Best visa to get for a 6 month visit with Thai wife?

[trevoromgh]

Apologies if this has been covered before but I'm after suggestions on the most painless way of visiting Thailand for 6 months on my next trip.

Have only been for a maximum of 90 days before but as I am buying a house in Chiang Mai with my Thai wife we'd obviously like to spend more time in the country doing the place up and enjoying it and we'd like 6 months to become our annual trip duration in future.

I had a non-immigrant O 90 days visa last trip but not sure whether to go for an O-A next time because of the extra hassle with medical, criminal and financial checks plus you don't seem to get any advantage at the end of the day, unless I'm missing something.

If I go for a multi-entry 1 year non-immigation O instead I believe I would still need to do a visa run outside the country every 90 days which scares me to death if something goes wrong and I can't get back into Thailand for some reason to catch my return flight to the UK, etc.

Any suggestions on the best approach please?

[elviajero]

The advantage of the 'O-A' visa is that you'll be granted permission to stay for 1 year and won't need to do any border runs. You would need to report to immigration every 90 days instead.

A multiple entry 'O' would be an advantage if you're planning another visit within 1 year of it's issue date. Doing a border hop after 90 days is easy and nothing to be concerned about.

A single entry 'O' would give you 90 days. At the end of that you can go to immigration and apply for a 60 day extension of stay to visit your wife. At the end of that you could exit and immediate re-enter using visa exempt entry. You'd get 30 days if by air, 30 days if by land and you're from a G7 country, otherwise it would be 15 days. That visa exempt entry could also be extended at immigration by 30 or 60 days.

You could also extend a single entry 'O' by 1 year at immigration if you're prepared to put 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months, or have an income of 40K PM certified by your embassy.

All extensions of stay cost 1,900 baht.

[SpokaneAl]

I vote for the non imm o-a multi entry visa to avoid the border hops, dealing with immigration or having to meet any Thai bank deposit requirements during your stay except for the easy 90 day reports. We spend six months in Thailand each year and I just received my fourth non imm o-a and don't find the process to be particularly difficult nor complicated.

[trevoromgh]

Thanks very much for both of your responses. Whilst the O-A version does sound attractive I've just done some further research online and the application process for an O-A (in the UK anyway) seems like an absolute nightmare to follow as the instructions require you :-

• complete all forms in triplicate
• complete additional long stay form
• get Thai bank to provide an original reference letter stating your balance exceeds the THB 800k requirement (slow but not too onerous I guess)
• apply to a third party organisation called ACRO for a criminal records certificate (another lengthy process followed by a wait time of between 2-10 working days minimum and costing either £45 or £80)
• get your doctor to complete a 'Medical Certificate' form which is in Thai and illegible as what English text is provided has been badly formed (check it yourself here) http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/forms/medicalcertificate.pdf
• collect all documents from above and then get a solicitor to certify them at £??? extra cost
• take two days expensive train trips to London embassy to deliver/collect documents person (as there is no postal application available for O-A type visa)
• once O-A issued you still need to report to immigration after 90 days of arriving in country anyway

Have you guys managed to simplify the process somehow or do you agree it is a right PITA ?

The option mentioned earlier as follows :-

"You could also extend a single entry 'O' by 1 year at immigration if you're prepared to put 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months,"

seems like the best for me as I shall have deposited funds into my Thai bank by then for furnishing the house and this would then enable my next visit to be hassle free as I'd still have a valid visa to enter Thailand again next year. Are you sure all that is required is the money in the bank though i.e. no criminal or medical record checks ??

[elviajero]

The option mentioned earlier as follows :-

"You could also extend a single entry 'O' by 1 year at immigration if you're prepared to put 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months,"

seems like the best for me as I shall have deposited funds into my Thai bank by then for furnishing the house and this would then enable my next visit to be hassle free as I'd still have a valid visa to enter Thailand again next year. Are you sure all that is required is the money in the bank though i.e. no criminal or medical record checks ??

• You'll be given 90 days on entry and can apply within the last 30 (maybe 45) days. The extension will apply from the end of the 90 days regardless of how early you apply.
• The money must be in the account for 2 months before the day you apply.
• You don't need a criminal or medical check.
• Once you have the extension of stay you will need to buy a re-entry permit if you want to exit and return within the year because you no longer have a visa. Single entry, 1,000 baht; Multiple entry 3,800 baht.
• You can apply for a new extension every year, but must be in the country when you apply. Extensions of stay based on marriage are put under consideration (formality) for 30 days so you also need to be in the country when the extension is approved.

