Genuine facts and experiences of Visas

[Wanderlust]

Hot Off The Press!
I have just returned from Kuala Lumpur (this morning at 2am arrived in Hua Hin), having left Thailand on Monday 19th. The Thai Embassy in KL issued me with a multiple entry non immigrant 'O' visa, and what I presented was the following:
Completed application form
My passport plus a copy
A copy of my (Thai) wife's ID card
Showed the original and gave a copy of our (Thai) marriage certificate
500 ringitt (about 5000 baht)

The application form was different to those I have filled in before in the UK, but essentially asked the same questions, including the ridiculous space where you are meant to fill in all previous visits to Thailand! The lady that dealt with me was not Thai I don't think, and was quick and efficient, and answered my enquiry about whether they were issuing multiple non 'O' visas in the affirmative. I collected the visa on Thursday 22nd. The KL Embassy is open for visa applications from 9.30 to 11.30am, but it is a good idea to arrive by 9am or before, as it is apparently very common for the queue to be quite long (it was the day I went), and you are exposed to the elements. Visa collections are from 11.30 to 12.30. One point to be aware of is that once you have got into the Embassy to make your application, go inside the room where you apply and get a number for the queue - a lot of people just sat down outside this room in the waiting area without doing so, so all their queueing outside went to waste!
Whether any of this will change or be different for you I cannot tell you, but that was my experience.

[nosamluap]

Hi all

I have spent the last 90 mins trawling through the forum looking for how, when and where we renew our Multiple entry 'O' visa at Ranong, which I gleen is the nearest and easiest place to go to do it.

Most of the postings on the forum are from people who have experience in renewing. My wife and I are on our first 90 day stint and have no idea where to go and what to do etc. next month.

We have a car and would prefer to travel by this than bus, but tell me if that is a bad idea? How long will it take etc. any maps I can look at or online websites? Where do we get the boat? etc

Can someone help and be very specific when responding please, (it would be greatly appreciated) and what is the Andaman Club by the way?

Cheers

Paul

[lomuamart]

First off I assume you mean exiting Thailand and getting another 90 day entry stamp on the same visa. If you mean getting a new one, it can't be done in Ranong. Is your visa for more than one entry?
Assuming it is, there's no reason why you shouldn't drive. Ranong's easy to get to. Just follow the main highway south to Chumphon and when you arrive at the main crossroads when you'd turn east to get to the town, turn right (west) and follow the road all the way to Ranong. It's clearly signposted in English. The quickest I've ever made it down there by car was @4.5 hours - the driver wasn't hanging around. 5-5.5hrs for a more sedate journey including a stop or two.
Busses take 6 odd hours going down and 7 odd coming back. If you use this method, check the times. When I went down 2 months ago, it seemed that the 8am bus had changed to 11am. I'm not 100% sure if that was a one-off that day. If the schedule has changed to 11am, you'll have difficulty getting to imm in time and be stuck in Ranong for a night.
You get the boats at the main pier, which isn't far from imm. You'll have to climb over them all to get to yours, so if you're not too sure of your sea legs, use the Andaman Club. It's a big, walk on air con vessel that takes you to the Andaman Hotel and casino in Burma. Very civilised way of doing the run. You'll have a couple of hours at the hotel - play the slot machines, have a drink, some food and then return. The Andaman Club is outside of Ranong, in fact you go past the turn off for it before you get there. Difficult to be more specific. Again it's signposted.
Hope that helps.
PS, just noticed you mentioned multi-entry Non O, so I assume you're just doing a 90 day run.

[nosamluap]

First off I assume you mean exiting Thailand and getting another 90 day entry stamp on the same visa. If you mean getting a new one, it can't be done in Ranong. Is your visa for more than one entry?
Assuming it is, there's no reason why you shouldn't drive. Ranong's easy to get to. Just follow the main highway south to Chumphon and when you arrive at the main crossroads when you'd turn east to get to the town, turn right (west) and follow the road all the way to Ranong. It's clearly signposted in English. The quickest I've ever made it down there by car was @4.5 hours - the driver wasn't hanging around. 5-5.5hrs for a more sedate journey including a stop or two.
Busses take 6 odd hours going down and 7 odd coming back. If you use this method, check the times. When I went down 2 months ago, it seemed that the 8am bus had changed to 11am. I'm not 100% sure if that was a one-off that day. If the schedule has changed to 11am, you'll have difficulty getting to imm in time and be stuck in Ranong for a night.
You get the boats at the main pier, which isn't far from imm. You'll have to climb over them all to get to yours, so if you're not too sure of your sea legs, use the Andaman Club. It's a big, walk on air con vessel that takes you to the Andaman Hotel and casino in Burma. Very civilised way of doing the run. You'll have a couple of hours at the hotel - play the slot machines, have a drink, some food and then return. The Andaman Club is outside of Ranong, in fact you go past the turn off for it before you get there. Difficult to be more specific. Again it's signposted.
Hope that helps.
PS, just noticed you mentioned multi-entry Non O, so I assume you're just doing a 90 day run.

Thanks for your response. Will send you a PM to just clarify a couple of small points.

