Just a thought for you OP.....have you considered that in three years time when you collect your "meagre UK pension" that if you are residing in Thailand then it will stay at the same meagre level for the rest of your life, whereas if you reside in the Phillipines then they have an agreement with the British Governmenrt and ex-pats there get all the annual rises same as if they were living in the UK.

HL

This post is to counterbalance the all-too-typical:

"How do I do X?"

"Why do you want to do X? You need to justify X. You're better-off doing Y"

To the OP: I am married to a Filipina. We were married in the Philippines, and now live in Thailand. I would have to agree, generally, with those who point out the obvious disadvantage you will have in dealing with the government bureaucracy. I also agree with you, regarding the desirability of getting out of the PI. I note that you have not spent much time here, and infer that you don't speak Thai. In my opinion, that will be a HUGE impediment. Even if you settle in Bangkok, one of you needs to have basic Thai language competence in dealing with officialdom.

In the end, you will have to decide for yourselves what matters and what does not. Listen, and take into account what others have said, but DON'T take it as gospel. It's highly dependent on your ability to be flexible, and on yours and your wife's temperament.

I have other friends with similar situations: a farang with a Lao wife, who is regularly the subject of abuse by immigration officers. My wife has suffered no such abuse, so far, possibly because they know I speak Thai, and also because she is Filipino, not Lao, who, for many Thais, are objects of derision. But the situation is painful for my friend and his wife.

To answer your specific question (which seems moot, because you most likely will NOT be seeking a non-immigrant O-A visa): Yes, your non-O-A would entitle your wife to a permit to stay to match your visa entry. The process is Byzantine, and, as everyone has posted, best NOT undertaken at the Thai Embassy, Manila.

In our case, after we were married, I left for Bangkok to find a place to live. My wife stayed behind to get a new passport in her married name, as well as authenticated copies of our marriage documents. This took over a month. She then entered Thailand, with a round-trip ticket from/to Manila, on a visa-exempt 30 day stamp. The Philippine immigration people wanted some kind of letter stating the purpose of her travel, which I provided, saying that she was joining her husband, and included a copy of my passport, and my contact details. We ate the return ticket, without which she would not have been able to board the plane.

After arriving, we traveled to the Thai Consulate in Laos, with our marriage documents in hand, and she applied for, and received, a non-O visa.

Near the end of the 90 days she received on the non-O visa, we went to Chaeng Wattana immigration to apply for her extension of stay, based on my retirement (O-A) visa, and met with resistance, the officer saying that I needed to be on an extension of stay for my wife to get one. THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG, and contrary to what we had been told, albeit at a different window, before we took this approach. After a bit of discussion, never heated, but firm (in Thai), I was able to convince her to check with a superior, and we immediately got my wife's extension of stay. The officer admitted that she had never seen this situation before, because of the O-A visa.

At this point, I should acknowledge what various mods, and others have pointed out: all other things being equal, an extension of stay is much easier to navigate than a non-O-A, and MUCH more common.

The non-O-A has several features, that, if you need them, are superior to an extension, and while I have seen people break into a cold sweat worrying about police reports, notaries, and medical reports, the fact is that those issues are actually routine, and trivial. If you need two years in Thailand without having to meet income requirements, or having to deposit cash in a non-interest-bearing Thai bank account, then the O-A is a good solution; otherwise, the extension is the way to go.

So, where does all that leave us?

We stayed in Bangkok for three months, and she went to Thai classes. Now, we are here, in Isaan. My wife can not yet speak much Thai, but she is good-natured, and can make her needs known well enough to shop, and be friendly with our neighbors. I handle the more formal interactions, which range from simple to difficult (I don't yet hear Lao as well as Thai), and we get along. We will have a yellow house book in another week or so, and that simplifies a number of things regarding officialdom.