[SpokaneAl]

Thanks very much for both of your responses. Whilst the O-A version does sound attractive I've just done some further research online and the application process for an O-A (in the UK anyway) seems like an absolute nightmare to follow as the instructions require you :-

• complete all forms in triplicate
• complete additional long stay form
• get Thai bank to provide an original reference letter stating your balance exceeds the THB 800k requirement (slow but not too onerous I guess)
• apply to a third party organisation called ACRO for a criminal records certificate (another lengthy process followed by a wait time of between 2-10 working days minimum and costing either £45 or £80)
• get your doctor to complete a 'Medical Certificate' form which is in Thai and illegible as what English text is provided has been badly formed (check it yourself here) http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/forms/medicalcertificate.pdf
• collect all documents from above and then get a solicitor to certify them at £??? extra cost
• take two days expensive train trips to London embassy to deliver/collect documents person (as there is no postal application available for O-A type visa)
• once O-A issued you still need to report to immigration after 90 days of arriving in country anyway

Have you guys managed to simplify the process somehow or do you agree it is a right PITA ?

The option mentioned earlier as follows :-

"You could also extend a single entry 'O' by 1 year at immigration if you're prepared to put 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months,"

seems like the best for me as I shall have deposited funds into my Thai bank by then for furnishing the house and this would then enable my next visit to be hassle free as I'd still have a valid visa to enter Thailand again next year. Are you sure all that is required is the money in the bank though i.e. no criminal or medical record checks ??

The Los Angeles Thai consulate requires an original and three copies. I complete the original forms and simply make three copies.

The bank requirement is not based on a Thai bank. Your local bank info should work fine.

I find the criminal history relatively easy and simply apply on line.

The medical certificate is relatively straight forward and my doctor signs and returns it to me quickly.

Perhaps the process in the UK is challenging. I find it relatively easy and straightforward, and as mentioned previously, just received my fourth non imm o-a multi entry visa.

I like the idea of not needing to be beholden to Thai immigration offices for an extension etc and not needing to do much of anything, passport wise during my six months each year in Thailand.

Good luck whichever way you choose to go.

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[SpokaneAl]

P.S. That is the identical medical form that is used in the US. Neither I or my doctor have ever had a problem understanding and completing it.

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[Suradit69]

P.S. That is the identical medical form that is used in the US. Neither I or my doctor have ever had a problem understanding and completing it.

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And the medical clearance is only for

1. LEPROSY

2. TUBERCULOSIS (T.B.)

3 ELEPHANTIASIS

4. DRUG ADDICTION

5. THIRD STEP OF SYPHILIS,

so if you see a doctor who knows you, it wouldn't require much in the way of an examination.

[trevoromgh]

The option mentioned earlier as follows :-

"You could also extend a single entry 'O' by 1 year at immigration if you're prepared to put 400K in a Thai bank for 2 months,"

seems like the best for me as I shall have deposited funds into my Thai bank by then for furnishing the house and this would then enable my next visit to be hassle free as I'd still have a valid visa to enter Thailand again next year. Are you sure all that is required is the money in the bank though i.e. no criminal or medical record checks ??

• You'll be given 90 days on entry and can apply within the last 30 (maybe 45) days. The extension will apply from the end of the 90 days regardless of how early you apply.
• The money must be in the account for 2 months before the day you apply.
• You don't need a criminal or medical check.
• Once you have the extension of stay you will need to buy a re-entry permit if you want to exit and return within the year because you no longer have a visa. Single entry, 1,000 baht; Multiple entry 3,800 baht.
• You can apply for a new extension every year, but must be in the country when you apply. Extensions of stay based on marriage are put under consideration (formality) for 30 days so you also need to be in the country when the extension is approved.

Thanks again.

If I choose to apply for the 'Non Imm O Multi Entry 1 year' visa instead from the UK presumably this would mean I don't have to make visa runs out of the country during my visit but just report in to immigration once every 3 months during my stay, is that correct?

A while back I read on this forum that they were thinking of introducing an easy 3 month reporting process whereby you could do it electronically at your nearby 7 eleven shops. Presumably nothing ever happened on that front or was it an April Fool joke?

