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What are my options as a US citizen married to a Thai while on visa exemption during travel restrictions?

Visa Exemption NON-O Visa Thai Marriage Visa Visa Application Travel Restrictions Expat Life in Thailand Visa Agents Visa Extension Amnesty Program

Jun 3, 2020

6 years ago

Daniel ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m a US citizen was married to a Thai divorced Dec 2018, have two kids with ex-wife. I am working for a Japanese company and traveled monthly so was on visa exemption. Still here on visa exemption. I got married just before covid. Was planning a trip to savannakhet to apply for marriage visa then borders closed. Planning on the trip when borders reopen but if still have restrictions in place after opening I’m afraid I’ll be in limbo. My hometown is Minneapolis which is on fire now and I have no home there for decades. Getting worried this special case will slip through the cracks...

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen, previously married to a Thai national and currently in Thailand on a visa exemption, is concerned about his visa status amidst ongoing travel restrictions due to COVID-19. He had intended to apply for a marriage visa in Savannakhet but is worried about being left in limbo if borders remain closed. Community responses suggest waiting for the situation to develop, possibly extending the current visa exemption, and exploring options with visa agents when the time is right.

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Mark *******

@Tod ********

..Yeah very good advise

Do you think they will ease up on tourist viss access at the border

Coz I had trouble last time .Too many tourist visas when I'm retired

Thinking of entering and then upgrading to multi entry tourist O A

6 years ago

Tod *********

no telling, but I can sure tell you that living here on tourist visas isn't a good idea, it wasn't before covid and it's sure not gonna be after this shit storm blows over.

you're NOT a touirst, you live here, and they want you to get the correct visa. That's why you had problems :O

6 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Brad ******

Hey Tod, I am married and living in Isam. I arrived back and got my 28 days. Got an extension for 2 months. I went to Immigration on May 28th. I thought that I had everything in order. 800,000 in the bank for 3 months, proof of marriage, proof of residence. Just when I thought that they were going to stamp my passport they said that I needed to leave Thailand. Come back in, switch to a O Visa and then woyld be eligble for the retirement Visa. Does that sound correct.

6 years ago

Tod *********

you can't get a year extension without having a Non-O visa FIRST.

Depending on the immigration office you need between 15 and 21 days left on a real entry stamp (30 day visa exempt, 60 day tourist visa, or a 30 day extension from one of those) to apply for the 90 day Non-O visa. You apply, it goes under consideration, you go back and get it inked in, THEN you wait until you have 30 days or less left on that 90 day stamp before you go apply for your extension.

You are a little confused about the different extension types,

for an extension based on being over 50 (retirement) you need 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply

BUT

for an extension based on being married to a thai national you need only 400K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months before you apply

6 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@Dan***

and

@Da***

your best bet is to sit tight NOT waste a cent talking to a lawyer or an agent and take the amnesty until the borders open and you can go to one of the thai consulates in the area that will sell a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage to a thai without proof of funds (Savannakhet Lao or Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam) :)

As

@Ja***

correctly stated you're a good long way off from running out of time at this stage of the game. Take the amnesty, sit tight, watch the news and make a plan closer to the time the amnesty ends.

6 years ago

David ***********

And that is VERY GOOD ADVICE my friend

6 years ago

Reply to

David ***********

David *********

I have a similar situation to you. I was using tourist visas coming in and out as I was traveling for work. Married to a Thai lady last year.

We were being lazy and not worrying about the marriage cert or visa. Now we have to deal with it.

From my understanding is you can find some of the visa agents able to do the change of visa status while still in thailand.

Also from my understanding is the gratis visa that some of us are on now does not negate your ability to apply for an extension like before if you have not applied for an extension on your current stamp.

Me and my wife are trying to figure out what to do and soon will be going to talk to some visa agents as well as a lawyer to discover our options. We are waiting until July to see what the government does with borders and the such before we spend 10's of thousands of baht to do something that may not be needed.

6 years ago

Tod *********

I don't know ANY of the under the table visa agents <- the ones you GIVE your passport to and it comes back with a 90 day non-O visa and a year extension in it from an immigration office out of province that will get you an in country 90 day Non-O visa for someone who has already gone ON amnesty.

NO offices will issue it.

6 years ago

Daniel ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David ********

great lets share news if anything new comes up!

6 years ago

Reply to

Daniel ***********

Becky **********

If they don’t open the borders they will more than likely extend the exemption anyway. At least you are stuck over there. Lol Thailand is my home but I’m stuck over here in Houston. Also with lots of protesters. Came for my Granddaughter’s graduation and can’t go back.

6 years ago

Daniel ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think with a bit of effort you should be able to come back in July but expect to require health certificate, $100k insurance and 14 day quarantine before you can come back. Wish the best for you and family

6 years ago

Daniel ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Becky *********

pity you. Yes I am one of the lucky ones can stay with family. Count my blessings I know!

6 years ago

Reply to

Daniel ***********

James **************

I wouldnt start to worry , wait until nearly the end of july and see what is going to happen with borders and entry into thailand.

Nobody knows what will happen as of yet.

Still 2 months to go.

Just relax for the time being.

6 years ago

Reply to

James **************

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What visa options do I have as a US citizen planning to stay in Thailand for 6-8 months?

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