Questions About Non-immigrant Type O-a Visa

[Bill]

Hi,

I'm a US citizen well under 50 years old, and my wife is a Thai citizen. Presently, we both live in the US while she awaits her conditional green card, but we expect it will be issued soon, and then we want to return to Thailand.

According to the FAQ section of this website, in order to apply for a non-immigrant type O-A visa, "If an alien is the supporter, he must submit financial evidence, proof of employment, work permit and tax receipts." This creates a problem for me.

Like another American who wrote here recently, I am planning on doing consulting work for a US-based company while I stay in Thailand. Based on other responses I've read, the Thai bureaucracy is not set up to handle this type of situation, so I am probably better off not claiming to be employed.

So as the unemployed spouse of a Thai national, am I limited to 60-day tourist visas? Or must my wife get a job in Thailand so that she can become the "supporter" for the purposes of the application (difficult with her in the US now)? Or is there some amount of money we can place on deposit (presumably in Thailand) that shows that we can financially support ourselves? I seem to remember an 800 000 baht number from a couple of years ago, but I don't know whether or not that applies here.

Any advice or information is appreciated.

Will

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The O-A is only applicable to 50 plus retirees. In your situation, you can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on support of your Thai wife. That visa is extendable a year at a time in Thailand if you can put 400,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or show a fixed income/savings combination of 40,000 bt per month.

[lopburi3]

First thing is to obtain a non immigrant O visa from a Consulate in the US. If you expect any problem meeting the extension of stay requirements (400k in Thai bank account from overseas - that 800k would be for retirement) during your first 90 day entry you many want to obtain a multi entry type visa (which would allow 90 day stays for up to about 15 months before another was required). For the multi entry type a smaller consulate is usually best. The fact you are married to a Thai provides the reason for the visa.

As Pat said, forget the O-A, as it has nothing to do with your situation.

[Bill]

First thing is to obtain a non immigrant O visa from a Consulate in the US. If you expect any problem meeting the extension of stay requirements (400k in Thai bank account from overseas - that 800k would be for retirement) during your first 90 day entry you many want to obtain a multi entry type visa (which would allow 90 day stays for up to about 15 months before another was required). For the multi entry type a smaller consulate is usually best. The fact you are married to a Thai provides the reason for the visa.

So if I understand you correctly, I am eligible to get a non-immigrant O visa from here in the US without first having 400K in a Thai bank account? Showing the money in a Thai bank account is only necessary for obtaining an extension?

One other question -- must the money be in a bank account in my name? My wife has a bank account with sufficient funds which were transferred from out of Thailand. Is that sufficient?

As far as consulates go, the closest one to me is in Washington D.C. (not exactly small). Have others had good experiences with them in the past?

Will

[lopburi3]

1. Yes you understand correctly.

2. Money can be in your name or a joint account with wife. Your wife's account is not sufficient as you are required to support her for a "support Thai wife extension of stay".

3. I suspect Washington will probably only provide a single entry. Many people use mail service to Houston or Denver or others.

Be sure to set up a wire transfer agreement with your bank prior to departure. With that you should be able to order transfers with phone, fax or internet once you obtain a bank account in your or joint names.

Another path would be the 3 million baht investment type extension of stay if you can afford to tie up that amount in either bank accounts or a condo investment. That option is only available from immigration inside Thailand and requires specific procedures (money transfer for stated purpose and such). At any rate the non immigrant O visa provides the base for any extension of stay.