Visa Regulations And Where To Find Information. ?

[North]

Hi everyone,

I am considering to live in Thailand with my thai wife, but I find the visa issue rather confusing. There are so many pages about visa, I could easily spend weeks or months reading them all.

I am danish, 51 years old, married to a thai citizen. I don´t want retirement visa, I think Non-immigrant visa type O would be best for me.

Can anyone give me a link to a webpage ( or give me answers) about some of these questions:

Overview of requirements for having Non-immigrant visa type O (married to a thai citizen)

Who is the supporter in that case,, me or my wife ?

(I can have 400 k baht in the bank, when applying for that visa.)

Do I need to present a health certificate when applying ? About what ?

What are the annual costs of having that type of visa.

For my first year living in Thailand I can have a one year Non-imm. type O multiple entry from a consulate here in Denmark. Will cost me about 5.700 baht though, maybe there are cheaper alternatives in Thailand ?

I am sure I have more questions, they probably pop up , when I post this.

North

[Crossy]

Ok, I'm not Danish, but the rules will be much the same as the UK

I agree, a non-o (multi-entry) will be perfect as you will be able to get a work permit should you so desire.

To get your visa you just need you marriage cert and a copy of your wife's passport. The application form will tell you exactly what photo's etc you need.

You don't need anything in a Thai bank for the visa although it can do no harm to demonstrate savings / income when you apply.

No health cert for a non-o

Once here (and after doing visa runs every 90 days for a year or so) you can get a 1 year extension from local immigration (this is where you need the 400k). Repeat as required.

The only constraints on the extension are the requirement to report your address every 90 days, and you need a re-entry permit should you need to leave the country.

Any further questions, here is the place to ask.

DC

Edited May 21, 2005 by Crossy

[thaiflyer1]

I agree, a non-o (multi-entry) will be perfect as you will be able to get a work permit should you so desire.

A single entry non imm would be an option also......you would recieve 90 days stay upon arrival which you could extend by 1 year within the last 30 days of the 90 day stay..............upside is no 90 day "border" runs..........downside you will need to bring the 400k baht in sooner rather than later.

Edited May 21, 2005 by thaiflyer1

[lopburi3]

The visa requires a valid marriage certificate and copy of wife id card or passport at most consulates. If obtained in the multi entry version it can cover up to about a 15 month stay with each entry for 90 days. Cost is initial visa and visa runs each 90 day period.

Extension of stay requires 400k in bank account that came from outside Thailand and/or income certified by your embassy to that amount per year or combination. Be aware you may be asked to provide some details of income source even if money is in the bank.

You could just obtain a single entry O visa and transfer money/extend after you are hear 60 days and the cost of extension is 1,900 baht each year. If you travel outside of Thailand you have to add re entry permit at 1,000 baht each trip or 3,800 for a full year.

Below is the official extension of stay paperwork requirement from immigration:

Required Documents

Immigration Form 7

Copy of passport

A 4 cm. X 6 cm. Photograph

A 1,900 baht application fee

Marriage Certificate

Birth Certificate (if any)

Financial evidence showing financial status of the husband

Bank account pass-book, personal bank statement of the account owner.

Evidence indicating income along with related documents. If receiving pension, a document of pension payment certified by the embassy or consulate of the country that pays pension is needed.

In case of working in Thailand, Work permit and evidence of tax payment are required.

Documents indicating Thai nationality or permanent residence of the wife such as identification card (ID), census registration address / residence identification, or passport (in case that the wife is a permanent resident)

A record of interviewing the applicant and his wife.

Evidence certified by the applicant's embassy or consulate showing the applicant's marital status.

The officials reserve the rights to examine or ask for additional documents from the applicant if necessary.

[thaiflyer1]

Who is the supporter in that case,, me or my wife ?

You are supporting your wife.

[North]

Thank you so far for your answers.

Thaiflyer1, I think it would be a good idea about the single entry non imm to avoid the border runs. Bringing in the money is no problem for me.

Lopburi3: I won´t have any income, just the money in the bank. Won´t that be enough ? (Of course I would like to have some work if possible, but I can live without salary if necessary)

And the visa and the re-entry permit, is this two different things or in the same "paper" I mean, if I don´t need to leave the country I just have the visa. If suddenly I have to leave can I just apply for the re-entry permit later, when I need it ?

