Any Advise On Best Visa Route

[chriswatson]

Hi,

I'm thinking of moving out to Thailand later this year. I am 40 years old male British citizen, married to a Thai national with a dual national child beneath both British and Thai compulsory school age. We currently reside in the UK. I will have no full term employment or pension when we fly out, but will have savings and income from UK rental properties and investments should I need to illustrate future income. I can demonstrate UK employment income in the 2008-09 tax year and have company accounts for my own company from 2008-2009 (if this is relevant).

I am considering the following scenarios.

1. The three of us fly out together, do our best to determine whether Thai life together is suitable for us, and if decide it is not, return to the UK within five months and re-settle in UK, using wife's current FLR visa.

2. The three of us fly out together, give ourselves a bit longer to determine suitability of Thai life, and if we decide it is not suitable, return to the UK after a year, applying for an ILE for my wife at the British embassy in BKK.

3. The three of us fly out together, decide Thailand is suitable, and decide to stay indefinitely.

The third option is our preferred outcome, but of course we do not know at this stage if it will be the actual outcome.

Given these plans, I'd like advise on what visa I should and could initially apply for at the Thai consulate in London later this year. I'm concerned that I may apply for a visa suitable for scenario 1 which may have negative consequences (either legal or cost-wise) further down the line for either scenario 2 or 3, or both.

I should also add that I would like to have the option of working in Thailand if I am fortunate enough to get the opportunity, or to start a business if I am mad enough to try it, but these are not dependent on my financial ability to support my family whilst in Thailand. I would also expect to travel outside of Thailand during any of these scenarios for pleasure and would be able to use these opportunities to renew visas if appropriate and by doing so it would not prejudice in some way our long term aim in scenario 3.

Many thanks to anyone who can advise/suggest on my options/plans.

Chris

[lopburi3]

A multi entry non immigrant O visa from an Honorary Consulate is your best option. Best for all conditions you outline.

It provides unlimited 90 day stay periods for any entry for one year

from date of issue.

[QED]

What Lopburi said. Apply (by post) to the Hull consulate, they don't need any evidence of your circumstances, you just sign a form to say you have enough funds to repatriate yourself if necessary.

This will allow you to stay up to 15 months, and you could apply for an extension based on your marriage after a year if you decide to stay. You could also apply for a work permit later with this visa. You will need to do border runs every 3 months but even so this would be the most suitable for all your scenarios

[chriswatson]

Thanks for that guys. I'll check it out, but I presume this means I can come and go out of Thailand as often as I wish during the year, but cannot remain in the Kingdom for longer than 90 days in a row?

Is this visa something I can apply for (to Hull) and expect to receive acceptance in a week or so, or something that requires a longer process? I'm planning to leave within a couple of months, you see.

[thaiphoon]

Yes, apply for multi-entry Non-O visa at Hull honarary consulate. You just need to send in application form, fee, photo and passport. You will get 90 day permission to stay on entering Thailand and, as said, will have to do border runs every 90 days. Do a border run just before your visa expires and you will get a further 90 days permission to stay, stretching your visa to 15 months in all. Hull turnaround visa applications pretty much the same day.

[thaiphoon]

Thanks for that guys. I'll check it out, but I presume this means I can come and go out of Thailand as often as I wish during the year, but cannot remain in the Kingdom for longer than 90 days in a row?

Is this visa something I can apply for (to Hull) and expect to receive acceptance in a week or so, or something that requires a longer process? I'm planning to leave within a couple of months, you see.

1) Yes

2) You will get back within a few days

Download application form http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/downloads/Ab%...tion%20Pack.doc

[chriswatson]

Thanks all,

Much less complicated than getting the wife into the UK (but then she doesn't have, and cannot anyway, nip over to Ireland or France every 90 days), but I guess you hear that all the time!

Cheers

[chriswatson]

One other thing, having perused other threads on this forum, would the visa route recommended require my having a return date on my flight ticket from the UK to Thailand?

As you have seen, I may wish to return within 5 months, but hope not to, and would obviously prefer an open ticket if it was acceptable for the airlines/authorities...

[wolf5370]

If you transfer 8K into a Thai Bank account in your name, you can extend your visa in Thailand without the need for the Visa runs. As said, Non-O Multiple Entry based on marriage and dual national kid (about 105 quid) - send them copiues of your marriage ceret and birth cert otherwise you may gert a "Can not wrk" stamp on yout Visa (I did, from Hull, the first time!) - you can't get a Work Permit on it then. Hull are very fast and efficient - you can email therm any Q's and they will answer honestly - DO NOT USE THE THAI EMBASSY IN LONDON!!!!

You also need to think about what you want to do when you are here, work-wise (and pls don't say open a bar/guest house/restaurant)

[thaiphoon]

you could apply for an extension based on your marriage after a year if you decide to stay.

You can apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage anytime during the last 30 days of your 90 day permission to stay assuming you meet the financial requirements - 400k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to application OR 40k monthly income (can be from abroad) if you decided to stay. You do not have to wait a year.

[thaiphoon]

One other thing, having perused other threads on this forum, would the visa route recommended require my having a return date on my flight ticket from the UK to Thailand?

As you have seen, I may wish to return within 5 months, but hope not to, and would obviously prefer an open ticket if it was acceptable for the airlines/authorities...

If you have a visa the airline will not care what type of ticket you have. Fly in on single ticket if you wanted to.

[wolf5370]

One other thing, having perused other threads on this forum, would the visa route recommended require my having a return date on my flight ticket from the UK to Thailand?

As you have seen, I may wish to return within 5 months, but hope not to, and would obviously prefer an open ticket if it was acceptable for the airlines/authorities...

