Visa options for my son & fiancee

[brewsterbudgen]

I am from the UK and have an Extension of Stay and work permit for Thailand until December 2016.

My fiancee, and mother of my son, is a citizen of Laos and lives in Thailand with me on 30-day visa exempt stamps, which, up to now, seem to be unlimited, with monthly border runs to Cambodia.

My 1 year old son was born in Thailand and has a UK passport.

Next month we are travelling as a family to the UK for a 2 week holiday and to give notice to marry. We won't actually marry until we return to the UK later in the summer. What visa options do my son and fiancee have for returning to Thailand?

1. If my son is stamped with a 30-day visa exempt stamp on arrival at BKK, can he then overstay without penalty? And can I add him to my Extension of Stay as my dependent, even though I'm not, yet, married to his mother?

2. Or would it be better to get my son an O visa (or a Tourist visa) in London, and then get this extended in Thailand and then, when I'm married to his mother, get him added to my Extension of Stay?

3. As a Laos passport holder, presumably my fiancee will be stamped in for 30 days visa exempt at BKK? However, she has a passport full of such stamps as she's been doing them for years; this isn't an issue at the Cambodian border but might it be at BKK?

4. The Thai Embassy website in London clearly states that Laos citizens should apply for Thai visas in their country of residence, but my fiancee lives in Thailand! An Australian friend of mine, living in Thailand with a Lao wife, was able to get her a Thai visa while on holiday in Australia, so maybe there are extenuating circumstances?

5. If she can get an O (or other) visa in London, presumably this can be extended and then she can be added as my dependent when we're married?

Does anyone have experience of dealing with the Embassy in London? Are they flexible and easy to deal with?

Are there any other options open to us?

Thanks.

[BritTim]

I would suggest communicating with one of the honorary consulates if you would (if receiving positive responses) be able to attend in person. They will usually be much more flexible than the embassy.

[ubonjoe]

1/2. You should get a single entry non-o visa for you son so that he can get an extension as your dependent. There is no requirement for you to be married to his mother.

Immigration does not do conversion for dependent extensions. If you don't get one for him in the UK he will have to get one from a nearby embassy or consulate.

When you get married you should try to get a non-o for your wife so she can get the extension as your dependent. Check with the embassy or one of the consulates in the UK.

Not sure your wife will have any problems on entry to the country with a visa exempt entry. If might be worthwhile to do a test run of getting her a visa in the UK by applying for a single entry tourist visa for her at the same time you apply for your sons visa.

.

[darrendsd]

There was a report of here not so long ago about a Laos girl who has lived here for 10 years and been doing the 30 day out/in at the borders, flew somewhere then when she flew back into Swampy was refused entry on a 30 day, was held and then had to fly back to Laos the next day

To early in the day for me to search for the thread, another member may be able to provide more info

[brewsterbudgen]

There was a report of here not so long ago about a Laos girl who has lived here for 10 years and been doing the 30 day out/in at the borders, flew somewhere then when she flew back into Swampy was refused entry on a 30 day, was held and then had to fly back to Laos the next day

To early in the day for me to search for the thread, another member may be able to provide more info

Yes, this worries me a lot. It would be great if someone could find the thread (I'll look for it too).

There seems to be an "understanding" at the land borders, particularly Cambodia and Laos, that Laotians can have unlimited 30-day visa exempt stamps. Vans do border runs every day and there are usually quite a few Laotians on board. However, the airport may well be different.

I'm hoping that as my girlfriend will be with me, and our 1-year old son, it will be apparent that while she is living in Thailand on 30-day stamps, she isn't working and is supported by me. Once we are married (later in the year) she will be able to stay as my dependent, so surely they won't send her back to Laos! What about our son? He doesn't have a Lao passport. This is why I would very much like to be able to get her an O visa in London, even though this is not normally possible for Laotians.

[ubonjoe]

There was a report of here not so long ago about a Laos girl who has lived here for 10 years and been doing the 30 day out/in at the borders, flew somewhere then when she flew back into Swampy was refused entry on a 30 day, was held and then had to fly back to Laos the next day

To early in the day for me to search for the thread, another member may be able to provide more info

Yes, this worries me a lot. It would be great if someone could find the thread (I'll look for it too).