North

[lopburi3]

They are probably going to ask your yearly income for forms and if you are supporting a wife do not believe zero is going to be very impressive; but this is Thailand and could be wrong.

Yes the extension of stay and re entry permits are separate stamps and if you do not travel there is no need for the re entry permits. The visa is what you get overseas that allows you into the country once or for multi entries and the multi type would not require re entry permit.

[North]

They are probably going to ask your yearly income for forms and if you are supporting a wife do not believe zero is going to be very impressive; but this is Thailand and could be wrong. 

Yes the extension of stay and re entry permits are separate stamps and if you do not travel there is no need for the re entry permits.  The visa is what you get overseas that allows you into the country once or for multi entries and the multi type would not require re entry permit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, Which means, instead of transferring all my funds to Thailand when settling here it would be better to arrange annual money transfers from abroad ?

And one other thing: I hear, that when I move to Thailand I can have all my belongings, furniture etc. sent to Thailand without paying tax or custom duties, is that right ?

North

[lopburi3]

Yes; spread out the transfers and they become the yearly income immigration would be interested is seeing.

Shipment can only arrive after you have an extension of stay stamp in your passport to be duty free and what can be imported is limited (one of each type thing for the most part). But if your wife is with you now perhaps she can import easier. I did not bother to send anything and believe a good number of people take that (easy) route.

[North]

Shipment can only arrive after you have an extension of stay stamp in your passport to be duty free and what can be imported is limited (one of each type thing for the most part).  But if your wife is with you now perhaps she can import easier.  I did not bother to send anything and believe a good number of people take that (easy) route.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My wife is in Thailand, so only I can make the import.

Any idea where to find more exact information on that issue ?

I have two tv-sets, and maybe I can only bring one. But I have many plates and things like that in quite a big number.

I have heard from another dane, that a transport from Denmark to Thailand will cost about 130.000 baht for a 20 feet container from door to door. I think buying new things can easily cost me more, good quality is expensive everywhere.

North

[lopburi3]

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/House...nuNme=HouseHold

[North]

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/House...nuNme=HouseHold

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good link, Thanks

But how about the note here, I don´t quite understand that:

Requirements for Changing of Residence

Nonresidents: Nonresidents may import the used/secondhand household effects acquired abroad tax and duty free if such household effects accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the requirements listed below:

1:

Nonresidents resuming residents in Thailand must be granted a non-immigrant quota as shown in a passport or a Nonresident Identification Card; or

2:

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

3:

Nonresidents entering Thailand as an expert, specialist, or under a contract of government agencies are required to present the letter from relevant agencies certifying that such nonresidents are granted a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department and shall work in Thailand not less than one year.

Accompanying spouses of the nonresidents in (2) and (3) will be regarded as resuming residence in Thailand provided the spouses have non-immigrant visas issued by the Immigration Department to stay in Thailand for the first 90 days.

Note: Nonresidents entering into the Kingdom with a non-immigrant visa "code O" who wish to retire in Thailand or accompany spouses of Thai residents are not qualified for (1)

North

[lopburi3]

As I said earlier the visa does not allow duty free import. You must have an extension of stay (one year stay) stamp first.

[North]

As I said earlier the visa does not allow duty free import.  You must have an extension of stay (one year stay) stamp first.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, got it now.

North

[North]

About duty free import, does anyone know, how the rules are carried out, how rigoriously they will treat the import of personal belongings ?

And if some items are subject to regular taxes and duties, how big are the tax rates ??

North

[rcjoop]

As I said earlier the visa does not allow duty free import.  You must have an extension of stay (one year stay) stamp first.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

perhaps some caution is needed as I can not find any reference to the rule as stated by Lopburi and what worries me more is that not a single person has come forward on this forum that has actually gone this route.

I asked a couple of larger shipping firms in Chiang Mai (Schenker, TK-shipping and 1 or 2 others) and they all responded identical: Thai wife or workpermit.

Customs in Chiang Mai gave the same answer.

