Non Immigration 0 Visa From Usa

[Kayaken]

Hello, I am 59, from USA, and brand new at the visa procurement scene, my question is can a non immigration '0' visa only be obtained outside Thailand. I also recently got married to a Thai woman and am trying to apply for a long stay visa for Thailand, if I came back to Thailand on a tourist visa, can I still obtain a type '0' while I am inside Thailand. I have read all the requirements and can meet them, but have yet to apply to the Thai Consulate in LA, I know this has probably been discussed a thousand times, for me its the first and I would appreciate some enlightment from any wise veterans who have blazed the trail before me, thanks in advance. Kayaken

[ubonjoe]

You can get a single entry non immigrant O visa in the states without a problem. All you should need is a copy of your marriage certificate and a copy of your wifes ID card or passport photo page.

Getting a visa before you leave will make things much easier when you to immigration for your extension based upon marriage. Visas are not issued in Thailand unless you do a change of visa status at immigration and many offices will not do it.

There are several honorary consulates in the States that give much better service than the 3 official consulates and the embassy. For a list use the pulldown menu at the top of this webpage. http://www.thaiembdc.org/AboutEmb/EmbDirect.aspx

If you use one the honorary consulates you might need a translated copy of your marriage certificate because they don't have any Thai's working at them. It does not have to be a certified translation.

[Texpat]

You can get a non-imm O at the LA consulate.

Nearly everyone working at the consulate is Thai and you can get certified translations just around the corner on Melrose Ave.

Keep in mind that while you're given a one-year visa, you still will be required to leave the country every 90 days until it expires. (yeah, I know )

Also, after your first trip to Cambo or Laos in 90 days, if you think about applying for your in-country extension of that non-imm O -- to avoid three additional trips out -- think again.

It WILL be denied and you'll merely be throwing a few thousand additional baht down the toilet and accumulating a boatload of extra aggravation.

Of course no immigration officer will tell you this. The money, I'm quite sure, is deposited into the lucky officer's pocket.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a non-imm O at the LA consulate.

Nearly everyone working at the consulate is Thai and you can get certified translations just around the corner on Melrose Ave.

Keep in mind that while you're given a one-year visa, you still will be required to leave the country every 90 days until it expires. (yeah, I know )

Also, after your first trip to Cambo or Laos in 90 days, if you think about applying for your in-country extension of that non-imm O -- to avoid three additional trips out -- think again.

It WILL be denied and you'll merely be throwing a few thousand additional baht down the toilet and accumulating a boatload of extra aggravation.

Of course no immigration officer will tell you this. The money, I'm quite sure, is deposited into the lucky officer's pocket.

The OP has not even mentioned getting a multiple entry visa. He already is aware of what is required for the 1 year extesnion of stay.

I have never seen a report where somebody was denied an extension after paying the 1900 baht for the extension. Some have been turned away because they lacked a document or didn't have the money in the bank long enough or something like that. But immiigration does not take your money until they look at your paper work.

If you have proof of your accusations please post it.

[Texpat]

I'm relaying advice based on personal experience.

I really don't care what the laws say.

I highly suggest that the OP perform the three visa runs outside the country after he arrives and NOT try to apply for an early extension to avoid that hassle. In my case about three months after my arrival, my paperwork was collected, the fee paid and the extension denied. Several months later, when my original non-imm O was about to expire, the extension was granted.

I'm quite confident I know what happened.

immiigration does not take your money until they look at your paper work. NK immigration sends all of the paperwork to Bangkok (or so they claim) so money is collected every time with no assurance of approval.

I never mentioned anything about multiple entry.

[Lite Beer]

What Immigration Office and on what grounds were you refused after paying the fee?

EDIT. Just seen it is Nong Khai. Not the office with the best reputation.

You were talking about a Multi Entry Non O Visa and they do send the application away for approval. Usually for rubber stamping anyway.

[ubonjoe]

It sure sounds like a a multiple entry when you talk about border (visa) runs unless you are telling him to leave every 90 days to get a new visa.

A single entry is only good for one entry,

[Texpat]

Nong Khai Immigration Office.

No reason for refusal given. I met all the requirements. Had been married for many years, had more than a mil in the bank. Had all the correct paperwork.

As my original visa was still current for several more months, the officer suggested I apply again when I was within two weeks of its expiration.

That one was also denied some months later due to not having proof of pension (the mil was still in the bank). But because I didn't have proof of pension, I was given 15 days.

The laws here are merely suggestions.

[Texpat]

It sure sounds like a a multiple entry when you talk about border (visa) runs unless you are telling him to leave every 90 days to get a new visa.

A single entry is only good for one entry,

Joe, when you're issued a non-imm O from overseas, you are required to leave the country every 90 days for the duration of that year. At least that's how they interpret it in Nong Khai.

I wasn't keen to make more trips to Laos, so tried to extend my visa early. I'm merely suggesting the OP not try that.

[Lite Beer]

Joe, when you're issued a non-imm O from overseas, you are required to leave the country every 90 days for the duration of that year. At least that's how they interpret it in Nong Khai.

Because it was a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa.

This gives multiple enties of up to 90 days at a time. Nothing to do with NKs interpretation.

[Lite Beer]

That one was also denied some months later due to not having proof of pension (the mil was still in the bank). But because I didn't have proof of pension, I was given 15 days.

Last year the law was 40,000 Baht A month income. Not money in the bank.

It changed last November 25th so now money in the bank can be used.

[Texpat]

Original was issued in '06, the extension was applied for in late 06, and then again in spring 07.

I know what the rules are.

Keep your expectations low and you might not be dissappointed.

[Texpat]

Joe, when you're issued a non-imm O from overseas, you are required to leave the country every 90 days for the duration of that year. At least that's how they interpret it in Nong Khai.

Because it was a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa.

This gives multiple enties of up to 90 days at a time. Nothing to do with NKs interpretation.

Are you suggesting that if the OP gets a single entry, he will not be required to leave every 90 days -- in fact cannot leave without voiding his visa and can remain in Thailand for a full year from the time of first entering?

But if he gets the more expensive, multiple entry Non-O, he MUST leave every 90 days?

That doesn't make much sense, does it?

[ubonjoe]

Joe, when you're issued a non-imm O from overseas, you are required to leave the country every 90 days for the duration of that year. At least that's how they interpret it in Nong Khai.

Because it was a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa.

This gives multiple enties of up to 90 days at a time. Nothing to do with NKs interpretation.

Are you suggesting that if the OP gets a single entry, he will not be required to leave every 90 days -- in fact cannot leave without voiding his visa and can remain in Thailand for a full year from the time of first entering?

But if he gets the more expensive, multiple entry Non-O, he MUST leave every 90 days?

That doesn't make much sense, does it?

A single entry is only good for one entry of 90 days. The OP would then go to immigration during the last 30 days of his permit to stay and apply for his extension of stay based upon marriage. If for some reason he could not meet the requirements at that time he could apply for a 60 day extension to give him more time.(IE:the money was not in the bank long enough). If he needed to leave for a short trip during those 90 or 60 days he could get a re-emtry permit that would keep his permit to stay valid and of course it will be the same after he gets his 1 year extension.

I am not reccomending he get a multiple entry visa because he does not need one. That is what you had when you first tried to get an extension.

Reading through your previous posts I now understand why you had a problem getting your first extension with over 1 million baht in the bank. In September 2006 a new police order came out that eliminated the 400K in the bank option and only allowed for the 40K income option. That police order was voided last November when another police order came out that allows for the 400K again. You won't need an income letter the next time you get your extension if you can show the 400K in the bank for 2 months.