Thailand is one of the planet’s premier holiday destinations, with millions of people coming each year from around the globe. The country has stunning tropical beaches, clear blue waters, a rich history and culture, great food, a warm welcome, and so much more.
And while Thailand has plenty to offer to short-term visitors, it also caters well to those who want to stay for longer. Many foreigners will also end up meeting a Thai partner, and some will end up having Thai children.
Of course, parents will naturally want to stay with their children and this means obtaining the appropriate visas.
We’ve created this brief article to help you understand which options are available for parents with Thai children.
Tourist Visas
While a tourist visa is not the best option for long-term stays, it can still be useful for people who aren’t ready or able to settle in Thailand long-term. For example, many foreigners cannot find work in Thailand so they find work in their home country instead to support themselves and their families.
Such an arrangement will usually mean the foreigner can’t stay in Thailand with their children for long, meaning a short-term option is adequate.
Tourist visas let you stay in the country for 60 days. You can also extend them by another 30 days if you do a visa run. However, there are limitations on how many consecutive tourist visas you can have, which is mainly why tourist visas are not a great long-term solution.
You should also note that you cannot legally work in Thailand on a tourist visa.
Non-B Visa
A non-B visa is typically granted to foreigners who want to work in the country while staying with their Thai children. To qualify, you will need to have the appropriate documentation obtained from a perspective employer along with a valid passport and application fees.
A non-B visa is usually valid for 90 days, after which point it will need to be renewed or extended. Getting your visa renewed is not usually a problem provided you still meet the requirements. Non-B visas can also be extended to 1 year in a Thai immigration office provided the holder meets the requirements.
The non-B visa is not necessarily meant for people wanting to stay with their Thai children in Thailand. Regardless, it still lets foreigners stay in the country in the long term legally. Bear in mind that while you can legally work with a non-B visa, you will still need to obtain a work permit before you can start.
Non-O Visa
The non-O visa was created for foreigners to stay with their children and other family members legally, these are one of the reasons you can obtain Non O Visa with. You can either apply for a Non Immigrant O Visa at the Royal Thai Embassy prior to traveling to Thailand or at a local Thai Immigration depending on the requirements you meet.
In this instance, you will need to take documents that prove you will be staying with at least one Thai child under 20 years old. Documents proving you are married to a Thai national will also help you qualify for a non-O visa.
A Non-O visa is also usually valid for 90 days, with extensions and renewables available. The visa can also extend for a year, provided you meet the appropriate criteria and you will need to report to an immigration office every 90 days.
If your non-O visa is expiring, you can extend it yearly at a nearby Thai Immigration.
Making Arrangements at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate
Successful applicants will usually receive their passport back with a visa the working day after their application. And considering all visa applications must be made in a different country, this usually means staying for at least 1 night.
If you make your application before the weekend or public holidays then you might have to stay for longer. As such, it’s a good idea to check your calendar to prevent unscheduled stopovers.
*The Royal Thai Embassy in London, England.
The precise details such as accommodation and travel methods will depend on various aspects such as your budget and preferences.
For many, a bus or coach journey will be the best option thanks to its affordability. Other people will have a more flexible budget and want to avoid long road journeys, in which case, taking a flight would be the better option.
You will also likely find a wide range of accommodations in your destination city, from budget to 5-star hotels. And while most will prefer an overnight stay and return to Thailand as soon as they can, some would rather take the opportunity for a short vacation away from the land of smiles.
Getting a Non O Visa inside Thailand
You don’t necessarily have to travel outside Thailand to obtain a Non O Visa. If you have entered Thailand or on an Exempt Visa stamp and have enough days left on stay as required. We can process and secure Non O Visa at Bangkok Immigration. Having to make such arrangements yourself can be confusing, and frustrating, and can lead to mistakes. The good news is that registered Visa Companies are on hand to do most of the work for you.
Here at Thai Visa Expert, we have extensive experience in obtaining visas for foreigners. We can advise you on what your options are and ensure your documentation is all in order so you can be confident of getting the visa you need.
Regardless of your visa requirements, get in touch and we will be more than happy to hear from you.
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