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What are the best visa options for expats in Thailand with a marriage-based background who frequently travel for work?

Visa OptionsThailand ImmigrationNon-O VisaMarriage Visa ExtensionMultiple Entry VisaTourist VisaRe-entry PermitsExpats in Thailand
Jul 3, 2024
6 months ago
Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Need advice.

I used to get a multiple entry visa based on marriage, which I need to renew this month.

My job means that I leave Thailand every 6 weeks and then go back home.

This visa is no longer available, meaning that every time I leave Thailand for work or to go to the UK, I would need to get a new visa., this is not going to look very good.

Any suggestions
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is seeking advice on renewing their marriage-based multiple entry visa, which is no longer available, complicating their frequent travels out of Thailand for work. Suggestions include applying for a multiple entry tourist visa from the UK, obtaining a 1-year marriage extension in Thailand, and considering multiple re-entry permits as possible solutions. Expats share ideas on managing visa applications from nearby locations like Savannakhet, Laos, and tips on handling frequent entries into Thailand.
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Mac *********
A message for coders Only!! "I was not in my home country when I applied" "I am US citizen and I used the Thai Embassy from my home country" what does that mean; dual citizen or while flying between USA and Thailand? "a little creative with the paperwork"?
6 months ago
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Terary **********
I just got an METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa). I applied online. I was not in my home country when I applied. I am US citizen and I used the Thai Embassy from my home country. Maybe the Thai Embassy in the UK is as flexible. I did have to get a little creative with the paperwork but its worked out for me several times. Good Luck
6 months ago
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Ken ********
Can get the marriage extension then apply for multiple entry stamp got mine on March
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken *******
 just out of curiosity how long did you have left on your visa before applying.?
6 months ago
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Graham ******
@Alex ********
 You can apply anywhere with 30 days remaining, some offices accept applications with 45 days left
6 months ago
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Ken ********
@Alex ********
 about 15 days
6 months ago
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Ken ********
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
All, thanks for the comments it looks like my best option is to get the 90 visa, come into Thailand, then before I leave get the re-entry permit, come back to Thailand and then apply for the 1 year marriage extension, then after that get a multiple re-entry permit.

Appreciate all the assistance offered by this group.
6 months ago
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Shane ******
Multiple re-entry. Can get any time and it lasts the length of your visa. 3000 baht
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shane *****
 But the only visa I can get is a 90 day one (for visiting Thai family).
6 months ago
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Shane ******
@Alex ********
 you can apply for the non-O then apply for your yearly extension based on marriage... no?
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shane *****
 Yes that's the current thinking
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Bonnie *******
If you leave every 6 weeks why not just come in visa free and extend?
6 months ago
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Michael ********
@Bonnie ******
 They only put up with it for so long. I got flagged and then pulled over, showed them my seamans book etc etc.

Said no you need marriage visa your married
6 months ago
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Bonnie *******
@Michael *******
 but if that visa is not available anymore what else can you do?
6 months ago
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Michael ********
@Bonnie ******
 can still get multiple entry from savanakhet at moment, just have to plan it right with appointments
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ******
 From what others have said my best option is to come in on a 90 visa, get the single re-entry permit and then the next time I am in Thailand do the 1 year marriage visa extension.

