Singerman

Have a good look in your passport and see what you actually have.

If the OP had a one year visa he would be doing a border run every 90 days to obtain a new 90 day entry. There would be no requirement/need to visit immigration or pay a 1900 Bht fee.

"Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. He or she may apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau and may be granted such extension for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand."

Pulled from the Thai Embassy website, this is what I have since I applied for the extension after the initial 90 days.

One year extensions of stay are usually only available to people studying at a Thai university.

Are you sure that you have a one year extension of stay ? Check the dates because it is likely you only have a 90 day extension.

You won't qualify for the Non O Visa (often wrongly referred to as a Retirement Visa) when you reach 50, unless you are married to a Thai or have Thai family since your Voluntary work has ceased.

You'll have to apply for the Non O-A Visa (often known as the Long Stay Visa) on the basis of being 50.

You can thereafter remain in Thailand on extensions based on retirement provided you meet the financial requirements.

A single entry non"O" visa based on being over 50 is easily obtained from Penang or Vientiane. Evidence of meeting the financial requirements for an extension is required.

Is this what is known as a retirement visa i.e you have show minimum monthly or annual funds, and it's good for 1 year?

It is a non "O" visa ! Which may be issued to those over 50 who can meet the financial requirements for an " extension of stay based on retirement"(it is not a visa) The visa is a pre requisite of applying for the extension. The visa allows a 90 day entry and during the last 30 days of that entry the extension can be applied for.

A one year O/A visa (long stay) visa can be obtained in ones home country.

There is no "retirement visa"

Have a good look in your passport and see what you actually have.

If the OP had a one year visa he would be doing a border run every 90 days to obtain a new 90 day entry. There would be no requirement/need to visit immigration or pay a 1900 Bht fee.

<deleted>, I hope you guys aren't telling me I got ripped of by my gym. Now that I think about it I paid it to them because they said they needed it to process the paper work. Here is the quote from the website.

"There is an application and processing fee of only 20,000 THB for the 1-year visa and only 1000 THB for the 3-month visa – plus two months advance gym and accommodation fees are due upfront for the one-year visa. Other expenses may include fees at the Thai embassy or consulate and travel expenses that we cannot predict, and a 1900 THB immigration fee due every 90 days (paid at the immigration office)."

If that is what you paid the gym "for processing fee" then you were ripped off. Check inside your passport and find this "one year visa" ( It will not be there)

Any extension of stay costs 1900 Bht and that is all. The fee is payable directly to immigration.

Who did you pay 18,000 to and what for ?

Something does not seem to be right ........

That is the cost of the 1 year ED-Visa, I paid it to immigration now I don't have to leave the county for 1 year. I can just stay here and check in with immigration every 3 months.

You paid 18000 to immigration? At the immigration office in Bangkok ?

Do you have a receipt ?

It should be possible to do it.

You would need a letter stating you have finished your studies at your current gym on the date you go to immigration. They would cancel your current extension and issue a new one based upon supporting documents from the new one.

I assume you meant 2.000 baht not 20,000 baht for the visa.

No actually the Visa cost me 2,000thb for the first 3 months, then 18,000thb for the extension to be able to stay here for an entire year. I still have to go immigration every 90 days and pay another 1,900thb.

If I have to pay 20,000thb over again then I won't do it and will just stay at my school, I'm wondering though if I can transfer over without having to pay the huge ED-Visa fee again.

Any extension of stay costs 1900 Bht and that is all. The fee is payable directly to immigration.

Who did you pay 18,000 to and what for ?

Something does not seem to be right ........

You won't qualify for the Non O Visa (often wrongly referred to as a Retirement Visa) when you reach 50, unless you are married to a Thai or have Thai family since your Voluntary work has ceased.

You'll have to apply for the Non O-A Visa (often known as the Long Stay Visa) on the basis of being 50.

You can thereafter remain in Thailand on extensions based on retirement provided you meet the financial requirements.

A single entry non"O" visa based on being over 50 is easily obtained from Penang or Vientiane. Evidence of meeting the financial requirements for an extension is required.

"You don't have to have to be a resident by immigration terms in a country to be a resident of it."

I have a non-immi retirement visa living here since 6+ years and do not have an address in my home country any more which I could give on the card.

Here is my residency, however not in legal terms of "permanent resident" according to the Thai administration.

Therefore, I always wrote my address in TH on the arrival card, as I do not have any other address to give. I was never questioned about.

Lol tricky definition. In my view I am a resident of Thailand (as I have deregistered myself from my home country) and I am coming to live in our family home in Thailand, however I know Thailand thinks of this residence term differently.

Exactly how they define it was of interest to me.

I think I may leave the back page blank this time.

How does one "deregister" from ones country ?

Which countries passport do you now hold ?

Thank you all, for value advises.

