I am married to a Thai, have a seven year old son, a house and farmland in Thailand.

I work abroard in the oil industry and spend a lot time away from Thailand.

My question is, how can I apply for a residence visa. I have a non imigrant O visa at present, and have heard that if I have this visa for six years, I can then apply for residency.

Anyone know if this is true, or if there is another way to get a residents visa other than on retirement?

First question:

Have you had yearly visa extensions the last thres years with no interruption and reentry permit every time?

Then you qualify for resident permid based on marraige with Thai national.

Fester,

In answer, this year will be the first year that I go back home with a non imigrant O visa. Up till now I have usually gone back on a tourist visa as I have never been back for more than a couple of weeks at a time.

So I take it that I will need to get the extensions on the original visa, and that I will need to get exit permits every time that I leave. Then after three years I should be able to apply for residency.

Is this correct?

Regards,

mjcl

Correct.

Fester,

Thanks for the confirmation, tis' what I shall do then!

Regards,

mjcl

Stick to a yearly retirment, support visa, residence permits have several pitfalls - any decent lawyer will explain.

esbkk, please tell us about known pitfalls!

Stick to a yearly retirment, support visa, residence permits have several pitfalls - any decent lawyer will explain.

Yes, please tell about these pitfalls as I am not going to be retiring for several more years yet. Also what is a 'support visa'?

Support means support for a wife/husband and family if any