Unmarried Spouse/defacto Relationship

[Catbert]

I've heard (3rd hand information ) that Thai immigration recognises defacto relationships to grant dependant passes provided you can prove that you are together for at least a year.

Anyone know anything about this?

Our situation: I'm Singaporean Expat in my 4th year in Bangkok, my mate is Canadian and have relocated to join me here. We've been hopping out of country for vacations and supplemented by visa runs for about 7 months now. He can't seem to get a job in Bangkok due to having no degree; apparently Thai's gauge people by their own absymal educational standard to apply a minimum of a degree to hold any jobs

Is there any way at all for him to stay in Thailand ??

[samran]

As with most 3rd hand info, it is wrong. Thailand does not recognise defacto relationships. The UK and Australia do however for immigration purposes

You basically need to be married, or he should get a non-immigrant visa at a friendly embassy which will allow him to stay 3 months at a time. Getting a work permit without a recognised degree can be diffucult, as Thailand (like most countries) protects its domestic labour market against unskilled foreigners.

[Catbert]

Thanks Samran. Do you know if there are any friendly embassy in this region?

[thaiflyer1]

Best Consulate in the immediate area would be in Penang Malaysia...........even there i doubt he will get a Non Immigrant O visa......best he can hope for is a double (or possibly a triple) entry tourist visa this would give him an initial stay of 60 days which is extendable by 30 days (fee 1900 baht) within Thailand then its a trip over the nearest border and back in to activate the second entry and a fresh 60 days stay.......etc.

[BkkPundit]

I've heard (3rd hand information  ) that Thai immigration recognises defacto relationships to grant dependant passes provided you can prove that you are together for at least a year.

Anyone know anything about this?

Our situation: I'm Singaporean Expat in my 4th year in Bangkok, my mate is Canadian and have relocated to join me here.  We've been hopping out of country for vacations and supplemented by visa runs for about 7 months now.  He can't seem to get a job in Bangkok due to having no degree; apparently Thai's gauge people by their own absymal educational standard to apply a minimum of a degree to hold any jobs 

Is there any way at all for him to stay in Thailand ??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Samran is correct in saying that Thailand doesn't officially recognise de facto relationships for immigration pruposes.

However, in certain cases it is possible to obtain an extension to a non-immigrant "O" class visa at Suan Pluu even in a de facto relationship. I know of 2 couples who were able to do so successfully. In both cases, the couples had already been in a long-term relationship (10+ years) and had extensive documentation proving they were in a long-term relationship, owned property together, had a letter from their lawyer in their home country stating they were in a marriage-like relationship, signed a statutory declaration at the Embassy etc.

One of them engaged a local lawyer (didn't know who though) and after a lot of effort they were able to obtain an extension to the non-immigrant visa.

I have also met other couples who provided similiar documentation, but despite their best efforts were not able to obtain an extension. So for some people it is possible, but it seems to be a hit-and-miss.

[samran]

However, in certain cases it is possible to obtain an extension to a non-immigrant "O" class visa at Suan Pluu even in a de facto relationship. I know of 2 couples who were able to do so successfully. In both cases, the couples had already been in a long-term relationship (10+ years) and had extensive documentation proving they were in a long-term relationship, owned property together, had a letter from their lawyer in their home country stating they were in a marriage-like relationship, signed a statutory declaration at the Embassy etc. 

One of them engaged a local lawyer (didn't know who though) and after a lot of effort they were able to obtain an extension to the non-immigrant visa.

I have also met other couples who provided similiar documentation, but despite their best efforts were not able to obtain an extension. So for some people it is possible, but it seems to be a hit-and-miss.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, as they say, TIT and anything can happen, but I wouldn’t rely on it in this particular case (although always worth giving it a try!!).

I know an Australian lawyer, working for one of BKK’s most well connected law firms who couldn’t get his (then) fiancé to stay with him on a full time basis. They were in the same position as the OP. They eventually went back to OZ to get married and only then could she stay in Thailand as his partner.