Can I get a 1-year extension of stay with a Non-O visa based on having a Thai child who is not my spouse?

Feb 11, 2019
6 years ago
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to get a 1-year extension of stay with only using a Non-O granted for family members inside Thailand (NOT SPOUSE).

Basically what I am saying is, getting an extension for 1 year based on ONLY having a child with Thai nationality who is studying in Thailand. I can provide her Thai passport, birth cert, tambien baan, money in bank etc. I just want to know if it's possible to get a 1 yr extension after having gone to Ho Chi Minh to get the 90 day single entry non o visa based on having a child (they don't provide 1yr long ME visa for this kind of NON-o).

I looked on the interwebs regarding this and stumbled upon what's called a "Guardian visa" but some say this doesn't exist. Please also clarify this for me.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a 1-year extension of stay in Thailand using a Non-O visa based solely on being a parent of a Thai child. They are questioning whether they can secure this extension after initially entering Thailand with a single-entry Non-O visa based on child support without being married to the child's mother. Comments suggest that legal recognition of parental rights is crucial in this case, with different routes discussed for obtaining extensions, including potential alternatives like applying for a different visa type in nearby countries.
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Tod *********
@James *****************
I know people in your situation who get a 90 day Non-O visa from Vientiane, Savannakhet or another nearby consulate that will issue that visa based on supporting a half thai child born out of wedlock then get the 60 day extension <- giving them 5 months who have been doing that for YEARS now.

You COULD get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O based on being the father of a half thai child in Penang BUT you'd have to show 400K baht (or the equivalent) in a bank account (no seasoning is required). <- That visa would require you to bounce out and back in every 90 days but you could get 15 months out of the visa (in 90 day increments).
Tod *********
@James *****************
, that is a question I cannot answer. You'd hafta go and apply to find out, sorry. :/
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Okay gotcha, I heard in Penang though, they initially give you an SE Non-o (despite applying for the ME) then after an extension and return trip back they will issue you with a year long valid Non-o. So looks like I'm going to have to do that. Or might I not have to if I already have had a year long Non-O already issued based on marriage from another consulate, would they grant me a ME initially?
Tod *********
@James *****************
some extensions of stays (gotten inside the country) require banked money to be in the bank a specific period of time BEFORE you apply for the extension. <- called "seasoning of funds"

At the consulate in Penang they don't care if you put the 400K baht in the account the day before you go there to apply for a visa.
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks but not quite sure what you mean when you say "no seasoning is required"
Tod *********
IF you had the child out of wedlock and did not go to family court to get legally recognized as the father and granted parental rights the answer is NO.
Tod *********
@Mark *****
The thai consulates in Vientiane AND Savannakhet both issue a 90 day Non-O based on being the father of a half-thai child without proof of funds, just with your name on the birth certificate and the child's house book listing.
Tod *********
@Ja***
the information you posted about that "guardian visa" is wrong it's quoting 500K baht as the banked amount and that's the required amount for raising 100% foreign children here in thailand. For half-thai kidz it's 400K baht. <- be that as it may without proof of being granted parental rights, (either at the amphur OR from family court) you're not gonna get a yearly extension INSIDE the country at the immigration office. Without proof of funds the only avenue available for you is those 90 day Non-O's and with proof of funds the year-long, Non-O from Penang <- the only consulate that will issue that visa for that reason in the area.
Mark ******
@James *****************
ja ok! thx ( tambien baan and birth cert= this 2 things no problem i will get it) soon i have to too realy one off the 2 things waht Mister Tod explaint above...
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *****
You can obtain it in Ho Chi Minh, which is quite an easy place to go to, no queues, no waiting around, no questions. Here is the information:

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*****
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-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22O%22---Accompanying-Th.html
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *****
You don't need money in the bank, just the tambien baan and birth cert. But bring supporting docs just in case. You only get 90 days with this, not multi entry.
Mark ******
Tod Daniels Without either of those you can only get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being the father of a half thai child at a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country ---------- so thet means- birth cert, tambien baan, money in bank etc= i can aplay 90 plus 60 extantion, iam right? 🤔🤨 ( i have nearly the same smole problem )
Robert *******
This is in your situation
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Robert *******
This is the official site, read the header and the requirements
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Robert *******
@James *****************
I went over several pages, just face it. Not everything is true what you read on Internet. The page you mentioned: Renew your visa, guardian visa, marriage visa, retirement visa, Extensions can be applied for from 21 days before end date, I can keep op going with incorrect information from that page.
Robert *******
You must get the parental rights. Only your name on the birth certificate is not enough. And I even doubt if you both want to go on International Travel you will be allowed to board the plane with only a birth certificate and no letter of the mother.
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
But it says it's valid in the case of a foreigner parent supporting his/her Thai child...
Robert *******
@James *****************
And the child needs, as mentioned on that page an Education visa. The visa or Extension of Stay your are looking at is for parents of foreign children. Your child is half Thai en does not need a visa to stay inside of Thailand.
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
Harsh, but I complied with your rule. I just wanted to show the information about it. It's called a Guardian visa but yeah it's actually just an extension one can get as it states that a Non o is required to get this kind of extension which was my enquirey:

"Along with the student visa of the child, the initial visa can be extended into a Guardian visa 21 days before its expiration and once all the requirements have been met. This is done at the Thai Immigration office."

The applicant has to be established the following:

Birth certificate of the child as a proof of relationship to the child.

Admission Letter and Enrollment Form as proof of the child’s enrolment in a school in Thailand

Deposit of THB 500,000 in a Thai bank account so you would have to set up your Thai bank account.

So all I'd need to get this kind of extension is a birth certificate to show my relationship and a letter from her school. It doesn't say anything about family courts and legalisation of parent responsibility...
Darren *********
@James *****************
no never heard of it. You probably didn’t see it but we don’t post agents details here, I know you were only asking of its existence. I’d delete that, start looking at family court and working toward the correct visa. Not easy I know 😕 but it will be worth it for your daughter.
Robert *******
@James *****************
Can you please remove this link asap. As mentioned in the description of this page we do not mention or post links to visa agents. Next to this a guardian visa does not even exist in Thailand. It is called a Non Immigrant O visa based on depending children.
Darren *********
IF mom plays ball AND you go down the family court route (with moms consent) you will get legal parent responsibility and be able to get a more suitable visa/extension. It will take six months at least. Some lawyers offer it for about 100k but I believe you can do it yourself.
Darren *********
@James *****************
unfortunately not. I looked at the amphur route last year and was told my son needed to be seven.
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ********
My daughter is three and a half and calls me Dad. Is that not enough?
Darren *********
@Tod ********
I think the child has to be seven years to identify him as the father at the amphur. Not sure if mum has to be present though.
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I see, well I'm truly screwed then as my wife has just left me, leaving my daughter in my care. So I either go to Ho Chi Minh or Pnomh Penh every 3 months and pay for a new non o visa or survive for as long as I can on as many SETV I can get with extensions. Greaaaat.
Tod *********
If a child is born out of wedlock the fact that child has your name on the birth certificate and a passport from your country is NOT enough so you can use them to get a yearly extension of stay.

You would need to have either gone thru family court, OR (if the child is old enough) have gone to the local amphur and get granted parental rights that way.

Without either of those you can only get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being the father of a half thai child at a thai consulate OUTSIDE the country and you could only get a 60 day extension on that inside the country.
Darren *********
Were you legally married to the child’s mother at the time of birth or have the documents to support parental rights from family court?
Darren *********
@James *****************
how old is your daughter?
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Married after birth.
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