Advice on Thai visa for 63 year old British guy

[TheBangkokian]

I'm impressed with the visa knowledge of some of you guys and wonder if you can advise me on this.

 

I'm 63, British, currently in the UK, in a legally recognised civil partnership with a Thai. We've been together for 26 years, civil partnered fo 8 years.

I've spent 34 years in Thailand, 8 of those working full time for a BOI approved co, but that's just FYI history.

 

Plan was to retire in the UK, but have decided far better in Thailand.

 

So, what visa should I apply for? I'll be living in Bangkok. No work. Can satisfy retirement visa financial conditions by placing a non-touchable THB 800k in a Thai bank account. Wondering if Thai authorities recognise our UK civil partnership and would issue a marriage visa? Appreciate a long shot.

 

I want to retain the ability to travel overseas from Bangkok at short notice.

 

I expect you to say enter on a 45 day stamp, deposit 800k from overseas and apply for retirement, but would welcome any other possibilities.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

PS. I'll need a decent healthcare policy. Any good broker recommendations ?

[DrJack54]

24 minutes ago, TheBangkokian said:

I expect you to say enter on a 45 day stamp, deposit 800k from overseas and apply for retirement, but would welcome any other possibilities.

You expect correctly.

Forget any consideration of de facto relationship or civil relationship.

Irrelevant in Thailand.

 

Enter visa exempt and obtain non O retirement and subsequent annual extensions.

Regarding exit Thailand on quick notice ..zero problem.

You can apply for reentry permit upon departure at international airports. 

One thing you should consider is process of opening bank account.

Best to use agent if entering visa exempt

Edited September 27, 2022 by DrJack54

[Lite Beer]

You can either marry your girlfriend and go the marriage route.

Or as you say go the retirement route.

Having said that you never stated it was with a lady.

[Onerak]

I don't think civil partnership is recognized in Thailand for visa purposes. If she is a Thai, she can get her dual passport and stay in Thailand indefinitely. You however not entitled to stay in Thailand indefinitely, even if you get a "wife visa" by marriage to a Thai lady. You are only entitled ot stay one year at a time and report your whereabouts every 90-days. 

[Gaccha]

13 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

What is a civil partnership?

It is used for gay relations. 

 

Wikipedia provides the details:

 

'The contracts of marriage and civil partnerships are very similar though there are some technical differences: Venereal disease is a grounds for annulment of marriage, but not civil partnership; adultery is a grounds for divorce, but not dissolution of civil union; titles may not be inherited or passed to partners of a civil partnership. Where laws differ for wife and husband, both partners are generally treated like the husband would be. Otherwise, the rules for pensions, survivor benefits, annulment and dissolution are very similar.'

[Mike Teavee]

47 minutes ago, TheBangkokian said:

PS. I'll need a decent healthcare policy. Any good broker recommendations ?

Mister Prakan https://misterprakan.com/th/main?lg=en is probably the best/easiest site to use to compare Health Insurance Policies.

 

Once you have a good idea of the kind of policy you want you can either buy from them direct (which is what I did, very simple process for initial purchase & subsequent renewals) or use another Broker (AA Insurance Broker https://www.aainsure.net/ is often recommended on here) 

[TheBangkokian]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

One thing you should consider is process of opening bank account.

Best to use agent if entering visa exempt

Edited 1 hour ago by DrJack54

That's great, thanks. I've had SCB account since 2005.

Any advice as to a decent reliable agent to use?

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, TheBangkokian said:

That's great, thanks. I've had SCB account since 2005.

Any advice as to a decent reliable agent to use?

If you already have a bank account, there is no need for an agent, assuming it is only in your name, not a joint account. You will just need to transfer 800k baht into the account, and be prepared to offer proof that it came from overseas.

[mania]

7 hours ago, TheBangkokian said:

Can satisfy retirement visa financial conditions by placing a non-touchable THB 800k in a Thai bank account.

If this is not a problem for you go this way!

Mainly because it is also a heap easier/less hassle than than the based on marriage route even if you can get by with your partnership version.

 

For health insurance I have had great luck with AA Insurance Brokers

They will quote both Thai based & International based packages

 

 

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, TheBangkokian said:

That's great, thanks. I've had SCB account since 2005.

Any advice as to a decent reliable agent to use?

You have a bank account.

That's a big plus. 

One less thing you  need to organize.

Why asking about agent? 

Not required if you have the funds to deposit.

If dealing with Bangkok immigration CW, be aware that SCB does not have a branch at CW. 

[Thingamabob]

Everything regarding your circumstances suggests to me that you should go for a retirement visa. Annual extensions less complicated than applying with a marriage visa. No need to use an agent unless you are not mobile for any reason, or will be living a long way from an immigration office.

[khunPer]

16 hours ago, TheBangkokian said:

I expect you to say enter on a 45 day stamp, deposit 800k from overseas and apply for retirement, but would welcome any other possibilities.

As @DrJack54 says; however, you might not need an agent, if you are just little efficient into paperwork.

 

If money is not an issue and you can afford it, deposit the 800k baht in a fixed deposit - i.e. 12 month fixed - for best interest, and never mix you extension-of-stay-deposit with other bank transactions. Keeping the fixed amount all year round makes you sleep well without thinking about about balance, topping up at correct time and maturing period. Withdraw interest annually the day after it's added to the account, so you keep a clean 800k balance, it's easy for the immigration officer to check.

 

Use another Thai savings account for foreign transfers and daily transactions for expenses etc., so it's not mixed with your extension of stay deposit.

