Can I apply for a spouse visa (Non-O) without leaving Thailand?

Spouse Visa Non-Immigrant O Visa Visa Application Process Visa Extensions Multiple Entry Visa Savannakhet Thai Embassy Phuket Visa Rules

Nov 24, 2022

2 years ago

Toby **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am looking to arrange a long term visa. I am currently in Phuket. My wife and kids are Thai. ￼

Can I arrange a spouse visa (non-immigrant O) without leaving Thailand? 

Failing that I have a Singapore Employment Pass so believe I can use the embassy there rather than go back to my home country of the UK. Does anyone know how long that will take? 

Are there any other locations nearby I could use which are faster?

The Singapore embassy only offers Single entry. I travel several times a month and so getting an exit permit each time would be impractical. Is it possible to convert that to multiple entry in Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster seeks guidance on obtaining a long-term spouse visa (Non-Immigrant O) without exiting Thailand, while currently residing in Phuket with their Thai wife and kids. They also inquire about potential options at the Singapore embassy, including processing times and whether they can change to a multiple-entry visa while in Thailand. Comments provide insights on gaining a 90-day visa leading to a year extension with various conditions, as well as recommendations to apply for a year-long multi-entry Non-O visa at the Savannakhet Thai Consulate in Laos.

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Tod *********

Please note I mean no disrespect to the O/P at all in my answers. ..

I will say, they have more than enough information to make an educated decision as far as which way they wanna go; in country Non-O, year extension w/re-entry permit OR year-long, multi-entry visa from Savannakhet.

Good luck to the O/P, watch for thai/lao holidays (posted on the consulate website) if you're going to get the year/multi-visa..

We are done..

2 years ago

Tod *********

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2 years ago

Tod *********

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2 years ago

Tod *********

Here I'll start it out for you

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2 years ago

Tod *********

In order to first get a 90 day non-O visa and then a year extension with a multiple re-entry permit INSIDE The country at the immigration office you'd have to have 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only, apply, NOT leave the country during the 15 day under review period for the Non-O visa, get that inked in, then wait 2 months before you could apply for the yearly extension and re-entry permit. It's a LOT to do especially with you traveling out and back every couple weeks.

That's why I said, GO to Savannakhet and get the year/mulit-Non-O

2 years ago

Toby **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

All great advice and agree doing it locally sounds like a faff.

How long does it take at Savannakhet Lao to get the visa?

Is there an airport nearby that one would fly to?

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Toby *********

I have no issues answering questions but sorry I'm NOT gonna spoon feed you 😕

Start googling around see where it is, figure out how to get there, go to the website and READ the time line for visa processing, read the requirements for the Non-O visa etc.

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Toby **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks so much for you reply.

- How long would it take to get the visa in Savannakhet Lao?

I have two small children and it's a lot to ask my wife to take care of them for any length of time on her own and travelling with them is also challenging. I have a long stint in Thailand (probably 1-month +) over Xmas and have kept 500k in my Thai bank account for years for exactly this purpose so this would be the opportune time to submit my passport for 15-days.

- In the 2-month period you mention before I can apply for the yearly extension does that mean I can't leave the country or do I have to apply for a reentry permit each time I plan to travel?

- Once I have the yearly extension, would this leave me with a single entry visa or a multiple entry?

- If single would I require a further step to convert it to multiple entry or is this not possible?

Thanks again. Really appreciate it.

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Toby *********

Once I have the yearly extension, would this leave me with a single entry visa or a multiple entry?

Non-O visas and extensions inside the country are sold without ANY re-entry you buy that after you get the year extension

You would apply for the Non-O visa, when you have a minimum of 15 days left on your current entry stamp for 2000baht by meeting the requirements at the immigration office where you stay. It will go under consideration for between 14 and 20 days depending on the office you use and you CANNOT leave the country during that time. Then you go back to get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked into your passport. THEN you buy a re-entry permit that will be valid ONLY for those 90 days (either single entry for 1000baht or multiple entry for 3800) THEN you wait until you have 30 days or less left on that 90 day stamp and you go apply for a yearly extension for 1900baht. You will get a 30 day under consideration stamp THEN if you need to leave the country during that month you need to buy ANOTHER re-entry permit which will be valid ONLY for that stamp. When that 30 days runs down you go back and get the year extension inked in and then you buy the final re-entry permit inked in which will last for the whole year extension

SO because of your traveling you're going to need to buy THREE different re-entry permits, one to cover the 90 day Non-O visa, one to cover the 30 day under consideration and then the final one to cover the year extension

OR

As I said you slog on over to Savannakhet and get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa that lets you come in and out all you want for a year getting a 90 day stamp each time you enter

Your traveling is the reason I said use savannakhet NOT screw around with getting a Non-O and then a year extension inside the country or even getting a single Non-O from Singapore and coming in and getting the extension it's just a LOT of hoop jumping, BUT I will leave you to make your own decision

2 years ago

Tod *********

@Toby *********

How long would it take to get the visa in Savannakhet Lao? Sorry you figure that one out on your own. and you go to the website and read the requirements, meet there requirements and wait for the visa to be processed.

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

go to the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao and get the year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai for 5000baht. That visa is valid for a year from the date it's issued, it is unlimited entry for that time and every entry gets you stamped in for 90 days.

It's a visa that is tailor-made for your travel

2 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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Where can I obtain a Non-O multiple entry visa based on marriage and kids?

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