I am trying to get back to Thailand from California. I am engaged to a Thai woman. Do you think it is helpful or detrimental to mention this to the Thai embassy when applying for visas?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The overall consensus among commenters is that mentioning your engagement to a Thai woman is unlikely to have a positive impact on your visa application. Currently, entry into Thailand is severely restricted, and most foreigners can only enter under specific categories. Being engaged does not meet these exemptions, as the immigration authorities prioritize cases involving legal marriages or other allowed statuses. It is suggested that waiting until the COVID-19 situation improves and exploring other visa options may be more viable.
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Jesus you’re kidding right? You don’t think the government would hold back opening the country until Thai Airways can get up and running from bankruptcy???
Jesús *******
I don't think it's relevant to authorities
Joel ********
I think we are both having to wait until Thai air gets planes going
. A vet's receipt for her sick buffalo with a minimum of $1000 US dollars will help your application. Make sure she sends you the original copy. She sent me a damned photocopy and the embassy wouldn't accept it!
Don't even look to travel September/October, as Thailand won't be fully operational until February next year.
Shane **********
Thailand just extended their State of Emergency for another month to the end of August. I’m in the same situation, maybe September - October .
Brian **********
You would have to get one of the allowed visa categories for entry. Generally that means getting a work permit some how. Did you have a thai company or a job whe you were here?
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, Brian - I am looking for a job and work visa
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Richard *******
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Patrick ********
Terry ********
I dont think sneaking in over a land border or within a travel bubble will ever work because u always show your passport which reveals that your nationality is from elsewhere. The only thing that might work is a bribe.
Terary **********
$3000 at the cambodia border, Kick it there for a couple of weeks - maybe then you can do a border run. Or just swim across the border and skip the whole visa thing.
Terary **********
If you find yourself in the Gulf of Siam - you're doing it wrong. But... I wouldn't know about the pirates and thus far the sharks don't seem so bad. There was a shark bite recently, like 1 ever ten years.
Which is worse Thai Immigration or the pirates and sharks in the Gulf of Sism ?
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Andrew *********
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Ivan ************
One possibility, although expensive, would be to buy an Elite visa. The cheapest one is 500,000B. They have been added to the list allowed in. You'd still have to wait for a space for repatriation, do quarantine, etc.
unbelievably ridiculous idea. Sorry. But those are for fat cats devoid of common sense. Most nations offer something in return! Would rather wait till things settle down.
I am married to a Thai woman. So, I qualify. If I am willing to subject myself to a 14 day jail sentence. Quarantine. And the expense. Not worth it. Better to stay for now.
. Maybe useful for someone who doesn't qualify and wants to get back.
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Ivan ************
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Ivan ************
Elite have confirmed this has been approved by the government. They say it is not immediately effective but that visa holders will be allowed in once the details and procedures have been worked out with the MFA and MPH.
They mention "limited quotas and conditions in the first phase", I imagine they will be in the same queue for repatriation flights and ASQ hotel rooms.
. When was Elite added to the list? I don't recall seeing this before
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Bobby ********
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Valérie ************
Unfortunately, I think the first step to this answer depends only on Covid-management in the USA. The whole world sees not only the statistics, but also the coughing, spitting and/or gun-waving anti-mask nutcases in the US. Which, Covid apart, shows in general their abysmal lack of understanding of any hygiene at all. Risky, alas.
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
There is one possible back door approach. If Thailand opens Travel bubble with South Korea. Americans can go to South Korea, and do a 14 day quarantine, and then maybe you could go to Thailand from South Korea
Mike ********
I am just hoping for nov 27 or early december to come good,.LHR-BKK,.
You need a doctor or a hospital with connections in Thailand , not a psy confession on your love life .
Goodluck its a difficult time .
Martin *********
I think you have had a result .stay single.
Mark ***********
Unfortunately, Americans are going to be the most radioactive people on the planet for quite some time. Now, we will know what it feels like to be a black man, in the 1950's. I would not think mentioning it would make any difference. You are not in any of the acceptable categories. It is a waiting game. I need to get back to the US, but will not go, until the policies are better defined, and more permissible.
Dave *******
Not being able to see ya Mrs and being a black man in the 50s, bit of a dick comparison don't ya think
Unfortunately there's no such thing as "de facto" in Thailand. Many other countries do recognise that if you've lived together for a year despite the incorrect postings by others (Australia for example).
Good luck that's a really hard situation for you right now. I decided to stay in Thailand to avoid the risk of being separated long-term from my Thai family.
Bruce *******
Unfortunately Richard there are quite a few of us that don't meet the category and are also not tourists. The waiting game continues.
Ryan *************
being 'engaged' is completely irrelevant to your application for a visa, married or single, you'd be single but 'engaged' is not a status in Thailand officially nor in any country. What visa are you applying for? should have a list of what you need, idf assume its going to be a tourist visa not a none o as your single so youll probably need a passport/euros/photos and a small form, problem is at the moment you will not be allowed in Thailand as it stands but that might change soon, I would keep an eye on a. when Thailand is letting people in, b. Maybe have your visa ready but be prepared for a long wait, it could be along long time so if that's the case meeting in Cambodia/Laos etc could be an option soon. People will say to you on here you wont be allowed back till; next year or 300 years away, I dont think so just keep an eye on the official sources of news and call the Thai consulate near you to ask for updates via email. Wouldn't worry about half these muppets, most of them could'nt knock a wank out, never mind get out of bed, only a few members who will give you solid replies/info.
both sound peeps and dont chat shit. My 2 pence anyway but l would look at covid globally too as it will die down it already is, 150k dead in the uk alone which is horrible but it cant stay forever, so all this crap will be gone soon, yeah you get the numpty bollocks who say you wont get back in etc, sit tight mate keep your eyes on proper sources and the above youll probably find Nov/Dec (in my small opinion) is when they will start getting back to normal, i think globally too you need to be watching covid IMO.