Will you and your Filipina be happy here? Much depends on you as individuals, but I would at least observe the following:

1. Send her to Thai language classes. Take them yourself, though not necessarily together.
2. Live in/near Bangkok, until you both are comfortable with basic Thai.
3. Take mini-vacations out of town whenever possible. Give you both a range of lifestyles to see and choose from in the future.
4. Get assistance in dealing with Immigration, at least until you get a feel for it.
5. Consider the effect of culture shock, and lack of family/friends/familiarity that your wife may experience.

Then, be honest with yourselves and each other. You ALWAYS have the PI to fall back on, and there probably IS someplace there that is tolerable. Well, maybe...

Good luck.

WE HAVE VISITED THAILAND MANY TIMES AND WE LOVED IT SO LAST YEAR ME (FILIPINO) AND MY HUSBAND (BRITISH, HAS 13A TOO.) DECIDED TO MOVE HERE WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN (AGES UNDER 15 YEARS OLD). AT FIRST WE TOO HAVE MANY QUERIES AND WORRIES ABOUT THE VISA. MIND YOU WE HAVE 2 KIDS TO TAG ALONG. I EVEN RANG THE PENANG THAI EMBASSY/CONSULATE TOLD THEM MY SITUATION IF WE CAN APPLY FOR THE VISA THERE? (2ND OPTION ONLY) JUST IN CASE WE FIND DIFFICULTY APPLYING IN MANILA. GOT AN ANSWER YES WE CAN AS LONG AS THE DOCUMENTS ARE IN ORDER. GLAD WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE 2ND OPTION.

I KNOW WE HAVE DIFFERENT SITUATION I JUST THOUGHT SHARE MY/OUR EXPERIENCE MAYBE IT WILL HELP IN ANY WAY.

MY HUSBAND IS NOT YET QUALIFIED FOR NON A-O VISA (RETIREMENT VISA). BUT WE ARE QUALIFIED FOR A NON-O VISA. HOW DID WE GET THAT?

OUR CHILDREN GOT NON-ED VISA (STUDENT VISA) AND BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER AGE THEY NEED GUARDIANS THIS IS HOW WE GOT OUR NON-O.

WE APPLIED FOR NON-ED AND NON-O VISAS IN THE THAI EMBASSY IN MANILA. THEY GAVE US THE LISTS OF REQUIREMENTS. WE GATHER ALL THE DOCUMENTS FOR OUR CHILDREN'S NON-ED VISA WHICH WERE PROVIDED BY THE THAI SCHOOL (WHERE THEY STUDY NOW). FOR THE NON-O VISA DOCUMENTS ARE EASY. THERE'S NO NEED TO BRING OUR CHILDREN THAT MAKES IT EVEN EASIER TO APPLY. GAVE OUR PASSPORTS, DOCUMENTS AND PAID THE FEES. AFTER TWO DAYS WENT BACK, PICK UP OUR PASSPORTS AND THERE YOU GO 90 DAYS NON - O/ED ENTRY VISA. NO HASSLE WHATSOEVER. STAFF ARE FRIENDLY.

WENT TO THAILAND WITH ONE WAY TICKET. BEFORE THE 90 DAYS ENTRY EXPIRES WE EXTENDED OUR VISA IN THE IMMIGRATION. SAME THING GATHER ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. KIDS VISA WAS EASY BECAUSE ALL THE DOCUMENTS WERE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL. BUT IT SHOULD BE APPROVED FIRST BEFORE WE CAN APPLY FOR OUR NON-O. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE NON-O IS TO HAVE ("SEASONED MONEY") 500,000 BAHT EACH IN THE THAI BANK IN A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT. AND BECAUSE IT'S OUR FIRST TIME TO EXTEND THE 500,000 BAHT SHOULD BE IN THE BANK FOR 1 MONTH WITHOUT USING IT. EVERYTHING'S IN ORDER WE GOT OUR 1 YEAR NON-ED AND NON-O VISA. AND EVERY 90 DAYS WE JUST NEED TO REPORT TO THE IMMIGRATION WE DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT OF THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE JUST DID IT DAYS AGO IT WAS EASY AND IT ONLY TOOK ME ( NO NEED THE PRESENCE OF THE CHILDREN) 10 MINUTES.

THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER ALSO REMINDED US THAT ON THE 2ND EXTENSION THE "SEASONED MONEY" SHOULD BE IN THE BANK FOR 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF OUR VISA WITHOUT USING IT.

I AGREE WITH OTHER MEMBERS YOUR WIFE CAN GO AT THE BACK OF YOUR VISA AS DEPENDANT WHEN YOU GET THE 1 YEAR NON-OA VISA.

WE HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 8 MONTHS NOW. I DON'T GET ANY HASSLE. THEY EVEN THINK I'M THAI. (AS LONG AS I DON'T OPEN MY GOB. HA HA HA..)

YOUR WIFE WILL LEARN THE LANGUAGE EASY ESPECIALLY SHE KNOWS HOW TO SPEAK CANTONESE. FEW WORDS IN THAI ARE SIMILAR TO CANTONESE ESPECIALLY IN COUNTING... THE STANDARD OF LIVING HERE IS BETTER THAN IN P.I. OUR CHILDREN LIKED IT HERE. I THINK YOUR WIFE WILL LIKE IT HERE TOO..

GOODLUCK AND ALL THE BEST...

Personally do not understand why you would want to move to Thailand where your wife will be an outsider and not know the language and you will be, it seems, working illegally for at least a period of time and subject to more rules and controls than now. And then you also mention shipping HHE which is likely to be subject to tax payments.

The answer to that part of your (helpful) message is that the only reason that the Philippines is regarded as 3rd world - is that nobody has invented the 4th world yet! That's where the Philippines truly belongs! My attitude has changed 180 degrees during the 2 years I have lived here and I cannot wait to escape.

My wife is very capable when it comes to languages and already speaks several Philippine dialects, plus Cantonese and she is fluent in English. I expect she will pick up the language there too.

The standard of living in Thailand is much better than here (and cheaper) and your food is far better too. Public transport is far superior there - and once again much cheaper than here. There is not even ONE area in which I believe the Philippines is equal to or better than Thailand. I have also never met anybody who has lived here and then moved to Thailand - who would dream of moving back here. No way!

I think you can tell I have had enough of the RP :-)

Thanks

Adrian

Please refrain from posting in CAPSLOCK, it is considered shouting and not polite.

Please refrain from posting in CAPSLOCK, it is considered shouting and not polite.

I think he also meant to thank you for an informative post. At least, I do.

the officer saying that I needed to be on an extension of stay for my wife to get one. THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG,

Actually he was right but the Non Immigrant O-A visa gets you an extension of stay (pre-approved and stamped on arrival) so you did qualify.

the officer saying that I needed to be on an extension of stay for my wife to get one. THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG,

Actually he was right but the Non Immigrant O-A visa gets you an extension of stay (pre-approved and stamped on arrival) so you did qualify.

Fair enough, although it doesn't explain why (she) was confused about it. If it were clear, the stamp should have said it all...

Sorry i didn't realize it's impolite posting in capslock. My apologies.. Anyway, thanks for the info.

Please refrain from posting in CAPSLOCK, it is considered shouting and not polite.

I think he also meant to thank you for an informative post. At least, I do.

Fair enough, although it doesn't explain why (she) was confused about it. If it were clear, the stamp should have said it all...

Because it was an unusual situation for the officer. Most such applications are from a non immigrant O visa extension of stay issued by an immigration office, I suspect, rather than an airport stamp. That Consulate issued O-A is not something immigration does so they do not have much knowledge about it.

Please refrain from posting in CAPSLOCK, it is considered shouting and not polite.

I think he also meant to thank you for an informative post. At least, I do.

Thanks sateev..

Fair enough, although it doesn't explain why (she) was confused about it. If it were clear, the stamp should have said it all...

Because it was an unusual situation for the officer. Most such applications are from a non immigrant O visa extension of stay issued by an immigration office, I suspect, rather than an airport stamp. That Consulate issued O-A is not something immigration does so they do not have much knowledge about it.

Insightful, as usual. Thanks.