There seems to be an "understanding" at the land borders, particularly Cambodia and Laos, that Laotians can have unlimited 30-day visa exempt stamps. Vans do border runs every day and there are usually quite a few Laotians on board. However, the airport may well be different.

I'm hoping that as my girlfriend will be with me, and our 1-year old son, it will be apparent that while she is living in Thailand on 30-day stamps, she isn't working and is supported by me. Once we are married (later in the year) she will be able to stay as my dependent, so surely they won't send her back to Laos! What about our son? He doesn't have a Lao passport. This is why I would very much like to be able to get her an O visa in London, even though this is not normally possible for Laotians.

The best way is to take preventive measures. That would be having financial proof with you. They typically ask for the equivalent of 20k baht in cash.

They can only deny entry under section 12 of the immigration act and the most common reason is lack of financial proof.

Since she will be traveling with you and her son I doubt very much she would be denied entry.

[brewsterbudgen]

Thanks Ubonjoe. I think you're right and I will make sure I'm cashed up. I'm a sure a Laotian travelling as part of a family with a young British son and British partner, will be considered sympathetically. Maybe 'worst' case, she's stamped in but told "next time" she will need a visa. Next time we travel to the UK we will get married and that should resolve the situation.

I'm still planning to contact the London Embassy to check if there is any way she can get a non-imm O in London.

[brewsterbudgen]

To get a non-imm O for a 1-year old in London, do I need to take anything other than his passport, Thai birth certificate (in Thai or English?) and my passport?

[ubonjoe]

To get a non-imm O for a 1-year old in London, do I need to take anything other than his passport, Thai birth certificate (in Thai or English?) and my passport?

Nothing more than that should be needed. No need for a translation of the birth certificate at the embassy.

[brewsterbudgen]

To get a non-imm O for a 1-year old in London, do I need to take anything other than his passport, Thai birth certificate (in Thai or English?) and my passport?

Nothing more than that should be needed. No need for a translation of the birth certificate at the embassy.

And presumably I don't need to take him with me, or his mother?

[ubonjoe]

To get a non-imm O for a 1-year old in London, do I need to take anything other than his passport, Thai birth certificate (in Thai or English?) and my passport?

Nothing more than that should be needed. No need for a translation of the birth certificate at the embassy.

And presumably I don't need to take him with me, or his mother?

You should not need your child with you or their mother,

I suggested before you should try to get her a tourist visa when you apply for your child's visa as a trial run for when you apply for her non-o later.

[brewsterbudgen]

My sister in the UK phoned the Embassy and they told her my Lao girlfriend could apply for a visa in London, when we're there in April, as well as me applying for an O visa for my son. She didn't establish whether my girlfriend should apply for an O visa or a tourist visa. As Ubonjoe has already suggested, I think it should probably be a Tourist visa as we are not yet married, and won't be until August. However, if she can get an O visa it would presumably be a better option, although I don't think I will be able to get her added to my Extension as my dependent until we are married.

Some questions regarding the application form:

O visa for my (British) son

1. Present address - should I put my sister's UK address which is where we will be staying?

2. Permanent address - my condo address in Bangkok (which I own)?

3. Purpose of current visit - "for my son to return to Thailand to live with his parents"

4. Evidence substantiating this - copy of my passport and Extension of Stay stamp valid until November 2016 / copy of his Thai birth certificate (in Thai)

5. Duration of Proposed stay - "until November 2016 when a new Extension will be applied for"

6. Proposed address in Thailand - my condo address in Bangkok (should I include evidence proving I own it?)

O visa for my (Lao) fiancee

1/2. Addresses as above

3. Purpose of current visit - "to return to Thailand to live with my fiance and son"

4. Evidence substantiating this - copy of my passport and Extension of Stay stamp valid until November 2016 / copy of our son's Thai birth certificate

5/6. As above

Can we apply for Multiple Entry 1 year validity Non-immigrant O visas (£125)? Does it really have to be "postal orders only"? Is there no facility to pay by UK cheque or credit card?

