for one year and gives you multi entries of up to 90 days each. Meaning every 90 days you have to hop over the border and come back again. If you do the last border run just befor it expires you get another 90 days giving a total of 15 months..

Be sure not to apply for the visa too early, as the visa's validity is one year from the date it is issued. So if you apply early you lose time on the 15 months the visa can give you in Thailand.

Sophon

[Mario2008]

Your best option is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. You can get this from the Thai Consulate in Hull. Website You apply by reason of Visiting Freinds.

This lasts for one year and gives you multi entries of up to 90 days each. Meaning every 90 days you have to hop over the border and come back again. If you do the last border run just befor it expires you get another 90 days giving a total of 15 months..

Be sure not to apply for the visa too early, as the visa's validity is one year from the date it is issued. So if you apply early you lose time on the 15 months the visa can give you in Thailand.

Sophon

You have to weight that against the burden of having to do border runs every 90 days. With the extension there is no more need for border runs, just 90 day reporting.

[HalfSquat]

You have to weight that against the burden of having to do border runs every 90 days. With the extension there is no more need for border runs, just 90 day reporting.

What does that mean? Once the 12 months has based you only have to do 90 day reporting inside Thailand rather than the 90 day border runs?

If I go back to England and then back to Thailand during the 12 months it won't affect my visa will it?

[Lite Beer]

You have to weight that against the burden of having to do border runs every 90 days. With the extension there is no more need for border runs, just 90 day reporting.

What does that mean? Once the 12 months has based you only have to do 90 day reporting inside Thailand rather than the 90 day border runs?

If I go back to England and then back to Thailand during the 12 months it won't affect my visa will it?

He means that if you get a 12 month extension from Immigration in Thailand for studying etc. You have to report to Immigration every 90 days and not have to leave the country. If you enter on a Multi Entry Visa you have to leave the country every 90 days. With the Visa you are OK to visit England with no problem as long as you return before it expires.

[Mario2008]

Actualy I misread the comment. But let me explain it anyway. A visa is a permission to travel to Thailand and ask for permission to enter. It is not a permision to enter Thailand. A multiple entry is valid for one year, fromthe date you recieve the visa. It means that during 1 year you can travel an unlimited numer of times to Thailand and ask to be permitted. Every time you are permitted to enter they will give you a permission to stay for 90 days only. Then you have to leave the country, but can come right back if your visa is still valid. By leaving and entering the country just before the visa expires you get another 90 days to stay, so you can get almost 15 months of stay out of it.

When you have a job you can try to get an extension of stay from immigration. That would give you permission to stay in Thailand for 1 year, without the need to leave the country every 90 days. But instead of leaving the country you have to report to immigration where you live every 90 days. (can be done by mail at most immigration offices).

[HalfSquat]

Thank you, very helpful.

Say after the 15 months are up and I didnt manage to get a job do I have to leave Thai and if so when can I return and on what visa?

Thanks.

[Lite Beer]

Thank you, very helpful.

Say after the 15 months are up and I didnt manage to get a job do I have to leave Thai and if so when can I return and on what visa?

Thanks.

You could go to a neighbouring country and get a Tourist Visa. At the moment a double entry is possible.

[PhilHarries]

Take advantage of being in th UK as that is one of the very few places that issue that Visa for Visiting freinds.

Do not try the Embassy in London. Go to Hull. You can apply by post and get your passport back within a week.

I'm in the situation where I would like to get an O visa as a prelude to getting the retirement extension of stay. The reason I would like an O is, I am led to believe, that it makes opening a bank account easier and it gives me more time to get things set up.

Does anyone know if the embassy here in Seoul is one of those very few places that issue that visa for visiting friends? Alternatively, can I state "setting up for retirement" as my reason and, if i can do that, what supporting documents would I need?

[HalfSquat]

Your best option is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. You can get this from the Thai Consulate in Hull. Website

Thanks, I had a look on the site but I cannot see a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa - only the standard one. Do you know where it is?

http://www.thaiconsul.co.uk/downloads-and-visas.aspx

Cheers

[Mario2008]

It is the standerd one, there you fill in you want a non-immigrant and the reason for applying for the visa. Just write multiple at number of entries.

[lopburi3]

Take advantage of being in th UK as that is one of the very few places that issue that Visa for Visiting freinds.

Do not try the Embassy in London. Go to Hull. You can apply by post and get your passport back within a week.

I'm in the situation where I would like to get an O visa as a prelude to getting the retirement extension of stay. The reason I would like an O is, I am led to believe, that it makes opening a bank account easier and it gives me more time to get things set up.

Does anyone know if the embassy here in Seoul is one of those very few places that issue that visa for visiting friends? Alternatively, can I state "setting up for retirement" as my reason and, if i can do that, what supporting documents would I need?

If you are over age 50 and advise you want to check retirement options they may well issue a single entry non immigrant O visa. If not arrive on a tourist visa and when you have financial s in place apply for change at Immigration - it will be an extra 2,000 baht step.

