Non-immigrant "o" Visa

[limchbobby]

Greetings All

Need some clarification on a couple of questions with regard to Non-immigrant "O" visa with multi-entry. Hope some members here would help.

I am a Singaporean aged 49 plus married to a Thai for the last 13 years. Recently given the golden handshake and so intend to seek residence in Chiangmai, Thailand. Understand from Thai Embassy in Singapore that I would be issued with a Non-immigrant "O" Visa with multi entry valid for one year but my stay each time must not exceed 90 days. I must either leave the country or do the Visa run to get a further 90 days stay. Is this correct or is there any other visa (on account of my marriage to a Thai) that entitles me a longer stay in Thailand. Also was told that the visa on expiry after one year could be further extended at the local Immigration office provided I could show proof that I have THB 400,000 sitting in my bank account in Thailand. Is this correct and if so how much does it cost for the annual extension? And to apply of permanent residence status. I need to continuously stay in Thailand for a period of 3 years and it would cost me a arm and a leg (almost THB 200,000) Is this right? Please advise.

Many thanks

[lopburi3]

You do not need to spend a year doing visa runs. You can apply for "support Thai wife" extension of stay during the last 30 days of any non immigrant visa entry if you have the cash in the bank and/or proof of income (400k/40k) which in your case must be from outside Thailand. If you do not apply for extension of stay then you will have to do visa runs every 90 days. Cost of extension is 1,900 baht plus 200 baht for bank letter and 1,000 baht for re entry permit (each) if you plan travel outside of Thailand.

After you turn 50 you also have the option for "long stay" using 800k in bank and/or 65k retirement which would not be tied to marriage and is granted in one visit to immigration each year.

PR would only cost about 100k with a Thai wife but in most cases employment history/tax history as well as language ability are factors in granting this - some advise to use five years continuous stay as being more realistic for PR. But it is very much up to the person and current conditions.