Best Possible Visa For Long-term Stay

[mrfreezier]

Hi all,

I have a question to ask for all your expertise.

I am Thai and used to live in Australia for 8 years (i also got Australian passport), , I have moved back to Thailand now, but my partner is still stuck in Australia due to visa delay process, he is an australian ages 57 and planning to retired in Bkk with me. We are in the process of getting a Non-immigrant O-A (Retirement visa), he met all the conditions and got all the documents ready except criminal record. this has taken a long time, and wearing us out. it's been nearly 3 months to get a Personal Criminal record check from the Australian Federal Police!! ( we have rang too many time and they always say "It won't be any longer and we cannot discolse any further informaiton") - Absolutely unhelpful.

To be honest, this has further our relationship as we are so stressed and frustrated being away from one another for too long. I just found out from one of the topic from this forum, but would like to clarify whether I understood the process correctly. If we dicided not to continuing waiting for the Fed police letter (which may NEVER come) what is the best visa for my partner's condition? First option, he can first just got here usine Visa Exemption (30 days), then do Visa run ONCE (another 30 days). And then my partner can apply for 60 days tourist visa (from overseas e.g. malaysia, singapore, Hongkong, Laoes) and get extension for (30 days). Then he can keep doing this, reapply for 60 days tourist and get extension for 30 days as long as possible (forever until the regulatory changes?)...Is this the best possible solution so we can be together as quickly as we can?

I am really appreciated for all your expertise, inputs and thoughts.

or What else could be the best for our situation? (Visa type wise). Thanks in Advance.

Mrfreezier.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hi all,

I have a question to ask for all your expertise.

I am Thai and used to live in Australia for 8 years (i also got Australian passport), , I have moved back to Thailand now, but my partner is still stuck in Australia due to visa delay process, he is an australian ages 57 and planning to retired in Bkk with me. We are in the process of getting a Non-immigrant O-A (Retirement visa), he met all the conditions and got all the documents ready except criminal record. this has taken a long time, and wearing us out. it's been nearly 3 months to get a Personal Criminal record check from the Australian Federal Police!! ( we have rang too many time and they always say "It won't be any longer and we cannot discolse any further informaiton") - Absolutely unhelpful.

To be honest, this has further our relationship as we are so stressed and frustrated being away from one another for too long. I just found out from one of the topic from this forum, but would like to clarify whether I understood the process correctly. If we dicided not to continuing waiting for the Fed police letter (which may NEVER come) what is the best visa for my partner's condition? First option, he can first just got here usine Visa Exemption (30 days), then do Visa run ONCE (another 30 days). And then my partner can apply for 60 days tourist visa (from overseas e.g. malaysia, singapore, Hongkong, Laoes) and get extension for (30 days). Then he can keep doing this, reapply for 60 days tourist and get extension for 30 days as long as possible (forever until the regulatory changes?)...Is this the best possible solution so we can be together as quickly as we can?

I am really appreciated for all your expertise, inputs and thoughts.

or What else could be the best for our situation? (Visa type wise). Thanks in Advance.

Mrfreezier.

What State in Australia is your partner located ?

[lopburi3]

1. He can wait and obtain the O-A visa for long stay after the police check is complete.

2. He can try to obtain a non immigrant O visa - (multi entry preferred if using 3 month bank deposit) - which will allow him to come for 90 days stays on each entry and allow extension of stay from Immigration.

3. He can obtain a tourist visa and extend that and then perhaps another and change to non-immigrant and extend his stay at Immigration.

Requirement for extension of stay inside Thailand would be 800k in bank account 3 months or 65k pension or combination. No police check is involved and medical usually not required. But you must have a non immigrant visa. This can be obtained either at a Consulate or as a change of visa from Immigration once you meet the extension of stay requirement.

The retirement O-A visa is just one approach - it is not the only method. Once past the first year, or two, they are all extensions of stay from Immigration.

[roietjimmy]

1. He can wait and obtain the O-A visa for long stay after the police check is complete.

2. He can try to obtain a non immigrant O visa - (multi entry preferred if using 3 month bank deposit) - which will allow him to come for 90 days stays on each entry and allow extension of stay from Immigration.

