What is the easiest visa to hold in Thailand: marriage extension or retirement extension for someone over 50?

@Tod ********

and to further confuse things, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that a Non-OA entitles the alien to stay for one year from date of FIRST entry.

@Tod ********

just to clarify, if you have the child out of wedlock then marry, then you are covered. Additionally if you divorce amicably then the child arrangements need not go through the courts at all. The Ampur simply writes the details into the divorce agreement. The Ampur divorce accord is at least as strong as one thrashed out in the courts. I had a lawyer present who had drawn up a mutually agreed but long winded overcomplicated text for the arrangement. The clerks took one look and said forget it. On the spot they reduced it to half a page instead of ten, and the lawyers were totally subservient to the clerks which I was really not expecting.

End result 8 years so far of trouble free visas and travel and obtaining Thai docs like ID cards etc without needing any consent or intervention whatsoever from the mother, based on a single line the clerk drew up: "the parties agree the father is to have full custody and parental responsibility".

Tod Daniels in fact the embassy in washington makes the same error. it specifically states Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During THE one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure.

@Peter ********

it needs to be pointed out that you need to have a half-thai child while you're married because then you're given legal parental rights. Unfortunately, having a child out of wedlock means 100% of the parental rights go to the mother. It doesn't matter if your name is on the birth certificate or even if you get a passport from your country for the child. You as the father need to go to family court and get recognized as the legal father and granted parental rights, Only then can you use "support half thai children" as the reason for a yearly extension of stay at the immigration office.

Just in passing - even after divorce I was able to maintain the extensions of stay based on the family type visa as I had full custody of our child. So even though single as long as our child is a minor this type of visa requires only 400K in the bank, and should you ever consider starting a business or working here, unlike the retirement visa you can apply for a WP

@Tod ********

well it sure fooled me. lol

@To**

I think they are actually referring to the fact that IF you come here stamp in and stay in the country for a year your visa would expire and you'd need a re-entry permit to keep your stamp 'alive' if you leave and come back after that.

BUT it is sort of misleading

@Tod ********

Lol! even the embassy has it wrong!

@Tod ********

lol! these consulates are a joke!!

@Tony *******

that is totally false information. The visa is sold as a multi entry type meaning you can enter/exit the country for the validity of the visa (a year from the date it's issued) and get stamped in for a new year every time you enter.

IF you exit/re-enter just prior to the "enter before" date on the visa itself you can actually get TWO years of stay out of a visa that's valid for just one year. However on the "second year" (any time you need to exit the country AFTER the enter before date on the visa) you would need a re-entry permit because the multi-entry part of that visa expires on the "enter before" date and if you left after that you'd cancel your current stamp.

@Tod ********

the Vancouver Consulate indicates that the holder of a Non- OA must get a rentry permit from immigration before leaving or he/she will forfeit the visa. Recommendations for foreigners with Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) while staying in the Kingdom (very important)

Upon arrival, holder of this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 1 year from the date of first entry. During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

@Paul *******

the best visa is the one I mentioned earlier the year-long multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa that you get from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here. you can use you current bank account in your country to meet the financial requirements.

That visa is good for a year from the date it's issued, and each time you enter the country you get stamped in for a whole new year for the validity of the visa.

Hands down it is the best value for money and the most trouble free visa to hold

@Tod ********

thanks. Same rules would apply, for every foreign work permit issued, employer has to employ 4 thai.....

@Mark *****

, correct, you need to hold a work permit to work here BUT you can get a work permit on a yearly extension based on marriage IF you're offered a job, you don't have to switch to a Non-B visa.

@David ***********

-am I correct in stating that you would still need to apply for a work permit, even if you have a non o based on marriage?

Another difference is using the marriage reason you can work. Using retirement you can't.

@Paul *******

you need to legally work here for a specific period of years, pay taxes, file taxes etc to qualify for permanent residency

@Paul *******

Best of luck to you! :)

@Paul *******

U just need to have a good picture memory and know the sounds of each picture ;) hehe

I know some 40 and 50+ sweds that went for PR and got it after 5 years based on marriage thats why im talking against you

@T**

. They can now come and go as they want but will never have a chance of getting a citizenship as they havent worked or paid taxes in Thailand.

@Paul *******

Then the marriage one, learn basic thai read and write and conversation and stay for minimum of 3 years with no break in the extensions.

Apply fee~7k

fee for PR~100k(if get it based on marriage, based on work investment etc. ~200k). though can take long time to get it.

And

@Tod ********

naahaaaa thats if u base it on work, investment etc.

But for a chance choose the right visa ;) 100ppl/country/year if get rejected wait another 3 and try again.

Never miss a 90-days, be sure to be on time for extensions etc. never overstay before. Thats a good start ;)

Things in this country takes time, just need to have patience.

@Charlie *****

, let's not muddy the water about permanent residency because just being married to a thai for a specific period of time does NOT let you apply for it. You need to legally work here, pay into the social security system, file taxes etc.