Thai Children But Not Married - Visa Options

[Colin1975]

Hi all!

I'm a new member and found this forum by accident by searching for info on visas. My question to the members is what requirements would I need for non immigrant visa? I have 2 children ( Thai nationals ) who live in bkk but I am not married to my girlfriend there. My name is on both birth certificates but after reading some other posts am I correct in thinking I need some paperwork from a Thai court to validate this? I am a 37 year old uk national so what consulate in the uk is best to apply at? I was told hull or Cardiff?

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Colin

[lopburi3]

What is required will be up to the Consulate but for Hull it is as below:

1) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy.

Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

[Colin1975]

What is required will be up to the Consulate but for Hull it is as below:

1) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy.

Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Thanks for the swift reply,

Where would I get proof of having legal custody of my children? Would I have to be present at the relevant office/court to gain this or could my girlfriend get it in my absence? I'm travelling to bkk at the end of the month for a week to sort some other business out - is it a lengthy or expensive process to get the proof of having legal custody?

[lopburi3]

Be best someone with experience answers that - it can take some time but believe age of children and wife input also major factors. I would give Hull a call as they might be able to issue single entry with just birth certificate proof for now.

[Colin1975]

Be best someone with experience answers that - it can take some time but believe age of children and wife input also major factors. I would give Hull a call as they might be able to issue single entry with just birth certificate proof for now.

Thanks will give them a call in the morning.

Colin

[ubonjoe]

Info on Hull website is incorrect when it states the age of the child being 20 as a limiting factor.

As a parent of a Thai child there is not age limit to get a visa or extension of stay.

[Paul888]

Call Hull as suggested (and Cardiff) and you may get a single entry based on birth certificate especially if you explain to them that you plan to deal with the legitimization whilst in Thailand. You can then extend this single 90 day entry 60 days in an immigration office in Thailand with just the birth certificate if you cannot deal with all paperwork in 3 months.

When in Thailand, depending on the ages of the children, you may be able to go with your girlfriend to the local Amphur and get the document you need, but if the children are under 7 I think it is, you will need to go through the family court. Also, for some things, the Amphur paperwork is not enough.

The family court process is easy enough, but it does take time. Mine took around 4 months due to waiting time between court dates etc but that will vary depending on the court.

You could of course marry the mother and then it would be automatic.

[PoorSucker]

Read this pinned thread in the family section.

How To Gain Parental Rights As A Father

[Nisa]

What is required will be up to the Consulate but for Hull it is as below:

1) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

Proof of having Legal Custody of the child. Please note that this document can be in Thai language if submitted to either the Royal Thai Consulate at Hull or the Royal Thai Embassy.

Please note that a child ceases to be regarded as a child for these purposes when attaining 20 years of age.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Thanks for the swift reply,

Where would I get proof of having legal custody of my children? Would I have to be present at the relevant office/court to gain this or could my girlfriend get it in my absence? I'm travelling to bkk at the end of the month for a week to sort some other business out - is it a lengthy or expensive process to get the proof of having legal custody?

Just as an FYI. You can get 60-day extensions from any entry at immigration for 1900 Baht based on the kids. I usually do this because of marriage but know you can do it for kids too. You can't get them back to back and have to do a border run between them but in my case it works out better than doing tourist visas or non-immigrant visa and they don't seem to care how many times I do it.

I am guessing Lopburi would know what you need in terms of paperwork for the kids but would assume it would just be the birth certificate. I think it has been talked about on other threads but don't recall the details but think somebody (possibly Lopburi) set me straight in that this is nothing to do about supporting the wife, or in your case kid(s), and why I am guessing you won't need to deal with much more than a birth certificate. For some reason I had previously thought it was an extension about support but it isn't and it is just about visiting.

Anyway, just a thought depending on your circumstances and possibly another option for you to consider or at least buy you some time.

[lopburi3]

Believe they will normally want to see the child and if mother available that would be a plus - it is for visiting rather than support so birth certificate is key paperwork. Some locations will want to limit the number of such extensions while others have no problem with each and every new entry.