live permanently in thailand

[Jillie Norman]

Is there a way that an Irish husband can live with his Thai wife permanently in Thailand? The husband has PTSD (former war veteran) and needs close attention by his wife. What do they do first? 

[lopburi3]

They are legally married in Thailand?  He has what type of entry (visa) currently?  Can he travel easily (alone or with wife) to nearby countries to obtain visa/make border crossing every 90 days?  Does he have 40k per month income that can be confirmed by diplomatic representative (not sure if there is Irish Embassy here) or can he keep 400k baht in a Thai account 3 months to extend stays for one year at a time?

[JackThompson]

He could apply for a single-entry Non-O Visa to visit his wife in Thailand - 90-days on entry.   He would need a signed-copy of his wife's House Book plus a copy of their Marriage Certificate (and may need to show the original to Consulate-staff).  If already in Thailand, can apply in Savannakhet or Vientiane.  If in Ireland, the Thai consulate there.

 

After this, he could apply for a 1-year "Extension of Stay," provided he has 40K Baht /mo income, or can put 400K Baht in a Thai bank account 60 days before applying for the "Extension of Stay."  If not married in Thailand, there would be other steps to "legalize" their marriage in Thailand.

 

He could also apply for a 1-Year Multiple Entry Non-O Visa based on marriage to a Thai, though that involves leaving/re-entering Thailand every 90-days (generally - he can also extend these by 60-days each at a local imm-office.) 

 

If he has "good days and bad days," I'd suggest going for the 1-year Extension of Stay, so no frequent travel/extension hassle is involved. 

[RichCor]

For a foreigner to "live permanently in Thailand" would require meeting the criteria for "Permanent Residency"...

 

Permanent residency
By mardy1960, March 22, 2016 in Thai visas, residency and work permits 

 

View other ThaiVisa threads on Permanent Residency

 

 

For those that DON'T meet the narrow criteria for PR status, there are other methods for securing a long-term Visa or Extension of Stay. See:

 

Pay and stay, through the Investment Visa
By Lite Beer, September 20, 2015 in Thai visas, residency and work permits 

 

-or-

 

Thailand Elite Long Stay Visa Membership Privileges
By Thailand Elite, April 28, 2016 in Thai visas, residency and work permits 

 

Thailand Elite Card is pleased to announce the release of four new membership programs
By Thailand Elite, August 2, 2016 in Thai visas, residency and work permits 

 

 

But as the two posters above offer, most foreigners will applying for the easier to qualify for renewable permission to stay option and acquire either an O-A Visa (obtained via home-country Thai Consulate or Embassy), O-Visa based on Marriage to a Thai; or based on Retirement over age 50; (obtained via many Thai Consulate or Embassies), or an yearly Extension of Stay (via Thai Immigration in Thailand) as these are more easily accomplished, but must be renewed on a regular ongoing basis.

[Aussieroaming]

Can someone clarify the Investment Visa Option?

 

Is it 10M Baht minimum transferred + 10M baht property investment + 10M Baht Fixed Term  + 10 M Baht in Bonds or

 

Just 10M transfer and one of the others (invest or Fixed term or Bonds)

 

Thanks

[ubonjoe]

2 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

Can someone clarify the Investment Visa Option?

Is it 10M Baht minimum transferred + 10M baht property investment + 10M Baht Fixed Term  + 10 M Baht in Bonds or

Just 10M transfer and one of the others (invest or Fixed term or Bonds)

Thanks

You need proof of the 10 million being transferred into the country. It can be a condo purchase or in a fixed term acccount or government bonds or a combination of all of them totaling 10 million baht.

See B here: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_5

[Aussieroaming]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You need proof of the 10 million being transferred into the country. It can be a condo purchase or in a fixed term account or government bonds or a combination of all of them totaling 10 million baht.

See B here: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_5

Thank you

[Jillie Norman]

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. He is receiving a pension of more than $40,000 but no, he is currently not in Thailand. They are in the United States where he is currently having his therapy, and where he met his wife. They are planning to stay in Thailand and probably opt for online therapy while there until they are able to look for a good traditional therapist. 

 

I don't think he will need a working permit as he is not going to work there. I guess the option to take the one-year multiple entry visa based on marriage to a Thai would be more 'doable' for now. We'll see. Thanks again. 

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, Jillie Norman said:

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. He is receiving a pension of more than $40,000 but no, he is currently not in Thailand. They are in the United States where he is currently having his therapy, and where he met his wife. They are planning to stay in Thailand and probably opt for online therapy while there until they are able to look for a good traditional therapist. 

 

I don't think he will need a working permit as he is not going to work there. I guess the option to take the one-year multiple entry visa based on marriage to a Thai would be more 'doable' for now. We'll see. Thanks again. 

I think he can get the Non-O based on marriage (single-entry or 1-year multiple-entry) in the USA with his wedding certificate (Thai or USA), signed-copy of wife's ID Card, and signed-copy of wife's house-book.  Her family could send the Thai ID and House-book copies via email, line, etc - if she doesn't have them handy.  This assumes they were married in Thailand or the USA.  I am not sure of the process if they were married in Ireland - maybe this could still work as-is, or perhaps would need to do another step with the Irish embassy in the USA to verify the certificate.

 

The multiple Non-O is more expensive, but would reduce time-pressure to get documents in order for a 1-year extension of stay in Thailand.  I would recommend this, as unexpected things can slow down the application process - think of it as "low stress" insurance.

 

For the 1-year "extension of stay" later:

  - If the wedding was done outside Thailand, they will need to get this translated into Thai, and the translation certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  This can be used to register the marriage in Thailand. (someone else please correct me, if there is another step to this)

 

 - He will need to go to the his Embassy and get a "statutory declaration of income" document, where he swears to his income.  I am not sure what his embassy requires, but they (or someone familiar with the Irish embassy) can advise.

 

One thing he should know in advance, when dealing with any Thai authority.  Keep calm.  Try not think of it as an insult when a Thai person in uniform ignores him, and speaks only to his wife.  This will almost certainly happen at immigration.  If he speaks, the person spoken-to may not even glance at him or even acknowledge they heard him speak, or that he is present.  Pretend you are a ghost, and they cannot see or hear you - like its a movie or something. 

 

Also, the most difficult part to handle is when immigration officials disrespect his wife with rude comments - but he probably won't know about this at the time, since it will be said in Thai.  He may understandably wish to react to defend her honor, but this would not help his prospects for staying here - and therefore not be helpful to her.