The CR1 is an immigrant visa, the K3 is a non-immigrant visa for the spouse of a US citizen. Both processes begin with filing the I-130 with USCIS (the former INS). In many ways, it is a distinction without a difference, though some people have experienced a shorter wait time with the K3. With the K...

At Sunbelt, we also help clients with obtaining retirement visas. Our office is located in Udon Thani (near the Napolai Hotel.) We charge a flat fee for our services. Our phone numbers are (042) 348-173 and (085) 852-2702, respectively.

Thanks and let me know if we can help.

Just as the muddied waters were about to settle sunbeltnortheast comes up with three spectacular posts.I would hope that if i was in need of the services of a professional that they would simplify matters. Hi Businessman: For our clients its very easy and simple. We ask them a few questions, recomm...

It appears as though the 20 countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for the actual "Visa on Arrival" (for 15 days) are not eligible for the Tourist Visa Exemption (TVE) which most of us enjoy.

My understanding is that the 30 day stamp most people receive when they enter Thailand is not a "Visa on Arrival" but, rather, a "Touris Visa Exemption." It is similar to the exemption that some passport holders receive when entering the US without a visa (mostly from European countries.) In other w...

The old regulation was that you could only apply for the type-O visa with a tourist visa (or above) and that a 30 day VOA could not be converted. Apparently, the 30 day VOA can now be converted to a type-O visa within Thailand without leaving the country. In BKK, there must be at least 21 days remai...

BKKSTAN wrote: Thanks ,Roger!You answered my question perfectly!

My pleasure BKKStan. Glad it helped.

Regarding the estate-planning question. This is a very important issue in Thailand, especially with foreigners from common law countries (e.g. US, England, and Australia.) The law of trusts derives from the English common law (though it is now mostly codified into statute.) Thailand is a "[civil] co...

Hi All: I apologize for the confusion regarding my initial posting on the visa issue. If I recall, my comment was pertaining to distinguishing between a non-O and non-B and extending it within Thailand. Admitedly, it was probably not very clear or well-worded. ;( Anyway, apologize for the confusion....

I would strongly caution people about relying too much on overseas consulates and embassies as their primary source of visa advice. Although most of us have had positive experiences with consular officials in our local consulates (myself included), this is not the universal experience. We have had c...

Banpaeng: Sometimes these message boards can be quite confusing. Nobody knows who is responding to whom ... The post which you quoted from me was not intended as a response to any of your posts specifically. In fact, I would never give specific advice to somebody via email or on a message board. It ...

Just to clarify a point. The multiple entry visa where you receive a 90 day entry stamp when enterying Thailand, is good for one year from the date of entry, and with which you recieve a 90 day stamp every time you enter Thailand thereafter is not a "Type O" visa, it is a multiple entry, non-immigra...

You can get a one year, multiple entry visa with the proper documentation. Without the proper documentation, most Thai embassies and consulates will only give you a multiple entry tourist visa. A multiple entry non-immigrant B is valid for one year from the date of entry. You would receive a 90 day ...

Sunbelt Northeast can also take care of lease agreements and life estates. Our office is in Udon Thani near the Napoloi Hotel. We are a part of Sunbelt Asia Group with offices in Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui, and Chiang Mai.

Dear Golden Gate: Foreigners are prohibited from owning land in Thailand. There are some alternatives including obtaining a long-term lease agreement, a life estate (called a usufruct here), investing 40 million Baht, or owning it under a Thai limited company. Which alternative is best for you depen...