3. He can obtain a tourist visa and extend that and then perhaps another and change to non-immigrant and extend his stay at Immigration.

Requirement for extension of stay inside Thailand would be 800k in bank account 3 months or 65k pension or combination. No police check is involved and medical usually not required. But you must have a non immigrant visa. This can be obtained either at a Consulate or as a change of visa from Immigration once you meet the extension of stay requirement.

The retirement O-A visa is just one approach - it is not the only method. Once past the first year, or two, they are all extensions of stay from Immigration.

This post to add to your already sage advice.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=132952&hl=

[mrfreezier]

Sydney NSW. that is.

Hi all,

I have a question to ask for all your expertise.

I am Thai and used to live in Australia for 8 years (i also got Australian passport), , I have moved back to Thailand now, but my partner is still stuck in Australia due to visa delay process, he is an australian ages 57 and planning to retired in Bkk with me. We are in the process of getting a Non-immigrant O-A (Retirement visa), he met all the conditions and got all the documents ready except criminal record. this has taken a long time, and wearing us out. it's been nearly 3 months to get a Personal Criminal record check from the Australian Federal Police!! ( we have rang too many time and they always say "It won't be any longer and we cannot discolse any further informaiton") - Absolutely unhelpful.

To be honest, this has further our relationship as we are so stressed and frustrated being away from one another for too long. I just found out from one of the topic from this forum, but would like to clarify whether I understood the process correctly. If we dicided not to continuing waiting for the Fed police letter (which may NEVER come) what is the best visa for my partner's condition? First option, he can first just got here usine Visa Exemption (30 days), then do Visa run ONCE (another 30 days). And then my partner can apply for 60 days tourist visa (from overseas e.g. malaysia, singapore, Hongkong, Laoes) and get extension for (30 days). Then he can keep doing this, reapply for 60 days tourist and get extension for 30 days as long as possible (forever until the regulatory changes?)...Is this the best possible solution so we can be together as quickly as we can?

I am really appreciated for all your expertise, inputs and thoughts.

or What else could be the best for our situation? (Visa type wise). Thanks in Advance.

Mrfreezier.

What State in Australia is your partner located ?

[deejah]

pardon my ignorance but i have heard this before and dont understand it nor have i ever seen it explained

"Requirement for extension of stay inside Thailand would be 800k in bank account 3 months or 65k pension or combination"

how does the combination thing work, please?

how is it used/calculated?

can you give some examples of less than 65K and less than 800k?

thanks in advance

[lopburi3]

If your monthly pension letter from Embassy is 40k you would need to have another 320k in bank account - 12 x 40 = 480 + 320 = 800k

As exchange rates vary day to day you really should allow extra in the bank account.

[deejah]

If your monthly pension letter from Embassy is 40k you would need to have another 320k in bank account - 12 x 40 = 480 + 320 = 800k

As exchange rates vary day to day you really should allow extra in the bank account.

thanks so much!

so if i have 800 k i dont need to show proof of income?

conversely if i get 65k a month or more i dont have to show savings?

chai mai?

[Lite Beer]

If your monthly pension letter from Embassy is 40k you would need to have another 320k in bank account - 12 x 40 = 480 + 320 = 800k

As exchange rates vary day to day you really should allow extra in the bank account.

thanks so much!

so if i have 800 k i dont need to show proof of income?

conversely if i get 65k a month or more i dont have to show savings?

chai mai?

Correct.

[Eneukman]

Having 800,000 baht in the bank account for 3 months is the easiest way to get a retirement visa.

No Police report is required and from a few months ago, no medical certificate is required. The medical was a joke anyway and cost me last year all of 80 baht!

Alan

[Maestro]

Having 800,000 baht in the bank account for 3 months is the easiest way to get a retirement visa.

Mrfreezier, lest you be confused, the “retirement visa” Eneukman talks about is not the retirement visa, ie non-immigrant visa category O-A, you talk about in the original post of this thread. Eneukman’s “retirement visa” is in fact not a visa at all but an annual extension of permission to stay for the reason of retirement.