P.S. Just realised the complication of needing a return ticket for the visa-exempt trip and your second trip is obviously intended to be one way. Would a flight ticket out of Thailand within 30 days to a destination other than the Philippines also obviate the need for the course?

As I said to Terry (above post), the challenge will come when she tries to exit from the RP in the future, having come home for a vacation. Without that stupid stamp she will have a rough time getting out of the RP again. Best to get that crap all behind us now, even at the considerable expense of having to fly from Bangkok to KL because the idiots in the Thai Embassy in Manila are incompetent and unhelpful. It's a disgrace - but just the usual standard to be found here.

My wife is Filipina, I American, I have lived here on Retirement visa for 5 years. I met my wife 2.5 years ago in PI, went back 6 month later, helped her get passport and moved her here, went back to PI the following year and married in PI. We have gone back and forth together a couple of time and she has gone alone once, never did we get asked for some ridiculous education stamp. Maybe lucky or maybe others are very unlucky.

Hi

Just a couple of comments about bank accounts:

1. My local Immigration Office wanted to see the money resident in a "Thai" Thai bank account (they don't seem to like the money being in the Bangkok branch of a major international bank operating in Thailand). You need a letter from the bank confirming that the money has already completed its 2-month period lodged with the bank - this will affect when you can go to apply for your extension and, unless the bank is local to where you are living in Thailand, you need to take into account postal delays after the 2-month period is up before you actually get the letter. I used to get my International Bank to "EMS" mail the documents. Immigration also need to see your actual bank statements (in my case my bank books) as well as the letter from the bank. .

2. I started (after the International Bank problems) with a minimal interest savings account with the nearest local "Thai" Thai bank, first in joint names and then (after advice) in my sole name, which gave me a bank book and a debit card. The bank then suggested to me that I lock up 100K parcels of my money in a number of time deposits where I could get 2.5% interest (less tax on interest - 7.5%?), which is a somewhat better deal than I get on some of my out-of-country time deposits (in $). The fixed "time period" was less than a year - which suited me fine! I did it in 100K lots so that, if I needed any before they were all due, I could cash some (and lose the associated interest) without losing ALL the interest.

When it comes time for the letter from the bank, they will summarise all the accounts, which come to more than 800K Baht (in case they have problems with issuing an extension based on 400K and my Thai wife).

I have a separate account in our joint names for day-to-day expenses.

3. I asked for a credit card from my International Bank (as I need to pay any hotel reservations in advance by credit card) and they had 2 problems -

- They insisted on me giving them our house phone number - here "in the sticks" the nearest house with a phone is 15kM away, with no prospects of installing one down our way (hence the use of a mobile internet connection).

- They don't provide credit cards for those over 65!

The problem was solved by placing 100K Baht in an "escrow" account (at their disposal) but making the payments automatically, on the due date, out of my current account with them.

Hope this helps

R21

PS I go for my 1st 1-year extension (again) next month.

strange how expats based in thailand dream of going to phils or vietnam as it seems better and the OP has a 26 year old wife and wants to come to live over here ...

the grass is always greener?

Having lived in the Philippines for 4 years, and in Thailand for 3, I think the OP is deluded if he believes that living in Thailand is going to be different from living in the Philippines. I would suggest he consider Malaysia instead.

I also want to warn the OP that the dependent extension of stay for his wife based on his retirement extension of stay is an iffy thing. Shortly before I got mine it wasn't being issued at all, and a return to that policy is always possible. Immigration law in Thailand is whatever the local immigration officers say it is.

But why all this talk of flights to KL to get visas? We entered on tourist visas, and made a quick and inexpensive border run to Laos for our non-immigrant O visas.

Having lived in the Philippines for 4 years, and in Thailand for 3, I think the OP is deluded if he believes that living in Thailand is going to be different from living in the Philippines. I would suggest he consider Malaysia instead.

I also want to warn the OP that the dependent extension of stay for his wife based on his retirement extension of stay is an iffy thing. Shortly before I got mine it wasn't being issued at all, and a return to that policy is always possible. Immigration law in Thailand is whatever the local immigration officers say it is.