Last time, I want to ask something,

I have a friend in bangkok; he s have company. He will set for me a invitation letter, like I come for visiting to that company, as like a businessman,, He said, no worry ur wont a problem when u have entry. I will come with, return ticket, hotel booking , 20K in my pocket, Turkish bank book (1000-2000 euro), criminal doc. just if they suspicion from someone , then they bring to side room and check all, If they not suspicion , then sometimes just apply a form sometimes no apply a form and let in,

How you thinking about that all friends ? regards all

I am sure your friend must be giving you good advise .

How much did you pay in addition for the boat trip ?

@OP

What would you know about Thailand?

You are an English man, married to an English wife, and neither of you speak Thai.

Basically you are on long term holiday, and never interact with Thai people except as a shopper.

Your assumptions about me are both largely incorrect and completely irrelevant to this topic.

Do you have something to say on the subject of cynicism?

If the history is checked you will discover a prolific poster of "cynicism" !

The adoption bit or the becoming a Thai citizen ?

Both probably .

Has your friend shown you the Thai passport and ID card ?

Sounds as tho your friend tells a good "story"

it does not say anywhere on this page that it is for Vietnamese only.

It is a repeat of the original Government statement about the METV.

If you check the Embassy/Consulate website you will discover that the METV is not available to other than residents/citizens of Vietnam.

I'm in the middle of painting our fence (prep work already done) at the minute up here in Phits.

Would be interesting if I got nicked for it.

I think technically it is against the literal law but as with digital nomads, I think it falls into a grey area.

True but digital nomads are not out in the open, you painting the fence are out in the open for all to see.

I have painted my fence and house.. and had my dad DIY a lot in the house so there could have been problems. But to be honest there never were.

I seem to recall that you can even build your own boat (Phuket immigration said something like that) as long as your not constantly selling them (boats)

The "boat builders" were arrested!

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-Immigration-cracks-down-on-yachting-marine-industry/22294

On what basis have you had a "non-immigrant O visa" for years and why is a further extension not possible ?

Your only real option of remaining in Thailand is to use tourist visas or an Ed visa. If you chose the latter you will be expected to attend classes.

Thanks but I will continue to depend on advice/information provided by the Australian Immigration service NOT that given by some anonymous know all posting on a forum

I'm pretty sure it is the same as Thailand.

Enter anytime before the expiry date of your visa and you will get another 3 months.

Did you bother to read post number 3?

Did you?

The visa is valid for one year, each entry can be a maximum of 3 months. Enter the day before it expires and u have 3 months

Why are you having difficulty in understanding this ................?

"It is important to take note of these dates. You will need to leave Australia or make alternative arrangements with the department before this date or you will become unlawful. If you think you will not be able to depart Australia by the date your visa expires, you should contact the department as soon as possible."

I'm pretty sure it is the same as Thailand.

Enter anytime before the expiry date of your visa and you will get another 3 months.

Did you bother to read post number 3?

Study Muay Thai. Two hours a week, get one year visa

More detail is required about what is needed to obtain this visa.

Where would this "one year visa" be issued ?

Based on my own research, there is only one school left that is registered with the ED dept. Toddys Muay Thai, near Bearing BTS. They handle the visa and you go to Phnom Phen to pick it up. Check website.

It always pays to read the fine print !

"If you are on the 1-year program you should still apply for 3-months, and get your visa renewed from within Thailand every 90 days at immigration for a cost of 1900 THB each time. When that happens, you are required to show-up in-person, along with a representative from our gym and a big stack of paperwork that we will provide you, to ensure that you will be granted the extension. You must also have been training regularly, with proof to show them (such as pictures of your training sessions which are stamped by the Academy)."

This statement is also somewhat muddled as Visas are never renewed!

In the circumstances described I believe immigration would be both sympathetic and helpful. It is likely that the "dependent" would be permitted the change the reason for an extension of stay providing the requirements could be met ( age and financial requirements)

Of course, it is always possible to apply for an extension of stay based on retirement at any time providing, once again, the requirements for the extension are met

Strictly speaking you would be working illegally.

It really depends on your neighbors/others who may take pleasure from reporting someone for illegally working.

edit

removal of typo

Copied from my Australian Evisitor visa which was obtained yesterday.

"Maintaining a valid visa

Your visa allows you multiple entries to Australia until 28 December 2016. You are allowed to stay for a period of 3 month(s) on each arrival.

... I do indeed want to learn Thai so that would be important for me. I will give it all some consideration.

If you truly want to learn the Thai Language ... I would look at the universities such as Payap Intensive Thai course where you go to school all week and get homework...

Important point in this option - a "real university" can get you a Full 1-year ED-Visa without all the immigration-hassles that the "Language School" obtained visas involve. If you have the time to put into the course, this could be an even better option than a Multi-ED from your home-country consulate.

Language Schools do not obtain or provide Visas !

Where is this "full year" visa issued ?

A university student may, with paperwork supplied by the university, obtain a one year "extension of stay"(it is not a visa) from immigration.