Thanks for your help

Cheers

Paul & Sue

[sam]

Am I correct in thinking that I can get a single entry non o in UK and extend it in HH and only have to report to local immigration office every 90 days (husband will have retirement visa).

[Onlyme]

Sam, as I understand it, if you are dependant upon your husband and he meets the requirements of the Immigration, re-retirement visa. As long as your visa is valid when "he" is accepted for said retirement visa, you shouldn't have any problems!
Then again, I may be wrong
Please feel free to visit the Immigration centre at Huahin Police Station.
I'm sure they will put you on the right track.
Tony.

[lomuamart]

I'm also sure that's correct. You'll be a dependant on your husband's retirement extension and simply report with him at the same time.
You'll obviously need proof of your marriage, so remember the certificate.
Have a look at this:
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/2n ... p606EN.pdf
Sections 7.19 & 7.21.

[PeteC]

I'm also sure that's correct. You'll be a dependant on your husband's retirement extension and simply report with him at the same time.
You'll obviously need proof of your marriage, so remember the certificate.
Have a look at this:

Just as a side note, it is possible to have a dependent that you are not married to, or who even has your last name. It's called "head of household" in many countries. I guess in this case you would have to take your home country tax returns to immigration to prove the point. That would be a real chore to make them understand I'm afraid, take a change of clothes and perhaps a sleeping bag. Pete

[Takiap]

Hi all

Well its been a while since I last posted on here so I thought I'd just share my most recent experiences.

Having done the Ranong visa run three times, I headed of to Panang to get a marriage visa which I was denied because I never had any bank statements with me or my other halfs ID card. I have posted all this on here in the past so am just recapping. Anyway I got a 60 tourist visa and then extended it for a month at HH immigration, At the end of the third month I was not up to going all the way to Panang so I opted for the Ranong trip instead. I was allowed out and back in but was told that I could not do the run again without leaving Thailand and applying for a visa outside of the country. How this all works, I have no idea so please excuse my ignorance. Anyway, a week ago I headed of to Panang and this time I made sure I had every bit of paper I could think of and I was given a three month Non Immigrant type O visa which I can now try and extend in Thailand.

Not sure if this info helps anyone but just thought I'd post it anyway. If anyone can give me any advice or tips for extending my three month marriage visa to a one year visa I would be most grateful.

One last thing, a very close friend of mine recently also applied for a marriage visa while in China and he was given a one year multiple entry visa without any bother. All he had to show was his marriage certificate and a copy of his wifes ID as well as his own passport. It seems that these visas can still be obtained in certain countries but I know for certain that Panang will not issue the one year visa anymore.

Take care

[lomuamart]

To get the extension, you'll need to prove that you and your wife have a monthly income of over 40k. Prior to Oct 1st last year you could also show 400k in Thai bank, but that option is longer available for new applicants.
You'll need a letter from your Embassy confirming the income, so you'll need to check with them as to what you need - probably bank statements.
You can submit the application in HH, but it goes to BKK for approval. Your wife needs to be with you when you apply and they'll probably quiz the two of you a little. Obviously you'll need your marriage certificate and proof of where you live. Imm will stamp you "under consideration" whilst they're dealing with the matter and are likely to turn up at your home to check the marriage isn't a sham. I'm not sure how long the process takes, but believe it can be for up to 3 months. The forms you need are at imm. Also check with them when they'd like you to apply, I've heard about 21 days before your 90 day entry period is due to expire, but I'd check that out.

[PeteC]

To get the extension, you'll need to prove that you and your wife have a monthly income of over 40k. Prior to Oct 1st last year you could also show 400k in Thai bank, but that option is longer available for new applicants.

Another brain twister. It is possible to be not working but wealthy, and perhaps not be able to show income from investments or the like on a regular basis, just large bank balances.

If something like this should be the case, I wonder if the husband could pay the wife 40K per month as household work salary and subsequently use that as proof of income? Of course, that would then make you an employer of a Thai citizen and you would probably be jailed if you didn't have a proper tax paying company in place.

With the way the above law is now structured, I bet ya they ask the farang where his 40K per month income comes from, and the answer would need to be very carefully thought out.

The bottom line to me is they are simply trying to use the immigration law to stop marriages, unless of course you take your bride out of the country to live. Pete

[seasidesurfer]

Hi from Scarborough.
I have just returned from the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull and thaught my experiance may be useful for fellow Swallows.
Downloaded the application forms and driving location from the net. Phoned Hull and made an appointment for the following morning.
Arrived 30mins early and left with my Visa 15mins before I was due to arrive.
A fast and friendly service.
Cost £28 plus £10 for personal visit. A bargain as I can spend the Winter in HuaHin without having to make the dreaded Visa run.
During my 15min wait I read the visitor book and found many comments from people living all over the UK including the London area.
If you require a fast, friendly and efficient Visa service this is the place to visit.
Steve.

[BaaBaa.]

Posted My passport and forms to Hull on the Friday and had it back with Visa on the Tuesday. £28

Just Counting down to early December now.

[BaaBaa.]

If you require a fast, friendly and efficient Visa service this is the place to visit.

Also its the only place to visit/post being the Thai Consulate.

[dtaai-maai]

I thought there was at least one other Thai Consulate - in Birmingham?