What options do I have for helping my American husband with his visa situation in Thailand?

Oct 4, 2023
a year ago
Phetnapa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi All,

Is there any visa agent that could help me with my husband's visa run?(He's from the US)

We have a situation which he can't leave Thailand for too long. (About to open a business and I need him to stay helping me a bit here)

He went to the Pong Nam Ron boarder (Cambodia) about 2 months ago, came back in with visa on arrival. We already extended 30 days extension and another 60 days extension with a spousal visa.

We already have the marriage certificate but no marriage visa as of yet. He overstayed 1 day just cause some document errors on our end, and we were told my ghe immiration officer that we can not overstay if we were to request for the non-o visa for marriage visa later 🥲 So we think the Visa Run is our last option for this situation.

If anybody knows any good agents, please feel free to refer in the comment below.

Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking assistance with her American husband's visa situation, as he needs to stay in Thailand to help launch a business. They've explored several options including recent visa runs and extensions, but are unsure how to proceed since they were advised against overstaying. Various commenters provide insights on obtaining the NON-O marriage visa, the best consulate to visit (Savannakhet), and alternatives like the Treaty of Amity which allows U.S. citizens to establish a business in Thailand with fewer visa hassles. Recommendations for reputable visa agents and the costs associated with visa runs are also discussed.
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Tito *********
He can go to savannakhet to apply for the 1 year multi entry non-o based on marriage. It costs 5000 baht (+entry into Laos), and there is no financial requirements. With that visa he can enter Thailand as many times as he wants during 1 year, and each entry gives him 90 days of stay. That means he can stay around 15 months in Thailand with that visa, without visiting immigration ever. It's not really what you asked, but it's an option that not everyone knows about
Terary **********
@Tito ********
If I understand correctly, he will still have to do 90 border bounces?
Tito *********
@Terary *********
yes each entry would give him 90 days, and he would have to go out before that time, then come back to get 90 days again
Jim ********
Your Husband is an American Citizen. He can apply for the Treaty of Amity. ONLY US citizens can get this in Thailand. A good Accountant or Lawyer can process this for you. You own 100% of the company. (no Thai partners needed) You'll get a work visa and only have to do a border run every 90 days. (OR if you've left the country during that time, your start day reverts to the day you re-entered) Google it.
จอนห์ *******
The administration of this FB group is;

'Thai Visa Centre'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews and an awesome service.
Noel ***********
@จอนห์ ******
I agree Thai Visa Centre offer an extremely professional service and have. been for 15 years. I highly recommend them.
Gregor **********
a border run and a subsequent visa-exempt entry, or a visa-run to Vientiane and the application for a 60-days Tourist Visa does not make any sense at this point. This is because of the recent "overstay", he CANNOT use the "change of visa type" from a TR visa or a visa-exempt, to a 90-days Non-Imm-O marriage visa anymore. Your ONLY chance is either the "Multi Entry 365-days Non-Imm-O family visa" (or the "90 days single entry Non-Imm-O marriage visa") from Savannakhet, OR he flies back to the U.S.A. and applies for the Non-Imm-O marriage visa over there. The Savannakhet option is absolutely doable, a few hundred of expats do this every year and the officials at this consulate are super friendly.
Gregor **********
keep in mind, that with the one-year multi entry non-imm-O visa, your husband must perform a "border run" every 89 days (before each 90 days stay permit expires) in order to activate another 90 days stay permit
Bosco *******
@Gregor *********
those this mean then . That it’s valid for one year or each time you renter it starts again.. sorry if this is a silly question
Tito *********
@Bosco ******
if you're speaking about the 1 year multi entry non-o, that visa has a validity of 1 year, and each entry gives 90 days of stay. That means during the validity period of the visa, you are able to enter Thailand with it as many times as you want, but stay no more than 90 days at a time.

Basically it means you have to exit/re-enter Thailand every 3 months.

