How can I switch to a longer-term visa in Thailand as a sole guardian of a child?

Jul 24, 2020
4 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
James Fletcher posted

I'm also on the 30 day visa exempt on entry from 19 March.

I have 3 children half Thai children here, my eldest daughter 12 yrs old I am sole guardian for and have a paper of decree stating this issued by Chonburi family court.

I am still with my partner the mother of the other 2 children aged 2 and 4 yr old however we are not legally married in Thai.

What advice can you as regards to switching to a longer term visa without leaving the kingdom. My misses said we can go to make a marriage paper if it helps ๐Ÿ˜ to switch to a marriage visa. Or would it be advisable to try for a non-immigrant O as sole guardian of my eldest child? Thanks for you're input.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on switching from a 30-day visa exemption to a longer-term visa in Thailand as a sole guardian of a Thai child. Key points include that the current 30-day visa has expired and the user is now on amnesty, making it challenging to apply for a Non-O visa. Suggestions from comments include applying for a 60-day 'Visit Thai Family' extension, which can lead to eligibility for a 90-day Non-O visa, based on the guardian status of the eldest child. Detailed steps outline a process to complete these applications.
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As it sits now for you it's a 5 step process and you COULD indeed burn the amnesty down and do it closer to the end of Sept date,

1 - Apply for the 60 day visit thai family extension for 1900baht

WAIT until you have 30 days left on that stamp

2 - Apply for an in country 90 day Non-O for 2000 baht

WAIT for the under consideration period

3 - go back and get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in

WAIT until you have 30 days or less left on that new stamp

4 - Apply for the yearly extension for 1900baht

WAIT for the 30 day under consideration period

5 - go back and get the year extension inked in

DONE.. (y)
Mark *******
Do the Guardian route, better than the marriage extension
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
AT this time <- meaning right now, you need hard stamp days left on your current stamp to apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa so that means from amnesty you can't do it *(because amnesty isn't any stamp at all).

You could apply for a 60 day 'visit thai family" extension for 1900baht, and then that would give the hard stamp required days you need to apply for the in country 90 day non-O visa based on having sole custody of a half thai child for 2000baht.

You would need to have 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only transferred in from overseas on the date you apply for the Non-O visa and submit the required documentation
Ronnie *********
@Tod ********
For my knowledge, you wrote that he would "need to have 400k baht in a thai bank account in your name only transferred in from overseas...." I have been married to a Thai lady for 11 years now, but we do not reside in Thailand as of yet. Many years ago, I opened an account at BKK in my name only and deposited the 400k--cash. Must the 400k be transferred from my bank in the states to my bkk account in Thailand or is the way I have done acceptable to all concerned parties?
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ronnie ********
BUY a 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage from a thai consulate in your country before you wing your way back to thailand and that way you do NOT need to show proof of origin of the funds just that it's in an account in your name for 2 months before you get the year extension
Ronnie *********
@Tod ********
, Thank you.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ronnie ********
the requirements NOW to get an in country Non-O visa based on marriage, retirement, etc require you show proof that the funds originated from overseas.

For yearly extensions there is no proof of origin only proof of seasoning (that the funds were in your account for 2 months)
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Once you apply the application will go under consideration (from between 15 and 21 days depending on the immigration office) then you go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in.

AFTER that you wait until you have 30 days or less left on your 90 day stamp and then apply for a year extension for 1900baht by showing proof of funds and submitting the required documentation. That application will also go under consideration for 30 days before you go back and get the other 11 months of your yearly extension inked in
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay lets look at this step by step,

You originally entered on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp and that has long ago ran out putting you on amnesty.

DID you get the 30 day original entry extended at all at the immigration office?
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