But why all this talk of flights to KL to get visas? We entered on tourist visas, and made a quick and inexpensive border run to Laos for our non-immigrant O visas.

The dependant extension was being issued 4 years ago.

To the OP in regards to the bank account try KBank irst they habe a repatation for being account friendly if you do not have a work permit. When I applied for my non-o visa they asked for a Thai address but could not be a hotel. Just donot include hotel name in address you can do banking on internet. Even using the same bank for a passbook withdrawl but a different branch you will be charged a fee I think it was 30 baht but no atm fee from same bank.different branch

KBank personal very helpful in setting up account after address issue sorted out

No Thailand isn't paradise but having traveled in the PI and lived in Thailand ( have family in RP daughter-in-law half Filipino) Thailand is a easier country to travel in and I think much more law abiding.

Good luck on your transition when you get to Chiang Mai give me a PM and we will get together.

Had enough of the Philippines? Don't blame you.

You won't be making any friends living here with a Pinay. You might try Malaysia if you have money or Cambodia if you don't.

Looks like more Pattaya prison resident(s)...

Edited June 20, 201115 yr by bangkokburning

As you said, during your reconnaissance trip in September you will open a savings account in Thailand. (Be sure to make it in your name only, not a joint account, as this is important for the retirement extensions)

my wife and me are german citizens, we have a joint account since 2004 and get since then our retiree extensions (wife piggy-backs) based on the minimum balance of Baht 800k in this account. nobody ever told us we need an account in my name only. the so-called "guarantee letter" is however issued by the bank in my name only whereas the passbook (copies of which have to be submitted) shows clearly "Mr and Mrs Naam".

that issue was addressed/discussed before and assumed that because our balance is most of the time much higher than B 800k immigration did not mind. checking the balance of the first year it was 832,000 Baht when applying for the first extension. three years later we got the extension with a balance of 915,000 Baht.

As you said, during your reconnaissance trip in September you will open a savings account in Thailand. (Be sure to make it in your name only, not a joint account, as this is important for the retirement extensions)

my wife and me are german citizens, we have a joint account since 2004 and get since then our retiree extensions (wife piggy-backs) based on the minimum balance of Baht 800k in this account. nobody ever told us we need an account in my name only. the so-called "guarantee letter" is however issued by the bank in my name only whereas the passbook (copies of which have to be submitted) shows clearly "Mr and Mrs Naam".

that issue was addressed/discussed before and assumed that because our balance is most of the time much higher than B 800k immigration did not mind. checking the balance of the first year it was 832,000 Baht when applying for the first extension. three years later we got the extension with a balance of 915,000 Baht.

Not every immirgation office is that strict, but the requirement is that you have it in an account in your name only. A new boss at your immirgation office can mean a stricter interpretation of the rules, and a refusal of your application. Most times i think they would issue a warning that next time it must be in an account in your name only, but that is no certainty.

Of course you always have the option of going for the combination of income and money in the bank, which might save you. But better save than sorry.

Just a thought for you OP.....have you considered that in three years time when you collect your "meagre UK pension" that if you are residing in Thailand then it will stay at the same meagre level for the rest of your life, whereas if you reside in the Phillipines then they have an agreement with the British Governmenrt and ex-pats there get all the annual rises same as if they were living in the UK.

HL

Yes I do realize that. However I would not stay in the Phils for that benefit alone. No amount of money could compensate for living in this ****hole of a 4th world country.

Had enough of the Philippines? Don't blame you.

Looks like more Pattaya prison resident(s)...

COULD BE ... but a Pattaya prison is infinitely more appealing than the RP!

To the OP: I am married to a Filipina. We were married in the Philippines, and now live in Thailand. I would have to agree, generally, with those who point out the obvious disadvantage you will have in dealing with the government bureaucracy. I also agree with you, regarding the desirability of getting out of the PI. I note that you have not spent much time here, and infer that you don't speak Thai. In my opinion, that will be a HUGE impediment. Even if you settle in Bangkok, one of you needs to have basic Thai language competence in dealing with officialdom.