--

Maestro

[mrfreezier]

Thanks guys for the infor.

My partner when to Thai Consulate in Sydney. They have told him totall different things. they said, "Tourist Visa can only get extension ONCE and that's it". To clarify AGAIN please, once my partner got 60 days tourist visa. he then can apply for 30 days extension at Thai Immigration at Suan Plu?. and then before the 30 days extension expired. He can go to the border (overseas) to RE-APPLY for 60 days tourist visa base on all the conditions met. then get 30 days extension again. He can keep doing this as long as the law still apply.

Is this correct? Just to put me our of my frustration please.

thanks in Advance.

Mrfreezier

Having 800,000 baht in the bank account for 3 months is the easiest way to get a retirement visa.

Mrfreezier, lest you be confused, the "retirement visa" Eneukman talks about is not the retirement visa, ie non-immigrant visa category O-A, you talk about in the original post of this thread. Eneukman's "retirement visa" is in fact not a visa at all but an annual extension of permission to stay for the reason of retirement.

--

Maestro

[JimGant]

conversely if i get 65k a month or more i dont have to show savings?

chai mai?

Correct.

Officially correct. However, some (most?) Immigration Offices like to see a bank book. How much they want to see in that bank book depends on the phase of the moon. So, best to show up with a bankbook even if you meet the 65k/mo criteria.

[mrfreezier]

The bankbook meant the bankbook from Thai Bank I presume?

conversely if i get 65k a month or more i dont have to show savings?

chai mai?

Correct.

Officially correct. However, some (most?) Immigration Offices like to see a bank book. How much they want to see in that bank book depends on the phase of the moon. So, best to show up with a bankbook even if you meet the 65k/mo criteria.

[lopburi3]

Thanks guys for the infor.

My partner when to Thai Consulate in Sydney. They have told him totall different things. they said, "Tourist Visa can only get extension ONCE and that's it". To clarify AGAIN please, once my partner got 60 days tourist visa. he then can apply for 30 days extension at Thai Immigration at Suan Plu?. and then before the 30 days extension expired. He can go to the border (overseas) to RE-APPLY for 60 days tourist visa base on all the conditions met. then get 30 days extension again. He can keep doing this as long as the law still apply.

Is this correct? Just to put me our of my frustration please.

thanks in Advance.

Mrfreezier

Having 800,000 baht in the bank account for 3 months is the easiest way to get a retirement visa.

Mrfreezier, lest you be confused, the "retirement visa" Eneukman talks about is not the retirement visa, ie non-immigrant visa category O-A, you talk about in the original post of this thread. Eneukman's "retirement visa" is in fact not a visa at all but an annual extension of permission to stay for the reason of retirement.

--

Maestro

A tourist visa can be extended one time for 30 days. Once that is done he would have to obtain a new visa. If he obtained a new tourist visa that would again be extend able for another 30 days.

[ProThaiExpat]

mrfreezer: If your partner can come up with the 800K for the bank account or pension +balance to 800K a year in bank he could easily get a non-imm-O in Thailand based on retirement. Upon arrival, regardless of whether it by a permit to stay for 30 days from the airport or a tourist visa obtained in Australia.

He would have to make one border run, as his 800k in the bank must be there for 90 days before he can get his extension based on retirement or a non-imm-O based on retirement. (Some immigration officers may grant the non-imm-O for 90 days without the funds in the bank for 90 days knowing he will have the funds in the bank for that period when he goes for the extension. Ie: 60 day tourist visa, apply for non-imm-O based on retirement after 40 days, then apply for extension after 60 days on non-imm-O and the bank funds would have aged by 90 days by then.

I just did it in Chiang Mai from Australia having arrived on a tourist visa. However, I used the pension + bank account method as there is no time requirement of funds in the bank by this method, just have the funds in the bank to make up the difference between annual pension amount + bank account to equal 800K on the day you make application for the non-imm-O.

[mrfreezier]

Thanks ProThaiExpat.

