Hiya,

Sorry if you’ve all answered these sort of questions before. I’m thinking of buying a house in Chiang Mai and would like to go over to Thailand around October for six months because I’d like to be there when the house is built during the winter months. I will have to rent for six months when I get there.

Can anyone give advice on the best way to go with regards a visa? I do eventually want to retire in Thailand but at the moment I will probably have to return (to the UK) for a few years on and off just to keep up my bank balance.

I wanted to book my flights soon but wasn’t sure which way to go with the tickets, can I get an open ticket and what kind of visa can I obtain with an open ticket (if any). I’m just looking for some advice on the best way to go about coming over for six months.

Thanks in advance

Dixie.

Edited May 7, 200719 yr by Dixie

A multi entry non immigrant O visa from Hull would probably be your best choice. It will provide 90 day stay and then you will have to exit/return for another.

You are aware foreigners can not own land in Thailand and any "work around" are suspect at best I trust and that home ownership would not provide any visa?

Edit: after reading back see you have Thai wife so know the above. Most Consulates would probably issue you the non immigrant multi entry O in that case if you provide marriage certificate.

Thanks for the reply Lopburi3.

I’ve been looking into this for a long time and I do realise that I’m not allowed to own land, the house would be in my wife’s name. My Thai wife has been living with me in the UK for 9 years and eventually we would like to move to Thailand. The guy who would be building the house did warn me that I should expect not to see any return if anything should happen. (Touch wood nothing will) I was thinking of using the house as a holiday home for now. If anything should happen to me while in the UK my wife would be left on her own as she doesn’t have any friends here and as she has family over in Thailand I’d expect her to sell up and move back over anyway.

If I go for a non immigrant O visa can I get an open ticket, or do I have to show proof of return at immigration?

Regards

Dixie

Open ticket should be fine and Immigration would not normally check it, or even be concerned, in any case.

If you are having a house built you should certainly be on hand to make sure the plans are followed.

Be prepared to say STOP when there is any deviation, otherwise it may be too late to correct the error later.

Read through the Real Estate, Housing etc section to see how others have fared and the advice they offer

Thanks for the advice chaps