[trevoromgh]

P.S. That is the identical medical form that is used in the US. Neither I or my doctor have ever had a problem understanding and completing it.

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Fair enough. Thanks for your advice and good wishes.

[Evilbaz]

IMO there is more hassle with getting an extension based on marriage than the OA (Retirement) visa which can easily last two years if you re-enter just before the Visa expiry date.

e.g. photos everywhere but in the shower, home visits by Immi, witnesses to be interviewed, under consideration, multiple visits to Immi office etc. etc.

I did the Dr's visit, notarization of all documents (by a free Justice of the Peace in Australia) binding the documents (at Officeworks) and mailing certified (there and return) in under three hours.

The National Police Clearance was done online.

[4evermaat]

Thanks again.

If I choose to apply for the 'Non Imm O Multi Entry 1 year' visa instead from the UK presumably this would mean I don't have to make visa runs out of the country during my visit but just report in to immigration once every 3 months during my stay, is that correct?

........

No. Non-O multiple requires that you do an out-in border run every 90 days to obtain a new 90 day permission to stay. The out-in is very easy to do from most tourist locations or where expats frequent, usually cost between 1100-2500 baht depending on what border. Flying would be +4,000 r/t if that is your preference.

The multiple non-o is a bit less hassle to get if you cannot get the non o-a.

[elviajero]

Thanks again.

If I choose to apply for the 'Non Imm O Multi Entry 1 year' visa instead from the UK presumably this would mean I don't have to make visa runs out of the country during my visit but just report in to immigration once every 3 months during my stay, is that correct?

A while back I read on this forum that they were thinking of introducing an easy 3 month reporting process whereby you could do it electronically at your nearby 7 eleven shops. Presumably nothing ever happened on that front or was it an April Fool joke?

No that's not correct. 90 day reporting is only required by someone staying in the country more than 90 consecutive days. If you enter with a non 'O' visa you only get permission to stay for a maximum of 90 days. You must leave the country on or before the 90th day or apply for an extension of stay (60 days or 1 year). If you extend your stay at an immigration office it effectively counts as a report.

You would need to exit every 90/150 days. You can do that at any international border. You exit Thailand, enter the neighbouring country, turn around and immediately re-enter Thailand. You will have absolutely no problem doing this as you would have a valid visa. There are 'visa run' companies that can take you to the border or you can do it yourself. The only people that get a hard time with same day exit/re-entry are those without a visa that re-enter using the Tourist Visa Exempt Scheme.

Yes it was an April fools joke. You can report online https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90online/online/tm47/TM47Action.do, by mail (most offices), in person or by authorising someone else to do it for you.

[trevoromgh]

Thanks Elviajero.

So are you saying if I enter with a 90 day non-O visa but go to an immigration before it expires and request a 1 year extension I would NOT need to leave the country on a visa-run after the first 90 day period after all but would need to on the subsequent periods?

If so, this sounds like the ideal solution for me as I would be returning to the UK before the 180 days have expired anyway.

[elviajero]

Thanks Elviajero.

So are you saying if I enter with a 90 day non-O visa but go to an immigration before it expires and request a 1 year extension I would NOT need to leave the country on a visa-run after the first 90 day period after all but would need to on the subsequent periods?

If so, this sounds like the ideal solution for me as I would be returning to the UK before the 180 days have expired anyway.

Nope. I was commenting on you having a 1 year multiple entry non 'O' visa.

If you enter with a 3 month single entry non 'O' visa, and extend your stay by 1 year, you do not need to (but can) leave the country during that year. It effectively gives you 1 year and 90 days in the country from the day you first enter with the non 'O'. You report to immigration every 90 days.

If you enter with a 1 year multiple entry non 'O' visa you need to exit every 90 days, OR apply for an extension of stay (1 year or 60 days) at the end of any 90 day entry. No 90 day reports needed.

[SpokaneAl]

Entering Thailand with a 90 day non o and then going to the local immigration office and applying for a one year extension of stay based on either retirement or marriage and jumping through the necessary hoops to meet the requirements for one of those, all in order to just stay for another 90 days does not sound ideal to me.

That sounds much more complex and potentially expensive vs obtaining a non imm o-a multi entry before leaving your home country.

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[trevoromgh]

To be honest I'd rather jump through a few hoops when I'm already in Thailand rather than face what (for me anyway) would be major hassle in the UK getting the Non O-A sorted out and if, as it sounds, a border run can be avoided in the process as well then that is a distinct bonus.

