moving permanently to Thailand

[dazza101]

Hi all

I am 47 and will be moving permanently to Korat this year. I am married to a Thai and have two children 3 and 1. we have lived in Australia for 4 years and now we are heading for village life and looking after the aging in laws.

My question is what is the recommended visa process. what forms and paperwork do i need. the more i read the more confused i have become.

thank you all in advance

[ubonjoe]

First step before arriving here is to get a single entry non immigrant O visa. You will need copies of your marriage certificate, wife ID card and house book or her Thai passport. I suggest you contact one of the honorary consulates listed here to get your visa. http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/consulate.html

[ubonjoe]

Lost 2nd step due to app glitch in previous post so here it is again.

You can then get get an extension of stay based upon marriage during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry at immigration. You need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days in your name only or proof of 40k baht income.

Were you married here or Australia?

[ubonjoe]

Removed a off topic post. OP asked about visas not advice on living here.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

FYI, best if your wife and kids can enter Thailand on their Thai passports, that way no Thai visa issues at all.

Mac

[simple1]

OP: In case circumstances change in Thailand you may like to consider obtaining Resident Return Visa for those of your family who are not Australian citizens.

http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/155-157.aspx

[PeVee1st]

Not sure about the status of your children, but if they are Thai Citizens, then it is ilegal for them to enter Thai on anything but a Thai Passport.

[stoneyboy]

Not sure about the status of your children, but if they are Thai Citizens, then it is ilegal for them to enter Thai on anything but a Thai Passport.

Well if their mother is Thai then they are automatically Thai also,and it is not illegal for Thais with dual nationality to enter on a foreign passport,it's merely easier and is well known that Thais with two passports should always enter and leave Thailand on their Thai passport to avoid any hassle.

[Jasun]

Assume the 4 years is the duration for your wife's Oz citizenship? That's the first thing i'd be sure to finish off before you head off. Also, if your kid's don't have Thai passports yet, you'll need to sort that out at the Thai embassy in Australia, not in Thailand.

Wife and kids all enter as Thai citizens, you could go in on any visa, but you can apply for the spouse visa before you leave if you want. The forms needed are all listed on the local embassy/consulate website. For staying in Thailand long term, you can do it once in Thailand in the form of a visa extension.

[Netizen]

Assume the 4 years is the duration for your wife's Oz citizenship? That's the first thing i'd be sure to finish off before you head off. Also, if your kid's don't have Thai passports yet, you'll need to sort that out at the Thai embassy in Australia, not in Thailand.

Wife and kids all enter as Thai citizens, you could go in on any visa, but you can apply for the spouse visa before you leave if you want. The forms needed are all listed on the local embassy/consulate website. For staying in Thailand long term, you can do it once in Thailand in the form of a visa extension.

Make sure your wife qualifies for and gets Australian citizenship before you leave Australia and your children if they weren't born in Australia. Dual nationality is very beneficial, especially if your wife and children need to travel to other countries that don't require visa for Australian nationals..

[avander]

If your wife is not an Australian citizen I expect she was granted permanent residency early on in the 4 years? In that case, she would need to return to Australia within 5 years if she wishes to maintain that status.

My wife and I are in that position after moving here from Oz with 2 kids in September.

We plan on staying close to the 5 year limit and then return to Oz for a period in order to maintain her and our two kids (8 & 11) residency status. Not sure how long we need to stay in Oz for that and will research it more as the time draws closer (things can change). It will also depend on our general situation here and in Oz but we may stay there long enough to get their citizenship too.

Best of luck with your family and your new life here.

Edited January 1, 2014 by avander

[ausmarty]

First step before arriving here is to get a single entry non immigrant O visa. You will need copies of your marriage certificate, wife ID card and house book or her Thai passport. I suggest you contact one of the honorary consulates listed here to get your visa. http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/consulate.html

That's it in a nutshell. nice, simple, to the point. Doing it now myself. can have photos taken at embassy. Visa costs $225. good luck

[dazza101]

Lost 2nd step due to app glitch in previous post so here it is again. You can then get get an extension of stay based upon marriage during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry at immigration. You need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days in your name only or proof of 40k baht income. Were you married here or Australia?

