My American wife works at an NGO in Mae Sot and has a Non-B. Her American husband (me) is under 50, doesn't work, but wants to stay with her in Thailand.

I think I can apply for a dependent visa, Non-O. Is this correct?

I have copies of all of her paperwork, a letter from her employer about me, and our wedding documents in Thai & English.

Where would be the best place to apply for the visa; Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, or Hong Kong? Someone suggested I just get a tourist visa in one of these places and switch it to a non-o in Bangkok... Is this possible???

One last question, does my wife have to be there???

Thanks as always for all of your wisdom, you've kept me in country, happily, for 3 years now.

You could probably obtain an 'O' visa and then an extension based upon Police Order 777/2551 Section 2.20 In the case of a family member of an alien who has been permitted temporary stay under clauses (list of Sections). The bugaboo is that you do not mention your wife's Work Permit status.

The bugaboo is that you do not mention your wife's Work Permit status.

She has her work permit and it was just renewed for 2010.

For you to obtain dependant's extension of stay under section 2.20, your wife's own permission to stay would have to be based on extension of stay issued by Thai immigration (which you would piggy back), rather than Non-B visa entry (requiring border runs every 90 days). What is the basis of her permission to stay?

For you to obtain dependant's extension of stay under section 2.20, your wife's own permission to stay would have to be based on extension of stay issued by Thai immigration (which you would piggy back), rather than Non-B visa entry (requiring border runs every 90 days). What is the basis of her permission to stay?

Her permission to stay is based on an extension issued by Thai immigration.

My main question is where would be the best place to apply for this non-o?

I'll be in Cambodia, Vietnam, and possibly Hong Kong this month. Are any of these places suitable options? And should I apply for the non-o or just a TR and switch it to a non-o in Bangkok? which is easier or more likely to be successful?

Try Vietnam and try the non-O first. If you can't get it, than take the tourist visa and convert in Bangkok. But you might first try Hong Kong if they deny in Vietnam.

Strongly advise getting a single entry non immigrant O visa and you will need copy of wife passport/visa/extension of stay for that. Any Consulate should be willing to issue.

Thanks Mario. Thanks Lopburi. I'll try for the Non-o straight away. I'm heading to Cambodia first, should I attempt the consulate in PP? Does my wife need to be there? (she's leaving the Kingdom for work and won't be available.)

Just have copy of her passport with extension of stay to show them.