I would prefer not to have to travel to London, so is the postal application service reliable? We will only be in the UK for 14 days and we will need our passports in order to give notice to marry, shortly before we return to Thailand. Any lengthy delay or loss of the passports would cause a major problem!

Thanks for any advice.

[ubonjoe]

You seem to have it straight on what will be needed for the visas.

I am certain your fiance will not be able to get a multiple entry non-o visa. Your son will not need one since he will be getting an extension.

If applying in person you can pay in cash or postal order. By post it is postal order only. Info can be found here: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/4

Most reports are that a application by post takes a total of about 4 to 5 from posting to receipt. I can a recall couple of posts of taking longer because they misplaced the application at the embassy.

I think I would do the applications in person. You will not have time to risk any delays getting the passports back. A night in London might be well be worth the cost.

[brewsterbudgen]

Both visas were issued without issue - an O visa for my son and a SETV for my Lao girlfriend. The applications were sent to London by post on 14 April and the visas received on 21 April.

[brewsterbudgen]

We're going back to the UK and we will be married there on 9 August.

I will need to get my (Lao) wife an O visa to return to Thailand the following week. We plan to go straight up to London on 10 August and apply for the O visa in person that day.

Will there be an issue because our Marriage Certificate will only have been issued for a day? Does it need to be translated into Thai?

Do I need to produce any other supporting documentation?

[ubonjoe]

We're going back to the UK and we will be married there on 9 August.

I will need to get my (Lao) wife an O visa to return to Thailand the following week. We plan to go straight up to London on 10 August and apply for the O visa in person that day.

Will there be an issue because our Marriage Certificate will only have been issued for a day? Does it need to be translated into Thai?

Do I need to produce any other supporting documentation?

No problem if you are only married for a day. No need for it to be translated to Thai.

You will need copies of your passport photo page and your extension of stay stamp.

I suggest you either get or at least start the process of having your marriage certificate legalized prior to leaving the UK. Immigration will ask for that when you apply for your wife's extension. See these 2 PDF files from UK embassy. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461072/legalisation_infographic.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461071/Legalising_a_signature_or_seal_final_Sept_15.pdf

[brewsterbudgen]

We're going back to the UK and we will be married there on 9 August.

I will need to get my (Lao) wife an O visa to return to Thailand the following week. We plan to go straight up to London on 10 August and apply for the O visa in person that day.

Will there be an issue because our Marriage Certificate will only have been issued for a day? Does it need to be translated into Thai?

Do I need to produce any other supporting documentation?

No problem if you are only married for a day. No need for it to be translated to Thai.

You will need copies of your passport photo page and your extension of stay stamp.

I suggest you either get or at least start the process of having your marriage certificate legalized prior to leaving the UK. Immigration will ask for that when you apply for your wife's extension. See these 2 PDF files from UK embassy. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461072/legalisation_infographic.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461071/Legalising_a_signature_or_seal_final_Sept_15.pdf

Thanks for this. I'm a little confused about the steps involved in getting the UK Marriage Certificate legalised and whether it can all be done before we return to Thailand.

We get married in Crawley on 9 August and will receive the Marriage Certificate. As I said above, we then plan to travel to London on 10 August (for our "honeymoon") and go to the Thai Embassy to apply for an O visa for my wife. Presumably we need to take the original document?

The links you provided for legalising the certificate say we need to pay online @www.gov.uk and then complete a Thai Embassy application form. Am I right in assuming we don't need to complete the Thai Embassy form, as we will be applying for the Extension at Immigration in Thailand? Then we have to send the certificate (original or copy?) to the UK Legalisation Office. The instructions say to enclose a pre-addressed envelope so it can be forwarded to the Thai Embassy, but again, if we will be appplying for the Extension in Bangkok, presumably we can just get the document sent back to us in England?