I've been told that my partner cannot get the Non-imm-O within Thailand. I am now so confused as you recommded that my partner can apply for Non-imm-O in Chiang Mai? Money wouldn't be any issues. we are stucked on Fed police paper only, and i have given up. Also the Thai consulate said that my partner cannot get Non-imm-O as we are not married. so that's out of the question otherwise there is another types of Non-Imm-O!

I am so frustrated with different information different ppl say. bottom line is. I do understand that my partner can get a new 60 days visa every time when 60 days + 30 days extinsion expired. As long as he apply outside Thailand..

COrrect?

thanks again.

mrfreezer: If your partner can come up with the 800K for the bank account or pension +balance to 800K a year in bank he could easily get a non-imm-O in Thailand based on retirement. Upon arrival, regardless of whether it by a permit to stay for 30 days from the airport or a tourist visa obtained in Australia.

He would have to make one border run, as his 800k in the bank must be there for 90 days before he can get his extension based on retirement or a non-imm-O based on retirement. (Some immigration officers may grant the non-imm-O for 90 days without the funds in the bank for 90 days knowing he will have the funds in the bank for that period when he goes for the extension. Ie: 60 day tourist visa, apply for non-imm-O based on retirement after 40 days, then apply for extension after 60 days on non-imm-O and the bank funds would have aged by 90 days by then.

I just did it in Chiang Mai from Australia having arrived on a tourist visa. However, I used the pension + bank account method as there is no time requirement of funds in the bank by this method, just have the funds in the bank to make up the difference between annual pension amount + bank account to equal 800K on the day you make application for the non-imm-O.

[lopburi3]

1. If he has 800k in a Thai bank account and is over age 50 (qualifies for retirement extension of stay) he can change his visa or obtain a non immigrant O visa from Immigration inside Thailand. Who told you he could not do so?

2. He can probably obtain a non immigrant O visa to investigate retirement options from a Consulate in Oz. He does not need any relationship/marriage to obtain that. But it is not vital as the change can be made in Thailand.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION (NON-O): FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES.

In case of overstaying in Thailand, application could not be submitted.

Application for Visa Status Alteration. (TM.86)

Application for visa. (TM.87)

Copy of passport entries.

4 X 6 cm. Photograph.

Application fee of 2,000 baht.

• A guarantee letter from bank in Thailand showing that the applicant has an account of not less than 800,000 baht, and

• Copy all pages of bank passbook and

• A document proving foreign remittance(SWIFT) Or

A guarantee-letter from The Embassy or Consulate, proving the monthly pension or income of the applicant not less than 65,000 baht per month. Or

The total amount of money from the pension and bank account as stated above not less than 800,000 baht.

Remarks

The applicant must sign every page of application.

The visa applicant must arrange the documents in proper order and must prepare the originals as proof.

Show the document proving monthly/annual pension or income supporting No.6

Call 02-2873101-10 ext.2237, 02-287-4948 for details.

[JimGant]

I've been told that my partner cannot get the Non-imm-O within Thailand.

Sounds like the folks in the Sydney Consulate have their head up and locked. If your partner meets all the retirement requirements, which he apparently does, since he's met all the hoops for an O-A, except police report, then he can get a Non Imm O in Thailand, followed by a retirement extension. (And NO police report required.)

He'll need to transfer money into Thailand, if going the bank account route, or once in Thailand, have the Australian Embassy verify his income. Neither of these steps is a show stopper -- and can be combined, if needed.

Plenty of threads explaining all of this. Here's the latest......

Retirement Visa

[mrfreezier]

Thanks JimGant,

The problem is my partner prefer keep his money in Australian Bank, Thai bank given useless benefits for the amount of $800k BHT. No offend but.

I know there are plenty of threads in the forum. but seem like the more I read, the more different stories has confusing me.

my decision:

1. Get him to apply for 60 days Tourist visa , extentable 30 days. then before extension expired, keep applying for a new 60 days Tourist Visa as long as he can.

