24 replies to this topic

[rotherman]

Just found out that non-immigrant "o" visas are no longer available for us single guys - previously I got one each year for 12 months from Hull - and just said I was visiting a "friend" in Thailand - now you need supporting documentation ie. marriage certificate - looks like I will only be able to get a 6 month tourist visa from now on - I think this will have a bad effect on Pattaya, with fewer long-term tourists.

[pattayaguru]

rotherman, on 28 October 2011 - 05:14 PM, said:

Just found out that non-immigrant "o" visas are no longer available for us single guys - previously I got one each year for 12 months from Hull - and just said I was visiting a "friend" in Thailand - now you need supporting documentation ie. marriage certificate - looks like I will only be able to get a 6 month tourist visa from now on - I think this will have a bad effect on Pattaya, with fewer long-term tourists.

you sure about this????  i know for non MO VISA,S   u have to supply a photocopy of your room booking   and copy of your ticket   another new rule
like you  got mine from hull before for a year
i,m sure if you say for holiday purposes it be ok
i cant see them changing that rule you mentioned i hope not

[rotherman]

Its not really a new rule - just started enforcing a old rule (probably due to the change in government) - just checked the Birmingham and Liverpool consulate websites - they all now require supporting doc. I believe.

[pattayaguru]

rotherman, on 28 October 2011 - 05:25 PM, said:

Its not really a new rule - just started enforcing a old rule (probably due to the change in government) - just checked the Birmingham and Liverpool consulate websites - they all now require supporting doc. I believe.

so you can only have a 1year visa non MO  if you have a spouse  what they saying?
also re you have to   supply room details  thats more  awkward as well as i usually book in somewhere for a few days  before looking for a long term room  on a monthly basis   and from past experiences  most of these 1 month apartments long stay  are usually family run by thais  with no computer
to supply that imformation   shite  more probs  they making

[welshwonder]

just get a triple entry tourist visa

60 days plus 30 days extension X 3 = 270 days

then go to laos and get a new tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in  Vientien and get another 270 days, I know its more of a hassle and a bit more exspensive but the other option is 12 month ED visa if your under 50 years old, there's always ways and means.

[pattayaguru]

re the ED visa   thats  i hear is problematic  with regular checks   to see if you are actually doing it ------- what the charge these days  for a visa trip to laos   as i havent been back for 10 months and lost touch,
usines
I can see some enterprising thai  opening a rent a spouse  business  to  get  your 1 year visa

thai logic   and the ferengi    go arm in arm

Edited by pattayaguru, 28 October 2011 - 06:15 PM.

[welshwonder]

Another option to get a 1 year Non O visa is get a letter of a recognised charity in thailand stating that that you going to do volunteer work for them , or a fake one from Koh san Rd which will set you back 2000thb so i been told by the man down the pub

[furryman]

pattayaguru, on 28 October 2011 - 06:06 PM, said:

re the ED visa   thats  i hear is problematic  with regular checks   to see if you are actually doing it ------- what the charge these days  for a visa trip to laos   as i havent been back for 10 months and lost touch,
usines
I can see some enterprising thai  opening a rent a spouse  business  to  get  your 1 year visa

thai logic   and the ferengi go arm in arm

The requirement for the ED visa is only 4 hours of school a week, it's not really much time at all to put in for a 1 year visa. Yes they have been cracking down but only on schools that let students slide on attendance and students who have been studying Thai for years and cannot carry on a basic conversation.

[jerry]

WELSH WONDER, on 28 October 2011 - 05:55 PM, said:

just get a triple entry tourist visa

60 days plus 30 days extension X 3 = 270 days

then go to laos and get a new tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in  Vientien and get another 270 days, I know its more of a hassle and a bit more exspensive but the other option is 12 month ED visa if your under 50 years old, there's always ways and means.

As soon as you got 3 tourist visas in your pasport forget Vientiane , they won't help you .
Never got more than a 60 day single entry anyway .

[welshwonder]

jerry, on 28 October 2011 - 07:38 PM, said:

As soon as you got 3 tourist visas in your pasport forget Vientiane , they won't help you .
Never got more than a 60 day single entry anyway .

Not sure what you mean Jerry ? On a trible entry tourist visa you will have to do a border run ( to get it stamped) only twice to activate the next entry on yout triple tourist visa, then after you have used all the entries up the visa is expired. Befor the end of the visa go to Laos or may be Phon Phen and get a New Tourist visa ( double entry only given at the moment but this does depend on how many stamps you have ). I know things are tightening up over there but its still possible to get a new double entry visa if you know what to do . Either get a visa agent like Mr Kim or some of the other agents that hang around outside the thai consulate in cambodia to do it for you . Remember this is Thailand and most things are possible if you have the know how and money .

[Bobby_dazzler]

pattaya must be the easiest place in the world to get a marriage certificate

[pattayaguru]

1 dont think ik want to try that fake marriage certificate option  as if somehow found out   they could make problems for returning to thailand

when i was there last year  it had been possible to get another 1year visa if you came in on a 1 year visa  by paying  xmount to a travel agent
anyone know  if they doing something similiar  coming in on a 6month visa

[Kipper]

Doh!

