Hi,

 

After a good run of almost 3 years entering 10 times a year on visa exempt (offshore worker in the UK on 2/3 rota) I received a grilling from the IO boss at Swampy in December and a warning "this time I give you warning, next time you must have visa".

 

Plan A was to get an O-A visa from London (I was 50 last year) but my doctor wanted to do tests and I don't have time for that.

 

Plan B is to legalise my marriage to my Thai wife. I will get a SETV from the London Thai Embassy and come to Bangkok. Go to the British Embassy for my affidavit, get it translated and then to MFA for verification.

I believe MFA takes 3 days and I only have a week so I'm cutting it fine to get married before I go back to London. I plan on getting a re-entry permit so I can return on the same SETV in February.

 

So, my questions to the good people of this form are:

1) Has anyone else had problems with visa exempt lately as I have seen no posts on this?

2) How many re-entry permits can I use with a SETV and where do I get them from (no idea on this process)?

3) Any recommendation for an Amphur that can marry us in 1 day?

4) Any advantages/disadvantages to getting my marriage visa in London as opposed to Savannakhet (or Bangkok if that's possible)? I know no proof of income is required in Savannakhet but will it raise any red flags with immigration if I fly back and forth London to Bangkok but with a visa from Lao?

5) Am I missing anything?

 

Thanks in advance for your help,

 

David

The easiest way for you will probably be to travel to Thailand with a SETV, then get a change to non-O visa at the Bangkok immigration office and subsequently one-year extensions of stay for the reason of retirement.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

You could get a single re-entry permit for the 60 day entry from the the tourist visa.

You will need an appointment at UK embassy to do the affirmation of permit to marry.

Next day service is possible for at the MFA if the translation is submitted early enough in the day.

I think your best option my be to get the re-entry permit to enter the next time and register your marriage.

My advice visa wise would be for you to get a multiple entry non-o based upon marriage at Savannakhet or London instead of trying to get an extension of stay. I doubt you will have to apply for an extension if your trips back here are short.

It does not matter where your visa is issued. Immigration on entry will only be interested in it still being valid for entry not where it is issued.

 

 

1. People overusing visa exempt entries are still getting warnings to get visas.
2. You can get as many re-entry permits as you want, but they do not add time to the original 60 day permit to stay. Single entry re-entry permits are 1,000 baht and multiple entry cost 3,800 baht. I don't see much point in you getting one. A second SETV or a Non 'O' whilst in the UK would be a better choice.
3. As far as I know the formalities are always done within a few hours on one day.
4. Getting it from London is the easiest option. No financial proof required, and it can be done by post while you're in the UK.

Edited January 9, 20179 yr by elviajero

2 hours ago, RC8 said:

1) Has anyone else had problems with visa exempt lately as I have seen no posts on this?

 

Yes.  Several people who have plenty of money and do not stay here long-term (therefore are not illegally working here) have been told they can no longer use visa-exempts to enter Thailand when they entered by air.  Others have been denied entry, forced to buy a return-flight, and literally held captive until their flight left - later that day or even locked-up overnight until the next day. 

 

Visitors like yourself are the definition of "good guy" tourists who have solid incomes they wish to spend here.  What possible sane reason would have Thailand wishing Oil and Gas workers go to Cambodia or Vietnam during their down-time?  What if they don't have a girlfriend to marry? 

 

Land Border crossings for visa-exempt entry have now been limited to 2-per-year, which will put an end to thousands of expats living in Cambodia and Laos, who do frequent shopping in Thailand (removing more jobs and economic opportunity for Thais).  In discussion of this new rule, many mistakenly stated that entry by air using visa-exempt is "still unlimited."  Clearly it is not, has not been for some time, and the new land-rule has not reduced scrutiny at air-entry-points.  Arbitrary and undefined rules are used to deny visa-exempt entries which vary by entry-point, and over time at those entry-points.  "Swampy" is considered one of the more "friendly" air-entry points. 

 

Is everyone in Thailand too wealthy already and, therefore, economic opportunities for its citizens need to be curtailed by reducing the wealth flowing in from overseas?  Is there no awareness that visitors have several other much more welcoming options in the region, and around the world? 

Good news and more jobs in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, it seems.

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You could get a single re-entry permit for the 60 day entry from the the tourist visa.

You will need an appointment at UK embassy to do the affirmation of permit to marry.

Next day service is possible for at the MFA if the translation is submitted early enough in the day.

I think your best option my be to get the re-entry permit to enter the next time and register your marriage.

My advice visa wise would be for you to get a multiple entry non-o based upon marriage at Savannakhet or London instead of trying to get an extension of stay. I doubt you will have to apply for an extension if your trips back here are short.

It does not matter where your visa is issued. Immigration on entry will only be interested in it still being valid for entry not where it is issued.

 

 

I have an appointment booked at the UK embassy.

 

According to another site the MFA now requires 3 days to process documents for foreigners.

http://www.thethailandlife.com/married-thailand-diy-day

 

I think I will do as you say and register the marriage next trip.

Sorry for the stupid question but where do I get a re-entry permit and what do I do with it?

