Expecting a child next month. Living with the mother (non registered marriage) and my name will be on the birth certificate as the father. I realise this entitles me to no parental rights, but I read somewhere today by having my name on the birth cert it would enable me to get a 12 month, Non O visa where I would have to leave and return every 3 months. I'm currently on a retirement visa and this may be an option for me rather than have to bring accross 800k thb every year at a horrible ex rate.

1) Is my interpretation of this right?

2) Would i have to return to Australia to apply for the Non O visa or can I apply from here online or in person Bangkok embassy?

3) Do I simply go back and renew the non o visa every year?

Rather stay on topic with this one re the facts non o visa if possible

You will not find it easy to get a 12 month visa without being married or the Legal parent of the child.

I doubt anyone can tell you for certain where the visa you want could be obtained.

I have been getting one of these for a few years now in Penang.

They require:

Mothers ID card - signed copy by her

Child's ID ( I bring her Thai and Canadian passports)

Child's birth cert.

I would recommend you have birth cert copy signed by both you and mother, though just my signature has worked before.

Current bankbook ( like day before you fly) with decent amount of cash - this has varied from 100k to 300k, with a history of regular influxes of cash - that probably helps.

I use Jim at Jim's place to get it. Apparently bananna is good too

You will not find it easy to get a 12 month visa without being married or the Legal parent of the child.

I doubt anyone can tell you for certain where the visa you want could be obtained.

Utter nonsense, why would you offer such authoritative advice on something you obviously know NOTHING about.

Does it make you feel relevant?

That may fly on the general forum but spare us the crap here where it counts please.

Edited March 3, 201610 yr by HooHaa

• Yes it's possible to get a multi entry non 'O'. My mate recently got one back in Australia with only the birth certificate.

Penang, Malaysia is probably the best option close to Thailand.

Each entry is granted 90 days.

60 day extensions of stay are available, once, for each entry.

If fully utilised this visa can give you nearly 17 months before needing to apply for a 1 year extension of stay or getting another visa.

You will be able to obtain a multi entry non immigrant o visa at Savanakhet in Laos.

No financial proof,but you will need to take your girlfriend and child with you de facto marriage.

You will have to leave and re enter the country every 90 days or at your leisure.

A one year extension of stay is a different thing altogether and could be obtained if you legitimise the child which is very easy as I've done it myself,400 k baht needed for this route.

You will not find it easy to get a 12 month visa without being married or the Legal parent of the child.

I doubt anyone can tell you for certain where the visa you want could be obtained.

Utter nonsense, why would you offer such authoritative advice on something you obviously know NOTHING about.

Does it make you feel relevant?

That may fly on the general forum but spare us the crap here where it counts please.

A little unnecessary don't you think. He only said it's not easy which is subjective and a reasonable comment given the limited availability.

You will not find it easy to get a 12 month visa without being married or the Legal parent of the child.

I doubt anyone can tell you for certain where the visa you want could be obtained.

Utter nonsense, why would you offer such authoritative advice on something you obviously know NOTHING about.

Does it make you feel relevant?

That may fly on the general forum but spare us the crap here where it counts please.

A little unnecessary don't you think. He only said it's not easy which is subjective and a reasonable comment given the limited availability.

No, too many people on here trying to appear "in the know". The statements the poster made were clearly wrong. I've seen some potentially life altering advice given out on TV which was totally wrong. Like the man said, this forum is for fact not opinion. My personal pet hates are the few that consistently post replies asking for more (irrelevant) information. Like how old is the kid and how long have you been together. All designed to make the poster appear to be in the know. Once the irrelevant information is provided the poster is nowhere to be seen. Must be boredom or loneliness. Thanks for the informative replies

You will be able to obtain a multi entry non immigrant o visa at Savanakhet in Laos.

No financial proof,but you will need to take your girlfriend and child with you de facto marriage.

You will have to leave and re enter the country every 90 days or at your leisure.

A one year extension of stay is a different thing altogether and could be obtained if you legitimise the child which is very easy as I've done it myself,400 k baht needed for this route.

thanks all. Just to clarify...

1) I'm applying to the Thai embassy in Laos....

2) I dont have to go back to Australia or have anything to do with the Australian embassy?