I have never been asked to show a return flight ticket (I usually have a 1 yr open ticket as I tend to go visiting at Xmas anyway) - and Visa runds are usually land based, so a 1 day trip to Mae Sai from Chiang Mai (464 Baht return trip by VIP Bus - plus $10 on the Burma side) - Non-O's are no problem (no worried of back-to-back tourist issues etc), you will just get a 90 day stamp. Sorted.

[thaiphoon]

If you transfer 8K into a Thai Bank account in your name, you can extend your visa in Thailand without the need for the Visa runs.

If you are not doing visa runs then you are on extension of stay. The financial requirements for extension of stay based on marriage are 400k in thai bank for 2 months prior to application or 40k monthly income. Where does 8k come from??

Wolf: Have reread your post and realise you mean £8k (not THB 8k) which is THB 400k+ on conversion. Yes you can apply for extension of stay (is not a visa) subject to the seasoning period.

[chriswatson]

One other thing, having perused other threads on this forum, would the visa route recommended require my having a return date on my flight ticket from the UK to Thailand?

As you have seen, I may wish to return within 5 months, but hope not to, and would obviously prefer an open ticket if it was acceptable for the airlines/authorities...

If you have a visa the airline will not care what type of ticket you have. Fly in on single ticket if you wanted to.

Ok, sounds good.

[chriswatson]

you could apply for an extension based on your marriage after a year if you decide to stay.

You can apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage anytime during the last 30 days of your 90 day permission to stay assuming you meet the financial requirements - 400k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to application OR 40k monthly income (can be from abroad) if you decided to stay. You do not have to wait a year.

Am I right in thinking that a 40K monthly income has to be seen to having been paid monthly into a Thai bank account, whilst the 400K needs to be in a Thai bank account and can be withdrawn and put back again prior to the next visa extension (i.e. a year later)?

[wolf5370]

If you transfer 8K into a Thai Bank account in your name, you can extend your visa in Thailand without the need for the Visa runs.

If you are not doing visa runs then you are on extension of stay. The financial requirements for extension of stay based on marriage are 400k in thai bank for 2 months prior to application or 40k monthly income. Where does 8k come from??

Wolf: Have reread your post and realise you mean £8k (not THB 8k) which is THB 400k+ on conversion. Yes you can apply for extension of stay (is not a visa) subject to the seasoning period.

Yeah, no pound sign on my Thai keyboard - should have qualified it though, Ooops!

[thaiphoon]

Am I right in thinking that a 40K monthly income has to be seen to having been paid monthly into a Thai bank account, whilst the 400K needs to be in a Thai bank account and can be withdrawn and put back again prior to the next visa extension (i.e. a year later)?

No, you will have to provide documentation demonstrating your income to the British Embassy in Bangkok. Subject to satisfaction they will issue you with an income letter that can be used to support your extension of stay application to thai immigration. The money does not have to come into Thailand under the income option.

Yes to your comments on 400k, but it will need to be in the account in your name for 2 or 3 months prior to renewal of your application to stay (it is not a visa). Different immigration offices interpret the rules differently!

[thaiphoon]

Yeah, no pound sign on my Thai keyboard - should have qualified it though, Ooops!

No problem mate; we're on the same page

[wolf5370]

you could apply for an extension based on your marriage after a year if you decide to stay.

You can apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage anytime during the last 30 days of your 90 day permission to stay assuming you meet the financial requirements - 400k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to application OR 40k monthly income (can be from abroad) if you decided to stay. You do not have to wait a year.

Am I right in thinking that a 40K monthly income has to be seen to having been paid monthly into a Thai bank account, whilst the 400K needs to be in a Thai bank account and can be withdrawn and put back again prior to the next visa extension (i.e. a year later)?

My understanding is that the 400k Baht (8k sterling) has to be in YOUR name in a Thai account (no longer joint account) - I believe joint earnings are also no longer accepted, but must be yours. Earnings do not have to be paid into Thailand, but your Embassy (UK Embassy in BKK) will have to provide a letter of proof of earnings (the UK requires bank statements and wage slips I believe).

[chriswatson]

you could apply for an extension based on your marriage after a year if you decide to stay.

You can apply for 12 month extension of stay based on marriage anytime during the last 30 days of your 90 day permission to stay assuming you meet the financial requirements - 400k in Thai bank for 2 months prior to application OR 40k monthly income (can be from abroad) if you decided to stay. You do not have to wait a year.

Am I right in thinking that a 40K monthly income has to be seen to having been paid monthly into a Thai bank account, whilst the 400K needs to be in a Thai bank account and can be withdrawn and put back again prior to the next visa extension (i.e. a year later)?

My understanding is that the 400k Baht (8k sterling) has to be in YOUR name in a Thai account (no longer joint account) - I believe joint earnings are also no longer accepted, but must be yours. Earnings do not have to be paid into Thailand, but your Embassy (UK Embassy in BKK) will have to provide a letter of proof of earnings (the UK requires bank statements and wage slips I believe).

No problems with the 400K being in my name only and in a Thai bank account (already have one), and joint earnings from the Uk would not be applicable either, as it would only be my income. However, as I'll not be employed, it would have to be income from letting property or interest payments. Would this count, or does it have to be employment income?

[thaiphoon]

No problems with the 400K being in my name only and in a Thai bank account (already have one), and joint earnings from the Uk would not be applicable either, as it would only be my income. However, as I'll not be employed, it would have to be income from letting property or interest payments. Would this count, or does it have to be employment income?

No problem

This from the Police Order that deals with extensions.

2.18 In the case of a family member of a Thai(applicable only to parents, spouse, child, adopted child or child of his/her spouse):

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

[chriswatson]

Great! Thanks again!