Job Discussion Forums

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Hello,

I'd really appreciate some advice from people on the ground in Thailand who know the scoop on O Visas.

I've been told a lot of different things and I'd like to get some advice from people who are in a similar situation.

I'm a Canadian Male married (In Ontario, Canada) to a Thai woman. We lived in Canada for a few years when we moved from Japan. My wife moved back to Thailand a couple of years ago and I've just joined her after selling off the house and getting rid of everything in Canada.

Upon sale of our house, I went to the Thai consulate in Toronto and obtained a multiple entry 'O' Visa. It is good until March 17th, 2016 it says.

I arrived in Thailand about April 22nd, and was given a stamp in my passport that said that I could stay until July 20th, 2015.

It is my understanding that I have to do a 'visa run' to Myranmar (closest to my location) before July 20th.....and then will get another 90 day stamp....and can do this until March 17th of next year at which time I will have to renew my 'O' visa at the local office in Chiang Rai, where I have to show at least 400,000 Baht in the bank at that time.

My wife is of the opinion that I do 'not' yet have a year long 'O' Visa and that I have to show 400,000 in the bank at least 2 months before renewal (which she believes to be July 20th)......

What is the scoop? Do I already HAVE a year long 'O' Visa as I believe?

Can I renew the 'O' Visa within the country? (The Consulate in Toronto didn't believe so).....

I'm confused and can't get a straight answer.

Please help!

William

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

Hi there,

Unfortunately you will not be automatically granted a one year visa...and you will have to leave the country when your current non immigrant"O" multiple entry visa expires and apply for a new Non immigrant "O" visa (single entry) at a Thai embassy/consulate which you need to show to extend your visa up to one year. Mind you there are a lot if new requirements these days...contact your local "friendly"immigration officer for all the paperwork (and photos) you will need to show for proof you are still married and living together. In addition you may have to make a couple trips to the bank to prove to the immigration officer you still have the money in the bank account It is a long, albeit slow process of continuos hurdles aka hassles these days and getting an extension for one year will require three (or perhaps) 4 trips to the immigration office and a lot of PATIENCE. Good luck and welcome to the Land of Smiles Smile

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Your visa has a life span of 1 year (a 1-year multi-entry visa).
Your maximum allowed period of stay (per entry) is 90 days.
Before your allowed period of stay has expired you must leave the country.
You are then free to return at your convenience and continue to repeat this process until the expiry date indicated on the visa.

Your options are to continue doing this
OR
qualify for an extension of stay on your non-O by reason of marriage.
This requires money in the bank (or proof of sufficient income) and some other paperwork.

These extensions are granted in lengths of time of up to 1 year.
You can get an extension each year for up to 1 year provided you meet the requirements for the extension of stay.

I entered the country in 2010 and have simply extended my stay each year and purchased a re-entry permit when necessary due to the need or desire to travel outside of the country.

.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

To The OP,

Yes if caught working on an "O" visa without having a work permit you may be fined and deported...or even worse banned from entering Thailand for up to 5 years. The laws are getting more stringent by the day...nothing like the Good Old Days!!! Shocked

Nuolan · Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Thailand

You don't have to return to Canada to get a new Non-O if you want to continue doing the 90-day runs. The Thai consulate in Savannakhet, Laos will issue you one for 5,000THB and the relevant paperwork.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

I've convinced the wife that I've got a 'year' O Visa, and that I don't have to 'renew' the visa until March of next year. (She keeps saying I've got to 'renew' the visa) I realize that I must do a 'visa run' every 90 days and do this until I 'renew' or 'extend' the O visa in March of next year.

I think that her use of 'renew' is a confusion as to 90 day stamps in my passport and the full page visa.

She seems to think that if I show 400,000 Baht in the bank that when I come in 'next time' that my 'day stamp' will be for a year.

She believes that I've got to leave the country (Closest to me is Burma) and that she has to accompany me. Due to a sick mother in law, traveling 4 times a year for a visa run is a burden. My wife is of the opinion that I can yet a year long 'day stamp' (for lack of a better term) in my passport and won't need to do 'visa runs'.

Is there anyone here who is married and has a YEAR 'day stamp' in their passport? Is that possible?

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Any NON-<?> visa is good for a 90-day entry. (NON-<?> = Non-B, Non-O, etc)

Near the end of that 90 days you can extend your allowed period of stay for up to 1 year.
- This will require your bank deposit and some other paperwork.
- You need to go to your regional immigration office to apply for the "extension of stay based on marriage". It is NOT automatic.
- There is a fee of 1900 baht (annually) for the extension.

Your other option is to leave the country before your 90 days expires and return for another 90 day period of stay.

It is also of note that if you extend your stay you still need to report your place of residence to immigration every 90 days (free - just fill in the paperwork). This is what is referred to as the 90-day report.

So the bottom line is:

You can fly to Thailand and enter on your non-O. This will allow you to stay for 90 days.

Then you can choose to:

.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

To The OP,

I hope you have children with your Thai wife...cause officials may not extend you "O" visa here if you don't. Good luck! Shocked

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

Not an issue if you earn more than 40k/month or have more than 400k in the bank.

.

bigdurian · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:58 pm Post subject:

Rather than doing a border run every 90 days, you can also extend your 90 days by another 60 days for 2000 Baht at you local immigration office. No requirements other than showing your marriage certificate( or translated copy stamped by MOFA Cheang Wattana), wifes ID card, blue house book, etc. Your wife will have to go with you to show you're still together.

You mention Burma as a hop, if you extend locally you will only have to do this every five months, near enough.

Also, if you enter Thailand on the last day of your visa's validity, you will still get 90 days, which is still extendable by another 60 locally. So in effect you can get about 17 months out of your one year visa.

Or like someone else said, if you're planning on sticking around permanently you would be best off doing a one year extension where you show the 400k in the bank etc.

Whatever you do, it's worth going to your local immigration office in advance to find out exactly what they want to see as it can vary from office to office. Nothing worse than getting there to find that they want to see something you don't have.