I haven't been for an extended period for a while (two months max in the last few years). I got three months booked for Christmas with a view to staying on if I've not had enough by then. Last time I was staying long term I had an O visa. I've currently got no partner in LOS. What are my options now then chaps?

[Balla055]

Ok the information on long stay in Thailand is all over the place. Can someone who knows what they're talking about put in some input? How would a single American for example, stay in Thailand for up to 2 years, without having to get a Education or marriage visa. I heard before one could make runs to Cambodia or something for 12 month extensions? How are expats doing it besides education and marriage visas? Or is everyone just saying fuck it and breaking the law illegally staying?

[Kipper]

Balla055, on 28 October 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Ok the information on long stay in Thailand is all over the place. Can someone who knows what they're talking about put in some input?

+1

[furryman]

Balla055, on 28 October 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Ok the information on long stay in Thailand is all over the place. Can someone who knows what they're talking about put in some input? How would a single American for example, stay in Thailand for up to 2 years, without having to get a Education or marriage visa. I heard before one could make runs to Cambodia or something for 12 month extensions? How are expats doing it besides education and marriage visas? Or is everyone just saying fuck it and breaking the law illegally staying?

The Thais are clamping down on visas, but there are still options.

There are law offices that can sponsor you for a 1 year B visa that can be stretched out to about 15 months, but you have to go home to apply for a new one, can't get new one in any neighboring countries., unless during that year you find a job and then the new company can sponsor you. That visa can be done 'locally'.

A triple entry tourist visa can be applied for from your home country, and some neighboring countries may give you another double after that but they are cracking down on back to back tourist visas.

Marriage visa is possible but you need to actually get married and the girl you are married to could revoke her invite and fuck your visa.

Education is the best bet, it's not that expensive for the tuition and as you can get visa's for many years in a row. Just make sure you actually do some learning and you will be fine.

There is an investment visa you can get but you have to drop a ~1 million baht on some approved project.

FWIW When I leave in February it will be on a triple entry TR visa, I'll get 30 day extensions at 60 days and border runs at 90 days giving me almost 9 months to choose a school. From there I will be on ED visa via my new alma mater for the next few years.

Edited by furryman, 29 October 2011 - 03:48 AM.

[jerry]

WELSH WONDER, on 28 October 2011 - 08:24 PM, said:

Not sure what you mean Jerry ? On a trible entry tourist visa you will have to do a border run ( to get it stamped) only twice to activate the next entry on yout triple tourist visa, then after you have used all the entries up the visa is expired. Befor the end of the visa go to Laos or may be Phon Phen and get a New Tourist visa ( double entry only given at the moment but this does depend on how many stamps you have ). I know things are tightening up over there but its still possible to get a new double entry visa if you know what to do . Either get a visa agent like Mr Kim or some of the other agents that hang around outside the thai consulate in cambodia to do it for you . Remember this is Thailand and most things are possible if you have the know how and money .

Agree with you on the money thing and the know how .

I got my pasport stamped last time after having more then 3 used tourist visas in it , "don't apply for new visa in Vientiane again" .
Also i found it very difficult to get a multiple entry tourist visa in Vientiane so i wonder how a visa agent is working around that .

I got a tip last time , if you own a house or condo or can show a long term rental contract for one you can get a Non Im O visa .
I tried this in Holland last year , not at the embassy but at consul's office and it was very easy . Pay 130 euro's , show them the paperwork and 3 days later i got my pasport back with the visa , multiple entry Non O . Only every 3 months a stamp in Cambo
and that's it . Even can stretch it up to 15 months by leaving the country on more time just before the year is over .

[welshwonder]

jerry, on 29 October 2011 - 03:46 AM, said:

Agree with you on the money thing and the know how .

I got my pasport stamped last time after having more then 3 used tourist visas in it , "don't apply for new visa in Vientiane again" .
Also i found it very difficult to get a multiple entry tourist visa in Vientiane so i wonder how a visa agent is working around that .

I got a tip last time , if you own a house or condo or can show a long term rental contract for one you can get a Non Im O visa .
I tried this in Holland last year , not at the embassy but at consul's office and it was very easy . Pay 130 euro's , show them the paperwork and 3 days later i got my pasport back with the visa , multiple entry Non O . Only every 3 months a stamp in Cambo
and that's it . Even can stretch it up to 15 months by leaving the country on more time just before the year is over .

#Ahh i understand were you are comming from now.
The guys hanging around outside are really not official agents as such, uaually got contacts either in the consulate such as friend or relative or police that type of thing. But there are official agents (shops) can do the same.

[Scumbag]

rotherman, on 28 October 2011 - 05:25 PM, said:

Its not really a new rule - just started enforcing a old rule (probably due to the change in government) - just checked the Birmingham and Liverpool consulate websites - they all now require supporting doc. I believe.

