What is the best visa for an Australian expat with a Thai girlfriend and a child living in Chiang Mai?

Question

Hi Everyone, I'm looking for advice on the best visa to apply for.  I am Australian and 51 years of age, currently working in Cambodia (I have a business visa and work permit there).  My Thai girlfriend and newborn baby live in Chiang Mai.  I would like to spend time with them every month, fly in fly out once per month for at least this year. Initially I will spend a greater part of the month in Thailand.  I previously worked in Thailand up to April 2019 with the proper visa and work permit, but let that lapse when I found employment in Cambodia.  I have since entered Thailand 3 times on 30-day exempt stamps, and have once extended for 30 days at the local immigration office and then crossed the border at Mae Sai to extend for another 30. 

I plan to return to Australia for a short visit in May this year.

What is the best visa for my situation, and is it best to apply here, in a neighbouring country or my home country?  If possible, I would prefer not to have to transfer a large sum of money into a Thai bank account.

Thanks in advance 🙏

I plan to return to Australia for a short visit in May this year.

What is the best visa for my situation, and is it best to apply here, in a neighbouring country or my home country?  If possible, I would prefer not to have to transfer a large sum of money into a Thai bank account.

Thanks in advance 🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

An Australian expat with a Thai girlfriend and a newborn in Chiang Mai is seeking advice on the best visa to apply for, considering options such as the Multiple Entry Non-O visa, potential retirement visa options for those over 50, and visas based on being a parent of a Thai child. The community suggests that the Multiple Entry Non-O visa is highly suitable if he plans to marry his girlfriend, while options for acquiring a Non-O visa based on parental status are also recommended. Insights on applying from Cambodia or Australia are included as well.

Warren ******* · Answer

All great advice. Yeh go for a Non-O in OZ or Savanaket.

Tod ********* · Answer

[mention redacted] brought up another option, seeing as you are over 50 you could apply for the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa either from the thai consulate in Phnom Penh (because you have legal residence in Cambodia) OR when you're back in Australia from a thai consulate there that issues it

That visa would give you unlimited entries for the year it is valid for and each entry gets you stamped in for a whole year.

Check the websites of the consulates to see if that visa is an option for you

Tod ********* · Answer

Contact the thai consulate where you live in Australia and see if they will issue you a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on being the father of a half thai child AND ask them the requirements.

That visa is not easy to get in S/E Asia (other than Penang with proof of 400K baht or the equivalent in a bank account) AND it will be the best "fit" visa wise for you to come and go all you want for a year.

It gives you unlimited entry for the validity of it and each entry gets you stamped in for 90 days at a time.

John ********** · Answer

If you are officially registered as parent of the child you should be able to get a non-o visa based on that I believe. If so you can do annual extension at immigration similar to the retirement visa or even get a year long visa from the Thai Embassy in Cambodia

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Stuart ********* · Answer

There is no restrictions on being “retired” in Thailand but gainfully employed elsewhere. As long as you don’t work here you can be “retired”.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

1. Are you planning on getting married to your Thai girlfriend? If you will, then your best visa, bar none, would be the Multiple Entry Non-O visa based on supporting a Thai wife. It's good for a year, no proof of finances needed, and you can stay up to 90 days on each entry.

2. Another option would be some type of visa based on being over 50? I'm way too young to retire, but there's a lot of information about it in the group.

3. Do you have some type of residency status in Cambodia? If you do, you may be able to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa in Cambodia. It's good for 6 months, and lets you stay in Thailand up to 60 days at a time.

What is the best visa for an Australian expat with a Thai girlfriend and a child living in Chiang Mai?

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