AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) Hi All, I'm looking into what possibilities remain post the advent of the Rona for a 50 year old Aussie with very solid financials to obtain suitable visa arrangements such that I will be able to remain in Thailand with relative certainty of stay for 10+ years. I am aware I may be eligible for a retirement visa but have no idea if these are being granted ATM or not. I welcome and thank anyone for any advise, but considering these things seem to have been complicated by the Rona, I'm really interested to find a visa agent with a great reputation. I have done many searches of the forum for like "best visa agent" etc but have not found anything. Really appreciate a point in the right direction or actually any responses that would give me a feel for the general sentiment as well as any specific barriers about moving to Thailand ATM. Cheers, Thanks! Edited September 6, 2020 by AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Are you asking about apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry or a one year extension of stay based upon retirement. Applications for both are being accepted now if you qualify for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warcy Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 If you have solid financials, then any visa agent with an office will do. I usually do it myself after the first year. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 Thanks for both your replies... I probably should have made it clear that I am in Ozland ATM and have decided to make the move for both lifestyle and tax residence purposes. So from visa perspective, although visiting before for 6 months, Im starting afresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) OP. You cannot obtain a non o RT in Au. Your best to enter Los visa exempt or tourist visa. You will need open Thai bank acc and apply for non o. That's gives you 90 day permission of stay. In last 30/45 days obtain annual extension. With your plan, I would not obtain non O-A in Oz. You will be doing exactly what Ubonjoe outlined above with added bit of flight into Thailand visa exempt or TV It's going to be quite some time that you can come to Thailand. Good luck Edited September 6, 2020 by DrJack54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi said: Thanks for both your replies... I probably should have made it clear that I am in Ozland ATM and have decided to make the move for both lifestyle and tax residence purposes. So from visa perspective, although visiting before for 6 months, Im starting afresh. At this time you cannot travel to Thailand. Only those that qualify for a certificate of entry needed to board a repatriation flight enter the country. Perhaps consider applying for a OA long stay visa that is valid for one year from the date of entry and allows unlimited one year entries to day it expires. It is possible to get a total stay of almost 2 years by getting new entry just before it expires. See: https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/non-immigrant/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Rona's a new one on me, I really must try to keep up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJack54 Posted September 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 6, 2020 Just now, nausea said: Rona's a new one on me, I really must try to keep up. The OP is Oz. We rhyme everything. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1FinickyOne Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: The OP is Oz. We rhyme everything. what rhymes with the place he is looking to stay in Thailand... you would want an agent in that area... its less scarier.. Bkk & Pattaya & Chiang Mai Oh my... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy one Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: The OP is Oz. We rhyme everything. We do ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 weird... cant see a reply button to ubonjoe's reply so Ill reply here... thanks for your sobering and direct advice. But in the land Of Thai, cannot a good agent arrange almost anything in the right circumstance ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 Hahaha Ken... good one... tru dat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) 17 minutes ago, AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi said: weird... cant see a reply button to ubonjoe's reply so Ill reply here... thanks for your sobering and direct advice. But in the land Of Thai, cannot a good agent arrange almost anything in the right circumstance ?? The 'reply button' in TVF speak is 'quote'. I know it doesn't rhyme but you'll get used to it. ???? And if you follow UJ's advice and you really do have solid financials, you've no need to waste your money on an agent. Getting retirement extensions is dead easy. Edited September 6, 2020 by Moonlover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 So, when I was in Thai and looking for an agent 2 assist with getting my GF at the time a visa to Oz, I came across an expat lawyer who had a practice at nana plaza under BTS on Sukamvit rd who I had an awesome phone call with where he was headed off for his weekly cricket match with his local team, but was very giving with his time on the way to the match through his bluuutoooth in his BMW in his advice... that was soo cool... want to locate him. he is an Aussie immigration/visa lawyer who at the time had an established practice ... but google searches to try to locate him have come to naught. anyone know who I alude to ? I can/will definitely attach an old SSD to my laptop than I know has his details.. but any help to locate him otherwise is much appreciated !! how cool is this <deleted> ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 OK, thanks Moonlover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlover Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 1 minute ago, AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi said: OK, thanks Moonlover See my update in post #13 ref agents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 47 minutes ago, Moonlover said: The 'reply button' in TVF speak is 'quote'. I know it doesn't rhyme but you'll get used to it. ???? And if you follow UJ's advice and you really do have solid financials, you've no need to waste your money on an agent. Getting retirement extensions is dead easy. So still available... no additional considerations post Rona ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 1 hour ago, nausea said: Rona's a new one on me, I really must try to keep up. Funny as f tho hey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritTim Posted September 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 6, 2020 If the cost is not a significant factor for you, check out Thailand Elite membership and news on when new members may be able to return (likely soon). A 20-year membership costs 1,000,000 baht and should insulate you quite well against changing requirements to stay over the next 10 to 20 years. Many will tell you it is a waste of money. However, retirement extensions year-to-year are subject to added conditions at any time and, for those who can easily afford it, I believe the peace of mind of knowing you will not be subject to the changing winds of immigration over the years makes it well worth consideration. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McTavish Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Has anyone mentioned Grace as the can-do-anything visa agent? Or is that taboo on here. In 10 years I have found the retirement extension quite simple to renew beyond the initial application ... but that's just a case of sorting out the paperwork and procedure which differs from region to region. Chiang Mai Immi, once a fearful place to visit, is now modern, streamlined, and with happy helpful staff. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 i agree, if money is not a consideration Elite is the way to go. What agent can do this for you I don't know. Agents are basically designed for the less fortunate among us. You can probably do it solo, with a little work. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlyai Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 1 hour ago, Grumpy one said: We do ? You have led a sheltered life. "What about the man from the bay, who modeled a (ryme) out of clay, the heat from his (censored) turned the clay into (ryme) and wore all his for skin (ryme)." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) 6 minutes ago, nausea said: i agree, if money is not a consideration Elite is the way to go. What agent can do this for you I don't know. Agents are basically designed for the less fortunate among us. You can probably do it solo, with a little work. The Thailand Elite membership is one of the few cases where it is easier to deal direct with Thailand Elite staff rather than go through an agent. All using an agent does is complicate the lines of communication and result in possible delay. Edited September 6, 2020 by BritTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fangless Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 2 hours ago, ubonjoe said: Perhaps consider applying for a OA long stay visa that is valid for one year from the date of entry and allows unlimited one year entries to day it expires. It is possible to get a total stay of almost 2 years by getting new entry just before it expires. Is there not an insurance extra (non Covid) with this option or does that only rear it's ugly head on renewal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 29 minutes ago, fangless said: Is there not an insurance extra (non Covid) with this option or does that only rear it's ugly head on renewal? Insurance is required to a apply for a OA long stay visa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleMhee Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Approval is required to even leave Australia at the moment https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa-conditions-subsite/Pages/seeking-permission-to-travel.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Just now, ubonjoe said: Insurance is required to a apply for a OA long stay visa. Just to make it clear for OP, the insurance requirement is not just for first application. The OP mentioned plans to stay perhaps 10 years. He imo if far better off going the non o and path to annual extensions. If O-A gets added to the "list" then perhaps an option. Of course my comment was directed to the OP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazygourmet Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 1 hour ago, nausea said: i agree, if money is not a consideration Elite is the way to go. What agent can do this for you I don't know. Agents are basically designed for the less fortunate among us. You can probably do it solo, with a little work. Money is always a consideration especially when you got it. Agents are designed to help lazy bastards procrastinators like me, myself & I! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraynz Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 16 hours ago, McTavish said: Has anyone mentioned Grace as the can-do-anything visa agent? Or is that taboo on here. In 10 years I have found the retirement extension quite simple to renew beyond the initial application ... but that's just a case of sorting out the paperwork and procedure which differs from region to region. Chiang Mai Immi, once a fearful place to visit, is now modern, streamlined, and with happy helpful staff. Look on facebook...there are many visa agents advertising...especially in pattaya.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussisAussieAussieOiOiOi Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/6/2020 at 6:13 PM, ubonjoe said: At this time you cannot travel to Thailand. Only those that qualify for a certificate of entry needed to board a repatriation flight enter the country. Perhaps consider applying for a OA long stay visa that is valid for one year from the date of entry and allows unlimited one year entries to day it expires. It is possible to get a total stay of almost 2 years by getting new entry just before it expires. See: https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/non-immigrant/ Thanks ubonjoe. Not sure why you have recommended I apply for an OA long stay visa if travel to Thailand is not available ATM ? Is it because its relatively cheap and I'd be good to go when borders open ? Also, I've searched but cant seem to find a reliable place/thread I can follow to keep a finger on the pulse of when borders may reopen and what the requirements of qualifying for a certificate of entry in the interim. Really appreciate if you can help with any info please ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now