Hey folks, I’ve been a’looking for a visa to fit me but so far have only come up with living here on tourist visa’s. They are not much fun anymore.
I’ve asked a couple of lawyers, but was told to either get married or start a business.
Here’s my profile:
About 20 years under the magical retirement age, not married and not ready to get married, no kids, no business in Thailand, and I have a few dollars & baht to last me awhile.
Any ideas (about a visa that is)?
Any references? Lawyer? Immigration Official? Fortune Teller or Witch Doctors?
If you need my bank acct#'s to supply an answer, please don't respond.....I already gave it out today to a poor lad in Zimbabwe who just lost a rich uncle. I’m now waiting for all those millions to roll in.
Thanks.
I’m tired of visa runs!!!!
You may find it difficult if that's the situation Poe. It(the system here) is specifically designed to make it practically as difficult as possible to stay here if that's the situation.
I'm no expert on this stuff but Lomuamart is the forum guru on this stuff.
The only option I could think of is to think about getting a job and looking in the direction of a work permit, but that's also a mine field and not easily sorted out either.
This is a problem for many. Good luck.
I'm no expert on this stuff but Lomuamart is the forum guru on this stuff.
The only option I could think of is to think about getting a job and looking in the direction of a work permit, but that's also a mine field and not easily sorted out either.
This is a problem for many. Good luck.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
You may want to take a look at this thread. Pete 
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/st ... =education
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/st ... =education
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
I'm afraid that Spitfire's pretty much summed things up for you. Unfortunately, you can be a millionaire but unless you're over 50 or married to a Thai, visa runs are going to be unavoidable - unless you get a job.
A couple of suggestions, however. Try to get a double entry tourist visa. The best place for that at the moment is from Vientiane. That'll last you 6 months with two 30 day extensions at local Imm and one journey out of Thailand to activate the second entry.
The other option (which may not suit) is to go back to your home country and apply for a multi-entry Non O on the basis of visiting family and friends over here. I'm not sure where you're from. Certain countries are easier to deal with in this respect - for instance Hull in the UK is a piece of cake. The multi entry will be valid for a year and you'll get 90 days permitted to stay stamp every time you enter Thailand as long as the visa is still valid. You have to exit every 90 days (a day trip to Ranong is all that's necessary). If you go out a day before the visa expires, you'll get a "bonus" 90 days therefore making the visa work for almost 15 months. If you go for a Non O visa, apply through a consulate. They're almost always more user friendly than Embassies.
Sorry that I can't be of more help or more positive.
A couple of suggestions, however. Try to get a double entry tourist visa. The best place for that at the moment is from Vientiane. That'll last you 6 months with two 30 day extensions at local Imm and one journey out of Thailand to activate the second entry.
The other option (which may not suit) is to go back to your home country and apply for a multi-entry Non O on the basis of visiting family and friends over here. I'm not sure where you're from. Certain countries are easier to deal with in this respect - for instance Hull in the UK is a piece of cake. The multi entry will be valid for a year and you'll get 90 days permitted to stay stamp every time you enter Thailand as long as the visa is still valid. You have to exit every 90 days (a day trip to Ranong is all that's necessary). If you go out a day before the visa expires, you'll get a "bonus" 90 days therefore making the visa work for almost 15 months. If you go for a Non O visa, apply through a consulate. They're almost always more user friendly than Embassies.
Sorry that I can't be of more help or more positive.
Lomu,
Out of interest i have just phoned the Thai consulate in Hull to see what i could be entitled to, being 38 married to a Thai, and both of us living here.
They told me the only visa they can issue is a multi entry 90 day o, visa, so i asked what visa could i get once i am in Thailand, and they adviced me that they could not give me an answer it depends on the IMM office but a business B visa could be the way to go.
Have you got any idea what visa i might be entitled to get, doing the visa run thing is not a major issue, because our house is only 20km to Chong Chom border crossing but just reporting to Kap Choeng IMM office is only 4km away and it must be less hassle and cheaper.