This is correct. The consulates issuing these visa in the past were not following Thai immigration law. They have been pulled back into line.

[Scumbag]

Balla055, on 28 October 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Ok the information on long stay in Thailand is all over the place. Can someone who knows what they're talking about put in some input? How would a single American for example, stay in Thailand for up to 2 years, without having to get a Education or marriage visa. I heard before one could make runs to Cambodia or something for 12 month extensions? How are expats doing it besides education and marriage visas? Or is everyone just saying fuck it and breaking the law illegally staying?

If you are not willing to go the education route or using a visa agent to get some (perhaps dodgy) visa you are stuck with tourist visas and visa waiver entries. As stated in this thread it appears to be getting harder and harder to get back to back visas in neighbouring countries. IMO for a 2 year stay (for someone under 50) the education method is the best option. An added bonus is no border runs.

[welshwonder]

Balla055, on 28 October 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Ok the information on long stay in Thailand is all over the place. Can someone who knows what they're talking about put in some input? How would a single American for example, stay in Thailand for up to 2 years, without having to get a Education or marriage visa. I heard before one could make runs to Cambodia or something for 12 month extensions? How are expats doing it besides education and marriage visas? Or is everyone just saying fuck it and breaking the law illegally staying?

Ok is the single yank over 50 years or below ? If below 50 years and dont wish to have ED visa or marriage visa get a letter of charity saying you going to do voluteer work then you can get a 12 month NoN O visa and just renew when expires with another letter. And yes alot of expats under and over 50 years of age say fuck it and over stay by years but if caught its a big fine and possible jail time followed by deportation and blacklisted from Thailand.Also a few ex pats over 50 + who were on retirement visas have also said fuck it and live illegal due too financial situation Or go on a triple entry visa and try and keep getting more entries. Or wait till your 50 + and go on a retirement visa alot less hassle . Its getting harder and harder to stay longtime in thailand now if your under 50 the laws have always been there the only difference now is the thais are enforcing them now to weed out the undesirables  people who are not gunuine tourists but live fulltime on back to back visas. Go onto www.thaivisa.com  and do your research and read other bms experiences on obtaining visas this might help you decide on which way is the best for you  to go.

[Edge]

We've done all this several times already.

The long term stayers (who may be working illegally) are under pressure to play to the Rules and get a proper Visa or get out.

As they find new ways to duck and dive, so we can expect further tightening up and the dodgy Ed' visas will surely be targeted (even more) before much longer.
Not that they need to, but Immi' will surely be reading threads like this on Pattaya forums.

With regard specifically to the OP's point re One Year Non.Imm 'O' Visa rules, they are not new and warnings have been given for >6 months that they are being enforced.

[welshwonder]

Scumbag, on 29 October 2011 - 08:39 AM, said:

If you are not willing to go the education route or using a visa agent to get some (perhaps dodgy) visa you are stuck with tourist visas and visa waiver entries. As stated in this thread it appears to be getting harder and harder to get back to back visas in neighbouring countries. IMO for a 2 year stay (for someone under 50) the education method is the best option. An added bonus is no border runs.

Yes have to agree with you there, those dreaded border runs are a nightmare, plus if you get an ED visa i know people that are currently studing on their 5th 12 month visa. Another bonus is learning thai along the way it helps big time you can actually understand what the bar girls are actually saying about us

check out The Walen School in Pattaya , for a one year renewable ED visa ( max 3 years). just checked their website out and they guarantee that you will recieve a 1 year non ED visa as they apply to the Thai Ministry of Education on your behalf for the visa all you have to do is :-

180 lessons thru out the year , attend for 2 hours a day for 2 days per week at a cost of 25,000thb .

www.thaiwalen.com

[Thai Tech Trader]

WELSH WONDER, on 29 October 2011 - 09:06 AM, said:

Yes have to agree with you there, those dreaded border runs are a nightmare, plus if you get an ED visa i know people that are currently studing on their 5th 12 month visa. Another bonus is learning thai along the way it helps big time you can actually understand what the bar girls are actually saying about us

check out The Walen School in Pattaya , for a one year renewable ED visa ( max 3 years). just checked their website out and they guarantee that you will recieve a 1 year non ED visa as they apply to the Thai Ministry of Education on your behalf for the visa all you have to do is :-

180 lessons thru out the year , attend for 2 hours a day for 2 days per week at a cost of 25,000thb .

www.thaiwalen.com

Plus 1900baht every 90days...

[Edge]

Thai Tech Trader, on 29 October 2011 - 08:51 AM, said:

Just got my ED Visa direct from Immigration 27k :-) No more visa runs 4x2500k...Yipee   No flight home 35k+...Yipee No Visa from Hull 5k...Yipee

Total Saving 23,000Baht +  YIPEE

Btw...a friend just got his for 26k

Did you forget one more Yipee for the opportunity and incentive to go to school and learn to speak Thai?