[Brewsta]

I am very impressed wth Hull as they have issued me non-imm 'O' Visas in 15-30 minutes if you make an appt first...

great service for the last 10 years )

The Thai Consulate in Hull used to issue non-imm 'B' (Business) Visas, but now it seems that non-imm 'O' is the norm...

I am married to a Thai, have 2 kids and a house in the North of LOS.....

Say invisible and out of trouble and have a great time here in SmileyLand.

Regards.

[ozzieal]

Hello, I am from the UK.

My girlfriend is starting a teaching job in Bangkok at an international school in August on a two year contract.

I would like to go with her but am unsure on how long I could stay for.

From what I can tell there are two routes I could go down: get a tourist visa or get a work permit. Is this correct?

If I wasnt working would it be possible for me to get a 90 day visa and do visa/border runs for two years or is two years too long?

If I wanted to work are my only options teaching english? I have a BSc degree but no TEFL.

Does Thailand do a student visa? Could I student something like muay thai and get a visa?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Your best option is a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa. You can get this from the Thai Consulate in Hull. Website You apply by reason of Visiting Freinds.

This lasts for one year and gives you multi entries of up to 90 days each. Meaning every 90 days you have to hop over the border and come back again. If you do the last border run just befor it expires you get another 90 days giving a total of 15 months.

When this expires you can get Tourist Visas in neighbouring countries.

You can research working options when you arrive. You will need a Work Permit to work as will your Girlfriend assuming she is not Thai.

Thank you for your good advice. Can you advise if it is possible to get a second Non Imm Multi O Visa from Hull immediately the original 15 months expires?

[lopburi3]

It is dangerous to speculate a year in advance (or even a week in some cases) but at this time it could be done.

[AsiaMB]

I suggest you talk with Sunbelt in Bangkok they will assist you, the easiest solution is to get a Non Immigrant B Visa that will give you multiple re entry for 12 months, but you will need to leave every 90 days. There is another 12 month visa that give you 5 times per year exits out of Thailand....

Sunbelt will be able to assist you.. Tousist Visa is ok for the first visit suggest the others thereon, or as a last resoprt if you take the Tourist Visa option, when you do a Visa run, you will need to go to an embassy to get another Visa (not just at the border) from a neigbouring country as now Visa runs at the border only give you 15 days extension... goopd luck

Hello, I am from the UK.

My girlfriend is starting a teaching job in Bangkok at an international school in August on a two year contract.

I would like to go with her but am unsure on how long I could stay for.

From what I can tell there are two routes I could go down: get a tourist visa or get a work permit. Is this correct?

If I wasnt working would it be possible for me to get a 90 day visa and do visa/border runs for two years or is two years too long?

If I wanted to work are my only options teaching english? I have a BSc degree but no TEFL.

Does Thailand do a student visa? Could I student something like muay thai and get a visa?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

[AsiaMB]

I suggest you talk with Sunbelt in Bangkok they will assist you, the easiest solution is to get a Non Immigrant B Visa that will give you multiple re entry for 12 months, but you will need to leave every 90 days. There is another 12 month visa that give you 5 times per year exits out of Thailand....

Sunbelt will be able to assist you.. Tousist Visa is ok for the first visit suggest the others thereon, or as a last resoprt if you take the Tourist Visa option, when you do a Visa run, you will need to go to an embassy to get another Visa (not just at the border) from a neigbouring country as now Visa runs at the border only give you 15 days extension... goopd luck

there is a study visa but you will already need to be accepted into a Thai Language school, suggest you check out the one on soi 23 near Asoke......

Cheers

Hello, I am from the UK.

My girlfriend is starting a teaching job in Bangkok at an international school in August on a two year contract.

I would like to go with her but am unsure on how long I could stay for.

From what I can tell there are two routes I could go down: get a tourist visa or get a work permit. Is this correct?

If I wasnt working would it be possible for me to get a 90 day visa and do visa/border runs for two years or is two years too long?

If I wanted to work are my only options teaching english? I have a BSc degree but no TEFL.

Does Thailand do a student visa? Could I student something like muay thai and get a visa?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

[HalfSquat]

It is the standerd one, there you fill in you want a non-immigrant and the reason for applying for the visa. Just write multiple at number of entries.

Thanks!

[dlwc1975]

I'm in exactly the same situaton as you.....eg partner got teaching job at international school in bkk, me accompanying her as an 'officially' non-working dependant partner. She has non-imm B visa, and I have non-imm O (issued by Hull consulate, who incidentally were really helpful and responded to my phone calls and emailed questions.) We have been here for a few years now - and all our 'extensions of stay and re-entry permits stem from the original visa (ie neither of us have had to get a 'new' visa as such eg from Hull.)