Not ideal but options are limited.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 The removal of the multiple entry for the Non-O based on marriage is a pain.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Colin *********
@Bonnie ******
 because over a longer period of time, Immigration officers would see it as he's only a tourist trying to live in Thailand. He's married to a Thai and needs to keep his 'Non-O' Visa
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ******
 I could do that I would have to ask the company I work for to get me an onward ticket, which the cancel after entering Thailand. As most airlines will ask for this if I dont have a Visa.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Declan **********
Non-O visa then Non-O extension to 1 year and getting a multiple re-entry permit is probably your best bet. If you time it right you'll be able to do it on your next entry.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Declan *********
 that seems to be the only way.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Michael ********
I am same as you (offshore angola at moment) easiest way is savanakhet, problem is now with online appointment thing you have to really plan ahead as supposedly booked up for two months in advance.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 That's a pain then. Would have to book it up now for my next break.
6 months ago
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Michael ********
@Alex ********
 yes thats what i am planning just waiting to hear from my bosses work schdule. I do repars so no regular rotations so even more difficult, as least you probably know your dates
6 months ago
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Michael ********
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One thing I forgot to put in my original post is that I work offshore.
6 months ago
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Garrett ***********
Just get a multi reentry permitm
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 ok so I can do that. That solves my headache.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
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Wylie *******
You can also apply for the 1 year extension based on marriage in Thailand and then get a multiple re-entry permit.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wylie ******
 how long in advance can i do this? can i do it after arriving back in Thailand
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Alex ********
 I also think it’s your best option now as the Non O with multiple entries is gone. You can apply for a regular 90 days Non O based on marriage in Thailand on a visa exemption or at your embassy/consulate before you go and a one year extension of stay with multiple re-entry permits after 6 or 8 weeks depending on where you stay. You’ll need to bank 400K baht in a Thai bank if you apply in Thailand and for your extension of stay. At your embassy/consulate you can use income (40K baht) for the initial 90 days Non O.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 I work offshore, so I am in Thailand for 6 weeks then go back to the ship for 6 weeks.

The 400K in a Thai bank account I have. And the income is not an issue. I have gotten Non-O visa based on marriage the last two years but was able to get a multiple entry one
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Alex ********
 Ok I understand, if you apply for a initial 90 days Non O first and get a single re-entry permit at the immigration or the airport before you leave, you’ll get stamped back in again and can apply for your extension of stay when you return.
6 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Jan *****************
 no need to apply for the initial non-o as long as his multiple entry non-o is still valid, which it sounded like it was from the post. He can simply get the 1 year extension off of that.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Wylie ******
 Agree, but I understood OP’s post the same way as he now has explained further.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I should have made that more obvious in the original post.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jan *****************
 OK, so i apply for my 90 day visa, come Thailand and then when I leave 45ish days later to go back to work, apply for a single re-entry permit.

Then when I arrive back I still have 45 days left and apply for the one year marriage extension then and after that get the multiple re-entry permit.
6 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Alex ********
 if your multiple entry non-o is still valid there is no need to apply for the initial non-o since you already have one. You would simply apply for the 1 year extension. As long as that 400k has been in the bank for 2 months prior to when you will apply for it. That is the exact situation I am in and will be applying for the 1 year extension around October.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wylie ******
 My current visa expired at the end of May, I got back into Thailand 5 days before it expired. I left Thailand 4 days ago and was starting the application and saw that the Multiple entry option has gone from the Non-O marriage visa.

Wish I had checked before leaving as I could have possibly sorted it out early.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Alex ********
 Yes I guess that’s your best option. You can apply with income at home, but the 400K baht needs to be seasoned for two months when you apply for your extension in Thailand. With multiple re-enter permit you can come and go as you want and just need to apply for an extension in time once a year.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Brandon ************
It is still available at the Thai consulate in Savannakhet Laos, though they now require you to show proof of 400,000 baht in a bank account in order to apply for it.

Otherwise you can apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa when you're back in the UK. It's valid for 6 months from when it is issued and you'll receive a 60 day stamp each time you enter Thailand. You can apply for 30 day extension on each entry.
6 months ago
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Alex *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 This means a trip to Laos, how long does it take for the visa to be done.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Alex ********
 I believe it's 3 days processing. The website has all the details. An appointment is also required.
6 months ago
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Andy ********
@Brandon ***********
 the website is a bit misleading. It does indeed say 3 days processing but in the Q and A section it clarifies that if you apply on a Monday your visa will be available on Wednesday.
6 months ago
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Andy ********
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