To answer your specific question (which seems moot, because you most likely will NOT be seeking a non-immigrant O-A visa): Yes, your non-O-A would entitle your wife to a permit to stay to match your visa entry. The process is Byzantine, and, as everyone has posted, best NOT undertaken at the Thai Embassy, Manila.

Thanks for your most comprehensive message. I greatly appreciate that you have taken so much time with this.

As I understand it, a non-O-A is only issued in one's own country. I sure don't want the expense of going back to the UK at this point, just for that. So the 3 month non-O as a starting point, with an application to extend after that, seems the way to go. I can drop 800,000 Baht into a local bank account, so that helps a lot.

In our case, after we were married, I left for Bangkok to find a place to live. My wife stayed behind to get a new passport in her married name, as well as authenticated copies of our marriage documents. This took over a month. She then entered Thailand, with a round-trip ticket from/to Manila, on a visa-exempt 30 day stamp. The Philippine immigration people wanted some kind of letter stating the purpose of her travel, which I provided, saying that she was joining her husband, and included a copy of my passport, and my contact details. We ate the return ticket, without which she would not have been able to board the plane.

After arriving, we traveled to the Thai Consulate in Laos, with our marriage documents in hand, and she applied for, and received, a non-O visa.

The main recommendations seem to be Penang and KL for the issue of this type of visa. I will post elsewhere for an update on that.

Will you and your Filipina be happy here? Much depends on you as individuals, but I would at least observe the following:

1. Send her to Thai language classes. Take them yourself, though not necessarily together.
2. Live in/near Bangkok, until you both are comfortable with basic Thai.
3. Take mini-vacations out of town whenever possible. Give you both a range of lifestyles to see and choose from in the future.
4. Get assistance in dealing with Immigration, at least until you get a feel for it.
5. Consider the effect of culture shock, and lack of family/friends/familiarity that your wife may experience.

Point #5 is the one that concerns me most. I have NO doubt that I will easily upgrade from here to there! We have discussed this in depth. She is keen to learn Thai and is good with languages, so we can only proceed on that basis and see what unfolds.

Then, be honest with yourselves and each other. You ALWAYS have the PI to fall back on, and there probably IS someplace there that is tolerable. Well, maybe...

I will never return to this place again. End of story, no doubts there!

Thanks again.

My wife is Filipina, I American, I have lived here on Retirement visa for 5 years. I met my wife 2.5 years ago in PI, went back 6 month later, helped her get passport and moved her here, went back to PI the following year and married in PI. We have gone back and forth together a couple of time and she has gone alone once, never did we get asked for some ridiculous education stamp. Maybe lucky or maybe others are very unlucky.

Hello Bob,.. I've just started reading this thread... I've never heard of this seminar Filipinos must attend before leaving the country. It has me a bit worried as perhaps it is a brand new requirement. My wife and I travel back and forth usually twice a year (her last entry January 30) and I'd hate to run into a problem where she couldn't leave... will need to investigate this further.

strange how expats based in thailand dream of going to phils or vietnam as it seems better and the OP has a 26 year old wife and wants to come to live over here ...

the grass is always greener?

LOL. I've been living in Thailand for over 5 years after spending more than 5 years in the Philippines. My wife and I usually spend 1 or 2 months every year in PI, but let me tell you, as far as I'm concerned - the grass IS greener over here and it hasn't been getting any greener over there in the 5 years I've been here.

As you said, during your reconnaissance trip in September you will open a savings account in Thailand. (Be sure to make it in your name only, not a joint account, as this is important for the retirement extensions)

my wife and me are german citizens, we have a joint account since 2004 and get since then our retiree extensions (wife piggy-backs) based on the minimum balance of Baht 800k in this account. nobody ever told us we need an account in my name only. the so-called "guarantee letter" is however issued by the bank in my name only whereas the passbook (copies of which have to be submitted) shows clearly "Mr and Mrs Naam".

that issue was addressed/discussed before and assumed that because our balance is most of the time much higher than B 800k immigration did not mind. checking the balance of the first year it was 832,000 Baht when applying for the first extension. three years later we got the extension with a balance of 915,000 Baht.