3) Do I need to wait until my OA retirement visa has completely expired before applying for a non O?

4) I take my girlfriend and child for the initial application. Do I need to take them on cross border three monthly visa runs?

5) After the initial 12 month visa expires, is it a simple matter to renew another 12 months ie do perpetually?

6) I was told if my OA visa ever lapsed I would have to travel back to Australia to reapply? Is this true or could I also reapply for a new OA visa from say the Thai embassy in Laos? (I understand normally I would just extend my OA)

7) if so, what's to stop someone getting an OA visa for a year...letting it expire....then reapply for a new OA

Visa thus avoiding transferring the 800k baht to LOS?

You will not find it easy to get a 12 month visa without being married or the Legal parent of the child.

I doubt anyone can tell you for certain where the visa you want could be obtained.

Utter nonsense, why would you offer such authoritative advice on something you obviously know NOTHING about.

Does it make you feel relevant?

That may fly on the general forum but spare us the crap here where it counts please.

A little unnecessary don't you think. He only said it's not easy which is subjective and a reasonable comment given the limited availability.

No, too many people on here trying to appear "in the know". The statements the poster made were clearly wrong. I've seen some potentially life altering advice given out on TV which was totally wrong. Like the man said, this forum is for fact not opinion. My personal pet hates are the few that consistently post replies asking for more (irrelevant) information. Like how old is the kid and how long have you been together. All designed to make the poster appear to be in the know. Once the irrelevant information is provided the poster is nowhere to be seen. Must be boredom or loneliness. Thanks for the informative replies

Lets "test" your "knowledge" !

Please list all the nearby places where this visa can Definitely be obtained by anyone.

The statement I made was and is true. Do you understand the meaning of the word "easy " ?

Your rudeness is unacceptable.

Mate these forums are full of people who have done exactly what has been suggested. Getting a license here isn't "easy" as is anything official for that matter but the legal requirement is the father's name on the birth certificate....Not marriage or DNA testing etc. Penang and Laos have been quoted by people who have been there and done it. You want a list of all offices for what? You have 2 people just in this post saying theyve done it. Do you speak from any experience or where are you getting ur information? What are you trying to prove?

Mate these forums are full of people who have done exactly what has been suggested. Getting a license here isn't "easy" as is anything official for that matter but the legal requirement is the father's name on the birth certificate....Not marriage or DNA testing etc. Penang and Laos have been quoted by people who have been there and done it. You want a list of all offices for what? You have 2 people just in this post saying theyve done it. Do you speak from any experience or where are you getting ur information? What are you trying to prove?

I do not have to "prove" anything ----------------The advise/information I give is sound and based very much on experience !

You say Laos is a good place. Would that be Vientiane your talking about ?

Again, I repeat, your rudeness is unacceptable.

Jesus. Did u read the posts? The poster gave the location in Laos and one of the posters cited 2 outlets in Penang. Quit while Ur ahead and stop muddling the water. I'm just after specific information and the whole post has become about u defending the indefencible

Edited March 3, 201610 yr by Kenny202

It is common knowledge that Savanakhet in Laos is one of the easiest places neighbouring Thailand to obtain either single entry or multi entry non immigrant O visas without financial proof.

Unless that has changed in recent weeks,I am overseas working now so am not in South east Asia and haven't been following the forum and information as much as I normally would.

It is common knowledge that Savanakhet in Laos is one of the easiest places neighbouring Thailand to obtain either single entry or multi entry non immigrant O visas without financial proof.

Unless that has changed in recent weeks,I am overseas working now so am not in South east Asia and haven't been following the forum and information as much as I normally would.

Agreed if you are married. But getting a multiple entry non 'O' at Savannakhet isn't straightforward when applying for one as a parent.

The best place locally would appear to be Penang, but even then no one seems to be able to give a definitive answer about how much money is required in the bank.

I wouldn't put 10 baht on anything being easy or a dead cert here. Everything I've done from licenses, purchasing vehicles, transferring vehicles has differed from others experiences. They seem to delight in running us around

I wouldn't put 10 baht on anything being easy or a dead cert here. Everything I've done from licenses, purchasing vehicles, transferring vehicles has differed from others experiences. They seem to delight in running us around

Which to be fair is what sunnyjim5 was trying to say. Multiple entry non 'O's are getable but not easy or a dead cert.