I am intrested in being up to speed on this as my job is looking very dodgy and i could be looking at redundency this year, so i might have to make some very big decisions.
Kendo.
Out of interest i have just phoned the Thai consulate in Hull to see what i could be entitled to, being 38 married to a Thai, and both of us living here.
They told me the only visa they can issue is a multi entry 90 day o, visa, so i asked what visa could i get once i am in Thailand, and they adviced me that they could not give me an answer it depends on the IMM office but a business B visa could be the way to go.
Have you got any idea what visa i might be entitled to get, doing the visa run thing is not a major issue, because our house is only 20km to Chong Chom border crossing but just reporting to Kap Choeng IMM office is only 4km away and it must be less hassle and cheaper.
I am intrested in being up to speed on this as my job is looking very dodgy and i could be looking at redundency this year, so i might have to make some very big decisions.
Kendo.
Is Bangkok a place or a nasty injury.......Eric Morcombe.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Kendo,
In your situation, you're eligible for either a single or multi-entry Non Imm O visa and either will be easy to get from Hull. I'm sure you've looked at their website, but here's the link:
http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/
The single entry will give you 90 days on arrival and that can be extended once for 60 days - 1,900 Baht - as you're married to a Thai (takiab's just done it). Alternatively, it can be extended for a year as long as you meet certain financial and other criteria. The multi-entry is valid for a year, but you must exit Thailand every 90 days maximum. A day trip to Ranong and over to Burma is all that's necessary. You can make the visa work for about 15 months if you exit just before the visa expires.
When you're applying to Hull (either by post or in person) give them a copy of your marriage certificate. There are no financial requirements other than you self-certify that you have enough funds to support yourself whilst over here. It's all on the website and included on the application form that you can print off. It's really easy and you'll have your visa back in about 3 working days if you're doing it by post - immediately if you go there in person. I think they like you to make an appointment if the latter and it costs slightly more.
If you come over full-time with your Thai wife, the annual extension for supporting her is available to you. If you want more information about that, fire away and I can give more detailed information. There is quite a lot of paperwork involved (but not difficult to satisfy) and financial requirements.
In your situation, you're eligible for either a single or multi-entry Non Imm O visa and either will be easy to get from Hull. I'm sure you've looked at their website, but here's the link:
http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/
The single entry will give you 90 days on arrival and that can be extended once for 60 days - 1,900 Baht - as you're married to a Thai (takiab's just done it). Alternatively, it can be extended for a year as long as you meet certain financial and other criteria. The multi-entry is valid for a year, but you must exit Thailand every 90 days maximum. A day trip to Ranong and over to Burma is all that's necessary. You can make the visa work for about 15 months if you exit just before the visa expires.
When you're applying to Hull (either by post or in person) give them a copy of your marriage certificate. There are no financial requirements other than you self-certify that you have enough funds to support yourself whilst over here. It's all on the website and included on the application form that you can print off. It's really easy and you'll have your visa back in about 3 working days if you're doing it by post - immediately if you go there in person. I think they like you to make an appointment if the latter and it costs slightly more.
If you come over full-time with your Thai wife, the annual extension for supporting her is available to you. If you want more information about that, fire away and I can give more detailed information. There is quite a lot of paperwork involved (but not difficult to satisfy) and financial requirements.
So would it be less ball ache getting a business visa,so you just have to report and not do the border run, and where do you stand if your thai, wife is going to start a business and your her business partner do you still have to employ 4 Thai's pay the same level of tax etc if she is the main owner.