Ivan ************
It's an immigration status in the US. K-1 Fiancé visa. Not in Thailand unfortunately.
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Ivan ************
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Oliver ********
You should have Been here before the lock Down now your fucked cant come before next year...
Oliver ********
That Wont do Anything
Glen ********
sorry man. It isn't going to happen soon. America is last on the list to allow entrance to Thai. I am an American living in Thai and would like to see family myself. Best to wait until next year.
I am also American and I live in Thailand now. I am in a couple of forums that beat these topics to death.
I think it’s going to be a while before you’ll be entering Thailand. They are being ultra conservative and I think rightfully so. Being engaged would probably be more indifferent to them than anything else.
Before I met my wife I was living in Hawaii. We ended up doing a fiancé visa for her to come to America. It took about three months from when I filed the first document until we landed in Honolulu together. That may be a better option for you. If you want more info feel free to DM me and I will tell you all I can.
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Steve Barsalou thanks! I should really get that paperwork going! I pm'd you for any further advice on that you can provide.
I'm married to a Thai thru a Buddhist ceremony but we have not registered to make it legal. I'm trying to get in under Foreigners with Thai Wife" but the LA Consulate is asking for the marriage certificate. Bottom line, doesn't look like it will work w/out the certificate.
It took my wife and I seven months - but since Trump took office, all things immigration have come to a slow crawl.
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James *********
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Moaya **********
It’s not ever helpful - once you do that you could begin the process of the paperwork and get stalled in your attempt - their are several ways to marry .
Engaged is an interesting term in and of itself ... I won’t ask all the usual questions of tell all the funny stories of engagements over the years - decades ... what visa are you riding in with ? Elite ? O? An engagement is not an exception for this period and from California? You aren’t getting in - you will
Need Covid insurance a test and if you do go in and out you should plan on at least the 5 year elite ...
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
hmm - can we get married while apart - on zoom, video? hmmm
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Richard *******
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Aney ***********
The amnesty is just extended until end of September,you can't enter Thailand,maybe in October??
Chris *********
Subscribe on thaivisa.com for timely updates on government policies regarding covid
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks!
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Richard *******
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Matt *******
Being “Engaged” doesn’t really account for anything. You’re either married and have legal documentation or you’re still considered single
M.J. *******
Rieks Lok you deluded idiot...listen to way to much main steam media
great, just checking, as you said you ‘had’ been tested, I’ve seen a few people claim to have been tested ‘before’. I’d hate to witness a man refused boarding at check-in, at the gate, or even worse, at immigration in BKK. Best of luck then 👍
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Dan ********
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Rieks Lok whatever, dude. I'm tested. Your "advice" goes straight to the trash.
Ruth *******
Rieks Lok there are many of us who have been sheltering since March, so please don’t assume anything about all Americans just because of some Americans.
Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Philip McCormick sure, I figured! 💸
Richard *******
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Philip McCormick Thanks, man 🖖😆✌️
Paul *******
It's totally amazing for them, so much they have crippled every currency and bumped up drinknprices, go vietnam or Cambodia much cheaper
I realize that it is not a legal classification, just wondering if most Thai immigration agents would view this with sympathy or antipathy - or indifference...
200 foreigners per day are allowed into the country currently. A guy who's engaged to a girl won't take preference over a foreign doctor or husband with thai kids.
a bit too pessimistic, I believe. If proper testing, contact tracing, and quarantine are observed, it can be safe. Many countries are still admitting Americans - including Thailand if they are in the accepted categories.
100% agree with you but that's your opinion, not thai government and that's were it hurts everyone, I'm married to thai lady, and we want to visit family, 14 day quarantine at your expense, + cov 19 certificate and fit to fly certificate and $100.000 US DOLLARS INSURANCE, AND ON RETURN WE GOT TO DO 14 DAY QUARANTINE AT OUR EXPENSE, YOU THINK TO YOUR SELF IS IT WORTH THE STRESS, 😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😢, BUT GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING 🙏
I am in the same position as you.... Thai wife...have tickets for November and hoping things will loosen up a little bit. Timing seems to be important in getting info to Thai Embassy prior to flight.
's comment above was directed to you, as Americans are currently entering Thailand as we speak.
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Richard *******
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Richard *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
sure, sure. I am looking at every possibility, applying for jobs there, looking at retirement visas, keeping track of when policies change. Once we are married, I will have Thai kids, but I have to get there and get married first. I was just wondering whether mentioning that more likely gets me sympathy or antipathy. Thanks for administrating this very helpful forum.
Don't make things up, you have no idea what you're talking about. I know of 2 Americans who flew from the US last week and are in ASQ in Bangkok. It doesn't matter where you're coming from if everyone is quarantining.
They were, 1 non B through the BOI and the other married to a Thai. Both got COE from the embassy.
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Garrett ***********
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Mark ******
At the moment, it won't matter either way - until things improve, you won't be entering the country unless you are in one of the specified categories.
Alan ******
It won’t matter because it’s not one of the exceptions to get in at this time. Even later I don’t see that it matters. I am also engaged and waiting for the retirement visa to open up again.
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Alan ******
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