However, the timing may be an issue as we are booked to fly back to Thailand on 17 August. If we send the original certificate to the UK Legalisation office on 10 August (assuming we don't need the original to apply for the O visa in London) will we get it back by 16 August? Is there any way to get it legalised in person, in the UK

If we don't get the certificate legalised while we're in the UK, can we do it in Thailand? Even if it's more expensive, there would be significantly less time pressure as we will have 3 months before I need to get her added to my Extension of Stay.

[ubonjoe]

We're going back to the UK and we will be married there on 9 August.

I will need to get my (Lao) wife an O visa to return to Thailand the following week. We plan to go straight up to London on 10 August and apply for the O visa in person that day.

Will there be an issue because our Marriage Certificate will only have been issued for a day? Does it need to be translated into Thai?

Do I need to produce any other supporting documentation?

No problem if you are only married for a day. No need for it to be translated to Thai.

You will need copies of your passport photo page and your extension of stay stamp.

I suggest you either get or at least start the process of having your marriage certificate legalized prior to leaving the UK. Immigration will ask for that when you apply for your wife's extension. See these 2 PDF files from UK embassy. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461072/legalisation_infographic.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461071/Legalising_a_signature_or_seal_final_Sept_15.pdf

Thanks for this. I'm a little confused about the steps involved in getting the UK Marriage Certificate legalised and whether it can all be done before we return to Thailand.

We get married in Crawley on 9 August and will receive the Marriage Certificate. As I said above, we then plan to travel to London on 10 August (for our "honeymoon") and go to the Thai Embassy to apply for an O visa for my wife. Presumably we need to take the original document?

The links you provided for legalising the certificate say we need to pay online @www.gov.uk and then complete a Thai Embassy application form. Am I right in assuming we don't need to complete the Thai Embassy form, as we will be applying for the Extension at Immigration in Thailand? Then we have to send the certificate (original or copy?) to the UK Legalisation Office. The instructions say to enclose a pre-addressed envelope so it can be forwarded to the Thai Embassy, but again, if we will be appplying for the Extension in Bangkok, presumably we can just get the document sent back to us in England?

However, the timing may be an issue as we are booked to fly back to Thailand on 17 August. If we send the original certificate to the UK Legalisation office on 10 August (assuming we don't need the original to apply for the O visa in London) will we get it back by 16 August? Is there any way to get it legalised in person, in the UK

If we don't get the certificate legalised while we're in the UK, can we do it in Thailand? Even if it's more expensive, there would be significantly less time pressure as we will have 3 months before I need to get her added to my Extension of Stay.

The procedure is written for those that already here in Thailand. There is no difference whether you start it in the UK or here. It still needs the Thai embassy in London to be involved by them doing a stamp on it.

It does not seem to be possible to get it done in person but yo might want to contact the legalization office about that. The website states it takes 48 hours to do it.

If you got a certified copy of the marriage certificate done at a notary or solicitor you could send that to the legalization office.

If you start the process before leaving the UK you could save the costs of sending it from here back the UK.

There is info here on the Thai embassy website about legalization here. http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/172

[brewsterbudgen]

We're going back to the UK and we will be married there on 9 August.

I will need to get my (Lao) wife an O visa to return to Thailand the following week. We plan to go straight up to London on 10 August and apply for the O visa in person that day.

Will there be an issue because our Marriage Certificate will only have been issued for a day? Does it need to be translated into Thai?

Do I need to produce any other supporting documentation?

No problem if you are only married for a day. No need for it to be translated to Thai.

You will need copies of your passport photo page and your extension of stay stamp.

I suggest you either get or at least start the process of having your marriage certificate legalized prior to leaving the UK. Immigration will ask for that when you apply for your wife's extension. See these 2 PDF files from UK embassy. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461072/legalisation_infographic.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/461071/Legalising_a_signature_or_seal_final_Sept_15.pdf

Thanks for this. I'm a little confused about the steps involved in getting the UK Marriage Certificate legalised and whether it can all be done before we return to Thailand.

We get married in Crawley on 9 August and will receive the Marriage Certificate. As I said above, we then plan to travel to London on 10 August (for our "honeymoon") and go to the Thai Embassy to apply for an O visa for my wife. Presumably we need to take the original document?

