Plan For Extended Stay

[bklyn2bkk]

First time posting but have spent the last few months scouring these forums getting a handle on the ins-and-outs of moving to/living in Thailand. I'm hoping to get some feedback on my plan.

In the next couple of months, my partner (Thai) and I (American) will be moving to Bangkok from the US for a minimum of two years because of visa requirements. My plan is to enter Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa then extend it for another 30 days, giving me 90 days to settle into our new life (i.e. find an apt, open a bank acct, get a driver's license, and take it all in!). In that time, I want to check out some of the Thai language schools and find the one that I am most comfortable with. My plan is to then apply for an ED-visa through a language school to secure my stay in Thailand for the next couple of years.

The ED-visa is not just a means to stay in Thailand for the extended period, since I am excited to learn Thai and see it as a necessity to transitioning to my new home and further embracing my partner's culture. But without many other options, the ED-visa is the only route I see for my ability to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time.

Here are my questions/concerns:

1. Does this sound like a good visa "plan" for my situation? What are the difficulties with extending the tourist visa? Any experience with problems getting an ED-visa while in Thailand on a Tourist visa?
2. I understand that I need a return ticket when applying for the 60 day tourist visa, ideally within the 60 day window after entry. What happens when applying for the 30 day extension? Will I need to provide proof of a scheduled departure within 30 days of extension?
3. Will I have any problems with things like bank accounts, driver's license, etc. if I only have a tourist visa? Do I have to wait until I have an ED-visa to take care of these kinds of necessities?

Any and all suggestions/feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Mario2008]

It is a good plan, many others did like wise.

There is no problem getting a 30 day extension of a tourist visa. For the Ed-visa you apply in a neighbouring country with documents form your school.

Normally no need to have a return ticket, only a few consulates ask for that. Check with the consulate you will be applying. For the extension no need to show a ticket out of the country.

You can just open up a bank account, but might need to visit several banks first.(soem are more difficult than others). Believe a drivers license requires the ED-visa.

[Jdietz]

Here are my questions/concerns:

• Does this sound like a good visa "plan" for my situation? What are the difficulties with extending the tourist visa? Any experience with problems getting an ED-visa while in Thailand on a Tourist visa?

Sounds good, but you may want to get a 'double entry' Tourist Visa instead of a single entry. This will give you the opportunity to extend the 'trial period' to 6 months instead of 3 (with a visa-run in between) if you need / want. Extra cost of a double entry is inconsequential.

• I understand that I need a return ticket when applying for the 60 day tourist visa, ideally within the 60 day window after entry. What happens when applying for the 30 day extension? Will I need to provide proof of a scheduled departure within 30 days of extension.

If you have a visa of any kind, you don't need a return ticket. Same for extending. Nothing needed except Passport photo, 1,900 Baht and a filled out request form. Some locations also want you to show you have 20,000 Baht to support you.

• Will I have any problems with things like bank accounts, driver's license, etc. if I only have a tourist visa? Do I have to wait until I have an ED-visa to take care of these kinds of necessities?

Maybe, maybe not Some banks require lots of forms, others are fine with your passport only. Shop around. For a drivers licence they will want to see a Proof of Residence which you can get at your embassy or at immigration, but one or the other may have extra requirements you can't meet on a Tr visa. (Again, shop around).

Good luck!

[moe666]

Try kbank all they wanted was a Bangkok address but could not be a hotel. I had a non-o visa at the time. I also opened a brokerage account only needed the address and no proof.

[ozzieovaseas]

Just one thing to add if you havent already been doing it...While you are staying in Thailand, (or even in the U.S with your girlfriend for that matter) it might pay to collect evidence of your being together as a couple.That might include reciepts for hotel stays, written rental agreements, travel reciepts for transportation, trips, pictures ect..anything official that contains both your names.

I was advisded to do this at one stage and was told it might come in handy for future visa situations where you are needing to proove a defacto status in your relationship. You never know what will happen.

Must admit it did'nt help me much though, as long term relationships between me and Thai females are a bit like Haleys comet

[Mario2008]

Just one thing to add if you havent already been doing it...While you are staying in Thailand, (or even in the U.S with your girlfriend for that matter) it might pay to collect evidence of your being together as a couple.That might include reciepts for hotel stays, written rental agreements, travel reciepts for transportation, trips, pictures ect..anything official that contains both your names.

I was advisded to do this at one stage and was told it might come in handy for future visa situations where you are needing to proove a defacto status in your relationship. You never know what will happen.

Must admit it did'nt help me much though, as long term relationships between me and Thai females are a bit like Haleys comet

Thai immigration only accepts a legal marriage, a defacto relationship is not a consideration.

[bklyn2bkk]

Here are my questions/concerns:

• Does this sound like a good visa "plan" for my situation? What are the difficulties with extending the tourist visa? Any experience with problems getting an ED-visa while in Thailand on a Tourist visa?

Sounds good, but you may want to get a 'double entry' Tourist Visa instead of a single entry. This will give you the opportunity to extend the 'trial period' to 6 months instead of 3 (with a visa-run in between) if you need / want. Extra cost of a double entry is inconsequential.

Thanks for the recommendation of the double entry tourist visa. I hadn't considered that previously, but something to think about.