Jump to content

Hardgraf

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    25

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Hardgraf

    Marriage currently possible?

    in Marriage and Divorce

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    I'm not leaving. The whole point of this is so I can stay! 

     

    my understanding is that once married I can go to immigration & they will 'convert' my ED visa to non O immigrant spouse status (My partner has a work permit as she works at a British international school).

     

    Sorry badly worded, it's not a 'marriage service'. Essentially you pay the translation company 9,000 baht. They contact the amphur offices (Khet) & secure an appointment. They then go along with you to provide the required Thai witnesses, translator & hold your hand through the process.

     

    Expensive I know & as mentioned could probably gone to some other amphurs & tried our luck but we both have full time work responsibilities & time is running out on my current visa so probably worth just paying the money to save the time & stress involved. They have booked an appointment at the Ratchetewi amphur which is convenient for us.

     

    From limited discussions with my Thai teacher & friends my understanding is that the process is more difficult because we are both foreign. If the wife/husband to be is Thai then the process is generally much more straight forward as many of the amphurs are not experienced in marrying two foreigners.

    Marriage currently possible?

    in Marriage and Divorce

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Ok thanks for all your help.

     

    UPDATE

     

    So we were able to get an emergency consular appointment at the British Embassy, all British documentation complete & translated into Thai. We then paid the translation company to go to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on our behalf to complete the required documentation.

     

    This morning we went to Bang Rak District office (Khet) & were told that the wait for marriage would be 45 days on account of us 'Both being foreigners'. This is problematic as my ED visa will expire at the end of July.

     

    They told us we would need a Thai translator & witness. We don't have family members here but Thai friends could help. Regarding the 45 days, I didn't get the impression that there was a way to make this obstacle go away, if she was suggesting that there was then it was far too subtle for me to interpret. 

     

    The translation company had previously offered us a 'marriage service'. Presumably they are able to grease the wheels at the Khet & speed the process up? I think they quoted 9,000 baht for this.

     

    So my question is, is is probably best to pay the 9,000 baht?!

     

     

    • Like 1

    Marriage currently possible?

    in Marriage and Divorce

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Hi, is it possible to get married in Thailand at the moment. From reading another thread it sounds like the amphur offices are open in BKK. Does anyone if there are any current obstructions to getting married?

     

    We are both British, want to make sure it's even possible given the circumstances before booking an appointment with the UK Consulate.

     

    If we are able to go ahead I assume that she will need her own Consular Marriage oaths affirmations and affidavits 2 appointment too?

     

    Thanks

    Thai marriage void in Britain?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Ok thanks for all the help guys.

     

    Just to clarify

     

    • My partner is not Thai, she is British
    • Once married I would  be eligible for Non O as a married spouse. My wife's employer would handle everything for me, she has colleagues who have been through this process.

     

    So it sounds like theoretically we could get married in Thailand & then pretend it never happened should we return to the UK. BUT it would be a criminal offence to attempt to remarry & withhold our marriage status etc.

     

    We do not currently want to get married. The process would be entirely for Thai visa reasons as she has extended her contract with her employer and following tourist visas, education visa & the Covid-19 situation I think it will now probably become increasingly more difficult to extend my stay in Thailand and currently I face the prospect of leaving in July & then at some point trying to re-enter.

    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    Thai marriage void in Britain?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    I am currently living in Thailand and will be coming to end of my ED visa at the end of July. I was planning to return to the UK for a couple of months before coming back to Thailand, probably on a 60 day tourist visa initially & then taking it from there. However in light of the current situation this plan is probably not realistic.

     

    I live with my partner. She is here on a work permit. The easiest solution would be for us to get married in Thailand as I then would be granted a spouse visa & my partner's employer would take care of all associated costs, paperwork etc. which would be great.

     

    However we do not really want to get married at this point and if we were to do so it would strictly be for Thai visa reasons. I have read that we would need to obtain an Affirmation of Freedom To marry certificate from the British Consulate. Is it possible to be married but for the marriage to be void outside of Thailand?

    • Confused 3
    • Sad 2
    • Haha 5

    Life after the ED Visa

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Hi all. 

     

    Arrived in Thailand on a 60 SETV October 2018. 30 day extension then another SETV from Vientiane  plus another extension which gave me 6 months in all.

     

    I then enrolled at Thai Language school & have been on an ED visa for a while now. In January I will be entering the 'advanced level' stage of my ED visa which will give me a further 6 months and therefore finish in July 2020. So all together I will have stayed in Thailand (Not including short holidays) for nearly 2 years.

