Which Visa Which Order?

[mike1963]

Hi Yes you've heard it all before- sorry

Am moving to Thailand 6-9months - I am 43, UK citizen, married to a thai national, I don't need a work permit - i have been told get an O visa (single or multi???) and then upon arrival convert to a marriage visa depositing lots of dough into a bank or showing enough income.

In Y O's best to go it alone or pay a (good please reccomend) law firm personally I am happy to pay as long as it is all done properly as the red tape can be daunting and just one balls up and I cannot stay - advice please

Mike

[lopburi3]

You do the extension of stay for support Thai wife after you have been here 60 days or more so you have plenty of time to make up your mind and set up your bank account. You and the wife have to do the immigration process in person and there is only a one page form (TM.7) that has to be filled out, your wife will answer most of the question on the other form that the Immigration Officer fills out, so if you pay someone all they can do is put your papers in order anyhow. If you have to set up business and go through the work permit/business extension then I would advise a firm just to make it easier but for a normal support Thai wife or retirement extension it is just not logical IMHO.

So all you need is the single entry non immigrant O if you have no problems meeting the extension requirements of 400k in Thai baht. Be sure to set up a wire transfer agreement with your bank before you leave so that you can transfer funds after you get here.

[mike1963]

Thanks will I be able to extend at Phuket and the extension crieria is there a "list" I'd hate to need something that was in the UK

After I extend am I allowed to go back to UK as many times as I like or is travel specific?

Any other tips re going down this road ?

[lopburi3]

There is an Immigration office in Phuket where you can apply for the extension of stay. This will normally take several months of 30 day extensions before the final approval from Bangkok. You can travel but any trips outside of Thailand must have a re entry permit prior to being made or you lose the extension of stay. This can be bought in single or multi for the whole year extension. What you should do is plan on being here on the date you enter Thailand prior to extension each year and for the next several months to allow the yearly process.

You need your marriage certificate/copy, passbook savings (Thai)/copy, passport/copy, bank letter (account balance), annual income information (if you have papers they will probably like a copy) but it is really just a question on the form they fill out, wife ID card/copy, home register/copy (perhaps rental agreement if living in apartment or rental)/copy, first visit probably photos together at local home. If you have children info on them is probably also wanted. It really is not that much.

[mike1963]

Thanks getting clearer would I quicken the process by doing it in BKK or no difference?

Thanks Mate you are being very patient with me!

[lopburi3]

Bangkok still requires the wait but it is almost always ready at the end of the first extension of stay which is about 40 days.