Moving To Thailand Visa Help

[MichaelJohn]

I am a 48 years old UK citizen. I have been married to a Thai for 10 years during which time we have lived in England. We are now moving to Thailand and have some visa questions and would be grateful for some help from people who've already been through this!

If I can check my understanding from reading various websites, blogs etc;

- I will need to apply in the UK for a Non-immigrant O Visa, on the basis of married to a Thai?

- As I have a Thai wife this would be a 12 month visa rather than the usual 90 days?

- If I apply for a Multiple Entry Visa would I still require a re-entry permit (TM8) to leave and re-enter during this 12 month period?

- Would I have to report every 90 days using form TM47?

- As I am legally supporting a Thai national I can apply to upgrade my Visa to an O-A visa (or wait until I'm 50 and do it then). This will allow me to renew my Visa every 12 months in Thailand without having to leave the country? (I could apply for an O-A Visa in the UK but I understand it's more difficult and I have a Police Caution which I gather doesn't help when applying in the UK).

- I will need either B800,000 in a Thai bank or an income of B40,000 per month to apply for an O-A visa?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can put me right!

Michael

[Lite Beer]

You can apply for a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa.

This would give you up to 15 months stay bu twould need a border run every 90 days.

A Single Non O Visa would give 90 days.

This can be extended for 12 months in Thailand if you have 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or 40,000 Baht monthly income.

Police reports are not needed.

[thaiphoon]

If you apply for extension of stay based on marriage to Thai you will need to do 90 day reporting only if you are in the country for more than 90 days at a time. If planning to travel abroad during the period of the extension you would need to obtain a re-entry permit from immigration before leaving the country to keep your permission to stay alive. 1,000 baht single entry, 3,800 baht multiple entry.

With multiple entry Non-O visa, 90 day reporting does not apply as you should not be in the country for more than 90 days at a time.

[lopburi3]

Your understanding is completely wrong.

1. You can apply for a multi entry non immigrant O visa which allows 90 day stays for up to one year. Or if you plan to extend on basis of 400k in Thai bank for 2 months or 40k monthly income you can apply for a single entry non immigrant O visa. Both can be extended on a yearly basis if you meet the requirements. Under age 50 this will be for spouse.

2. You never need a re-entry permit for multi entry visas - only when you extend your stay are they required

3. You can never upgrade a visa. The non immigrant OA visa is only issued for retirement to those presenting police and medical paperwork as well as 800k or 65k proof in home country. It is never issued in Thailand.

4. After age 50 you may extend for retirement if you wish but will have to meet the 800k/65k requirement. Or you may continue to use spouse extensions of stay at the lower 400k/40k level.

[MichaelJohn]

Your understanding is completely wrong.

1. You can apply for a multi entry non immigrant O visa which allows 90 day stays for up to one year. Or if you plan to extend on basis of 400k in Thai bank for 2 months or 40k monthly income you can apply for a single entry non immigrant O visa. Both can be extended on a yearly basis if you meet the requirements. Under age 50 this will be for spouse.

2. You never need a re-entry permit for multi entry visas - only when you extend your stay are they required

3. You can never upgrade a visa. The non immigrant OA visa is only issued for retirement to those presenting police and medical paperwork as well as 800k or 65k proof in home country. It is never issued in Thailand.

4. After age 50 you may extend for retirement if you wish but will have to meet the 800k/65k requirement. Or you may continue to use spouse extensions of stay at the lower 400k/40k level.

Many thanks for your clarification. If I understand correctly, I can apply for non-immigrant O in the UK and then extend in Thailand for 12 months (It will still be a Non-Immigrant O Visa. The O-A name only refers to UK applications?).

I will be able to repeat this extension (hopefully), every year.

Is there any benefit to a retirement extension vs a spouse extension?

[lopburi3]

It will be an extension of stay - not a visa - your original stay will have been a non immigrant O entry.

As long as you meet the conditions you can repeat every year. TM.7 extension of stay costs 1,900 baht.

Retirement requires higher funds level but can be done without wife and minimal paperwork required. Also granted immediately rather than waiting 30 days.