2. Get him to apply for Non-Imm-O (not marriage type, if exists), then before this visa expired, apply for Non-Imm-O Retirement extension (in Thailand), providing OZ embassy issue letter to verify his bank details equivalant to $8000k THB and no police check or medical paper required.

Are these 2 options correct?

Mrfreezier.

I've been told that my partner cannot get the Non-imm-O within Thailand.

Sounds like the folks in the Sydney Consulate have their head up and locked. If your partner meets all the retirement requirements, which he apparently does, since he's met all the hoops for an O-A, except police report, then he can get a Non Imm O in Thailand, followed by a retirement extension. (And NO police report required.)

He'll need to transfer money into Thailand, if going the bank account route, or once in Thailand, have the Australian Embassy verify his income. Neither of these steps is a show stopper -- and can be combined, if needed.

Plenty of threads explaining all of this. Here's the latest......

Retirement Visa

[ProThaiExpat]

mrfreeze: Don't let your mind freeze: lopburi3 is the authority on visas in Thailand and Jim Gant is highly thought of as well on any subject he chooses to post on. What more can you ask for than advice from such experts and from a man, like myself, who has just come from Australia and did so on a tourist visa and within three months had a non-imm-O visa with retirement extension.

You seem fixated on short term and troublesome solutions when clearly your friend qualifies for a retirement extension to a non-imm-O visa. The Sydney consulate, as Jim Gant suggests, sucks and I first tried there for my first non-imm-O and just gave up. They just don't like to give them.

In Thailand no police check is required nor is a health certificate. You friend is not restricted to Chiang Mai to get his non-imm-O, Bangkok, Pattaya and many other branches give them, but Bangkok and Chiang Mai seem to be the branches from which the least complaints arise.

You don't need our advice if your going to ignore it and insist on border runs and 30 day permits for your friend.

Step 1. Get a tourist visa to enter Thailand.

Step 2. Go to immigration in Bangkok soon after arrival and apply for a non-imm-O visa based on retirement with money in the bank.

Step 3. Apply for the one year extension of the non-imm-O visa based on retirement which requires money on deposit or pension or a combination of pension and money in bank equaling 800K baht.

Enough said?

[ProThaiExpat]

mcfreeze asked:

"2. Get him to apply for Non-Imm-O (not marriage type, if exists), then before this visa expired, apply for Non-Imm-O Retirement extension (in Thailand), providing OZ embassy issue letter to verify his bank details equivalant to $8000k THB and no police check or medical paper required."

Not correct. The pension + bank account method of financial responsibility for retirement extension means a pension, verifiable and documented by the Australian Embassy in a letter known as your "pension letter"

If the letter states that your friends pension is equal to or greater than 65K Baht a month, he requires nothing else to qualify financially. Immigration will want to see a bank book with funds available to cover his living expenses but it is not mandatory according to regulations.

If the pension letter falls short of 65K Baht a month, then multiply the actual monthly pension amount by twelve and subtract the result from 800K. The difference is the amount he will need in a Thai bank on the day he applies for his extension. Convert Australian Dollars into Thai Baht, allowing a half dollar difference between the going rate and a rate stronger for the Baht, as immigration does the calculation anticipating a stronger baht against all currencies.

There are many retirees that keep their savings overseas to earn greater returns and that is why they go the pension + method, even though it is more troublesome than the 800K in the bank method.

If your friend doesn't have an established pension, he can create an "income stream" of sufficient Australian dollars to equal 65k Baht a month through investments that can be attested to by Australian financial institutions and as long as it is good for a year or longer it should work.

[lopburi3]

The money must be in Thailand for anything but initial O-A visa (which you do not seem to want to wait for). Even with that visa any further years extension of his stay in Thailand would require the money in a Thai bank account for 3 months prior to applications. Unless he has a pension of 65k or more he will require money in a Thai bank account if he wants to stay here on a yearly basis.

[mrfreezier]

Ok. thanks again guys, really appreciated your wise inputs.

I have told my partner to apply for tourist visa, once he get here, we will go to Immi here to change to Visa condition to Non-Immi- OA as suggest.

