Basic Question About Visas And Work Permits

[Danielb137]

Hello,

I will be traveling to Thailand this May. It will be my sixth visit to Thailand and I am intending this time to stay for a long time. I do not have a work permit or visa at this time, which I know is an issue, but not sure to what extent.

In my previous five visits to Thailand, I had no problem entering the country and staying for the duration of my visit, which never lasted more than three weeks. In each case, I had a return ticket to the US, where I live.

In the case of my upcoming visit in May 2011, I currently have a one-way ticket.

In my previous visits, I do not recall showing my return tickets. But I have read (somewhere, can't remember where) something to the effect that I will not be allowed clearance through Thai customs if I do not have a return ticket or at least a visa. I never recall having to produce a return ticket when going through customs before, but perhaps they had this information somehow.

Can anyone who's "in the know" give me some information on this? I certainly don't want to be denied access into Thailand once I arrive at the airport. That would be very difficult.

I am married to a Thai citizen and will be traveling with her and our three-year-old daughter. Also wondering about visa/visit requirements for our daughter.

I just want to keep my situation legal and sustainable.

Thanks for your input!

Dan

[PoorSucker]

Hi Dan.

Get a tourist visa at a consulate.

Without a visa or return ticket within 30 days the airline might refuse to board you.

Does you daughter have a Thai passport?

If not, then get one and she will have no problems.

[Danielb137]

Get a tourist visa at a consulate.

Hello PS. Thanks for your response.

If I enter Thailand on a tourist visa, would I be violating the terms of my visa if I look for work/apply to companies while I'm there?

Without a visa or return ticket within 30 days the airline might refuse to board you.

Interesting. I never thought of that. Thank you!

Does you daughter have a Thai passport? If not, then get one and she will have no problems.

In fact, my wife is now taking steps to get our daughter a Thai passport. (So much going on - that had slipped my mind.) My wife is a Thai citizen, and actually had to renew her own passport as it has expired since her last visit to Thailand.

Thanks again.

Dan

[lopburi3]

You need to register birth with Thai Embassy to obtain certificate and then apply for a passport in her name. It is almost impossible to do once in Thailand so do it before travel.

You should obtain at least a single entry non immigrant O visa based on marriage but if expect not to be employed for awhile and unable to meet 400k baht in bank 2 months or 40k per month income extension of stay requirements it would be best to obtain a one year multi entry non immigrant O visa.

You are likely to be denied boarding by airline if flying without a visa or onward ticket.

[PoorSucker]

If I enter Thailand on a tourist visa, would I be violating the terms of my visa if I look for work/apply to companies while I'm there?

No, you can apply for a WP on a tourist visa.

Then you must convert to a non-O based on marriage or non-B for business.

As Lopburi3 said it's a good idea to get a non-O based on marriage at home if you intend to work.

[Danielb137]

Thank you both for your informative replies. I really appreciate it!

Would either of you have a link to additional information or resources pertaining to the non-O visa based on marriage? I'd like to research requirements and application process.

Thanks again.

Dan

[Lite Beer]

Much depends on which Consulate you apply at. They all have different rules.

The Consulate in Portland has a friendly reputation. Give them a ring.

http://www.thai-or.com/

[Danielb137]

Lite Beer, thanks for the link. Since I live in Portland, that's a great resource. Thanks to you, I've already corresponded with the Thai Consulate here in Portland and am so much further ahead in my understanding on all this. The Consulate representative has been very helpful and has answered all my questions. We are going to apply for one-year, multiple entry non-immigrant O category visas for both myself and my daughter.

So here's my question to folks who have done this in Thailand. Since the one-year multiple entry visa requires that we depart from Thailand and re-enter every 90 days in order to keep the visa current, what do you suggest is the best way to do this? I have a brother-in-law who lives in NE Thailand, so my first inclination was to go into Laos and come back into Thailand. But then I wondered if Laotian customs will allow this. Do you see any potential obstacles to this, and if so, is there a better option, or a solution that you know of?

Thanks again for everyone's input. So far I've learned so much just by asking you folks.

Dan

[Lite Beer]

Enter Laos and return is no problem. You only need to spend a few minutes there unless you want to look around. They also have great beer

You need a Visa to enter Laos. 1,500 Baht and can be obtained at the border.

The Non Imm O Visa can be stretched to 15 months by do a border run just before it expires.