I wouldn't put 10 baht on anything being easy or a dead cert here. Everything I've done from licenses, purchasing vehicles, transferring vehicles has differed from others experiences. They seem to delight in running us around

Strange !

I have lived here in Thailand for a long time and have never experienced this "running us around"

Why do others get to have all the fun ?

Dear god :-(

thanks all. Just to clarify...

1) I'm applying to the Thai embassy in Laos....

2) I dont have to go back to Australia or have anything to do with the Australian embassy?

3) Do I need to wait until my OA retirement visa has completely expired before applying for a non O?

4) I take my girlfriend and child for the initial application. Do I need to take them on cross border three monthly visa runs?

5) After the initial 12 month visa expires, is it a simple matter to renew another 12 months ie do perpetually?

6) I was told if my OA visa ever lapsed I would have to travel back to Australia to reapply? Is this true or could I also reapply for a new OA visa from say the Thai embassy in Laos? (I understand normally I would just extend my OA)

7) if so, what's to stop someone getting an OA visa for a year...letting it expire....then reapply for a new OA

Visa thus avoiding transferring the 800k baht to LOS?

2. No.
3. Has your non 'O-A' expired? Gone past the 'enter before' date. If it has then you can apply for the non 'O' anytime. If not then you don't need a new visa.
4. No. You just need to exit and immediately re-enter at a border crossing.
5. Yes you can get a new one as long as the visa is available. If you enter just before the end of the 12 months you'll be granted another 90 days. At the end of the 15 months you need a new visa. However, that last 90 day stay can also be extended by 60 days taking you to the 17 months I mentioned earlier.
6. non 'O-A' visas are only available from you home country or country that you have permeant residency. So yes you would need to get it from AUS.
7. n/a

Based on these questions I'm wondering if you have fully utilised your 'O-A' visa. You could be getting 2 years out of it (if you haven't already). After which you apply can for a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement or a parent (if legitimised), or go back to AUS and get a new 'O-A', or apply for a different visa.

Edited March 3, 201610 yr by elviajero

"thanks all. Just to clarify...

1) I'm applying to the Thai embassy in Laos...."

As already mentioned, the Consulate in Savannakhet is the place to go.

"7) if so, what's to stop someone getting an OA visa for a year...letting it expire....then reapply for a new OA

Visa thus avoiding transferring the 800k baht to LOS?"

Nothing. I believe there are quite a few who do that. But most of those would take advantage of the 2 years they can get out of that visa before getting a new one.

I wouldn't put 10 baht on anything being easy or a dead cert here. Everything I've done from licenses, purchasing vehicles, transferring vehicles has differed from others experiences. They seem to delight in running us around

Which to be fair is what sunnyjim5 was trying to say. Multiple entry non 'O's are getable but not easy or a dead cert.

given that i have had one for about 4 years running, and know others who do the same, id say its pretty certain.

moreover common consensus is that 100k in the bank will do it, at least in pennag.

Others have stated that savannakhet requires no proof if you bring woman and child.

legitimization or marriage is not required.

given the nature of the thai bureaucratic beast, nothing is dead certain of course, but personal experience and repeatable success certainly trumps vague negativity.

thanks all. Just to clarify...

1) I'm applying to the Thai embassy in Laos....

2) I dont have to go back to Australia or have anything to do with the Australian embassy?

3) Do I need to wait until my OA retirement visa has completely expired before applying for a non O?

4) I take my girlfriend and child for the initial application. Do I need to take them on cross border three monthly visa runs?

5) After the initial 12 month visa expires, is it a simple matter to renew another 12 months ie do perpetually?

6) I was told if my OA visa ever lapsed I would have to travel back to Australia to reapply? Is this true or could I also reapply for a new OA visa from say the Thai embassy in Laos? (I understand normally I would just extend my OA)

7) if so, what's to stop someone getting an OA visa for a year...letting it expire....then reapply for a new OA

Visa thus avoiding transferring the 800k baht to LOS?

