Moving To Phuket- Visa Questions

[Gweilo2Farang]

Hello,

My family and I are planning on moving from HK to Phuket next year. We are all Canadian. I will be leaving Thailand at least once a month for work so I dont think I need anything but a tourist visa. But are those unlimited back to back as long as I don't stay over the required (90?) days?

My wife and three kids will need another arrangement however. My oldest will be going to a private primary school in Phuket, my middle child will be starting pre-school and my youngest is just an infant. My wife doesn't work (well actually she works a lot harder that me

So I am hoping we can get my wife a longer term visa because my two oldest kids are in school. And I am hoping my youngest kid will be included on my wife's visa because they aren't old enough to be in school.

The other option I think would be for my wife to take some sort of "schooling" in thai that would get her her own visa. Something that would cost a lot and would take too much time as she is busy with kids.

Does anyone have any further information on the above (or other options?)

Is there anything else I should be aware of in my situation?

Thanks very much in advance.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[lopburi3]

You - if flying visa exempt entry for 30 days is not currently limited.

Older children - One year extensions of stay using provision 2.9 of police order 777/2551 requires school paperwork.

Youngest child - No provisions for extension but no overstay for children under 14.

Wife - One year extension of stay as parent of child in school using provision 2.11 Requires bank account of 500k baht for 3 months each year (30 days first year).

[Gweilo2Farang]

Thank you for the response!

So for the oldest kids, it is year by year as long as they are in school? Does it matter what grade/level school. My middle child will only be in preschool (3yrs old.) I'm afraid I don't understand the statement regarding the youngest child. Could you clarify? Can the infant stay under my wife's visa?

Thanks

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Lite Beer]

There are no provisions for infants to apply for annual extensions of stay.

However children under 14 do not get deported or fined if they overstay.

[Lite Beer]

2.8 In the case of enrollment in

a state-owned educational

institution:

Permission will be granted for

a period of not more than 1

year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) Confirmation and request has been made by the particular

educational institution.

2.9 In the case of enrollment in

a private educational

institution: Permission will be

granted for a period as

confirmed by the institution

but shall not be more than 1

year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM)

(2) The particular educational institution holds a license from the

competent authority to operate; and

(3) Confirmation and request has been made by that particular

institution; and

(4) That particular institution is accredited by the competent

authority (except in the case of enrollment in an international

school or university)

2.11 In the case of a family

member of an alien who has

been permitted to stay

temporarily in Thailand for

study in an educational

institution as set out in clauses

2.8 or 2.9 (applicable only to

parents, spouse, children,

adopted child or the child of

his/her spouse):

Permission will be granted for a

period of not more than 1 year

at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) Proof of family relationship;

(5) In the case of parents, there must be an account deposit with a

local bank made in the name of father or mother of not less than

Baht 500,000 as shown in bank account transactions for the past 3

months. For the first year, it should have that said amount in the

bank account for not less than 30 days at the submitted date of the

application.

[lopburi3]

All children should legally enter on own passports but children are not charged for overstay so once in country there legal stay can expire without problems.

For pre-school believe it can be official step in education but will likely depend on the school if it meets extension of stay requirements as listed below. If not child is below 14 so no fine involved for overstay.

2.9 In the case of enrollment in a

private educational institution:

Each permission shall be granted

for a period certified by the

educational institution, which

shall not exceed one year.

1. Application form

2. Copy of applicant’s passport

3. Copy of evidence of permission to establish the educational institution issued by the relevant

government agency

4. Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay, issued by the educational institution,

which shows detailed information about the applicant’s years of education, level of curriculum, and

educational achievement

5. Confirmation letter issued by a government agency at the departmental level or by the Provincial

Governor in charge of that particular institution (except in the case of enrollment in an international

school or in the case of higher education)

[Gweilo2Farang]

OK. That is good news. Thanks very much.

Regarding the guardian visa (for my wife), you need to put 500k baht in a thai bank account for 30 days the first year? Then the money can be moved/removed?

Also, I heard once you are in thailand on a visa, if you leave then your visa is no longer valid. Is this true?

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Lite Beer]

500,000 baht can be used for expenses during the year and topped up again in time for next years application.

When on an extension of stay you need a Re Entry Permit if you wish to leave the Country.

3,800 Baht for a multi and 1,000 baht for a single.

[Gweilo2Farang]

OK. Thanks.

I'm unclear on what multi and single refers to though?

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[lopburi3]

Single re-entry would allow one exit/return while on an extension of stay and keeping the original permitted to stay stamp time. Multi would allow unlimited number of exit/returns for the current permitted to stay period. So if you expect more than a couple trips better to get the multi re-entry at 3,800 baht as don't have to bother again and pay another 1k each time you travel. Just remember they are only valid for the current permitted to stay period.

[Lite Beer]

As said above. With a Multi you can come and go as you please for the duration of your extension.

With a Single it is once only.