The yearly extensions of stay and occasional re-entry permits run concurrently..... In fact I believe that the re-entry permit sort of becomes the new 'visa' for purposes of dates, 90-day reporting etc (I am sure there'll be many posters ready to shoot me down with vitriol and derision if I am a little mistaken on that...) Very important is to ensure that, if you have work permits or extensions of stay 'attached' to your visa, you get a re-entry permit if you want to leave and return to Thailand (eg for half term trip to Vietnam - or whatever.) If you don't, the visa, work permit and extension of stay die when you leave. (Even with a multi-entry visa, the wp and extension of stay will expire...)

FYI we have managed to survive more than adequately on her salary - nice appt in centre of bkk, great social life (it's not all about the Bull's Head, Robin Hood, Londoner et al), nice hols here and around the region, and saving every month (and it's great at the moment to be sending money back to UK).

If the school is of any repute it will do the following:

• Supply supporting paperwork for your g/f's visa.
  
• Supply supporting paperwork for your non-imm O visa (ie that you are coming as a dependant of her)
  
• Pay for your g/f's visa (and maybe yours too)
  
• Do the paperwork and visit immigration office on your behalf for things like 90-day reporting, extension of stay, re-entry permits etc (sometimes you may have to go too - to 'show your face!')
  
• Help you with any visa and related issues/problems
  

These may sound like obvious things, but there are some schools which are better than others at this!

As for changing your visa/applying for work etc - I can't comment, as I have chosen not to do this, but you will get plenty of advice here.....

Good luck -we have had/are having a great time here. Just don;'t pack anyred, blue or yellow shirts! Hahaha!!

Cheers

PS Be interested to know which International school it is - I may be able to give you a 'heads-up'. PM me if you want, if the forum rules say you can't name the school......

[lopburi3]

I would like to know what category of dependent a boy/girl friend is as I have never seen it listed as eligible for extension of stay. You are not married but able to obtain dependent extensions of stay?

[Lite Beer]

Yes. Family Member only.

[dlwc1975]

I am married. However, one of my wife's colleagues is girlfriend who is working & the boyfriend not working (so I suppose more specifically in the same situation as the original poster). Nevertheless, as couples, we all have exactly the same visa situations regarding types of visa/re-entry permits/extensions of stay. We all arrived in Thailand at the same time.

So in my experience, we are all being treated exactly the same when it comes to visas etc.

If this is contrary to the visa rules, I don't know how to respond to that. None of us have had any problems with extension of stay. I will ask them what category of dependant he is.....

[HalfSquat]

Thanks for your posts dlwc. I have sent you a PM with the name of the school.

I am just filling out the visa form now.

Got a couple of questions for everyone about the form first:

• Regarding the date of departure from UK and arrival in Thailand, how accurate to these have to be? We havent set dates yet.
  
• Proposed address in Thailand: this is as yet unknown. Will it be better to wait until we do know?
  
• Proposed duration of stay: ideally I would like to put 'up to 2 years' but is that too much? What should I put to have a realistic chance of getting approved.
  
• Travel details after Thailand: not sure yet, shall I just put 'back to UK' or 'none'
  
• Evidence substantiating purpose of visits (Non-Immigrant visa only): what does this mean?
  
• Visa required: (please circle): TOURIST or NON-IMMIGRANT – __________ Number of entries: _______ I guess I want non-imm but how many enteries shall I go for?
  
• Purpose of visit: Is 'staying with girlfriend who is living and working in Thailand' the best answer?
  

dlwc, so you manage to get by with just one of you working? That must be nice, don't think my girlfriend would appreciate that though!

Plus I have a loan I have to continue to pay back each month back here in England so will need to earn some money.

Did you manage to make friends out there considering you were going with someone else who would be meeting people from work - how did you meet new people?

Thanks!

[ubonjoe]

Since you are not traveling until August you have plenty of time to apply for the visa. It will only take a few days to get.

The departure and arrival dates do not need to be exact.

If you get an address later use it or the name of any hotel.

Put 90 days since that will be length of stay that the visa will be for.

Travel details after Thailand? Back to UK should work.

Substantiating evidence would be dependendent upon what basis you are using to get the visa.

A non immigrant visa is what you will want. You write in multiple entry if that is what you want.

To visit friends is what it would be.

Suggest you get a multiple entry non-o visa from the Thai consulate in Hull to visit friends since you are not sure you will be able to get an extension of stay. You won't get it from the embassy in London. All you could get from them would be tourist visa. A multiple entry will require you to cross the border and return every 90 days but it would give you a total of almost 15 months without getting a new visa.

Link to Hull website: http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads-and-visas.aspx

Download the standard application pack which has their application form and others that you will need to get a visa from them.

[HalfSquat]

Thanks, I have downloaded that form from Hull.

So its best to leave it until nearer I go? Sounds a bit risky as they might say 'no' if I leave it too late or there might be complications.

[ubonjoe]

The use before date of the visa starts on the date of issue. So every day you get it early is a day lost in Thailand.

If you were to get a single entry it would be only valid for 90 days so it would be expired before you used it if you leave in August.

Your visa won't be turned down as long you fill out the forms correctly. I would not apply for the visa any earlier than 2 weeks before you plan on traveling.