Hi this is the first time I have used theis website, my question is - I am moving to Bangkok in August on a 2 year contract with a school there (will have a work permit and type B visa i think) and have a long term partner where we are unmarried. She would like to move out with me and was wandering about visa options. I am currently thinking she will enter a multiple entry tourist visa, are there any other options?

She is also interested in finding work (voluntary or paid) in Bangkok is it easy enough to do so and could she change onto another type of visa easier enough if so.

I guess the other option is marriage - what would the procedure be for doing this in Thailand and again will it be easier enough to do this once we are both there?

Thanks

Steve

Yes Yes Yes

Tourist visas can be used until/if she finds a better option. Entry is 60 days which can be extended 30 days with payment of 1,900 baht but would then require exit (although can immediately return with visa or visa exempt entry). Learning Thai language part time is another option, and probably better, but will cost about 30k per year and 1,900 baht every 3 months to extend. Marriage is simple - a paper from your embassies and register at a District Office - then she could get matching extensions as you have as your dependent. Finding work is not easy except for English language teaching but change of status is easy enough (although may require a visit to a nearby Consulate for new visa type).

I am assuming that you and your partner are currently in your home country; if so, then I strongly suggest she check with the local Thai Embassy/Consulate in your country to get either a one-year "O" visa if your embassy approves or else at least a double-entry tourist visa. Should your partner not find work, it is far easier to get a visa in your home country than in countries bordering Thailand.

Regardless of volunteering or working, Thai law requires a work visa - if she does find an organization or an employer - it is possible to ge a work visa from the Thai Embassy in Laos, Malaysia or Cambodia - as long as all the paperwork is in good order.

I will let others address the marriage options.

Thanks for the quick replies, so how easy will it be for her to get a type O visa, what do they require for it etc.?

Also the Thai course sounds like a good option and we could afford the 30k plus a year if necessary. Do you reccommend any good Thai language schools we could look at?

Thanks

Steve

Regardless of volunteering or working, Thai law requires a work visa - if she does find an organization or an employer - it is possible to ge a work visa from the Thai Embassy in Laos, Malaysia or Cambodia - as long as all the paperwork is in good order.

No such thing as a work visa...its a work permit and its not availible from Thai embassies...Thai work permits are issused in country.

To the OP, Thailand does not recognise "partnership" as a defacto relationship, therefore your partner will not be issued with any sort of visa on the basis of dependancy on your WP/visa...will need to find another route....i.e. Ed visa or similar or get a job of course