If you re-enter Thailand juste before the visa expiration date, you will be stamped in for 90 days again, so that means you would be able to "be here" for 15 months. Then when those last 90 days are about to end, you can still apply for a family visit extension from the immigration office inside of Thailand, to get an additional 60 days. That means that visa would allow you to stay in Thailand basically 17 months if you time it right.
Bosco *******
@Tito ********
wow thank u for that information .. it is very helpful
Phetnapa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Appreciate it! Will keep that in mind.
Gregor **********
@Phetnapa *********
don't do any more border bounces and visa-exempt entries! He could get refused entry with his stay history, and that's when the trouble starts. Go get the proper visa in Savannakhet as described.
Randy ********
@Phetnapa *********
you can get 17 months from that visa (15 from the visa and then a 60 day married to a Thai extension). It’s a pain to have to leave every 90 days but to me it’s worth it. It’s the visa I’m on now and I don’t mind the travel every 90 days.
Phetnapa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Thanks so much for all this information! This clarifies all of my questions. Now I just need to find soneone who could help with the process since the last agent that helped us with the visa run quoted for 30k thb. for the 1 year Non-O marriage visa. Not sure if that's a regular price... Thanks so much!
Gregor **********
@Phetnapa *********
30.000.- THB, this could be the price you pay when officials look the other way. Tea money involved. I do NOT recommend it
Gregor **********
Pong Nam Ron is the Myanmar border, which is closed for foreigners by now. I would emphatize that your husband flies or drives to Mukdahan, and from there to Savannakhet, Laos (as Vientiane asks for appointment and for the financial proof!) You should accompany him (although your presence is not actually needed, yet is better for the overall picture and you will have to sign documents when there). You need your fresh Thai marriage certificate, your blue housebook and Thai ID-card, and a few other documents (that are listed on the Thai Consulate Savannakhet website under the "single entry 90 days Non-imm-O "family" visa") The consulate offers a walk-in service. Your husband can apply for the "365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O family visa" based on being married to a Thai wife. The fee is 5000.- Baht. Savannakhet is the ONLY one of two consulates in the region (the other one being the Thai consulate Ho Chi Minh City) , where your husband can receive the "1-year Non-O marriage Visa" WITHOUT any financial proof! Upon each entry within the one-year visa validity period, into Thailand, your husband will get stamped in for 90 days stay permit. The 1-year visa will give you plenty of time to amass 400,000.- THB on a Thai bank account in his sole name. He will need this financial proof to be able apply for the "1-year extension of stay permit based on marriage to a Thai wife" (which some of you call "marriage visa" yet actually is not a visa but a stay permit)
Vernon *********
@Gregor *********
Pong Nam Ron is near Cambodia, you are getting mixed up with Phu Nam Ron!
Gregor **********
@Vernon ********
you are right!
John **********
Do you mean a run to go and obtain an actual visa at a Thai embassy in another country or do you mean just to bounce out to obtain another visa exempt entry?
Phetnapa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Hi! For now we just want to bounce out to obtain another entry. I've been told from the agent we did the first visa run with that they don't do visa run anymore since there's more restriction now. Not sure if you know anybody who could help 😅
Brandon ************
John **********
@Phetnapa *********
I'm not aware of anyone from Saraburi you'd be better asking in a local Farang group. From Bangkok you could try these guys
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Brandon ************
A visa agent normally helps you get a visa in Thailand, not a visa outside of Thailand. You can look for a visa run agency that takes you to the Thai consulate in Laos. I believe Thai Visa Service does this from Bangkok at Lotus On Nut.

There aren't any visa runs to Cambodia because the Thai consulate in Cambodia isn't near the border.
Phetnapa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Heyy! I probably mistaken those two countries... Thanks so much ka 😊
Brandon ************
@Phetnapa *********
a border bounce to Cambodia is possible but not a visa run (go to Thai consulate, apply for and pay for visa)
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