Can anyone tell me how much Thai immigration charge for a 1 year visa extension to a 90 day Non-O please?

[steve187]

all extensions are 1,900 baht,

re-entry permit is single entry 1,000 baht, multi entry 3,800 baht

[trevoromgh]

Thanks Steve. Seems a lot cheaper than the £125 I'd have to pay in the UK for a one year visa.

[mirage]

If you are happy to stay 5 months only, then it's very easy. Take your usual 90 day visa then you can get a further 60 day visit wife extension.

[SpokaneAl]

Thanks Steve. Seems a lot cheaper than the £125 I'd have to pay in the UK for a one year visa.

Don't forget the income and/or bank deposit requirements, which vary depending on the type of extension of stay you are obtaining, and which may or may not include a trip to your embassy in Bangkok for an income verification letter, plus the cost, whatever that may be, of obtaining the non imm o in your home country.

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[trevoromgh]

Is there a link to any documentation (in English) which spells out the required documents expected by the Thai immigration department (in Thailand) to extend Non-O 90 day visa by 1 year please?

I obviously have the links to the UK Thai Embassy website which covers getting things sorted this end but not for when I have arrived in Thailand and wish to extend my visa.

Thanks in advance

[elviajero]

Is there a link to any documentation (in English) which spells out the required documents expected by the Thai immigration department (in Thailand) to extend Non-O 90 day visa by 1 year please?

I obviously have the links to the UK Thai Embassy website which covers getting things sorted this end but not for when I have arrived in Thailand and wish to extend my visa.

Thanks in advance

The requirements do vary slightly from office to office, but here is a list of what is likely to be asked for. If you visit your local office before you apply they will tell you exactly what they want. It looks worse than it is:-

1 Year Extension of Stay (marriage)

• Your wife will need to go with you and she may be interviewed about when you met etc.
• 2 x signed copies of all the following documents.
• TM.7 form.
• 1 x photo 6 x 4.
• 1,900 baht.
• Proof of income or deposit in the bank of 400K. Signed copy of Thai bank book and a letter from the bank confirming the balance OR certified letter form your Embassy in Bangkok confirming a minimum income of 40K pm.
• Original marriage certificate.
• Kor Ror 2 marriage registry certificate. If you were married abroad you'll need to register the marriage at the local Amphoe.
• Signed copies of wife's ID and Tabien Baan.
• Signed copies of your passport pages: ID page, visa, entry stamp, departure card.
• Map to where you live from the nearest main road.
• Photos of you and your wife (and children if you have any) outside the property showing the house number or building name. Plus some inside the property.
• Proof of residence such as a rental agreement and they may want form TM.30. This is the form used by the Owner/House-master to report that you are staying with them.
• Maybe a witness.
• The may do a home visit during the 30 day under consideration period. It's routine and nothing to worry about.
• Forms can be downloaded here. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=download

There is some general information on the immigration website. (16.) http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=faq

[SpokaneAl]

Is there a link to any documentation (in English) which spells out the required documents expected by the Thai immigration department (in Thailand) to extend Non-O 90 day visa by 1 year please?

I obviously have the links to the UK Thai Embassy website which covers getting things sorted this end but not for when I have arrived in Thailand and wish to extend my visa.

Thanks in advance

You are not extending a visa. You would be applying for a one year extension of stay based on marriage or retirement. When you receive an extension of stay that visa is dead and done. Each of those extensions of stay have their own separate requirements that must be met. You would need to decide which extension of stay works best for you.

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[trevoromgh]

Having read the FAQ link website page sent to me (in post 23 last line) it seems from FAQ 51 that if you are granted a 1 years stay permit/extension to your visa you MUST then apply for a Re-entry permit using form TM8 before leaving Thailand.

Can anyone confirm this from your own experience? If so, is it possible to apply for the 'Re-entry permit' at the same time as you apply for the extension? I ask this because I'd already have a leave date set due to my return air ticket and would like to avoid another trip to immigration office.

There are also interesting points in FAQs 45-48 discussing the criteria to get a resident permit & registration book which presumably mean once obtained you no longer need visas but I shall probably open another thread about this.

[ubonjoe]

Having read the FAQ link website page sent to me (in post 23 last line) it seems from FAQ 51 that if you are granted a 1 years stay permit/extension to your visa you MUST then apply for a Re-entry permit using form TM8 before leaving Thailand.

