Hi,

I'm Canadian, 50+ and married to a Thai, we have an adopted son in school.

I came here last year from a third country on a "non-immigrant o" family visa and was doing border runs every 90 days.

To obtain that visa I had to show "proof of residency" in the country I applied in.

My last passport "exit day" stamp said June 2 but the "enter before" date on the visa said May 25.

Upon re-entry yesterday (May 29) I was told my visa had expired and was given 15 days only.

I don't blame anyone but myself for the screw up.

I'm worried about being asked for "proof of residency" again since the one I had then is no longer valid.

I've been living here since last year and the residency papers in the other country have been cancelled.

I was planning to renew around august (since I now have deposited the 400K required in the bank and meet all other conditions)...until what happened yesterday.

Can anyone tell me what are my best options here?

I appreciate it.

Thanks

DB

Go to a Consulate in Asia and get a Single Non Imm O Visa. Within the final 30 days go to Immigration and apply for a 12 month extension of stay based on your marriage or retirement if you prefer.

I would go to Penang or KL or Vientiane with marriage certificate/copy of wife ID card/Copy of her home register (probably not required but good to have if asked) and another optional thing is a short note from wife asking for visa to be issued. Apply for a single entry non immigrant O visa. You can then extend your stay at Immigration 60 days later. You do not have to be resident in most countries to obtain a visa.

You could probably obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa as you held before at these locations if you also take your bank passbook.

If you want a little extra time to make the visa run you could go to immigration and get a 60 day extension to visit your wife. You would need your marriage certificate, wifes house book and ID card.

From Chiang Mai KL is a good choice because you can fly direct to there. Air Asia has some good fares if you purchase in advance.

Hi again,

I'd like to thank those who took the time and effort to give me good advice.

I have to the 12th of June but will start working things out as of tomorrow.

Thanks again

DB

I'm currently in a similar situation as yourself at the moment and was planning to go to KL.

I've just read in a local news paper

"There are two seperate methods available to the applicant to obtain a non immigrant visa.

One method is an application process recently introduced by the government, for applicants who have already

entered Thailand on a tourist or transit visa.

The other method is an application process for applicants who are outside of Thailand"

So by the sounds of that you can now apply for non immigrant visa's in country ?

Does anyone know more about this and where to do it as it might save me a trip to KL.

Thanks.

The local issue of visa can only be done if you qualify for a one year extension of stay - it is the first step in that process if you do not have a non immigrant visa and costs 2,000 baht and has been available for the last few years. It is not available for general visa and is single entry of 90 days. You also must have 21 days remaining on your current entry stamp to qualify.

Their is no way to get a non immigrant visa here unless you can meet the requirements to get an extension of stay.

It is called a change of visa stauts. If you are married to aThai you would have to prove 40,000 baht of income or 400,000 baht in a Thai bank.

Also not all immigration offices will do a change of visa status.

This not something new either it has been this way for quite some time.

Thanks for the replies, I am married to a Thai and I earn more than 40K per month and pay company and personal income tax.

The immigration office in Samui never mentioned any of this really other than I might be able to get a new non-o in Bangkok but they said it might be more problematic and not guaranteed. The guy in the immigration office said my best bet was to apply for a new single entry non-o in KL and then come back and see him and he could do my one year extension and then I would not have to do the visa runs anymore.

So I'm not sure what I should do and I only have 20 odd days to sort something out. What would you advise?

Cheers

Edited June 1, 200917 yr by cwkid

The trip to KL or Penang is probably your best choice as Samui appears unable to provide the change of visa status and you seem to be at the edge of 21 days remaining so would have to do asap in Bangkok - probably not cost any more for the trip to Malaysia. As this is what they want you to do believe it is in your interest to do so. When you return it will be for 90 days and during the last 30 days you should be able to extend for one year.

As I said not all immigration offices will do it, We just had a report from a member that did it in Bangkok because Pattaya would not do it.

If you only have 20 days left you would not be able to do it because a minimum of 21 days is required.

Either Penang or KL is a good choice for a single non-o since you are in Samui.

If you would like some more time you can get a 60 day extension at immigration to visit your wife.

As I said not all immigration offices will do it, We just had a report from a member that did it in Bangkok because Pattaya would not do it.

If you only have 20 days left you would not be able to do it because a minimum of 21 days is required.

Either Penang or KL is a good choice for a single non-o since you are in Samui.

If you would like some more time you can get a 60 day extension at immigration to visit your wife.

More time would be very helpful, as I might have a business trip coming up to KL, so I could possibly do both together if I can postpone

having to leave Thailand in the next 20 days.

What do I need to do, to get the 60 day extension at the local immigration?

Thank you very much for the advice guys!

Presumably you have to pay for the 60 day extension as well?

Cheers

Marriage certificate, wifes house book, and ID card plus copies.. Copies of your passport, photo page, visa, and entry/permit to stamp pages. Copy of TM6 departure card and 2 photos. 1900 baht fee.

Marriage certificate, wifes house book, and ID card plus copies.. Copies of your passport, photo page, visa, and entry/permit to stamp pages. Copy of TM6 departure card and 2 photos. 1900 baht fee.

Thank you. Only thing I don't have is Wife's house book as we are renting in Samui but I'm sure we can show them our rental agreement.

Thanks again.

Your wife may not have her own house book but she is in somebodies house book. If she doesn't have it with her or a copy she should be able to go to the Amphoe (district office) and get a print out of the same information that is in the book.

Her house book is for ID not where you live. She should have a copy or be able to obtain a copy. It is probably her parents or family - every Thai has to be listed on a home register.

I think she might have a blue book with us here on Samui, which is for the place we have up north, think it's in her Grandfathers name, I will ask her if it's here or with the in-laws.

Cheers.

I think she might have a blue book with us here on Samui, which is for the place we have up north, think it's in her Grandfathers name, I will ask her if it's here or with the in-laws.

Cheers.

She should really have it, or a copy of it readily at hand at all times. Thais need it for all sorts of reasons.