Ok my introduction is this: I am from Canada and have been in Chiang Mai for 3 years, and I'm 40 years old. I currently have a non-O visa because I have a Thai child who is now 1 year old. I am not married to the Thai woman but we all live together and I take care of the child...

When I went to Savannakhet Laos to get my visa, they gave me a non-O very easily, which I thought was good for 1 year.

But alas, nope. It only lasts me 5 months (an initial 3 month stay with a 2 month extension, after which the immigration lady said i need to exit Thailand and get a new visa).

So why is this? My research showed I should get a 1 year visa. At the consulate in Savannakhet I did not show anything financial (because I don't have the 400,000k in the bank) and I did not have a court order saying I take care of the child. Savannakhet gave me the non-O anyway, which I was very pleased about but thought was good for 1 year.

So why wasn't it good for a year? And what is my next option? Get another non-O on my next trip (which is in 2 weeks)..or will they deny me because I already had a non-O for which I didn't show financial documents? (The reason I went to Savannakhet was precisely because I read that they were easy on not having the financial documents compared to Vientiane)

• Savannakeht will, reportedly, only issue a 1 year visa if you apply with your child and their mother present.

The best place to apply is Penang, Malaysia. They will issue a multiple entry 1 year visa as long as you have at least 100K in the bank. No need for your family to go with you.

You would have no problem getting another single entry non 'O' from Savannakhet or Vientiane.

Edited April 15, 201610 yr by elviajero

I have no idea where you read about getting a one year visa but in all likelihood the information was flawed.

You might get a one year multi-entry visa from Savannakhet but only if you apply when accompanied by the g/f and child so proving you live as a 'de-facto married couple.

Otherwise you will only be able to obtain a single entry (90 day) visa based on the child's birth certificate which presumably indicates you as being the father.

You should make attempts to legalise your parenthood which will make obtaining visas/extensions of stay much easier.

• Savannakeht will, reportedly, only issue a 1 year visa if you apply with your child and their mother present.
• The best place to apply is Penang, Malaysia. They will issue a multiple entry 1 year visa as long as you have at least 100K in the bank. No need for your family to go with you.
• You would have no problem getting another single entry non 'O' from Savannakhet or Vientiane.

I cannot see anything about showing bank accounts on the Thai embassy website?

• Savannakeht will, reportedly, only issue a 1 year visa if you apply with your child and their mother present.
• The best place to apply is Penang, Malaysia. They will issue a multiple entry 1 year visa as long as you have at least 100K in the bank. No need for your family to go with you.
• You would have no problem getting another single entry non 'O' from Savannakhet or Vientiane.

I cannot see anything about showing bank accounts on the Thai embassy website?

Do you mean the Penang Consulate website? Look here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/services-20140508-110623-169095.pdf

They will issue single entry without financial proof, but if someone wants a multiple entry visa they need at least 100K in the bank.

It would make it easier if you took steps to become the legal Father.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/381917-how-to-gain-parental-rights-as-a-father/

It would make it easier if you took steps to become the legal Father.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/381917-how-to-gain-parental-rights-as-a-father/

Or getting married.....

• Savannakeht will, reportedly, only issue a 1 year visa if you apply with your child and their mother present.
• The best place to apply is Penang, Malaysia. They will issue a multiple entry 1 year visa as long as you have at least 100K in the bank. No need for your family to go with you.
• You would have no problem getting another single entry non 'O' from Savannakhet or Vientiane.

I cannot see anything about showing bank accounts on the Thai embassy website?

Do you mean the Penang Consulate website? Look here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/services-20140508-110623-169095.pdf

They will issue single entry without financial proof, but if someone wants a multiple entry visa they need at least 100K in the bank.

Sorry I didn't realise Thai Embassies would be different.

I sent off my application this morning then read your post about bank accounts.

This is whats on the Canberra Website

Documents Required:

• My actual British Passport
• A completed and signed application FORM A
• One passport-size photograph
• To visit my Thai family member (4 year old daughter) I supplied a copy of her birth certificate, In Thai & translated. Plus a copy of her Thai Passport
• A support letter from my Thai Partner verifying the current status of our 9 year relationship together with their Thai I.D. card, Thai Passport and her Bangkok house registration.
• A copy of my biographic page of my passport.
• A copy of 2 airline tickets confirming the dates of my arrival to Thailand in May & June as well as my departures from the country.
• A copy of Australian Permanent Residency Visa
• A copy of my contract with Australian Company/Job stating my salary & Roster
• A copy of my Roster Calender, Roster 23 days on & 10 days off.
• Email of my roster from my company showing it lines up with my May & June R&R's
• $225 money order
• Return paid for envelope registered

Hopefully I'll be okay. I got warned again by Immigration to get a Thai visa due to having too many Visa Exemption stamps!!!

Do you mean the Penang Consulate website? Look here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/penang/contents/files/services-20140508-110623-169095.pdf

They will issue single entry without financial proof, but if someone wants a multiple entry visa they need at least 100K in the bank.

Sorry I didn't realise Thai Embassies would be different.

I sent off my application this morning then read your post about bank accounts.

This is whats on the Canberra Website

Documents Required:

• My actual British Passport
• A completed and signed application FORM A
• One passport-size photograph
• To visit my Thai family member (4 year old daughter) I supplied a copy of her birth certificate, In Thai & translated. Plus a copy of her Thai Passport
• A support letter from my Thai Partner verifying the current status of our 9 year relationship together with their Thai I.D. card, Thai Passport and her Bangkok house registration.
• A copy of my biographic page of my passport.
• A copy of 2 airline tickets confirming the dates of my arrival to Thailand in May & June as well as my departures from the country.
• A copy of Australian Permanent Residency Visa
• A copy of my contract with Australian Company/Job stating my salary & Roster
• A copy of my Roster Calender, Roster 23 days on & 10 days off.
• Email of my roster from my company showing it lines up with my May & June R&R's
• $225 money order
• Return paid for envelope registered

Hopefully I'll be okay. I got warned again by Immigration to get a Thai visa due to having too many Visa Exemption stamps!!!

Unfortunately the criteria varies by location, but you don't need to provide bank statements if applying from Canberra so you should have no problem.

Yes I will be making myself the legal father of my kid. Seems important and seems necessary. I didn't think it was necessary before because my name is on the birth certificate. Sounds strange to say "I am making myself the legal father of my son". Appears to be just more paperwork but I understand why it's needed, I guess.

Still heading to Savannakhet, though, just because things seem easier there. Last time when I handed in my documents at the consulate counter, the consulate guy took all of 3 seconds to look at them and 'approve' it. Its a longer and more boring stay in Savannakhet but worth it for piece of mind. Back when I was doing tourist visas I got rejected at Vientiane for 2 tourist visas and they only gave me 1. Not a big deal and it was a different situation, but you know....