2. No.
3. Has your non 'O-A' expired? Gone past the 'enter before' date. If it has then you can apply for the non 'O' anytime. If not then you don't need a new visa.
4. No. You just need to exit and immediately re-enter at a border crossing.
5. Yes you can get a new one as long as the visa is available. If you enter just before the end of the 12 months you'll be granted another 90 days. At the end of the 15 months you need a new visa. However, that last 90 day stay can also be extended by 60 days taking you to the 17 months I mentioned earlier.
6. non 'O-A' visas are only available from you home country or country that you have permeant residency. So yes you would need to get it from AUS.
7. n/a

Based on these questions I'm wondering if you have fully utilised your 'O-A' visa. You could be getting 2 years out of it (if you haven't already). After which you apply can for a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement or a parent (if legitimised), or go back to AUS and get a new 'O-A', or apply for a different visa.

Yeah understand all about the 2 years on the O/A and did a run to Vietnam in the 11th month effectively giving me two first years and until this September to extend. Just looking at different visa options. I have money invested in Australia and am loathe to bring the required 800k baht across at current exchange rates. Another avenue Ive looked at and I believe is allowable is bringing the equivalent over in AUS$ to a foreign currency account in Thailand for 2 months prior to extending. My local immigration says thats acceptable. Having said that I can just imagine on the day getting the wrong person at immigration knocking it back and then not qualifying hence needing a plan B.

"thanks all. Just to clarify...

1) I'm applying to the Thai embassy in Laos...."

As already mentioned, the Consulate in Savannakhet is the place to go.

"7) if so, what's to stop someone getting an OA visa for a year...letting it expire....then reapply for a new OA

Visa thus avoiding transferring the 800k baht to LOS?"

Nothing. I believe there are quite a few who do that. But most of those would take advantage of the 2 years they can get out of that visa before getting a new one.

May be some merit in returning to Australia to get a new OA visa every 2 years. When you consider the money lost in exchange and loss of interest on the 800k baht invested back home would just about pay for a trip. As far as I remember the OA visa only took a week or so to get done. Biggest drama was getting the medical certificate clearing me for all the diseases they haven't seen in Australia for 50 years (leprocy, TB etc), hence no tests available. I even tried the infectious diseases department of the university. Local doctors couldn't help me. Finished up going to "the travel doctor". He scratched his head, looked at me and said you look healthy. Here you go.

So to review your options for non-o multiple (up to 15 or 17 months stay)

No financial proof: savannakhet, laos. Without original marriage certificate, must bring other parent/child to show de facto marriage.

>100k THB equivalent financial proof (any bank): Penang, malaysia.

You can also return to home country for non-oA multiple; can get up to 2 years out of it.

I have experience with non-o from penang: thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868463-non-o-multiple-visiting-family-success-again-in-penang/

And getting to/from penang: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879418-guide-travelling-to-george-town-penang-and-back-to-thailand/

Edited March 4, 201610 yr by 4evermaat

2. No.
3. Has your non 'O-A' expired? Gone past the 'enter before' date. If it has then you can apply for the non 'O' anytime. If not then you don't need a new visa.
4. No. You just need to exit and immediately re-enter at a border crossing.
5. Yes you can get a new one as long as the visa is available. If you enter just before the end of the 12 months you'll be granted another 90 days. At the end of the 15 months you need a new visa. However, that last 90 day stay can also be extended by 60 days taking you to the 17 months I mentioned earlier.
6. non 'O-A' visas are only available from you home country or country that you have permeant residency. So yes you would need to get it from AUS.
7. n/a

Based on these questions I'm wondering if you have fully utilised your 'O-A' visa. You could be getting 2 years out of it (if you haven't already). After which you apply can for a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement or a parent (if legitimised), or go back to AUS and get a new 'O-A', or apply for a different visa.

Yeah understand all about the 2 years on the O/A and did a run to Vietnam in the 11th month effectively giving me two first years and until this September to extend. Just looking at different visa options. I have money invested in Australia and am loathe to bring the required 800k baht across at current exchange rates. Another avenue Ive looked at and I believe is allowable is bringing the equivalent over in AUS$ to a foreign currency account in Thailand for 2 months prior to extending. My local immigration says thats acceptable. Having said that I can just imagine on the day getting the wrong person at immigration knocking it back and then not qualifying hence needing a plan B.

Ok cool. Sounds like another 'O-A' or switching to the non 'O' is the way to go.