The links you provided for legalising the certificate say we need to pay online @www.gov.uk and then complete a Thai Embassy application form. Am I right in assuming we don't need to complete the Thai Embassy form, as we will be applying for the Extension at Immigration in Thailand? Then we have to send the certificate (original or copy?) to the UK Legalisation Office. The instructions say to enclose a pre-addressed envelope so it can be forwarded to the Thai Embassy, but again, if we will be appplying for the Extension in Bangkok, presumably we can just get the document sent back to us in England?

However, the timing may be an issue as we are booked to fly back to Thailand on 17 August. If we send the original certificate to the UK Legalisation office on 10 August (assuming we don't need the original to apply for the O visa in London) will we get it back by 16 August? Is there any way to get it legalised in person, in the UK

If we don't get the certificate legalised while we're in the UK, can we do it in Thailand? Even if it's more expensive, there would be significantly less time pressure as we will have 3 months before I need to get her added to my Extension of Stay.

The procedure is written for those that already here in Thailand. There is no difference whether you start it in the UK or here. It still needs the Thai embassy in London to be involved by them doing a stamp on it.

It does not seem to be possible to get it done in person but yo might want to contact the legalization office about that. The website states it takes 48 hours to do it.

If you got a certified copy of the marriage certificate done at a notary or solicitor you could send that to the legalization office.

If you start the process before leaving the UK you could save the costs of sending it from here back the UK.

There is info here on the Thai embassy website about legalization here. http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/172

Thanks. So if I post the original certificate (or a certified copy) to the Legalisation Office, for onward posting to the Thai Embassy, can I use a copy of the certificate to get the O visa? Or do I need two (certified?) originals?

I guess it wouldn't matter too much if I didn't receive it before we go back, as my sister can send it on to me in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

If you are applying in person for the visa they may ask to see the original or a certified copy when you apply. You will attach a signed copy to the application when you submit it.

If it was me I would get a certified copy to send for the legalization. Better than chancing the original getting lost somewhere.

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

[ubonjoe]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

I can think of no reason for her not to be able to get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy. It they are willing to issue a tourist visa they certainly can do a non-o visa.

It is possible to do a change of visa status to a non immigrant visa since you have an extension based upon working or teaching. If you are using IE or an extension to emulate it you can find the requirements by clicking on change visa here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=service

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

I can think of no reason for her not to be able to get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy. It they are willing to issue a tourist visa they certainly can do a non-o visa.

It is possible to do a change of visa status to a non immigrant visa since you have an extension based upon working or teaching. If you are using IE or an extension to emulate it you can find the requirements by clicking on change visa here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=service

Thanks. She's going to apply in person at the Embassy, with me, so I'll try to persuade them to issue a non-Imm O, but if they are adamant I'll go for the Tourist visa.

One more question, my wife wants to make a "quick trip" back to Laos, after we get back from England. Would doing this mean she has to get another visa to return to Thailand, as the Single Entry tourist or O visa issued in London will have been used? Can re-entry permits be used for single entry visas?

[bubba1]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

I can think of no reason for her not to be able to get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy. It they are willing to issue a tourist visa they certainly can do a non-o visa.

It is possible to do a change of visa status to a non immigrant visa since you have an extension based upon working or teaching. If you are using IE or an extension to emulate it you can find the requirements by clicking on change visa here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=service

Thanks. She's going to apply in person at the Embassy, with me, so I'll try to persuade them to issue a non-Imm O, but if they are adamant I'll go for the Tourist visa.

One more question, my wife wants to make a "quick trip" back to Laos, after we get back from England. Would doing this mean she has to get another visa to return to Thailand, as the Single Entry tourist or O visa issued in London will have been used? Can re-entry permits be used for single entry visas?

Yes she can get a reentry permit.

[ubonjoe]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

I can think of no reason for her not to be able to get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy. It they are willing to issue a tourist visa they certainly can do a non-o visa.

It is possible to do a change of visa status to a non immigrant visa since you have an extension based upon working or teaching. If you are using IE or an extension to emulate it you can find the requirements by clicking on change visa here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=service

Thanks. She's going to apply in person at the Embassy, with me, so I'll try to persuade them to issue a non-Imm O, but if they are adamant I'll go for the Tourist visa.

