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What are the best visa options for returning to Thailand long-term with a Thai partner and child?

Thailand Visa Non-O Visa Visa Extensions Expats in Thailand Thai Immigration Marriage Visa Family Visa COVID-19 Thai Banking Requirements

Apr 26, 2021

5 years ago

Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I want to return to Thailand on a more long term/full time basis and have been looking into applying for a Non OA multiple entry 1 year Visa. I meet all the requirements, but with all the restrictions in place, Covid 19 complications, plus cost it's seems a bit of a painfull and worrying process. Wondering if I might be best served looking at another type of visa and then once I am out there exploring other possibilities in which to stay.

A bit of background about me. Been going out to Thailand since the late 90's, from the UK and just turned 50. Enough money in a British bank account to meet criteria. I have a Thai partner and we want to get married when we return to BKK. Plus I also have an 11 year old Thai born/Thai national daughter who also lives in the capital.

Any advice, tips or pointers will be greatly recieved.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user seeks advice on returning to Thailand long-term with a Thai partner and daughter, considering applying for a Non-O multiple entry visa. Several community members suggest various visa options, including entering with a tourist visa and later applying for extensions based on family ties. They also discuss the complexities of marriage and banking requirements, emphasizing the importance of legal documentation and the necessity of exploring options once in Thailand.

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Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for everybody's help and input, much appreciated.

5 years ago

Peter ****************

Isn't it a possibility to get a non imm O single entry on base retirement in y'r country ? Then you have 90 days and after the quarantaine, open a Thai bank account and transfer 800k฿ in it. I know it's a bit hard to get a Thai bank account, but with y'r girlfriend (still no wife then), it should be possible at a Kasikorn- or Bangkok bank branch, If you reserve one day going from branch to branch. When the 800k฿ is in (after 2 months in), you can then go for a 1 year extension of stay based on retirement. Of course if you managed to be legaly married when asking a year extension based on marriage, then you need the 400k฿ in place. Just a thought ?

5 years ago

Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Complicated ! but my partner/ex wife who i want to re marry, is not the mother of my child. Although the mother and i have a good relationship. So papers, I.D. cards, birth certificates and documents are not a problem.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Stephen ********

Were you ever married to the mother of the child, OR did you have parental rights recognized by the courts?

5 years ago

Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

No and no

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Stephen ********

Then you can't get the one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai child sadly.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

>I have a Thai partner and we want to get married when we return to BKK. Plus I also have an 11 year old Thai born/Thai national daughter who also lives in the capital.

IF you were married to your ex-wife when your daughter was born, you would have parental rights granted automatically. You can get a one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai children, which will probably be the easiest extension.

My advice would be to enter on a single entry Non-O visa based on raising half-Thai children, apply for a 60 day extension of stay based on visiting Thai Family, and then apply for a one year extension of stay based on raising half-Thai children.

5 years ago

Ellie *******

I guess you can get single entry tourist visa, then see how things going for you. TR 60days entry + 30days tourism extension + 60days visiting family extension. You would have 5 months to find out. There is no '60days Non-O visa' based on visiting family. it's just an extension.

5 years ago

James ********

Come on into Thailand and enter either with a tourist visa (60+30=90days max) or visa exempt entry (45+30=75 days max).

When here...and after quarantine... Explore getting married...

Followed by the non o married to Thai and one year extension of stay based on marriage.

Much simpler than getting a visa in your home country.

If there is documentation from your home country re getting married... Obtain it before you come to Thailand.

Get vaccinated before you come to Thailand... Reduced quarantine time of 7 days vs 10

5 years ago

Stephen *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

My biggest concern is the time frame I have to do all of the things that need to be done before visas run out. Things like sorting out Thai bank accounts and going to the local authorities to add your name to the Tambien ban.

That's why I was maybe even thinking of applying for Non O Visa 60 days visiting family and friends, then extending.

The question of marriage..... my partner is in actual fact my ex wife. We were married and divorced in Thailand, but have been back to for 10 years. Initially had paperwork from UK embassy proving I was free to marry. On the advice given by the Thai embassy in London they said it would be easier to marry again in BKK as all the original marriage/divorce papers are there.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Stephen ********

>and going to the local authorities to add your name to the Tambien ban

Nobody can be added to a Tambien Ban. You can go on a Tambien Ban if you're a Thai citizen :\

>my partner is in actual fact my ex wife. We were married and divorced in Thailand,

For a non-O visa, the marriage must be legal with a marriage certificate. For an extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai national, it must be legal, and you must be living with her.

>On the advice given by the Thai embassy in London they said it would be easier to marry again in BKK as all the original marriage/divorce papers are there.

They are *probably* right.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?

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