 

Thanks for the good advice as always Joe.

 

3 hours ago, elviajero said:

1. People overusing visa exempt entries are still getting warnings to get visas.
2. You can get as many re-entry permits as you want, but they do not add time to the original 60 day permit to stay. Single entry re-entry permits are 1,000 baht and multiple entry cost 3,800 baht. I don't see much point in you getting one. A second SETV or a Non 'O' whilst in the UK would be a better choice.
3. As far as I know the formalities are always done within a few hours on one day.

4. Quote

   Getting it from London is the easiest option. No financial proof required, and it can be done by post while you're in the UK.

   Quote

    

    

 

No financial proof required in London!!!

If that's true it would be great but the London Embassy website says proof is required.

 

Cant do it by post as I need my passport while offshore but I stay near London when not working so no biggie.

Edited January 9, 20179 yr by RC8

2 hours ago, JackThompson said:

 

Yes.  Several people who have plenty of money and do not stay here long-term (therefore are not illegally working here) have been told they can no longer use visa-exempts to enter Thailand when they entered by air.  Others have been denied entry, forced to buy a return-flight, and literally held captive until their flight left - later that day or even locked-up overnight until the next day. 

 

Visitors like yourself are the definition of "good guy" tourists who have solid incomes they wish to spend here.  What possible sane reason would have Thailand wishing Oil and Gas workers go to Cambodia or Vietnam during their down-time?  What if they don't have a girlfriend to marry? 

 

Land Border crossings for visa-exempt entry have now been limited to 2-per-year, which will put an end to thousands of expats living in Cambodia and Laos, who do frequent shopping in Thailand (removing more jobs and economic opportunity for Thais).  In discussion of this new rule, many mistakenly stated that entry by air using visa-exempt is "still unlimited."  Clearly it is not, has not been for some time, and the new land-rule has not reduced scrutiny at air-entry-points.  Arbitrary and undefined rules are used to deny visa-exempt entries which vary by entry-point, and over time at those entry-points.  "Swampy" is considered one of the more "friendly" air-entry points. 

 

Is everyone in Thailand too wealthy already and, therefore, economic opportunities for its citizens need to be curtailed by reducing the wealth flowing in from overseas?  Is there no awareness that visitors have several other much more welcoming options in the region, and around the world? 

Good news and more jobs in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, it seems.

 

Agree 100%

 

Good God I had no idea they were clamping down that much. Guess I've been lucky up to now.

 

I was thinking of chancing my luck and just go without a visa but not now!!!

 

Thanks for the heads up.

1 hour ago, RC8 said:

where do I get a re-entry permit and what do I do with it?

 

departure hall 2 at suvarnabhumi.  i have not seen the desk yet but when it was in departure hall 1 (recently moved), the desk was after security in the area with the immigration counters.  i believe the cost is 1200thb.  you don't have to bring form or picture.  they do everything for you.  it took about 20 minutes to get one when i last did it (about a year ago).  the permit is just a stamp in your passport, you don't do anything with it.  but remember it doesn't add any time to your original permission to stay (i made that mistake once).  

14 minutes ago, buick said:

 

departure hall 2 at suvarnabhumi.  i have not seen the desk yet but when it was in departure hall 1 (recently moved), the desk was after security in the area with the immigration counters.  i believe the cost is 1200thb.  you don't have to bring form or picture.  they do everything for you.  it took about 20 minutes to get one when i last did it (about a year ago).  the permit is just a stamp in your passport, you don't do anything with it.  but remember it doesn't add any time to your original permission to stay (i made that mistake once).  

 

Thanks buick.

Does the original 60 days freeze while im out of Thailand and restart when I return or is it just 60 days from when I first enter the country?

15 minutes ago, RC8 said:

Does the original 60 days freeze while im out of Thailand and restart when I return

 

no.  the clock keeps running while you are away.   i've entered thailand with an SETV and left after 30 days (got re entry permit) and returned with 15 days left on my permission to stay (via the original SETV entry).  then i get a 30 day extension on my SETV at the immigration office at chaeng wattana.  a couple years ago, i wouldn't bother with the re entry permit and just do a visa exempt entry.  but these days it makes some sense to avoid visa exempt entries when possible.

5 hours ago, RC8 said:

 

No financial proof required in London!!!

If that's true it would be great but the London Embassy website says proof is required.

 

Cant do it by post as I need my passport while offshore but I stay near London when not working so no biggie.

The website has been wrong for years. No financial info is required. You will need copies of your marriage certificate and your wife's ID and house registration book (Tabien Baan).

 

Postal applications can only be made while you're physically in the UK, and only take a few working days. An option if you have time and want to avoid a trip to the Embassy.

10 hours ago, elviajero said:

The website has been wrong for years. No financial info is required. You will need copies of your marriage certificate and your wife's ID and house registration book (Tabien Baan).

 

Postal applications can only be made while you're physically in the UK, and only take a few working days. An option if you have time and want to avoid a trip to the Embassy.

 

Thank you elviajero, that's really helped me out.

 

And thanks to everyone else who replied for the excellent advice.