     

    Is it currently possible to enrol with another school and obtain a 2nd ED visa (I enjoy learning Thai)? If not is it likely I would be able to obtain more tourist visas or 30 day exemptions? I will probably go back to Europe for a few weeks once my current ED visa has expired and procure a new passport (Although a friend advised me that that will not reset the Thai visa situation due history obtained via finger print scanning). What would be the best course of action in order to stay in Thailand?

     

    My partner is from Europe and has a Thai work permit. We are currently reluctant to get married for Thai visa reasons. If we were to marry here however I would be eligible for a 'spouse' visa & her workplace would pay for and maintain my visa, all visa related pains would vanish.

     

    Thanks

    Visa/exemption options

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    So I plan to go to Vientiane after all. Bought my train ticket to Nong Khai, changed up some Kip & US dollars, got home & packed.

     

    I then quickly checked the Vientiane Thai embassy website. It appears that as of February 2019 they no longer accept 'walk-ins' for visa applications and you have to book an online appointment. I then attempted to book said online appointment and of course there are no available slots showing for the entire week...

     

    So it looks like I will be unable to obtain an SETV however I have bought tickets, booked hotel etc. Am I still able to come back through the friendship bridge & obtain a 30 day exemption stamp? This would be my first overland exemption.  

     

    Thanks

    Visa/exemption options

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Thanks guys, extremely helpful. It sounds like the Ban Phu Nam Ron crossing would be by far the most convenient from BKK however on researching it appears that you cannot get an exemption stamp there?

     

    Unfortunately I need a reliable fast internet connection (daily video meetings with colleagues in Europe) so after a lot of research not willing to take the chance of trying to work in Vientiene which is annoying.

     

    I'd love to go to Saigon but assume that travelling back to Thailand overland would be quite arduous & time consuming?

    Visa/exemption options

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Hi all. Brief background.

     

    My partner has an non immigrant B visa and work permit. We are not yet married, otherwise I would be eligible for a Spouse visa.

     

    • Oct 2018: Arrived in Thailand on a 60 day SETV from the UK. 
    • Dec 2018: Extended SETV by 30 days at immigration
    • Dec 2018: Left Thailand - 2 week holiday Malaysia & Singapore
    • Jan 2109: Entered Thailand at Suvarnabhumi from Singapore on 30 day exemption stamp
    • Feb 2019: Extended exemption stamp by 30 days at immigration
    • Mar 2019: Need to leave Thailand - exemption stamp runs out
    • Apr 2019: I intend to start at a Thai language school in mid March to continue my learning and obtain an ED visa

     

    I intend to leave Thailand for a week or so (I own a small business in Europe & work remotely) and then re-enter as I don't want to spend my entire weekend doing a 'visa run'. My understanding is that the language school will take up to 3 weeks to process my ED visa application when I will then have to travel outside of Thailand to 'Activate' the visa (They have advised that I go to Vientiane to do this).

     

    My understanding is that given I have stayed in Thailand for a few months on SETV and exemptions that I would be better off travelling across a land border due to the unlikely but not impossible chance of me being refused entry leading to a holding cell then back on an aircraft to my previous destination? I also need to travel somewhere where I can work effectively (fast internet) during the week which based on my research rules out Vientiane.

     

    The best option given the above suggests that Penang by train would be a good choice (90 day stamp on arrival (UK passport), good work spaces, Thai consulate & land border)? However I have been to Penang several times before & would prefer to see somewhere different. I could take the train to Chiang Mai but would then have to do a same day 'visa run' to Mae Sai for an exemption & back to work from Chiang Mai so a lot of travelling.

     

    Or am I being over cautious and will be fine to take a flight to Vietnam, Hong Kong etc. and come back in to Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueng?

     

    Also would you advise always getting an SETV over an exemption stamp even if I don't need more than 30 days as I will be leaving the country again to 'activate' the ED visa?

     

    Thanks

     

     

    • Like 1

    30 day excemption - proof of onward travel?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    Hi all, apologies if this has been asked before.

     

    I am a British passport holder. I arrived in Thailand for the first time in October on a single entry tourist visa obtained in Britain. I extended the visa by 30 days at immigration in Krungtep giving me a total of 90 days. 

     

    I left Thailand just before Christmas and will be spending just under two weeks in Malaysia and Singapore before flying back to Suvanabhumi in the new year. 

     

    I wanted to obtain another 60 day tourist visa in Singapore however a combination of the mandatory online booking procedure and Christmas break restricted Thai embassy opening times means that I will have to get a 30 stamp on arrival.

     

    I have the required cash etc. Would it be advisable for me to book onward travel out of Thailand within the 30 day period and if so does this need to be by air?

     

    I am likely to extend the 30 days so don't want to waste money on a ticket of If don't have to.

     

    Thanks

    2nd consecutive 60 day tourist visa?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    Sure this has been answered before at some point...

