Non Immigrant O Based On Having Child

[Paul888]

UK National, under 50. Living in Chiang Rai

I have now finally got my Family Court Order confirming I am the legal father and have sole custody of my own daughter (whose mother is deceased), and have doubled it up for good measure by getting this fact registered at the Amphur also.

I now need to get back to a non immigrant o visa. Somebody at Chiang Rai immigration told me that I can convert my 15 day stamp to a non immigrant visa at the main Immigration Office in Bangkok? They said they could have done it for me locally if I was over 50, but as I am not, I need to go to Bangkok.

Can anybody confirm that this can indeed be done in Bangkok, which office I need to go to, how long it takes and what the exact requirements are? (money in bank, do I need to take my daughter out of school etc)

Alternatively, if this is not possible, can I apply in Ventiane or another local Asian consul (again with requirements) or is it better to go back to my home country to get it?

[lopburi3]

Doing in Bangkok would require doing almost immediately as normally they want 15 days remaining on current stay or more (but have seen reports of less). It would be a normal 90 day non immigrant visa entry and cost the same 2,000 baht. You would do at the normal Bangkok immigration office and you would have to prove 400k in bank or 40k per month income as for later extension (which you get in Chiang Rai so two sets of paperwork). Yes you can just go to Vientiane or other Consulate and obtain (without going home) and then extend in Chiang Rai. If you were over age 50 they would do this themselves (conversion) but only for retirement at twice the financial in bank or 65k per month income.

Believe doing at your leisure in Vientiane might be a better option as about the same distance and no chance of need more time than you have or have to have daughter.

[ubonjoe]

If you want to do the 2 step method at immigration instead of going to Vientiane for the visa you could get a 60 day extension at immigration to visit your child. And then make the trip to Bangkok when you have 30 days left on your extension.