Thanks Joe was married in Thailand about 4 years ago

[ubonjoe]

First step before arriving here is to get a single entry non immigrant O visa. You will need copies of your marriage certificate, wife ID card and house book or her Thai passport. I suggest you contact one of the honorary consulates listed here to get your visa. http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/consulate.html

That's it in a nutshell. nice, simple, to the point. Doing it now myself. can have photos taken at embassy. Visa costs $225. good luck

That is the fee for a multiple entry visa. A single entry is 90 AUD.

[ubonjoe]

Lost 2nd step due to app glitch in previous post so here it is again. You can then get get an extension of stay based upon marriage during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry at immigration. You need 400k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days in your name only or proof of 40k baht income. Were you married here or Australia?

Thanks Joe was married in Thailand about 4 years ago

That makes things easier.

If you you were married outside the country there would be several more steps needed to register you marriage here.

[Muhendis]

You will undoubtedly be bringing your household goods with you. If you do that in your wife's name then there will be no import duty to pay since your wife will be a returning Thai national. She needs to show that she has been away from Thailand for one year or longer.

[Crossy]

You will undoubtedly be bringing your household goods with you. If you do that in your wife's name then there will be no import duty to pay since your wife will be a returning Thai national. She needs to show that she has been away from Thailand for one year or longer.

And don't bother trying to bring a vehicle, the hassle and tax even for a returning Thai national is just not worth it.

[kurnell]

I was just granted a non immigrant O visa, so if you have any questions, send me a private message as it is no quite as straightforward as you think. Might save you a few trips back and forth to the embassy.

[Muhendis]

You will undoubtedly be bringing your household goods with you. If you do that in your wife's name then there will be no import duty to pay since your wife will be a returning Thai national. She needs to show that she has been away from Thailand for one year or longer.

And don't bother trying to bring a vehicle, the hassle and tax even for a returning Thai national is just not worth it.

Absolutely right Crossy. Duty will be double the value of the car (100%). Cheaper to dump/sell the car in Oz and buy a new one here.

ps You figured out your 'lectrics yet?

[dazza101]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

[simple1]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

obviously depends on the amount of goods, but usually best via container. I had a 20 foot container in wife's name shipped door to door from SE QLD to Pattaya that cost A$6500.00, including packing and unpacking. It was worth the expense as we had good quality furniture, electrical equipment, wall hangings etc. Elapsed time for shipping was four weeks with no hassles

Some Thai Customs info on importing household goods at:

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

[avander]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

Your freight company should look after the paperwork and advise you.

My wife and I used Conroys removal out of Sydney who provided a door to door service including packing and in my wifes name. The price started reasonably ok with a 20' container at around $6500AU but ended up around $8000AU with insurance. Would have been more but we knocked a lot off the list. If I had the chance again I would probably not even bother with insurance. Service at both ends was pretty good and we only had a couple of small breakages, one of which the transport company at this end got repaired for us very reasonably.

I was worried customs may want some duty but on advice from the company at this end we paid $100 and everything was cleared through. All in all pretty good and 6 weeks door to door, Sydney to Pattaya. To be on the safe side I took copies of all invoices of items relatively new to prove they weren't purchased in the last 12 months and subject to duty.

Edited January 2, 2014 by avander

[simple1]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

Your freight company should look after the paperwork and advise you.

My wife and I used Conroys removal out of Sydney who provided a door to door service including packing and in my wifes name. The price started reasonably ok with a 20' container at around $6500AU but ended up around $8000AU with insurance. Would have been more but we knocked a lot off the list. If I had the chance again I would probably not even bother with insurance. Service at both ends was pretty good and we only had a couple of small breakages, one of which the transport company at this end got repaired for us very reasonably.

I was worried customs may want some duty but on advice from the company at this end we paid $100 and everything was cleared through. All in all pretty good and 6 weeks door to door, Sydney to Pattaya. To be on the safe side I took copies of all invoices of items relatively new to prove they weren't purchased in the last 12 months and subject to duty.