I really do appreciated this..may be we all can catch up for a drink..my treat...:-)

Cheers,

Mrfreezier

mrfreeze: Don't let your mind freeze: lopburi3 is the authority on visas in Thailand and Jim Gant is highly thought of as well on any subject he chooses to post on. What more can you ask for than advice from such experts and from a man, like myself, who has just come from Australia and did so on a tourist visa and within three months had a non-imm-O visa with retirement extension.

You seem fixated on short term and troublesome solutions when clearly your friend qualifies for a retirement extension to a non-imm-O visa. The Sydney consulate, as Jim Gant suggests, sucks and I first tried there for my first non-imm-O and just gave up. They just don't like to give them.

In Thailand no police check is required nor is a health certificate. You friend is not restricted to Chiang Mai to get his non-imm-O, Bangkok, Pattaya and many other branches give them, but Bangkok and Chiang Mai seem to be the branches from which the least complaints arise.

You don't need our advice if your going to ignore it and insist on border runs and 30 day permits for your friend.

Step 1. Get a tourist visa to enter Thailand.

Step 2. Go to immigration in Bangkok soon after arrival and apply for a non-imm-O visa based on retirement with money in the bank.

Step 3. Apply for the one year extension of the non-imm-O visa based on retirement which requires money on deposit or pension or a combination of pension and money in bank equaling 800K baht.

Enough said?

[Drronin]

I am also looking into the retirement Visa - from the USA - the criminal record request has me a bit flummoxed as I have no idea where I could get anything like that to show the Thai Consulate - so this in-country method makes sense. A question though - what do I need to show the US Embassy regarding my income? Like most others these days I have no pension per se but just investments that in theory should easily generate the required amount. Thanks.

[lopburi3]

Your local police department can provide a check.

You have to fill out a document at the US Embassy and swear that the amount you put down is correct. There is no requirement for documents there but immigration could ask for them.

Mrfreezier: He is not going to get a change made here without money in Thailand or proof from his Embassy of pension income of 65k.

[JimGant]

There is no requirement for documents there but immigration could ask for them.

If Thai Immigration wanted to see verification of monthly "income," you would appear to be on solid ground if you could produce W-2s and 1099s showing gross receipts averaging at least 65k baht/month. Sure, this "gross" amount could be a negative "net" amount after taxes, investment basis, and other expenses are factored in. But "gross" appears to be the operative word when Thai Immigration is looking at cash flow. In fact, even those embassies (eg. British) that ask for documentation before they'll attest to your "income" are only looking for gross amounts.

Immigration is looking for positive cash flow to meet their arbitrary 65k requirement. If you can't get there from here with your 1040 tax form (because of the "net" bottom line), then dazzle them with other, supporting paperwork. Just be sure you circle the gross amounts -- and be prepared to explain away other blocks (like tax, insurance, and alimony deductions).

But, Thai Immigration doesn't appear to be anywhere near this curiosity level yet, and probably never will be. In fact, there are very few reports of Immigration requiring anything *but* the Embassy/Consulate certification of income.

[ProThaiExpat]

I concur with what Jim Gant says. I was quite surprised when I went to the U.S. Consulate for my pension letter and all they asked me to do was fill in the form with the amount of the pension(income) amount and swear to the truth of the matter before a vice counsel.

There have been no reports posted yet that I have seen where immigration asked for proof of pension or other income equaling 65K a month. Being anally retentive, I always carry documentation supporting the amount, but it is easy for me, since I get a pension statement every year.

Since the declaration at the Consulate was so vague in describing the form of the income, ie. it didn't limit the money to the word "pension", I have posted that any income stream that can be set up to show 65k a month would do the trick. Jim Gant suggests you could annualize the 65k and show an annual income of 800k gross, and I have no reason to doubt his reasoning. Your income can be income from work as long as it is not earned while in Thailand. My former neighbor had a retirement extension based on income earned in the middle east every other month.

Edited July 30, 2007 by ProThaiExpat

[lopburi3]

Sunbelt has reported that a few people in Bangkok were being asked for supporting documents some months ago so it appears to have happened. Have not seen anything more recent.