Answered6 months ago
What country in Asia is recommended for obtaining a Non-O marriage visa instead of a tourist visa?
I need to get a new marriage visa (no, not new marriage, just screwed up my last visa) and I'm headed back to USA for part of June. I'd rather spend a couple days "somewhere in Asia" than Los Angeles. What country would you recommend for me to get the non digital tourist visa?
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on where to obtain a Non-O marriage visa instead of a tourist visa while traveling in Asia. Community members suggest applying for the Non-O visa based on marriage either from the USA or a nearby country, highlighting that there's no need for a tourist visa if the intention is to apply for a marriage visa. They emphasize the need for maintaining the required balance in a Thai bank account for the visa application.
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John *********
You have been in this group for a long time, so you should already know the correct path for yourself. First question-are you still married to the Thai citizen?
If so, apply for your Non-O marriage visa in LA. Once all docs are properly submitted, you can wait anywhere in the world until your e-visa is ready. You will receive it by email. So, in other words, you don’t have to wait in LA for the embassy to complete the processing of your visa.
I did mine in Korea and I had already returned to Thailand on a visa exemption for weeks before the S Korean Thai Embassy completed my visa that I received by email. Then a quick border run to activate the visa.
I hope this helps you and others in our group.
If so, apply for your Non-O marriage visa in LA. Once all docs are properly submitted, you can wait anywhere in the world until your e-visa is ready. You will receive it by email. So, in other words, you don’t have to wait in LA for the embassy to complete the processing of your visa.
I did mine in Korea and I had already returned to Thailand on a visa exemption for weeks before the S Korean Thai Embassy completed my visa that I received by email. Then a quick border run to activate the visa.
I hope this helps you and others in our group.
Jack ****************
OPJohn N Kwan actually I've never heard of doing it that way- it's a clever idea. But I don't want to go to LA. The USA has lost its damn mind and CA is the worst and LA is the worst in CA.
Ive got
Ive got
@John *********
who I generally think knows what he is talking about saying it can be done totally online. I've got you reinforcing what I think I need to know with what sounds like a hack from one of those videos. Obviously I'm going to need to go back and hope I can get accurate information from source- despite the consistent bullshit they feed me. However, my actual point in this post "where is a good place to hang out a couple days and wait for a visa as an alternative to Cambodia" is sitting up there neglected. People in this group do this shit all the time. Could I get a good faith answer to my actual question?John **********
@Jack ***************
many people go to Laos but you have to visit the consulate to pay once you submit your application. Non-O visas are normally processed pretty quickly. You should remain where you apply though wherever you chooseJack ****************
OP@John *********
this is my plan. What he said is clever, but is a cavalier mentality that I'm too old and stiff to adopt. I think needing to go to another country is absurd- but I've had 18 months to get used to the idea and I'm trying to view it in a positive light "hey a few days vacation where I can go see some new stuff and not feel like I'm being self indulgent".My bitterness about the general shitty and nonsensical state is particularly near the surface after a statistically improbable string of shit finding my door. Got a phone call two nights ago at 3am from the Bangkok police offering to let my dipshit BiL (a commercial truck driver) out of getting arrested for drunk driving if I sent them money (555 no thanks, book him). Had an insurance company tell me "go to any body shop you want for a quote" and after learned that they only do that to see if you find one cheaper than the internal price quote. They will pay the number they made up, or less. But after I wasted two days running errands for them I learn it is just to see if I can save them money. WTF is going on in the world? Is there literally nobody just playing it straight and creating value???
Ari **********
Thai Global Partners help you , free. Your question is not clear
Jim *********
No need for a Tourist visa. Apply for a Non O based on marriage or retirement and ensure you have the required 400k or 800k in you Thai bank account for the required period, before applying for a 12 month extension of stay
Brad ********
Jim Skinner only answer needed. Laos as the most Thai place outside Thailand if you don’t want to wait in your home country.
John **********
Not sure what you mean by a non digital tourist visa. All visas are issued electronically these days, and must be applied for online. But if you need to apply for any visa why not just apply for the 90 day Non-O visa based on marriage and skip the tourist visa, it'll save you at least 2 trips to immigration inside Thailand.
Jack ****************
OP@John *********
so almost two years ago when I went to get my original marriage visa they made a big deal out of my tourist visa that I got online being unacceptable and that I have to get a visa IN PERSON from an embassy and that they cannot convert a visa you got digitally into a marriage visa. Maybe it was all part of the scam setup to get me to pay a bribe. The people in my immigration office (and every other one that I've been to) have zero problem lying to your face and smiling while they do it. I don't think I can go wrong by getting the visa from an embassy instead of online.
Andy *****
Jack Kawakami Long Just a kind suggestion: be a little careful with your language. Don't accuse the staff publicly.
Don't behave condescendingly to the staff. If you don't understand something, kindly ask for an explanation and do everything with a smile and friendly demeanor. You will not get far acting standoffish.
In many ways, rules in Thailand don't make sense- but you have to go along with it.
Don't behave condescendingly to the staff. If you don't understand something, kindly ask for an explanation and do everything with a smile and friendly demeanor. You will not get far acting standoffish.
In many ways, rules in Thailand don't make sense- but you have to go along with it.
Kim *********
Andy Kay I see nothing condescending and accusing staff of something. Good advice though - in general. Not in this case.
John **********
@Jack ***************
you can't, no embassy will issue a physical visa, online only. If you only get a tourist visa you will need to go to your immigration office when you have at least 15 days left on your entry stamp and apply for a Non-O visa based on being married to a Thai. After the 15 days you'd need to return to the immigration office and get a 90 day Non-O visa based on being married stamped into your passport. Then the rest would be as per a normal extension based on marriage. My suggestion cuts out those 2 visits to your immigration office. Much simpler to apply for the Non-O up front then once in Thailand all you need to do is apply for the extension of stay (and meet the requirements of course)
John ********
Jack Kawakami Long you have to apply for the visa from outside of Thailand and online through their digital site. They prefer that when you apply ONLINE that you are in your home country applying through the Thai consulate or embassy that resides in your country. I'm from NJ USA. I apply through the Thai digital immigration site and I choose the Thai Consulate in NYC. You need to slow down and learn. Just by what you've posted I can tell that you're contributing to your issues.
John **********
@Jack ***************
if you get the 90 day Non-O before entering Thailand you won't have such problemsJack ****************
OP@John *********
I don't want to tell you man. I am wrong about stuff all the time and easily confused. But they were very instant that what I needed must come from an actual office outside of Thailand. Maybe there is some other nuance I've missed, but since these people intentionally fuck with me at least once a year I'm at a loss. I know in the beginning it pertained to that when I first came I did an education visa and "not everyone on an Ed visa is a scammer" is too nuanced a thought for most Thai civil servants. But that was years ago and they told me "it is fixed and you won't have problems again", but here I am.Activity
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