Hi guys,
am 34 years, german, legally married in Germany to my wife (thai national). Marriage is officially registered in Thailand. We have a son, who holds dual passports. We moved here in October from Hong Kong. Wife and son are registeredin the blue book of our house.
I am currently here on a transit visa! Which we extended 60 days with immigration HH, same is running out 4th of January. We intended to move on elsewhere, but situation has changed and I will now have to obtain some kind of multiple entry visa. I assume easiest is to obtain a 'Non Immigrant O' and get it extended for a year after it's initial 3months with a multiple entry add-on.
Is that correct? What's the easiest to obtain such (in countr or alt. at an thai embassy outcountry), or any other, Visa (I have anyway planned a trip to Singapore on 4th Jan for a few days)? Which documents will I need (lots of different info on the net). Could I technically work with such Visa from home (not employing anyone, not having a company here, not being employed in Thailand elsewhere and most importantly business not having an connection or effect with/onto Thailand)???
All help greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Cheers,
M.
Employment & Visa
Re: Employment & Visa
Your assumptions about how to get the annual extension are pretty much correct.
To apply for it, you need a Non Immigrant O visa and that you don't have at the moment with your 60 day extension. There might have been a chance of upgrading the current permission to stay to an O visa at Imm in HH but you need 21 days left on it to do so. By my reckoning you have only 15 days now. A trip to Imm might be worthwhile to see if they'll waive the 21 days rule for you but you'll need to do that sooner rather than later. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If successful, you'll also need to have your finances sorted out - ie letter from your Embassy in BKK confirming that you have a minimum 40K THB a month income or have 400K deposited in a Thai bank account and it must have been in there for at least 2 months before your first application.
If your finances are already sorted out, I'd think it worthwhile to plead at Imm but be prepared to be told to get a Non O visa from somewhere outside of Thailand first. If your finances aren't in order now then I think that you've got to resign yourself to a visa run.
That being the case, then Singapore should be OK for a single entry Non O although they're not renowned for being user friendly. You'll need to submit your passport, copy of relevant entry stamp/extension/details page/departure card details together with a copies of your marriage certificate, your wife's Thai ID card and her tabien bahn. Copy of blue book won't hurt either These should all be signed and dated by her as close to application as possible. A short letter from her asking the Embassy to give you the visa and explaining that you'll be applying for an annual extension in Thailand in due course would be helpful as well. I wouldn't envisage any problem getting the single entry non O, good for 90 days on re-entry to Thailand.
Alternatively, you'll get the O visa at Penang no problem and reports are that KL will give a multi-entry non O on the basis of marriage to a Thai national if you can show the equivalent of 100K THB in a bank anywhere (dosn't have to be in Thailand). That's another possibility for you but if you're going to extend annually here anyway it dosn't really add much to your situation except extra time if you need it to sort your finances out for the extension. The multi-entry will be valid for a year and you need to do a quick border run every 90 days to get another 90 day permitted to stay stamp. You can do this as many times as you want as long as the visa is valid.
As I see it these are your options. Seems to me that a single entry non O from Singapore will be the easiest but try Imm here first if you're prepared financially.
As far as working is concerned, any sort of work without a work permit is illegal even if your doing it from home and the business has nothing to do with Thailand. You can get a WP on the back of a Non Imm O visa but you'll be in a quagmire with setting up a company, employing Thais, taxes etc.
Hope the above helps.
PS, when you get the annual extension apply for the multiple re-entry permit at the same time - cost 3,800 THB.
To apply for it, you need a Non Immigrant O visa and that you don't have at the moment with your 60 day extension. There might have been a chance of upgrading the current permission to stay to an O visa at Imm in HH but you need 21 days left on it to do so. By my reckoning you have only 15 days now. A trip to Imm might be worthwhile to see if they'll waive the 21 days rule for you but you'll need to do that sooner rather than later. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If successful, you'll also need to have your finances sorted out - ie letter from your Embassy in BKK confirming that you have a minimum 40K THB a month income or have 400K deposited in a Thai bank account and it must have been in there for at least 2 months before your first application.
If your finances are already sorted out, I'd think it worthwhile to plead at Imm but be prepared to be told to get a Non O visa from somewhere outside of Thailand first. If your finances aren't in order now then I think that you've got to resign yourself to a visa run.
That being the case, then Singapore should be OK for a single entry Non O although they're not renowned for being user friendly. You'll need to submit your passport, copy of relevant entry stamp/extension/details page/departure card details together with a copies of your marriage certificate, your wife's Thai ID card and her tabien bahn. Copy of blue book won't hurt either These should all be signed and dated by her as close to application as possible. A short letter from her asking the Embassy to give you the visa and explaining that you'll be applying for an annual extension in Thailand in due course would be helpful as well. I wouldn't envisage any problem getting the single entry non O, good for 90 days on re-entry to Thailand.
Alternatively, you'll get the O visa at Penang no problem and reports are that KL will give a multi-entry non O on the basis of marriage to a Thai national if you can show the equivalent of 100K THB in a bank anywhere (dosn't have to be in Thailand). That's another possibility for you but if you're going to extend annually here anyway it dosn't really add much to your situation except extra time if you need it to sort your finances out for the extension. The multi-entry will be valid for a year and you need to do a quick border run every 90 days to get another 90 day permitted to stay stamp. You can do this as many times as you want as long as the visa is valid.
As I see it these are your options. Seems to me that a single entry non O from Singapore will be the easiest but try Imm here first if you're prepared financially.
As far as working is concerned, any sort of work without a work permit is illegal even if your doing it from home and the business has nothing to do with Thailand. You can get a WP on the back of a Non Imm O visa but you'll be in a quagmire with setting up a company, employing Thais, taxes etc.
