mja1906

Hi, my dad arrived in Thailand on 26th March (30days visa exempt, UK passport) and changed his visa to non-imm 'O' Retirement (UK). He was under consideration and reported to immigration on the 23rd April where they stamped his passport with permission to stay until 8th July. I'm a little confused as I thought they would grant 90days from the 23rd April. Anyhows, what is the earliest he can apply for a 1 yr extension? The immigration staff mentioned something about having to wait 45days first before applying. The money has been in the bank for more than a year, so already seasoned. Thanks !

Hi, if I have just changed from a 30day exempt to non-O for retirement and they gave me an appointment date in around 30days time, where hopefully they will stamp another 90days (in which time I will apply for the 1 year extension), am I correct in thinking I can still withdraw money from my bank account (for everyday use), as long as it does not fall below 800k? How about after I apply for the 1 year extension? What are rules then regarding transactions from the account, and not falling below 800k? Thanks

Interesting. Thai banks insuring up to 1mil only is not that much which is why they prefer to hold outside. What's the difference between HSBC UK and HSBC SIngapore? This elderly couple don't plan to return to the UK for anything, so having UK savings, unless they can be transferred online, doesn't seem wise. They need to be able to access/transfer their funds. 

For an older couple planning to permanently move from UK to Thailand, what is the best way to manage money between UK and Thailand? I don't think holding large sums in a Thai bank account is a good idea. I think holding just enough for living here (and a bit extra maybe), then holding the rest in a UK or other bank account is a safer idea. Any suggestions of where to hold remaining funds? They plan to use an HSBC online account, but prefer to diversify and have another account they can access money from.  Also, they might buy a condo so would need to transfer a lump sum for that. Thanks !

I know Thailand is not a great place to hold savings due to the poor interest rates, so are there any other investment options/accounts available as a foreigner here? That would yield better returns? Would a financial advisor (knowledgeable about investment options here) be a good idea or waste of time/money? The funds need to be accessible here. Thanks

If one is not certain to move to Thailand permanently, but will trial it out, say staying for a few months at a time on a non-Imm 'O' for retirement, could they still utilise travel insurance from their home country (UK), even though they are not on tourist visas but on 'non-imm O' visas. I don't see how the insurance companies would know what type of visa the person is on, but would only look at length of stay away from home. ? Is my thinking correct? Thanks

@Elizabeth RThank you. Do you know if, instead of having the document legalised by the Thai Embassy in London, if it could just be done by the MFA in Chiang Mai or Bangkok ? This would be much more convenient than submitting documents to London.  Their UK marriage certificate has already been legalised by the FCO UK. Thanks

I'm looking for health insurance for my parents 70+ and 80+yrs who plan to retire here long term. Any recommendations/suggestions for companies? The pros/cons of any? I know its a wide-casting question, but just starting to research our options. Thanks

Thanks Elizabeth R ! That's so useful to know. Gosh certified by MFA in Bangkok? May I ask if you applied for the extension in Bangkok or which office? And then to have the marriage recognised (again) in Pai ? Sounds like a lot... how did they recognise it in Pai? 

Thanks -  DrJack54 do you know, if she were to piggy back on my dad's visa, does this mean she doens't need to show the 800k at yearly extensions? Are there any caveats/disadvantages to doing that?

Hi, my parents plan to stay here long term on Non-Imm 'O' retirement visas. Father has UK passport, mother has Malaysian passport. They plan to come from UK without visas but on 30 day (permit to stay stamps), and change these to non-Imm 'O'.  My Dad has over 800k sitting in a Thai bank account for over a year now.  So I think he can convert and then extend for 1 year. What are the options for my mum though? Could she apply as a dependent of him? She doesn't have a bank account here, therefore no seasoned funds. Could she arrive, open an account here, and then my Dad transfer from this Thai account to hers? It would be Chiang Mai Immigration. Thanks in advance,
 

19 minutes ago, generealty said:

When my wife and I (grandparents) took our grandson to the UK recently, we needed apply for a visa in the childs name which took longer than my wifes. To apply we had to have a letter from the school director agreeing with him being away from lessons. We also needed a letter from Amphur office stating they agreed with him going overseas. These were applied for by both of his parents. Our son and his partner.  We also needed agreement consent letters from both parents seperately. These all had to be translated.

We also had to do the usual sponsor letter etc

We did get a visa for him and went to the UK. HOWEVER, take these documents with you as Check-in and Thai immigration at Bangkok wanted see them even though had visa. AND upon arrival in London. Looks like they checking on possible child trafficking.

Thank you, this is helpful. Yes, I have the letter from the amphur (translated) and consent letter from the father. I expect that they will check on both sides.