     

    I came to the kingdom at beginning of October for the first time on a 60 day tourist visa from the UK. At the end of the 60 days I extended my stay by a further 30 days at immigration tii Krungtep.

     

    I am enjoying Thailand and would like to return for a further 90 days. I have booked a two week holiday to Malaysia and Singapore just before the 30 days expires. I aim to obtain another 60 day tourist visa from either KL or Singapore during my holiday and fly back to Suvarnabhumi airport in the new year.

     

    I aim to have 20,000 baht in cash, bank statement showing income outside of Thailand, well dressed etc. I am safe to come back via Suvarnabhumi or should I travel by train and cross via a land border?

     

    Thanks

    Non-B Thai visa for teacher with criminal record?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    12 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

    Immigration does not ask ask for a police clearance to get an extension of stay. 

    Great, thank you. 

     

    So the Non-B visa for teaching has been granted!

     

    When I spoke with the school prior to the visa application they voiced concern regarding the potential denial of work permit and or teaching licence (TCT ) further down the road despite the Non-B visa have being granted in this case. I have been unable to contact them as it is now late evening on a Friday in the Kingdom...

     

    I have done some reading around the licence requirements and have only found reference to Professional ethics and

     

    4. Not Possess any of the prohibited characteristics pursuant to section 44 of  the Teachers and Educational
        Personnel Council Act B.E. 2003
         • Having improper behavior or immorality
         • Being an incompetent or quasi-incompetent person
         • Having been sentenced to imprisonment in any case, in the opinion of the Teachers Council of 
            Thailand, which may bring dishonor upon the profession.

     

    I have read the Teachers and Educational Personnel Council Act B.E. 2003. - Section 13 which basically states similar to the above

     

    Prohibited characteristics

    (3) Having a record of immorality, improper ethics or practice of the profession
    (6) Having previously been sentanced to final judgement to imprisonment, except for penalties for offences commited by negligence or misdemeanors
    (8) Having other prohibited characteristics as set out in the regulations of the Teachers Council of Thailand 

     

    Section 44 states

     

    (1) Having improper behaviour or immorality

    (3) Having previously been sentenced to imprisonment in any case, this, in the opinion of the Teacher Council of Thailand, may bring dishonor upon the profession

     

    So not suprisingly quite vague. Assuming this translates to serious crimes which led to imprisonment or convicted crimes which undermined the profession for example child sex offences?

     

    Thanks

    Non-B Thai visa for teacher with criminal record?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

    The embassy website does not state a DBS is required. 

    "A photocopy of a Criminal record clearance certificate in the United Kingdom or Ireland (issued by the national police department not older than 6 months)"

    Source: http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84508-Non-Immigrant-visas.html

    Yes it's esentially one of the same. I applied today, they have accepted all the relevant documents including the DBS with conviction and I will return tomorrow to either good or very bad news.

     

    I don't have high hopes. On speaking with the school they believe that there is only an outside chance of the visa being granted and even if it is they will face the obstacles of pursuing the work permit and visa extension once I am in the country.

     

    They have suggested that Thai immigration have recently become much more stringent on applications from teachers with criminal records regardless of the nature or seriousness of the conviction.

     

    If I'm denied tomorrow then think it'll be the end of the road...

    Non-B Thai visa for teacher with criminal record?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by Hardgraf

    25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

    He needs this police certificate not a DBS check. https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx

    It is issued specifically for visa applications "ACRO issues Police Certificates to people who want to emigrate to, or obtain a visa for, countries ".

    For teaching non-B you need to produce a DBS which covers the same checks as the ACRO plus child safety concerns.

     

    I have a DBS which produces the same conviction history as the ACRO. I have an old ACRO which shows the conviction but it is expired beyond the request of the Thai embassy.

     

    Thanks for all your help. Fingers crossed!

    Non-B Thai visa for teacher with criminal record?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    I have secured a job with an international school in Thailand.

     

    I need to secure my Non-B Thai visa here in the UK before hopefully leaving for Thailand in August. Both myself and the school are worried because I have a criminal conviction from 2010 (Driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol). I was young & stupid, not imprisoned, ban plus small fine.

     

    I am an experienced teacher and have always disclosed the conviction via DBS with no issue. I have read conflicting information on Thai embassy websites including London. For example, required non immigrant type B (Teacher):

     

    'A photo coy of certification of bachelor's degree or equivalent a photo copy of a Criminal record clearance certificate in the United Kingdom or Ireland (issued by the national police department not older than 6 months)'

     

    My question is am I likely to be denied my visa due to this conviction? Are there black & white rules or does the granting of visas rely on the discretion of the particular official you deal with on the day?

     

    I intend to travel to attempt to secure the visa as soon as possible as the situation is understandably quite stressful. Thanks

×
×
  • Create New...