which visa

[frank1957]

Hi all, I am looking for advice on what type of visa to apply for,I am looking to rent a house for 6 months because the one I am having built at present will not be ready until December, I work offshore in the UK and will be commuting to and from Thailand for work as my rota is 2 weeks on 2 off then 2 on 4 off, my wife and son will be staying in Hua Hin so is a yearly non immigrant visa with multiple entry the way to go.

[Takiap]

I'm sure our visa guru will respond soon enough, but if you ask me, I don't think you really need to bother with visas. My mate who is also working offshore has found it's easy to just come and go with the stamps you get on arrival. This is despite the fact that he's married to a Thai and etc. The only problem being.............when you go two on and four off, you'll need to get an extension each time. If you can't be bothered with the regular extensions, then yes, a 1 year multiple entry will probably be your best bet.


Good luck

[lomuamart]

Actually, the 30 day visa exempt stamps that are given at the airport (not arrival by land or sea which only gives 15 days) should suffice for now as the longest stay the OP envisages is 28 days.
If. for whatever reason, he needed to stay on for longer than 30 days then a 7 day extension is available for 1,900THB.
I know quite a few offshore workers who don't bother with visas as they're never here longer than 30 days.
EDIT Have your wife and son got their visas sorted out?

[frank1957]

Thanks for the response guys looks like I will have to get the wife and son a multiple entry visa as they will be staying in Hua Hin, me I will endevour to enjoy the golf when I am over there.

[lomuamart]

I see. The visas you're interested in are for your wife and child. It would help to have some information about their ages and how long they intend to stay in HH. Will it be permanent or will they be going back home regularly?
It's difficult to give precise advice without more details.
EDIT AGAIN How old are you?

[frank1957]

Hi they will be staying permanently my son is 14 and the wife 42, I understand that they will have to get their passports stamped every 90 days or so, they will only be going back to the UK once a year

[lomuamart]

Then the best bet a the moment is to stick with the multi-entry Non O visas as long as they can get them in the UK. Some consulates are tightening up a bit now when granting them. As I'm sure you're aware, they'll have to exit Thailand every 90 days to remain legal with that type of visa and renew it every 12-15 months back in the UK as they won't get one in neighbouring countries here.
If you're over 50, or when you reach that age, you could apply for annual extensions based on retirement - despite working offshore - and your wife and son could piggyback on your's.
There's also the option of an Ed visa which would require attendance at an educational establishment to qualify, but I'll leave that to Bapak to explain.

[frank1957]

Thanks for that, I get back onshore in just over a weeks time so I will arrange an appointment at the Thai embassy in Glasgow and hopefully get things moving.

[zevon]

Then the best bet a the moment is to stick with the multi-entry Non O visas as long as they can get them in the UK. .

Just curious but on what basis would they qualify for an "O" visa?

[moja]

If you are over 50 then the best way is for you to obtain a retirement extension with your wife and son piggybacking you as then they will not have to leave the country every 90 days. That is if your wife is not Thai. If both of you are under 50 then you could have problems as the rules are being tightened all the time for non-o visas.

[lomuamart]

Then the best bet a the moment is to stick with the multi-entry Non O visas as long as they can get them in the UK. .

Just curious but on what basis would they qualify for an "O" visa?

I did qualify that quote with the fact that UK consulates are tightening up on issuing Non Os but you're right to highlight it.
To the OP, strictly speaking, to qualify for a single or multi-entry Non O, the applicant should be over 50, married to a Thai or taking care of a Thai child. Some consulates are still "user-friendly" and I believe that Glasgow is one of them. Hull, for instance, which was most peoples' favourite, now require applicants to be over 50 and want proof of 900GBP monthly income. You'll need to find out what Glasgow want to see to issue the multi Non Os. If they don't play ball, then check out the others in the UK.
If none of you can get a Non O, then Hull, and probably Glasgow as well, do issue triple-entry tourist visas and they will be an alternative. Enter and get 60 days, extend for another 30 at HH Imm for 1,900THB, then exit Thailand and re-enter to get another 60+30 and repeat for a third time. This will give approx 9 months in total. Then it'll be decision time as to the next visa. Some neighbouring countries are issuing double entry Tourist visas at the moment but you'll need to check closer to time time to find out if they are still doing so - things constantly change over here.
I'm afraid, as Moja said, the rules for long-stay in Thailand are being tightened all the time if you're under 50. A lot of traveling could be involved to remain legal.
Don't forget the possibility of Ed visas for your wife and son and that their status can change when you reach 50 as long as you get an annual extension based on retirement here.
Good luck.

[bapak]

Then the best bet a the moment is to stick with the multi-entry Non O visas as long as they can get them in the UK. Some consulates are tightening up a bit now when granting them. As I'm sure you're aware, they'll have to exit Thailand every 90 days to remain legal with that type of visa and renew it every 12-15 months back in the UK as they won't get one in neighbouring countries here.
If you're over 50, or when you reach that age, you could apply for annual extensions based on retirement - despite working offshore - and your wife and son could piggyback on your's.
There's also the option of an Ed visa which would require attendance at an educational establishment to qualify, but I'll leave that to Bapak to explain.

For Ed Visa info, see: http://learningcentre.co.th/edvisa.html Any queries, email: info@learningcentre.co.th

[Dcheetham]

Hi,
I am going to be in a simmilar situation. my husband works offshore, we currently live in China, we are both from Scotland originally.Was wondering if you knew where i should go to get a multi visa?
We would like to come to HH, not made a date yet, as the visa situation is confusing me. Any help on this would be great.
Thanks.

[bapak]

Hi,
I am going to be in a simmilar situation. my husband works offshore, we currently live in China, we are both from Scotland originally.Was wondering if you knew where i should go to get a multi visa?
We would like to come to HH, not made a date yet, as the visa situation is confusing me. Any help on this would be great.
Thanks.

Would you stay in Hua Hin while your husband works offshore...? and if your husband come to Hua Hin, how long is he likely to stay?

If you wish, you can email me at: info@learningcentre.co.th

[Dcheetham]

Hi,
Yes i would stay while my husband was working away. He is on a rota of 28-28 days. I am 45 and he is 44.