Hi, my children have Thai and UK passports. I will travel to the UK with them (and without their father), they have a different surname to me. I have certified translations of their Thai birth certificates. Will this be sufficient? Or would I need the translations notarised too? Their father will sign a consent letter. Thanks, 

Went to CM immigration, may I was unlucky with the officer, but she seemed quite certain that they would put under consideration for 30 days only (not any longer). So I'm left with extending for 60days and getting a re-entry permit, then applying for 1 year extension upon return. Or, come back on a tourist visa then change it to marriage, then extend. Either way, more steps more paperwork. ????

I wonder if I had brought my husband along to talk to them, if it would have changed their response !

Thanks for all the helpful replies, didn't know I could apply for 60day extension or that they could put me under consideration until 13th May - that's a good idea. Thanks again !

Hi, I have a non-Imm 'O' extension (based on marriage to Thai husband) which expires 14th April. The earliest I can apply for the extension is 45 days beforehand. However, I will depart for the UK on 15th March and return to Thailand 26th April. So even if I apply for it now, in early March, they would normally grant 30 days first, then I have to go back after 30 days to receive the 1 year stamp/extension. However I won't be here for that, I'll be in the UK. What are my options? Does this mean I have to apply for new marriage  visa from the UK? Then apply for an extension of this upon return to Thailand? Thanks

Hi, did you ever find health insurance ? Any company that you care to recommend ? Thanks

Hi, how long are the E visas taking to process? In particular for Non-Imm 'O' retirement visas from London Thai embassy? They say 5-15 working days, but I've heard stories of it only taking 1 week (but maybe these are for tourist visas which are quicker). Anybody applied for one recently from the London embassy? Thanks

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I think you will have to upload the flight confirmation.

It is shown on the general list for a non-o visa. "Travel Booking confirmation"

Really? Do you have a source/link that shows this? Because I'm looking at the Thai Embassy website (London) and I can't find anywhere that mentions anything about flight confirmation for Non-Imm 'O' Retirement 90 days visa. https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5d6636ce15e39c3bd000733c

Hi, when applying for a non-imm 'O' for retirement on the EThaivisa site, it asks for your flight no. Does anybody know if the flight no. you put on the application and the actual flight you end up taking need to be the same? Or could you just put a provisional flight no. ? Will it cause problems later if they are different? Thanks 

On 11/6/2021 at 3:18 PM, Chad3000 said:

Thailand first. Malaysia weather will get better around March.

Really? I did not know that, and that's when the air in Chiang Mai is very bad

I am asking for my parents (in the UK) who want to visit Thailand and Malaysia for 160days total. They want to keep their options flexible, with regards to if and when to visit Malaysia from Thailand. As currently they would need to quarantine in Malaysia and they are trying to avoid this. Is it better to get a 60 day tourist visa, or fly in on a 30day visa exemption? A tourist visa seems more complicated now because you need to show proof of onward travel, and they don't know if or when they will leave for Malaysia. 

Pre-covid times, they used to arrive in Thailand on a 30days exemption, then extend at local immigration office (Chiang Mai) for 30 days, then fly to Malaysia, spend 30-60days there, then fly back to Thailand on another 30 days exemption before returning to the UK. However since covid, I'm not sure you can still extend the 30days exemption now? And if they are able to, they would have still needed to show onward proof of travel after 30days, so wouldn't this be a wasted ticket? How do people get around this? If seems that whatever option, they need to show onward proof of travel, how can they do this when they are not sure when they will leave? Thanks 

5 hours ago, MikeyIdea said:

"Our" and "children" indicate 4 people or more. You need a van. I'd say at least 5,000, most likely more. Have you checked 1st class sleeper train?

Yup, we are 4 people with lots of luggage. So would need a van? 5,000bt doesnt actually sound that bad, we were quoted 10,000bt. Not even sure if trains are running right now? Don't really fancy using public transport at this time, but then again if everyone is thinking that the train could be very quiet?

4 hours ago, Brierley said:

I've made the trip by road a couple of times and have always broken the journey around Hua Hin...it's not the easiest of drives at times. Personally, I wouldn't want anyone driving me non-stop for that length of time, especially in Thailand, double especially with kids. A friend made the trip non-stop and got to Lampang and his engine blew, almost there but not quite.

Thanks, yeah would definitely break it up by spending 1 - 2 nights somewhere along the way. I really don't want to make this road trip as its so long, but I might not have any choice. The driver who we would hire is a friend, so we know he's a good driver and would take care on the roads. 

4 hours ago, CharlieH said:

According to Google,Phuket to Chiang Mai is around 1500km and will take around 21hrs ! by road.

 

Train would be my first look before considering a road trip like that with kids .

 

For info, look at this

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Phuket/Chiang-Mai

Thanks....I'm wondering if trains are even operating right now? I guess I'm concerned about using public transport during these covid times....but having said that the trains could be very quiet right now ??