Kendo
Kendo
Is Bangkok a place or a nasty injury.......Eric Morcombe.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Getting a B visa extension is a lot more hassle than an O. Doesn't matter if the wife is Thai, if you want the visa and work permit (they go together) you'll need twice as much paperwork, need to pay tax on a monthly salary of 50k, need to pay national insurance for 4 employees, need to show office premises ... lately they're asking for shareholder documents on the company, photographic evidence of the staff at work, and just recently you need to show a profit every year to get the work permit renewal, without which they won't extend the visa.kendo wrote:So would it be less ball ache getting a business visa,so you just have to report and not do the border run, and where do you stand if your thai, wife is going to start a business and your her business partner do you still have to employ 4 Thai's pay the same level of tax etc if she is the main owner.
This is probably the hardest visa category and it keeps getting harder every year - they certainly don't want us working here.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
So could it be possible to have a Non O visa, and a work permit, to assist my Thai wife in her family business and get around the border run thing that way, i dont want to come across as a smart arse, i am just looking at the different angles as for our personal circumstances our house is not 20 minuits to the border anyway.
This whole visa thing seems to be a right mare, and i bet for you guys it must come as an annoyence and a chore.
Kendo.
This whole visa thing seems to be a right mare, and i bet for you guys it must come as an annoyence and a chore.
Kendo.
Is Bangkok a place or a nasty injury.......Eric Morcombe.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
There used to be, it was called a 'family income' extension or something, but I believe Thaksin did away with that just before his party got kicked out late last year. They changed it so that the 'family income' could only come from the farang (not the family business) - in other words bring it in (same as the marriage one).kendo wrote:So could it be possible to have a Non O visa, and a work permit, to assist my Thai wife in her family business
Don't quote me on that though - our resident visa guru will know more ...
Yes extending visas is the stuff of nightmares if you're under 50 and don't have an offshore income, if my job here goes south its bye bye wife and kids.
Last edited by buksida on Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Kendo,
I don't think that's exactly right. I don't know much about "B" visas, but I'm pretty sure that you do need one to work. I think that you can come over here on an "O" and upgrade within Thailand as long as your company and other documentation is correct. The fee would be minimal - maybe 2,000 or so - but as buksida says it could be a paperwork nightmare.
If you're helping your wife with her family business, you need a work permit - simple as that. See here and the other relevant pages:
http://www.expathuahin.com/employment-huahin.php
As soon as you're involved as a farang, the 50K a month minimum taxable income and 4 Thai employees comes into play. Unless your wife's business is pretty big it's just not worth your while to get involved in any way with it. I used to have a bar here years ago and all the advice I ever had from established expats at the time was to keep my name off any paperwork, just live on the premises as a tourist and never, ever do any work. That was 11 years ago and the situation is even more strict now.
From what you've said, you're better coming over on a Non O visa (single or multi entry) and trying to extend it annually on the basis of marriage to a Thai. To do that, you'll need to show an income from abroad of 40K a month minimum or have 400K in a Thai bank account for 2 months before application the first time and in subsequent years for 3 months before. You'll also have to show activity on that account during the year and just top it up at the right time to 400K again before any further annual extensions. If there's no withdrawal activity on the bank account Imm are going to ask how you've been living here - working illegally? There's more to the marriage extension - ie photos blah, blah but you can hopefully satisfy them. The Imm demands are just for you to show that your marriage is not a sham.
Yeah, visas and extensions to them can be a real pain over here, but where there's a will, there's a way. You've just got to try and be patient.
I don't think that's exactly right. I don't know much about "B" visas, but I'm pretty sure that you do need one to work. I think that you can come over here on an "O" and upgrade within Thailand as long as your company and other documentation is correct. The fee would be minimal - maybe 2,000 or so - but as buksida says it could be a paperwork nightmare.
If you're helping your wife with her family business, you need a work permit - simple as that. See here and the other relevant pages:
http://www.expathuahin.com/employment-huahin.php
As soon as you're involved as a farang, the 50K a month minimum taxable income and 4 Thai employees comes into play. Unless your wife's business is pretty big it's just not worth your while to get involved in any way with it. I used to have a bar here years ago and all the advice I ever had from established expats at the time was to keep my name off any paperwork, just live on the premises as a tourist and never, ever do any work. That was 11 years ago and the situation is even more strict now.