There's no problems obtaining retirement extensions in Pattaya with joint bank accounts.

This is directly from the Chonburi Immigration Office handout:

"7. If a joint bank account is shown as part of the application process, a certified copy of the marriage certificate in English or Thai is required"

WE APPLIED FOR NON-ED AND NON-O VISAS IN THE THAI EMBASSY IN MANILA. THEY GAVE US THE LISTS OF REQUIREMENTS. WE GATHER ALL THE DOCUMENTS FOR OUR CHILDREN'S NON-ED VISA WHICH WERE PROVIDED BY THE THAI SCHOOL (WHERE THEY STUDY NOW). FOR THE NON-O VISA DOCUMENTS ARE EASY. THERE'S NO NEED TO BRING OUR CHILDREN THAT MAKES IT EVEN EASIER TO APPLY. GAVE OUR PASSPORTS, DOCUMENTS AND PAID THE FEES. AFTER TWO DAYS WENT BACK, PICK UP OUR PASSPORTS AND THERE YOU GO 90 DAYS NON - O/ED ENTRY VISA. NO HASSLE WHATSOEVER. STAFF ARE FRIENDLY.

Well Virgo that was an extremely helpful message. I have trimmed it down a bit here, just to focus on a few points.

WENT TO THAILAND WITH ONE WAY TICKET. BEFORE THE 90 DAYS ENTRY EXPIRED WE EXTENDED OUR VISA IN THE IMMIGRATION. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE NON-O IS TO HAVE ("SEASONED MONEY") 500,000 BAHT EACH IN THE THAI BANK IN A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT. AND BECAUSE IT'S OUR FIRST TIME TO EXTEND THE 500,000 BAHT SHOULD BE IN THE BANK FOR 1 MONTH WITHOUT USING IT.

Now this is a little different from other postings. You EACH had to open Thai bank accounts with 500,000 Baht? The general consensus up til now is that 800,000 (in my name only) is all that is required.

WE HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 8 MONTHS NOW. I DON'T GET ANY HASSLE. THEY EVEN THINK I'M THAI. (AS LONG AS I DON'T OPEN MY GOB. HA HA HA..)

Now THAT expression made me laugh out loud - I can see the British influence on you now!

Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes.

Retirement extension of stay is 800k and spouse can either get 800k retirement or free dependent status. The 500k would be to accompany child being educated in Thailand (only one person allowed on that option).

AHA - so there is a 3 month period after issue, before we would NEED to enter the country. That is an important point. Why?

Well, just as I thought I had it all sorted in my head ... another unexpected kick in the ***** has appeared. The dear Pinoy system requires that my wife attend some stupid 2 hour seminar in Manila (the other end of the country from where we live) and be 'educated' about what to expect when living in a foreign country. The tutors of course will have never been outside the Phils! This bull**** needs to be endured so that she can get a sticker in her passport saying she has attended (and paid the all-important fee). Without the sticker she will not be allowed to exit at the airport

...

I should add that we intended spending 3 weeks in Thailand during Sept looking at various locations, then returning here to get our stuff organised. I also intend opening a bank account then, just to get that task out of the way. My wife will not need this stupid sticker then because we will have return air tickets. We aim to emigrate mid Jan 2012.

Now, this is highly interesting, the brainwashing course, I mean. At least for a visa-exempt trip your wife won't need that. So here is an alternative scenario for your consideration:

1. As you said, during your reconnaissance trip in September you will open a savings account in Thailand. (Be sure to make it in your name only, not a joint account, as this is important for the retirement extensions)
2. At least two months before your subsequent trip to Thailand, when you plan to get the retirement extension, you remit the equivalent of minimum of 800k Baht into that account.
3. You and your wife travel to Thailand again visa-exempt and on arrival receive permission to stay for 30 days.
4. Soon after your arrival the two of you go to the local immigration office for a change of visa to non-immigrant and you apply for the retirement extension, your wife for the dependant extension.