 

I've been using this method for about 15 years now and it's easy, also the paperwork at the probably most strict immigration office in the Kingdom. You annually need a statement from the bank when applying for another year's extension of stay, I include both my fixed deposit account and my saving account for daily transactions, so my total is over 800k baht, and I show that I have foreign or other income for my living expenses.

 

For re-entering, you can apply for a multiple re-enter permission at the same time as applying for annual extension of stay. It will cost you 3,800 baht and with that stamp in your passport you can exit and re-enter whenever you want within that year, without need for any other paperwork...????

[Nong Khai Man]

 If Thai authorities recognise our UK civil partnership and would issue a marriage visa? Appreciate a long shot.

 

Answer to that Sir, Is a BIG NO !!

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Nong Khai Man said:

 If Thai authorities recognise our UK civil partnership and would issue a marriage visa? Appreciate a long shot.

Answer to that Sir, Is a BIG NO !!

I think you may need to catch up on the news. Thailand has already made some moves to recognize same sex marriages.

He may be able to register his "civil partnership" at a Amphoe that would be needed to apply for a extension at immigration. It might even be possible now or soon to apply for a non-o visa based upon the civil partnership at a embassy or consulate

 

[MICHAELDUTCH]

Quote

So, what visa should I apply for? I'll be living in Bangkok. No work. Can satisfy retirement visa financial conditions by placing a non-touchable THB 800k in a Thai bank account. Wondering if Thai authorities recognise our UK civil partnership and would issue a marriage visa? Appreciate a long shot.

Sometimes i just not understand why people choose the 800K option?400K (if married)
I am 63 as well - married - no work
The only thing i do for many years is to obtain a NON-O (single ) which will give me 90 days + 60 days extension.That are 5 month in total.After this period i go Savannakhet and obtain again a single (or multi) entree without showing my financial situation.(Again 90 days + 60 days extension)
I just give myself (and wife) a small holiday every 5 month

[DrJack54]

24 minutes ago, MICHAELDUTCH said:

Sometimes i just not understand why people choose the 800K option?400K (if married)

What I don't understand is why folk think that what they do is the bees knees for everyone.

What suits one person does not suit another.

 

BTW , you mention this.....

"I am 63 as well - married - no work

The only thing i do for many years is to obtain a NON-O (single ) which will give me 90 days + 60 days extension."

 

That is only if you are married.

No 60 day extension for non O retirement. 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by DrJack54

[easydoor]

Mr MichaelDutch,

you don't understand why people use the 800K way. It is very easy to understand: you are from the Netherlands and they are all afraid to keep some money in the bank as, what they have, they want to spend as soon as possible. So, you just don't have the 800K, that is all. With the poormans' AOW you barely have enough to fullkfill the rules as married with  a Thai wife.

[Pattaya Spotter]

On 9/28/2022 at 2:12 AM, BritTim said:

If you already have a bank account, there is no need for an agent, assuming it is only in your name, not a joint account. You will just need to transfer 800k baht into the account, and be prepared to offer proof that it came from overseas.

Believe the agent question was in regards to his visa.

[Srikcir]

Might check the new 10 year Long Term Resident visa for "wealthy pensioners" or "wealthy global citizen One." One time cost 50,000 baht.

https://London.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/long-term-resident-ltr-visa

For online application and document submittal :

https://visa.boi.go.th/register

 

 

 

[Mike Teavee]

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I think you may need to catch up on the news. Thailand has already made some moves to recognize same sex marriages.

He may be able to register his "civil partnership" at a Amphoe that would be needed to apply for a extension at immigration. It might even be possible now or soon to apply for a non-o visa based upon the civil partnership at a embassy or consulate

 

There is an Agent in Pattaya (a couple of doors down from Maneerat on Soi Post Office - Soi 13/2) that are offering Visas on the basis of Same Sex Marriages & indicating that this is a relatively new thing. 

 

I'll try to take a picture of the advert in the window the next time I'm at the Post Office. 

 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

There is an Agent in Pattaya (a couple of doors down from Maneerat on Soi Post Office - Soi 13/2) that are offering Visas on the basis of Same Sex Marriages & indicating that this is a relatively new thing. 

I'm outta touch.

Was not aware of that possibility 

[Lite Beer]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

There is an Agent in Pattaya (a couple of doors down from Maneerat on Soi Post Office - Soi 13/2) that are offering Visas on the basis of Same Sex Marriages & indicating that this is a relatively new thing. 

 

I'll try to take a picture of the advert in the window the next time I'm at the Post Office. 

 

Even if that were possible. They are not married.

[CanadaSam]

I think it can not be understated that the 800,000 baht must be from overseas, and the transfer should also clearly state that it is for a retirement visa, to avoid problems at immigration.

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

I think it can not be understated that the 800,000 baht must be from overseas, and the transfer should also clearly state that it is for a retirement visa, to avoid problems at immigration.

There is no requirement to prove the 800k baht came from aboard for a extension of stay. It is only needed to apply for a non-o visa at immigration.

[Nong Khai Man]

On 9/29/2022 at 9:18 AM, ubonjoe said:

I think you may need to catch up on the news. Thailand has already made some moves to recognize same sex marriages.

He may be able to register his "civil partnership" at a Amphoe that would be needed to apply for a extension at immigration. It might even be possible now or soon to apply for a non-o visa based upon the civil partnership at a embassy or consulate

 

Hi Joe, I think you may need to catch up on the news.........Gotta Remember Things move Slowly in this part of Isaan....