Can anyone confirm this from your own experience? If so, is it possible to apply for the 'Re-entry permit' at the same time as you apply for the extension? I ask this because I'd already have a leave date set due to my return air ticket and would like to avoid another trip to immigration office.

There are also interesting points in FAQs 45-48 discussing the criteria to get a resident permit & registration book which presumably mean once obtained you no longer need visas but I shall probably open another thread about this.

You can apply for the re-entry permit as soon as you have the one year extension stamp in your passport. It is possible do it on the same day.

If you are applying for an extension based upon marriage you will not get the extension stamp until you go back at the end of the under consideration period. It is possible to get a re-entry permit for the under consideration period that will be valid up to the report back date.

Unless you plan on working here you will not qualify to apply for permanent residency.

[trevoromgh]

I hadn't realised you have to return to the office after the end of the consideration period so I can't avoid a minimum of two visits anyway so I shall apply for the re-entry permit on the second visit then.

Interesting what you say about having to work in order to qualify for permanent residence as there was no reference to that criteria in FAQs 45-48. If you read FAQ 45 for example there is a specific category for employment but section 3.1 mentions providing patronage to a Thai national spouse. I read this as providing financial support to my Thai wife by any means including my savings & pensions. As I've also 'stayed' in Thailand 3 consecutive years and have a Non-O visa previously I should meet the criteria FAQ 46 demands unless they require me to have been in the country continuously.

[ubonjoe]

I hadn't realised you have to return to the office after the end of the consideration period so I can't avoid a minimum of two visits anyway so I shall apply for the re-entry permit on the second visit then.

Interesting what you say about having to work in order to qualify for permanent residence as there was no reference to that criteria in FAQs 45-48. If you read FAQ 45 for example there is a specific category for employment but section 3.1 mentions providing patronage to a Thai national spouse. I read this as providing financial support to my Thai wife by any means including my savings & pensions. As I've also 'stayed' in Thailand 3 consecutive years and have a Non-O visa previously I should meet the criteria FAQ 46 demands unless they require me to have been in the country continuously.

Not sure how up to date FAQ section is. See this list of required documents to apply if married to a Thai: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/residence/residence_th_sponser_en.pdf

They changed the requirements after the nationality act was amended in 2008 that makes it possible for you to apply for Thai citizenship without needing to apply for permanent residency first if married to a Thai. If you can meet the requirements for PR you can apply for citizenship.

[elviajero]

I hadn't realised you have to return to the office after the end of the consideration period so I can't avoid a minimum of two visits anyway so I shall apply for the re-entry permit on the second visit then.

Interesting what you say about having to work in order to qualify for permanent residence as there was no reference to that criteria in FAQs 45-48. If you read FAQ 45 for example there is a specific category for employment but section 3.1 mentions providing patronage to a Thai national spouse. I read this as providing financial support to my Thai wife by any means including my savings & pensions. As I've also 'stayed' in Thailand 3 consecutive years and have a Non-O visa previously I should meet the criteria FAQ 46 demands unless they require me to have been in the country continuously.

The FAQ's do get updated from time to time but are just a basic guide. There is a link on the website with some more information: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/residence/26122546_regulation_notice_en.pdf. See section 3.3

Getting 'PR' is a protracted process that many expats don't qualify for.

[ubonjoe]

I hadn't realised you have to return to the office after the end of the consideration period so I can't avoid a minimum of two visits anyway so I shall apply for the re-entry permit on the second visit then.

Interesting what you say about having to work in order to qualify for permanent residence as there was no reference to that criteria in FAQs 45-48. If you read FAQ 45 for example there is a specific category for employment but section 3.1 mentions providing patronage to a Thai national spouse. I read this as providing financial support to my Thai wife by any means including my savings & pensions. As I've also 'stayed' in Thailand 3 consecutive years and have a Non-O visa previously I should meet the criteria FAQ 46 demands unless they require me to have been in the country continuously.

The FAQ's do get updated from time to time but are just a basic guide. There is a link on the website with some more information: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/residence/26122546_regulation_notice_en.pdf. See section 3.3

Getting 'PR' is a protracted process that many expats don't qualify for.

Not sure why they have even posted that regulation from 2003 since they do not go by it. Read the required documents I posted a link to for PR based upon marriage to a Thai that is what they will want.