P.S. Just realised the complication of needing a return ticket for the visa-exempt trip and your second trip is obviously intended to be one way. Would a flight ticket out of Thailand within 30 days to a destination other than the Philippines also obviate the need for the course?

Hi Maestro, I've left your whole post intact so nothing is taken out of context.

I believe point #4 may be incorrect. I converted my visa-exempt entry to a non-O visa at Immigration and got my retirement extension, but my wife had to travel to Vientiane to get a non-O visa for her retirement extension. She had to get her non-O out of the country.

My suggestion to the OP:

1. Make a visa-exempt entry then open a bank account and deposit your 800K as soon as you arrive.

2. If you stay a month and then return to the Philippines for a month then come back to Thailand on visa-exempt entries your funds will have reached the required 2 month seasoning period and you can immediately apply for your retirement extension. You can have your visa-exempt entry converted to a non-O visa (2000 baht) and get your retirement extension (1900 baht) in one visit (some Immigraiton offices may require 2 visits).

3. Send your wife with a copy of your retirement extension and marriage certificate to either Phnom Penh, Vientiane, KL or Penang to get her non-O visa. (2000 baht). Cheapest Option if living in Bangkok or Pattaya: Phnom Penh. If you decide to accompany her make sure you get your re-entry permit (1000 baht).

4. With her non-O in hand your wife will get her retirement extension matching your dates (1900 baht). Only one of you needs to attend the Immigration Office for 90-day reporting.

I'll have to look into this seminar requirement you speak of as I've never heard of it, but I would recommend you eat your wife's last return ticket (or just tear it up and throw it in the trash can . Over the years I've had to throw away a few tickets myself). You can find some very cheap tickets with Air Asia if you time it right.

After the visa expires, you can no longer enter Thailand with it. A single-entry non-immigrant 'O' visa is usually valid for three months from date of issue, you get a 90 day permitted to stay stamp from immigration at the airport..

AHA - so there is a 3 month period after issue, before we would NEED to enter the country. That is an important point. Why?

Well, just as I thought I had it all sorted in my head ... another unexpected kick in the ***** has appeared. The dear Pinoy system requires that my wife attend some stupid 2 hour seminar in Manila (the other end of the country from where we live) and be 'educated' about what to expect when living in a foreign country. The tutors of course will have never been outside the Phils! This bull**** needs to be endured so that she can get a sticker in her passport saying she has attended (and paid the all-important fee). Without the sticker she will not be allowed to exit at the airport.

That is just another example of the nonsense involved in living here, but the kicker is that when she attends the seminar ... she must show the visa that has been issued by the host country! So now we are faced with the dual pleasure of bureaucracy in Manila, adding the infamous service provided by the Thai embassy there to our list of "things to do". This embassy is noticeably absent from the list on http://www.thaivisa....-in-the-region/ and the negative reports are legendary. What fun!

Adrian

Thankfully you are wrong about your wife needing to attend a seminar in Manila. It doesn't pay to blindly believe everything you hear, especially in the Philippines.

She only needs to attend a seminar is she is immigrating to another country and holds an IMMIGRANT VISA.

The visa you and your wife will be getting in order to obtain a retirement extension is a NON-IMMIGRANT VISA.

WHEW! You had me worried that they had recently brought out a new requirement and my wife would have to attend a seminar to get away next time we visit.

Here's is an official explanation from a Philippine Governent website:

(read the whole thing HERE)

For Filipinos leaving the country with immigrant VISA

What you need to know...

As a Filipino emigrant, or those who have been granted an immigrant-class visa, you are required by the Philippine Government by virtue of Article 19 of Presidential Decree No. 442, , to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas before leaving the country to settle in a foreign land. An emigrant who has properly registered with the commission will have in his passport the CFO sticker which will be inspected by the Bureau of Immigration upon departure.