Visa Extentions help

[Stewartuk]

Hey Guys & Girls,

I'm a bit wet behind the ears still so I'll try compose this email the best I can.

To start with I've found a love for Thailand and pretty much don't want to leave, I work as a freelancer so my money comes from the uk I'm not working here. I recently flew to KL to get a new visa and got a 3 month tourist visa, so basically I have a few questions to ask.

Can I extend the 90 day visa for 30 days? ( Visa is up Monday eek )
I once extended at the Hua Hin Immigration and they charged me 9,000 baht! I've been told I shouldnt pay more than 1,900 B.

I want to find a good way of leaving Thailand and get a 90 day tourist visa every 3 months but I am scared of the face they might turn me away at immigration if they think I'm a serial visa runner or something., I've heard a few tricks about making up onward travel bookings online etc..

So basically it would be great if you guys could maybe point me in the right direction or help me out, I'm 26 so no chance of a retirement visa just yet

All best,

Neil

[dtaai-maai]

In the long run, the only way you can stay here legally at your age is by getting a job (and the work permit that goes with it). Unless you have a specialised skill that is in demand here, your main avenue of employment is likely to be teaching. If you want a good teaching job, you should have a degree and a TEFL or TESOL, etc. certificate.

But you will have thought of that, presumably, as regardless of visas, you will need to make a living somehow...
Have you done any kind of research at all?

[Stewartuk]

Hi thanks for the reply, I'm a freelance designer back in the UK, So I'm working with my UK clients here.

The problem is not money it's just the whole visa thing.. I mean have you heard of people being turned down for multiple 90 day tourist visas?

My main question at this moment in time is Can I get a 30 day extention on my 90 day thai visa... I've looked over the net just can't seem to find anything

Neil

[dtaai-maai]

I mean have you heard of people being turned down for multiple 90 day tourist visas?

Yes.
Lomuamart will give you a more definitive answer, but I don't think many embassies/consulates in this region offer double or triple entry visit visas any more.

Can I get a 30 day extention on my 90 day thai visa...

Yes, all you need to do is turn up at the immigration office, fill in the appropriate form and pay 1900 baht - and not a penny more!

You can access the form on line if you want - here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=22198


EDIT: And I'm pretty sure that there is still a rule that you can only stay for 6 consecutive months in 12.

[tuktukmike]

If you still have money coming in from the uk why not sign up with a language school and get an ed visa.

Sure there must be people on here who could advise further, but if you only got until monday then I expect you have left it too late.

Ttm

[Stewartuk]

Thanks guys more than helpful of you!

Dtaai - Maai, in terms of the 6 months living part, Say if I stayed 3 months on 90 day visa, then extended to 30 then again flew to KL to get another 90 days could I still stay.. Can you explain more I have read somewhere on a website that the 6 months rule had been abolished...but again like I say ( ears, wet,behind...)

In terms of Hua Hin Immigration, I was onced charged 9,000 to extend 30 days ( I didn't do it, I think they were trying to have my pants down ) are you sure I can get it there for 1,900? I have got the TM.7 for from the site you linked me to, thanks for that.

Neil

[dtaai-maai]

I'm not at all sure about the 6 months thing - wait for Lomuamart, our resident immigration expert.

As far as the extension is concerned, I'm sure you can just go in, hand over form and passport, smile pleasantly and don't volunteer lots of needless info or ask silly questions, and get your extension. But I have no direct experience of this myself.

Long term, though, you will not be able to stay on visit visas alone. You can manage financially, so you need a basis to get a legit visa, and the Education visa recommended above is good advice.

