Decision Between Non-im 'o-a' Or Tourist Visa

[mrfreezier]

Hi All,

First of all, sorry if someone has already post similar topic. But mine is a bit direct to me and my partner. I'm new here. I have been reading this forum for a while now and come accross with lots of suggestion and solution. my partner who is Australian wants to move to Thailand with me in July the 5th. I'm in the process of investigating and helping him to get a visa (Non Im O-A). However, my partner is hesitating to apply for the Non-Im O-A type due to the fact that lots of processing involved (yes, I know, just do it). And he has called the Thai consulate here in Sydney and has been recommended that he should get a Tourist visa and keep extended every 2 months. Is this possible as the our plan is he wants to live there permanently. His income and bank statement are met all the requirement, only he needs a Police clearance and letter from the bank (this is a real issue, the manager is on holiday for 1 month, so by the time they get back, it is too late).

Does anyone knows whether I should applied without the letter from the bank anyway? what's the chance to get rejected? in that case, it will be waste of time and effort. Or should I just get him to apply for tourist visa and get extension every two months..How long can he keep doing this?

Ps: in the future, he might apply for Non-Im O-A once in thailand.

Any suggestion or thought would be very much appreciated.

Regards,

[lopburi3]

In para one you say your partner and in para two you say "I" so am confused. In any case if this is a same sex couple there is no chance to use dependent status for other member so both would have to qualify and obtain long stay (retirement) visas. I can not believe your bank does not have an acting manager that could sign a simple piece of paper. You can ask the Consulate what would be acceptable. You can not extend a tourist visa every two months (one time for 30 days). You would have to exit country, visit consulate, obtain new visa, enter country on a several day trip.

The alternative method would be to travel to Thailand (if you can using a non immigrant O visa from an honorary Consulate) and then extend your stay inside Thailand. What is required here is 800k baht in a Thai bank account for 3 months, or 65k pension as outlined on a letter from your Embassy or a combination of the two. If you arrive on a tourist visa (60 day) then there is an extra 2,000 baht step to change that visa to non immigrant. There is no police check or medical involved in this method.

[astral]

The tourist visa is not an option for a long term stay in Thailand.

However it may be a good first option, it you have not previously spent an extended period in Thailand.

Living is quite different to visiting for a short holiday.

Consider a double entry tourist visa, that will give you almost 6 months to see how you like the life.

If you are sure about a long term stay.

The O-A visa does require a lot of paperwork in your home country.

I would suggest you get a single entry Non Imm O visa giving "considering retirement" as the reason.

You can get this by post from one of the honorary consulates. Brisbane and Perth come to mind.

The Sydney consulate is not renowned for their helpfulness.

Then extend the visa, as Lopburi suggest, once you arrive.

As stated any dependency between your partner's visa and yours must be based on a legal marriage certificate.

A common law relationship is not accepted in Thailand.