Hope the above helps.
PS, when you get the annual extension apply for the multiple re-entry permit at the same time - cost 3,800 THB.
Re: Employment & Visa
Hi Lomoumart,
Thanks very much for your detailed inside. I'll try my chances in Singapore. Any experience, how long the sporean embassy needs to usually grant a non immi o? Just tryint to time flights right.
I thought, that I'll return on a transfer visa, incase they aren't very helpful in Spore, then make my way to Immi HH and get a sixty days 'visit son/wife' extension again at thb 1900, which I understand could then upgrade/change into a non immi o and subsequentially get a 12 months extension to.
Is there any way arround a visa run every 90 days, ie. wouldn't a visit at HH Immi every 90 days suffice?
Thanks again in advance!
M.
Thanks very much for your detailed inside. I'll try my chances in Singapore. Any experience, how long the sporean embassy needs to usually grant a non immi o? Just tryint to time flights right.
I thought, that I'll return on a transfer visa, incase they aren't very helpful in Spore, then make my way to Immi HH and get a sixty days 'visit son/wife' extension again at thb 1900, which I understand could then upgrade/change into a non immi o and subsequentially get a 12 months extension to.
Is there any way arround a visa run every 90 days, ie. wouldn't a visit at HH Immi every 90 days suffice?
Thanks again in advance!
M.
Re: Employment & Visa
Havn't had any personal experience of Singapore but if you allow for entering your application the morning of one day and collecting the afternoon of the next, I don't think you'll be disappointed. That's the usual turnaround at Thai Embassies/consulates in this region.
I'm sure you'll be OK with the single entry O, but in case you're not then just follow the proceedure you've set out above and remember to apply for the Non O upgrade at HH Imm at least 21 days before your 60 day extension expires. 30 days before is usually enough time.
Once you've got your annual extension then there's no need to exit every 90 days. You just report your address to HH Imm every 90 days.
Edit Forgot to mention, take some details of any savings to Singapore. I don't think you'll be asked to prove savings but it would be worth having in case you are. The savings could be anywhere, not just in a Thai bank. All you're doing is satisfying them that you can take care of yourself while here.
I'm sure you'll be OK with the single entry O, but in case you're not then just follow the proceedure you've set out above and remember to apply for the Non O upgrade at HH Imm at least 21 days before your 60 day extension expires. 30 days before is usually enough time.
Once you've got your annual extension then there's no need to exit every 90 days. You just report your address to HH Imm every 90 days.
Edit Forgot to mention, take some details of any savings to Singapore. I don't think you'll be asked to prove savings but it would be worth having in case you are. The savings could be anywhere, not just in a Thai bank. All you're doing is satisfying them that you can take care of yourself while here.
Re: Employment & Visa
I have a non immigrant O visa and originally had to go to Singapore.
From what I recall, you must attend the embassy only in the morning to apply, and then pickup the visa the next morning. I don't think they accept applications in the afternoon, at least they didn't when I went.
I would take proof of income and savings as they seem very interested at that particular embassy, and I recall people being denied based on lack of proof of finances.
From what I recall, you must attend the embassy only in the morning to apply, and then pickup the visa the next morning. I don't think they accept applications in the afternoon, at least they didn't when I went.
I would take proof of income and savings as they seem very interested at that particular embassy, and I recall people being denied based on lack of proof of finances.
Re: Employment & Visa
Don't forget to submit 2 passport sized photos when you apply. Best to get them done here first, rather than getting them done in Singapore when time is of the essence and you are in unfamiliar territory.
Re: Employment & Visa
I also recall that Singapore required the original of my son's birth certificate.
Re: Employment & Visa
Guys,
Thanks a million. I'll just bring the whole bunch of documents and hope that non the one you forgot is being required
this is usually what happens, isn't it 
I'll post feedback once I am back, but guess it is rath straight forward. I know Singapore quite well, have lived there for three years...not bad to combine business, visa and pleasure in Singapore.
Talk soon. Tks.
Thanks a million. I'll just bring the whole bunch of documents and hope that non the one you forgot is being required
this is usually what happens, isn't it I'll post feedback once I am back, but guess it is rath straight forward. I know Singapore quite well, have lived there for three years...not bad to combine business, visa and pleasure in Singapore.
Talk soon. Tks.
Re: Employment & Visa
dont forget to contact advocate to get the original of his sons birth certificate.
"All the otters don't understand me"
"We might make you bother"
"We might make you bother"
Re: Employment & Visa
Can't harm to bring his...I'll bring my son's in addition, maybe helpful as well... 
Re: Employment & Visa
Can't hurt to bring Splitlids too. Since he is volunteering mine, he should give up his as well.
Re: Employment & Visa
good idea, shall i post it to you? 
"All the otters don't understand me"
"We might make you bother"
"We might make you bother"
Re: Employment & Visa
It's getting too much paper too carry...I'll ask you to fax it to the embassy directly, case they need it...
Seriously, thanks again all the help.
Seriously, thanks again all the help.
Re: Employment & Visa
Hi Gents,
Back from Singapore with a 12 months multiple entry non immigrant 'O - SGD 250-'. No issues as all, very friendly staff at the thai embassy there, except the lady checking your docs whilst queing up.
It was worth the trip and saved me at least THB 15.000,- compared to doing it from Inside Thailand.
Thanks all your help.
Back from Singapore with a 12 months multiple entry non immigrant 'O - SGD 250-'. No issues as all, very friendly staff at the thai embassy there, except the lady checking your docs whilst queing up.
It was worth the trip and saved me at least THB 15.000,- compared to doing it from Inside Thailand.
Thanks all your help.