Contact Don at the Learning Centre and see what he has to say. (See the sponsors list at the right of the screen)

[Big Boy]

Immigration 'official' charges can be found here http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... p?page=fee

[lomuamart]

First off, you say you have a tourist visa. That is only good for 60 days and then can be extended for 30 for 1,900 THB.
A tourist visa dosn't give 90 days straight off.
There are no rules now regarding how long you can stay here within a certain amount of time.
However, Thai Embassies and consulates in this region will start to ask questions if they think you've outstayed your welcome. That has nothing to do with money but it does have to do with age or marital status (ie married to a Thai).
It would seem that your options are:
1. Get an Education visa. I don't know much about them but hopefully bapak who deals with them all the time can explain.
2. Go back home and apply for a multiple entry Non Immigrant visa, but most countries have tightened up on those now - they should really only be issued to those who are eligible (ie over 50 or married to a Thai - back to square one).
3. Just keep doing the visa runs and understand that things can change quickly in this region. At tie of writing, Vientienne is a good place to go. Get a double entry tourist visa - ie in for 60 days, extend here for a further 30, do a border run get another 60+30. That'll keep you good for almost 6 months.

I'm afraid that you don't have many other options except border runs every 15 days and then Imm will eventually start to ask questions anyway.

What you have to grasp is that despite any income you may have, Imm here simply won't believe that you can support yourself without working illegally.

Good luck and ask away if any of the above is not clear.

[bapak]

Contact Don at the Learning Centre and see what he has to say. (See the sponsors list at the right of the screen)

As long as you also wish to learn Thai, we can most likely help you... See: http://learningcentre.co.th/edvisa.html

We are here 7 days a week. Ask to see Khun Jeab or me (aka Don). Or phone me for an appointment at 083 263 3111.

[Stewartuk]

Thank you guys you've been very helpful indeed.

Just a pitty that they will eventually chuck me out I love it here. I forgot to mention I've been with a thai girl for about 2 years now, but I bet it's not too easy to get a marriage visa here.

Bapak, very interesting how much would the final price be for the visa and classes. This is a great option, the problem I have is because I'm a freelance designer I work uk times and also a lot of overtime.... Finding time to go to class could prove tricky.

Again thanks for your help, I may go for the multiple visa this time, I read about it in the net and its a good option to get 6 months. On another not i have loads of different countries in my passport that may make it look as if I am still a tourist really....

Cheers again guys, Neil

[bapak]

Bapak, very interesting how much would the final price be for the visa and classes. This is a great option, the problem I have is because I'm a freelance designer I work uk times and also a lot of overtime.... Finding time to go to class could prove tricky.

You only pay us for the classes... 180 hours in 1 year... Baht 24.900.... 2 hours twice a week. Anything related to the visa is paid to the Consulate you go to pick up visa. .. but you pay in local currency the equivalent of Baht 1,900. Visa issue is guaranteed as we provide documents from the Ministry of Education instructing Consulate to issue visa.

If your present extension to stay expires tomorrow, you can get a 7 days extension from Immigration.. Time enough to process Ed Visa application.

[lomuamart]

The process for getting an annual extension on the basis of marriage to a Thai is more drawn out than getting one based on retirement, but it isn't really that difficult. Many expats live here on that basis.
If you want to know more, just ask away.

[Stewartuk]

Hi lomuamart,

Thanks for all your help so far.well we have talked about getting wed for a while now but I'm pretty clueless. I have read up on the net about this but basically I'd love to understand the process for marriage visa, I hear you have to prove you earn 1000 a month or have had 400,000 in a thai account ?

Is this true can you shed light on the best way to tackle it?

[lomuamart]

The financial requirements for the marriage extension are income of 40,000 a month or 400,000 in a Thai bank account. Savings must have been in the account for at least 2 months before first extension and 3 months for subsequent ones (NOTE: HH seem to want to see 3 months even for the first extension although that's not what the regulations say. Best to err on the safe side).
You need the relevant form filled in, your passport, the two of you, the marriage certificate, possibly ampur documentation of the marriage, photos of the two of you inside and outside the house and maybe more stuff. Best to visit Imm first and get a check list from them.
As said, your wife must go and it's likely that they'll interview her.
Once your paperwork is all in order, they'll give you a 30 day "under consideration" stamp and send all the papers to Bangkok. Bangkok make all the decisions on marriage extensions but you apply here in HH. You go back for the decision when the 30 days are up and if your application has been successful, you'll get the extension stamp for a year from the date of application. Repeat for subsequent years.
So, there's more paperwork for the marriage extension and it takes longer but it's by no means impossible. As long as your paperwork is in order, it's pretty easy.