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Posted

Hello all,

I am currently considering a move to Thailand and would appreciate some advice. Here is some information which may be helpful:

- I am a British citizen over the age of 50

- I have been married to a Thai national for more than 10 years

- My bank account contains the required funds for the marriage visa

- My monthly income is sufficient for the marriage visa

- I currently possess a multiple entry one year visa for Thailand issued in London

On to the first question then. I am currently in the UK and my Thai visa expires this August. Sould this be renewed in Thailand or in London?

My wife has suggested that I change from the current non imm visa to the A-O (correct term?) retirement visa. Is this worth considering, or should I simply continue with the visa I currently have?

Our long term plan is to completely retire to Thailand, but I am currently semi retired and when resident in Thailand would like to continue with the occasional consulting job (several months absence) outside of the Kingdom.

Many thanks in advance for your advice!

Regards,

Andy

Posted

I assume that you currently have a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa.

If that is still valid when you return to Thailand you can apply for a 12 month extension of stay based on your Marriage.

If not you need to apply a Non Imm O visa before leaving UK.

You can then apply for the extension.

A Non O-A would be of no use if you intend on working.

(I just noticed that you would be working outside Thailand)

For Marriage You need 400,000 baht in a Thai bank OR 40,000 monthly income. Not both.

Marriage Requirements

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Letter from your Thai Bank showing balance and up to date bank book.

OR.

Letter from your Embassy showing income. Now may also need proof of income as back up.

Marriage Certificate

Marriage Registry entry.

Wife's Tabbien Baan and ID Card.

Your Passport.

Copies of everything.

Photos of you and your Wife in and around the house.

A map showing the way to your house.

Passport size photos and 1,900 Baht fee.

Take your Wife to be interviewed.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

For retirement you need 800,000Baht in a Thai bank. OR 65,000 monthly income. OR a combination of both.

2.22 In the case of a retiree:

Permission will be granted

for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months

at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant

should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60

days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

Posted

L.B,

Many thanks for your reply. My guess is that it would be better to have the renewal done in Thailand just to get into the system, but there's also quite a difference in cost - £100.00 in London and £39.00 in Thailand. Is there a maximum period I can be out of Thailand on Non Imm "O" visa?

I also have a TESOL certification which would give me something to do in Bangkok between jobs, and my wife has suggested I teach English to the children in the moobaan. I suspect this could get me kicked out though, even though I would be doing it for free ;-)

Regards,

Andy

Posted

The 39 pound (1,900 baht) would not be a visa but a one year extension of stay - there is no requirement to spend any amount of time in Thailand but any travel requires a re-entry permit costing 1,000 baht. But you can not obtain a work permit on a retirement extension. It is unlikely free help to students would be an issue but it could be if someone took an extreme dislike.

Posted

All,

Many thanks for all the good suggestions on making the move to Thailand. It's now time to look at the logistics of packing up the household in England and shifting everything to our place in Bangkok. Many thanks again for all the good advice!

Regards,

Andy

Posted

You might have already twigged from the above that if you happen to intend to make quarterly (or more regular trips back to the UK) then the Non-O 1 year visa will work out cheaper than paying for a retirement/marriage extension plus all the rentry permits. No bank letters and stuff to organsie so much simpler too!

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