We decided to only bring 800,000 over rather than 1.6 million and tossed a coin - my husband now has his first retirement extension, and I'm going to have to apply for the spouse Non-O and have 4 questions. Sorry, but I haven't seen much about this kind of visa, and they've changed the way they do a few things recently in Chiang Mai. (It would be so much easier if I could apply for it in-country).

We're could have a trip to Laos, but we're going to Australia in early February (I currently have a tourist visa which I will be able to extend by 30 days in January to get me through until we go to Aus). Does anyone know if the spouse Non-O visa is something I can get without any issues in Melbourne? Should be able to of course, but some offices won't issue certain kinds of visa. I'm assuming using my British rather than Aus passport to do it won't be a problem, but if anyone knows different please shout up.

Also, I assume I'll get 12 months, or would it be to when my husband's extension expires in about 10 months by the time I do it.

Do I have to report ever 90 days or physically leave the country? Not a problem as we're usually in and out every 2 or 3 months anyway, but it would be nice to know in case something comes up and we decide not to. It would be a bit silly if one of us could report and the other couldn't, and whilst writing this I've just thought that our reporting days would be different, so one of us is probably going to have to do it even if we leave the country.

Last question is do I extend it in 12 months or do I have to apply for a new one out of the country again?

Appreciate any answers.

You can get a single non-O in Australia, a multiple might also be available.

The single would be good for 1 entry for 90 days and then can be extended based upon your husband. You would then do 90 day reports to immigration. 90 day reporting can be done by mail.

The multiple would be valid for 1 year but requires you to leave the country every 90 days. But can also be extended based upon your husband.

You do not have to leave the country every year to apply for a new visa, you simply apply for an extension together with your husband every year. You will be tied to him, so when his permission to stay ends, so will yours.

You should have no problem getting a single entry non-o visa based upon being your husbands dependent in Melbourne. You will need copies of his passport photo page, extension stamp and marriage certificate.

When you return you can apply for an extension of stay as your husbands dependent during the last 30 days of your the 90 day entry the visa alllows. Your extension will be valid up to the date your husbands ends.

Thank you both for your (as always) very clear and concise information.

A single entry would be a bit problematic for me as we are going to a wedding in Vietnam in mid April, then off to UK for 6 weeks or so sometime in May and June. If I got a single entry I would lose it in April but I could come back into the country on a 30 visa exempt basis until we get to England, where I can apply for a double entry (maybe?) which would bring my expiry to within a few weeks of my husband's. The problem there is that Hull don't do Non-O's any more, and isn't really close to us - a couple of hours drive each way - and I'm assuming that we'd have to drop off and pick up the passports (as we did for tourist visa but at least that was only one trip as they did it whilst we waited) so that puts in 2 full days.

I'll apply for a longer visa in Melbourne - the worst thing that can happen is that they say no and I get one either in UK or wait until we get back and have a trip away to Laos or Cambodia.

Am I any more likely to be granted the visa if I apply for 6 months instead of a year? It really shouldn't make much difference, it's just very convenient as we stay with friends not too far from the Consulate.

If you got the single entry non-o in February you could apply for your extension before you leave in April. You can do it up to 45 days before your 90 days end. If not you could get single re-entry permit (1000 baht) for the trip to Vietnam and apply for the extension when you return.

You would then get a re-entry permit for your trips out of the country to keep your extension valid. It sounds like a multiple re-entry permit that costs 3800 baht would be best.

Your husband also needs a re-entry permit before he travels.

Thanks again - we won't be back in Thailand until 2nd March, I had been working it out on being here 60 days before I could apply to extend (45 makes it do-able) and also that it went from when I entered Thailand, not the date the visa is actually issued. I also thought that when we leave go to Vietnam I would nullify the visa as it is single entry.

This shouldn't be a problem then. When I have the extension expiry in line with my husband's expiry date, I'll get a multi-entry permit (he already has one).

One final question, if I may, on the 90 day reporting. Am I correct in thinking that the 90 day clock starts ticking the day we arrive back in Thailand? And that as long as we leave within 89 days of that entry date we would never have to report, with our only trip to immigration would be to extend next January? Not that it would be a problem if we had to, it will just be nice to know for sure.

The 90 days start from the date you enter the country. You might be able to get the extension done before leave for your trip in April.

You can get a single re-entry permit for the 90 entry you get from the single entry non-o visa that would keep it valid. Then you could get the extension shortly after you return.

If you leave on or before your 90 day report date you do not have to do the report. A report is due 90 days after you enter the country including that date in the count.

Thank you very much. Truly appreciated.

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