On the other hand customs in Phuket has definately the same opinion as Lop, so I guess you will know when you get there and will be determined by the customs in de deep-sea port where your stuff arrives. (Bangkok/Laem Chabang)

The amount depends on the type of items, max is 30% and you pay 7% VAT all on CIF value (Cost, insurance, freight), cloths and shoes are free.

I will move later this year and will restrict my household goods to the stuf I want anyway even if it is not worth it purely economical.

Please let us know how you tackle this in the end.

Joop

[Steve2UK]

About duty free import, does anyone know, how the rules are carried out, how rigoriously  they will treat the import of personal belongings ?

And if some items are subject to regular taxes and duties, how big are the tax rates ??

North 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

North - I think it may be worthwhile to re-post the customs part of your question as a new topic (to attract more attention). I'm also interested in the actual experiences of forum members - I'm planning to do the same as you later this year.

[thaiflyer1]

I asked a couple of larger shipping firms in Chiang Mai (Schenker, TK-shipping and 1 or 2 others) and they all responded identical: Thai wife or workpermit.

Customs in Chiang Mai gave the same answer.

The OP has a Thai wife.

[rcjoop]

I asked a couple of larger shipping firms in Chiang Mai (Schenker, TK-shipping and 1 or 2 others) and they all responded identical: Thai wife or workpermit.

Customs in Chiang Mai gave the same answer.

The OP has a Thai wife.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, true, but the Thai wife lives in Thailand, so that does not help much for importing household goods

[North]

North - I think it may be worthwhile to re-post the customs part of your question as a new topic (to attract more attention). I'm also interested in the actual experiences of forum members - I'm planning to do the same as you later this year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Steve, maybe you are right. Would be interesting to hear other´s experiences about this.

Someone I know in Thailand did actually import his belongings when moving to Thailand. I will try to get more information from him.

And Thanks to everyone contributing so far. More comments and information is appreciated.

North

[dr_Pat_Pong]

an O-A or a one year extended O or B are the usual prerequisites for tax free entrance for limited quantities of personal goods.

[North]

an O-A or a one year extended O or B are the usual prerequisites for tax free entrance for limited quantities of personal goods.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doc, when you say a one year extended O does that mean, that one has to stay here on a non imm O 1 year, and first after getting an extention one can bring in the personal goods ?

On the Thai Customs website they say:

" It is important that the used/secondhand household effects must be imported not earlier than one month before or not later than six months after the arrival of the importers. Under exceptional circumstances, Customs may extend the time limits for the importers. "

????

North

Edited May 26, 2005 by North

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You can get the extension soon after arrival. Then you'll be right.

[phdesbordes]

dr_Pat_Pong @ 2005-05-22 11:13:17)

an O-A or a one year extended O or B are the usual prerequisites for tax free entrance for limited quantities of personal goods.

I am sorry but this seems not so evident to me.

I cannot see that confirmed anywhere by official source, at least for the OA visa.

The custom website do not mention it nor any other sources.

I am coming in three weeks as a new expat in Phuket, and cannot have any confirmation that my OA one year long stay retirement visa allows the import custom clearance in duty and tax free.

More, all the transporters says exacltly the contrary. They only knows of duty free for non immignat visa with both a work permit and a one year stay.

I only can read that on forum personal comments and this not a reference for the Thai custom.

I would be delighted if anybody could share a positive experience on this duty free for OA One year retirement stay and give us any written reference to show to the custom officer during the clearance process in order to discourage any discussion.

And or if anybody could help in my clearance procees at the Phuket international Airport custom.

Thanks in advance

Philippe

[Steve2UK]

dr_Pat_Pong @ 2005-05-22 11:13:17)

an O-A or a one year extended O or B are the usual prerequisites for tax free entrance for limited quantities of personal goods.

I am sorry but this seems not so evident to me.

I cannot see that confirmed anywhere by official source, at least for the OA visa.

The custom website do not mention it nor any other sources.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Philippe - the message to which you are replying is from May (3 months ago). Sorry to say it, but what Dr Pat Pong wrote then is not true now.

[phdesbordes]

Unfortunately

Thank you steve

Philippe

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Customs changed the rules.