One more question, my wife wants to make a "quick trip" back to Laos, after we get back from England. Would doing this mean she has to get another visa to return to Thailand, as the Single Entry tourist or O visa issued in London will have been used? Can re-entry permits be used for single entry visas?

She can get a re-entry permit for either visa entry.

If she only gets a tourist visa it might be best for her to get the single entry non-o while she is in Laos. It would require a lot less paperwork to get it compared to what is required to get one at immigration.

[brewsterbudgen]

The Thai Embassy in London have advised that my (Lao) wife can only get a Tourist visa and not a Non Imm O. They said that she can change the Tourist visa to an O visa at Immigration in Thailand and then, presumably, be added to my Extension as my wife/dependent.

This is what they told my sister over the phone in England.

Any idea why a Non Imm O cannot be issued? And is it possible to convert a Tourist visa to an O visa in Bangkok, or be added to my Extension while holding a Tourist visa?

I can think of no reason for her not to be able to get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy. It they are willing to issue a tourist visa they certainly can do a non-o visa.

It is possible to do a change of visa status to a non immigrant visa since you have an extension based upon working or teaching. If you are using IE or an extension to emulate it you can find the requirements by clicking on change visa here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=service

Thanks. She's going to apply in person at the Embassy, with me, so I'll try to persuade them to issue a non-Imm O, but if they are adamant I'll go for the Tourist visa.

One more question, my wife wants to make a "quick trip" back to Laos, after we get back from England. Would doing this mean she has to get another visa to return to Thailand, as the Single Entry tourist or O visa issued in London will have been used? Can re-entry permits be used for single entry visas?

She can get a re-entry permit for either visa entry.

If she only gets a tourist visa it might be best for her to get the single entry non-o while she is in Laos. It would require a lot less paperwork to get it compared to what is required to get one at immigration.

Thanks. Unfortunately getting to a Consulate in Laos is not practical as her village is in the middle of nowhere!

[brewsterbudgen]

Went to get my 1 year old son added to my Extension of Stay and couldn't as he wasn't with me. I guess I should have realised they would need to see and photograph him.

The Immigration Officer was quite helpful and, as we are going back to the UK on 3 August and his permission to stay expires on 26 July, advised to just let him overstay by 8 days and then get a new Non O visa from London.

Presumably no fine will be payable at the airport for a 15 month year old's overstay?

[ubonjoe]

Went to get my 1 year old son added to my Extension of Stay and couldn't as he wasn't with me. I guess I should have realised they would need to see and photograph him.

The Immigration Officer was quite helpful and, as we are going back to the UK on 3 August and his permission to stay expires on 26 July, advised to just let him overstay by 8 days and then get a new Non O visa from London.

Presumably no fine will be payable at the airport for a 15 month year old's overstay?

I think I would go ahead and get the extension done and a re-entry permit applied for rather than going through the expense of applying for another non-o visa.

Children under the age of 15 are not charged the overstay fine but do get a overstay stamp.

[brewsterbudgen]

Went to get my 1 year old son added to my Extension of Stay and couldn't as he wasn't with me. I guess I should have realised they would need to see and photograph him.

The Immigration Officer was quite helpful and, as we are going back to the UK on 3 August and his permission to stay expires on 26 July, advised to just let him overstay by 8 days and then get a new Non O visa from London.

Presumably no fine will be payable at the airport for a 15 month year old's overstay?

I think I would go ahead and get the extension done and a re-entry permit applied for rather than going through the expense of applying for another non-o visa.

Children under the age of 15 are not charged the overstay fine but do get a overstay stamp.

I will probably do that if I can find the time to take him to Immigration before we go. He's away with his mother at the moment as there's been a death in her family and by the time they get back it will only be 2 weeks before we fly. The expense of a new O visa might be worth the hassle of another trip, en famile, to CW!

I'm not too worried about the overstay stamp, unless you think this could come back to bite him when he's 15?