Hi,

I currently live in Thailand using back to back double entry tourist visas from Vientiane. I am now tired of leaving the country every 3 months, so I'm thinking about what my other options are.

I'm in my thirties, maried (wife is Thai) with children (born in Thailand).

Am I right in thinking that my best option would be to get a non-imm O visa next time I go to Vientiane instead of a double-entry visa, then extend it for one year at immigration and report my address every 90 days?

If so, do I need 400k in the bank three months before getting the visa or three months before getting the one year extension?

Are the paperwork the same for the visa and the extension, or are there differences?

Thank you.

If you can meet the 400k in bank a single entry non immigrant O visa is all you need. Money should need be in bank only 2 months for first extension of stay (although you may want to check with the office you will use as there is confusion this year on the rules). You would do the extension of stay when under 30 days remaining and then you would start doing 90 day reports if you do not leave Thailand.

To obtain visa be sure to have the normal things plus copy of marriage certificate/wife ID card and for good measure copy of her home register (although probably not required). I letter from wife asking for visa to be issued is also good to have just in case.

For extension of stay your bank passbook/letter of account balance from bank, wife, her ID/home register, photos together at home with house number in one of them and perhaps a map to home. Good to be flexable as they will normally allow you to return with any missing items.

Hi,

How long can you stay with the first non immigrant O visa ? Then you need to go to immigration to extend ?

Is Vientiane in Lao the best place to get it ?

Thanks.

Hi,

How long can you stay with the first non immigrant O visa ? Then you need to go to immigration to extend ?

Is Vientiane in Lao the best place to get it ?

Thanks.

With a single entry Non-Imm "O", a person would be stamped "permitted to stay" for 90 days, so after they stay about 60 days, they could apply for the extension, if they qualify. I don't think Vientiane would be a problem at all for a single entry.

Edited July 15, 200916 yr by beechguy

Yes. Apply for the extension within the last 30 days of your stay.