Visa questions

[Greg Ledder]

Hi all!
I thought I had posted this topic a few days ago but for some reason can't find it on the forum - so trying again....

I am hoping to come to Thailand soon to stay with my fiancee in the small village of Non Sang - not too far from Udon.

I enquired about taking a language course in order to get an ED visa but was advised by the school NOT to apply for an ED visa as they are now difficult to get because of widespread abuse of the system......instead I may be better getting a multiple entry tourist visa which could allow me to stay in Thailand for one year?

My fiancee and I are hoping to be married within 6 months......she is opening a shop soon and wants me to help her run it but under Thai law I wouldn't be allowed to do so and because I am not retiring, wealthy or have work lined up as yet (am considering taking a TEFL course too for teaching English) my visa options are limited.

Would you advise applying for a tourist visa and if so could I then apply for a marriage visa while in Thailand?
Would I need to have a return flight booked in order to gain entry into Thailand?
Any advice would be gratefully received!!

Many thanks,

Greg.

[bigsnake]

Greg,

My Humble Opinion, in your case I think your best bet would be to get a 90 day Non-Immigration O Visa from the Thai Embassy in your home Country, this will give you three months to plan and look around with your future bride<>you MUST have a Non-Immigration Visa in order to apply for a Marriage or Retirement Visa.

[jackspratt]

It is possible to obtain a Marriage (or Retirement) extension based on a tourist visa, or even a 30 day (airport) arrival stamp.

This has been confirmed on several occasions on ThaiVisa - the only real issue being whether the Udon Immigration office will oblige.

The most recent report I saw stated that Udon Immigration required a "special contribution" (ie major tea money) to smooth the process.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548 ... don-thani/

[BobHelm]

I think that the school that you have been in touch with are being a little pessimistic as far as an ED visa is concerned.
Yes, some of the offices have tightened up a little, but here we are talking about people that have been on the visa for years & yet cannot hold a conversation in Thai with the officer concerned.
I have not heard of any issues with a person trying to get the visa for a first year while attending a reputable school. The problem in the Udon area might be getting a school that satisfies the Thai authorities that it is a reputable establishment. That used to be AUA but I understand that for the moment they have given up on teaching Thai to foreigners & so are not a route that you can take.
I believe that the Universities in the area (Udon & Khon Kaen) would be able to help you out.

You could certainly get a triple entry tourist visa from the consulate in Hull. That would allow you to stay for just about 9 months in Thailand, with careful use of exit time & in Thailand tourist visa extensions.
I hear what bigsnake says about only being allowed to convert non Imms type 'o' to a marriage visa but I am not sure that is still actually the case & you would, sensibly, need to check with the Udon Thai Immigration office once you are here as to what exactly they require of you.
I say that having a non 'o' might be no longer a requirement just because if you are under 50, not wanting to conduct business in Thailand & not wanting to go into full time education then it is actually impossible to obtain a non 'o' from the UK now.
If a non 'o' is a requirement then I believe that you could obtain a 3 month one in Vientiane once you & your wife legally married in Thailand. That could certainly then be converted to the 1 year, report every 90 day variety in Udon Immigration, given that you satisfy all the hoops & jumps deemed necessary on the day.

[douglas]

Hi,
When i requested a Permission to Stay in Thailand, Due to being married, i was told i would have to go to V.T. and get an "O" visa. As the officer was holding my passport i asked him to have a look at my Thai. visa. Yes it was a multi "O" visa, valid for a year. He said sorry about that. You must have an income of 40,000B a month for this marraige visa, so Imm says, was not even asked about money in a Thai Bank, in my case the income was from pensions, which i had to get a letter of proof from my Embassy. Plus you must know a Thai., not a family member who has known you for at least 12 months. They have to attend with you and fill in a form. Plus photos of you and wife, at the front of the house and in bedroom and living room. When my P. to S. is up next Nov. i intend to get a retiremant P. to S., a lot less hassle. You only need a letter from your embassy stating income, or moneies in a Thai bank of 800,000B. A far easier way to go for me, being over 50.
Your best bet, which i would say to everyone, is to visit Udon Imm. and ask them. Then you will get to know what they want. IMHO the best way to go. It opens at 0830Hrs, i would get there early. The people at imm. are very helpful IMO, and i have never pay one B over what i had to pay. Reminds me of the time when U. I. was at the airport. When we sat down at the desk the Imm. Off. was laughing. Wife asked what funny. he shows her a 1000B note, and said last man there give him that, He will not get any better service, and will still have to have correct forms etc.. Falangs got to much money.

[Greg Ledder]

Thanks very much one and all for the info - it is much appreciated!
Plenty to think about......