Clamhua

Alan any outcome yet?

Depending on your nationality... 15 days is common

Aussie passport live in Malaysia...

Just did my Indian visa online in Malaysia, took 2 days for approval...

In the end I paid 230 ringgit for the visa service and transportation to the Thai border direct from the hostel. I tried going back and editing my last posts but it looks like maybe there's a time limit?

What's the usual service fee?

Sounds like the consulate is requesting more kickback fees, are the staff Thai or Malaysian and are they fasting?

At Sadao you need to place 2RM in your passport when handing over your passport to IO not sure if you need to do same at Padang Besar

How much in Thai baht?

20 baht

I use the visa exempt entry so I am not sure if they expect it with a visa

At Sadao you need to place 2RM in your passport when handing over your passport to IO not sure if you need to do same at Padang Besar

My understanding, to apply in Oz the application fee is some $2000 aud more than if you apply outside Australia

You will be applying for an extension of stay based upon retirement not a OA visa,

In order to apply for the extension you must first obtain a non immigrant visa entry. You can do it by doing a change of visa status at Bangkok immigration and a few other nearby offices at any time during the 60 day entry from your visa up to the last 15 days. It requires 2 trips to immigration to get the visa/entry stamps about 15 days apart.

If not living in or near Bangkok your best option might be to get a single entry non-o visa in Vientiane or Penang.

Where are you living now?

I am living in Bkk now. I cannot transition with the METV? A Visa office in Pattaya told me it was no problem but I believe what you guys say about this.

There is no need (and very damaging to the wallet) to use an agent !

The process outlined here is simple.

Thanks everyone. Maybe I am an idiot, but a fairly happy one at this moment.

I did go to an agency as I wanted to get the Visa application because I could not download it.

The guy I spoke to was very convincing and gave me a reasonable price I thought compared to what I have read. He said, since you have your income verification we can take you now and get it all done in less than 90 minutes.

So I bit. After some photos, one of his assistants drove me to Immigration. 100's of people waiting there. The assistant walked me through the process VIP style.

I got the 90 day, 12 month, and multiple entry stamps. It took a little over an hour.

I am happy. No worries for me now that this is over and I won't be forced to leave here for a long time.

I have to ask...What was their service fee on top of the immigration fees?

Johnatong, an "o" visa can only be obtained from outside Thailand? Or can it be obtained in Thailand? Cheers

Eclipse, thank you for the information.

For clarity, we arrive into Thailand with a tourist visa or a 30 day stamp and then apply for extension of stay based on being over 50, and as long as I fulfil the requirements a 12 month extension should be granted...correct?

We are planning on moving to Thailand later this year and I will be using the retirement stay option for long term stay with my wife and 2 school age children.

My question is will my children come under my long term visa as dependents or will they require a school visa?

In Malaysia they needed both visas to go to school. We are holding Australian passports except wife has a South Korean one.

Thanks in advance