From what you've said, you're better coming over on a Non O visa (single or multi entry) and trying to extend it annually on the basis of marriage to a Thai. To do that, you'll need to show an income from abroad of 40K a month minimum or have 400K in a Thai bank account for 2 months before application the first time and in subsequent years for 3 months before. You'll also have to show activity on that account during the year and just top it up at the right time to 400K again before any further annual extensions. If there's no withdrawal activity on the bank account Imm are going to ask how you've been living here - working illegally? There's more to the marriage extension - ie photos blah, blah but you can hopefully satisfy them. The Imm demands are just for you to show that your marriage is not a sham.
Yeah, visas and extensions to them can be a real pain over here, but where there's a will, there's a way. You've just got to try and be patient.
buks,
Up until November 2008, a family income extension replaced the old marriage extension. The difference was that your Thai wife's income could be included to make up the 40K minimum if necessary. Not a bad thing.
However, I believe that too many farangs were abusing the system. The wife's income was calculated from paid tax receipts. Wife goes to the tax office and says that her business earns her 45K a month. She pays tax on it - maybe 16K for the year - and farang hubby gets his annual extension on that basis. The business and income were fictitious.
Thai Imm aren't stupid and caught on to that very quickly and changed the rules back to insist that it must be the farang husband's income from abroad and nothing else.
Up until November 2008, a family income extension replaced the old marriage extension. The difference was that your Thai wife's income could be included to make up the 40K minimum if necessary. Not a bad thing.
However, I believe that too many farangs were abusing the system. The wife's income was calculated from paid tax receipts. Wife goes to the tax office and says that her business earns her 45K a month. She pays tax on it - maybe 16K for the year - and farang hubby gets his annual extension on that basis. The business and income were fictitious.
Thai Imm aren't stupid and caught on to that very quickly and changed the rules back to insist that it must be the farang husband's income from abroad and nothing else.
So on the basis that i have an Non O visa, and want to re new annually based on marrage to a Thai, if i have a lump sum i.e redundency money in the bank of more than 400k would i just have to report, or still do a border run.
This is confusing to say the least ! something that gets me is how strict employment law is up held in HH if you go up to Issan you see farangs offen working in bars and resturants.
Kendo.
This is confusing to say the least ! something that gets me is how strict employment law is up held in HH if you go up to Issan you see farangs offen working in bars and resturants.
Kendo.
Is Bangkok a place or a nasty injury.......Eric Morcombe.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Proud to be a Southampton FC Fan.
Hi Kendo,
Buksi and Lomuamart are spot on, believe me.
At 38, you are going to be "hard pressed" to sort it out on those "premises", it's not possible as they believe that it's not possible etc to have the monetary capability to make things OK.
Buksi and Lomu are completely correct with what they have said.
Go for the Non O(multi entry) at Hull.
It's the way forward as mentioned.
Buksi and Lomuamart are spot on, believe me.
At 38, you are going to be "hard pressed" to sort it out on those "premises", it's not possible as they believe that it's not possible etc to have the monetary capability to make things OK.
Buksi and Lomu are completely correct with what they have said.
Go for the Non O(multi entry) at Hull.
It's the way forward as mentioned.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
kendo,
If you get an annual extension to a Non O visa on the basis of marriage you only ever have to report to Imm every 90 days. It's a bind, but better than visa runs. In fact you don't even have to turn up in person. Someone else can do it for you as long as they have your completed form and passport. It takes all of a couple of minutes.
If you get an annual extension to a Non O visa on the basis of marriage you only ever have to report to Imm every 90 days. It's a bind, but better than visa runs. In fact you don't even have to turn up in person. Someone else can do it for you as long as they have your completed form and passport. It takes all of a couple of minutes.