+1

I also used Conroys, but my price of A$6500 included insurance costs. The clearance agent arranged by Conroy in Thailand, Asian Tigers, were great and the customer service rep spoke good English with zero additional charges

[PlastikbinLina]

Assume the 4 years is the duration for your wife's Oz citizenship? That's the first thing i'd be sure to finish off before you head off. Also, if your kid's don't have Thai passports yet, you'll need to sort that out at the Thai embassy in Australia, not in Thailand.

Wife and kids all enter as Thai citizens, you could go in on any visa, but you can apply for the spouse visa before you leave if you want. The forms needed are all listed on the local embassy/consulate website. For staying in Thailand long term, you can do it once in Thailand in the form of a visa extension.

You could come in to Thailand on any visa as Jason says but if it's not an 'O'visa, you'll have to leave Thailnd again to get one from a Thai Consulate or embassy. Get a three month Non Imm 'o' marriage visa from your nearest Thai consulate office and extend it once here. Just show them your marriage cert and income details.

[avander]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

Your freight company should look after the paperwork and advise you.

My wife and I used Conroys removal out of Sydney who provided a door to door service including packing and in my wifes name. The price started reasonably ok with a 20' container at around $6500AU but ended up around $8000AU with insurance. Would have been more but we knocked a lot off the list. If I had the chance again I would probably not even bother with insurance. Service at both ends was pretty good and we only had a couple of small breakages, one of which the transport company at this end got repaired for us very reasonably.

I was worried customs may want some duty but on advice from the company at this end we paid $100 and everything was cleared through. All in all pretty good and 6 weeks door to door, Sydney to Pattaya. To be on the safe side I took copies of all invoices of items relatively new to prove they weren't purchased in the last 12 months and subject to duty.

+1

I also used Conroys, but my price of A$6500 included insurance costs. The clearance agent arranged by Conroy in Thailand, Asian Tigers, were great and the customer service rep spoke good English with zero additional charges

The costs have risen since you moved here Simple1. Originally, I was expecting around $6K too but it certainly didn't end up that way. Also in relation to that and your comments regarding Asian Tigers, on Conroys advice, we didn't use them at this end due to their higher cost; it would apparently have been a lot more! They are very good as you say but we also didn't have problems with the alternative Conroys suggested.

Marty: Cast a very critical eye over what you intend to bring and sell off as much as you possibly can in Oz. I am sorry I bought so much with me.

[4evermaat]

Please get a MULTIPLE ENTRY visa instead of single entry. There are no dis-advantages except for the higher visa fee. I would trade the higher visa fee for the flexibility of the multiple entry visa any day. You can still get an extension in thailand if needed.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

Please get a MULTIPLE ENTRY visa instead of single entry. There are no dis-advantages except for the higher visa fee. I would trade the higher visa fee for the flexibility of the multiple entry visa any day. You can still get an extension in thailand if needed.Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

A multiple entry visa requires leaving every 90 days. I see that as major disadvantage verses getting an extension of stay.

[simple1]

@Avander: A bit off topic but last time (lived here before) I shipped a container was 12/2011, surprised to see shipping costs have risen so much.

@Dazza101: Best wishes for you and your family new life in Thailand. As you have experienced this forum can provide some good advice/suggestions.

[avander]

Please get a MULTIPLE ENTRY visa instead of single entry. There are no dis-advantages except for the higher visa fee. I would trade the higher visa fee for the flexibility of the multiple entry visa any day. You can still get an extension in thailand if needed.Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If it's only the initial 90 days visa and you're moving here for the "duration" I am a sure you'll be busy enough sorting "stuff" without the need to traval back and forth? If so, then multiple entry for that period is simply a waste of money IMHO.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[avander]

Thank you all for the education on visa will be a great help. it has posed another question though, with bringing personal/household items into the country what is the best way from Australia. what freight company and any paperwork needed. cheers

Your freight company should look after the paperwork and advise you.

My wife and I used Conroys removal out of Sydney who provided a door to door service including packing and in my wifes name. The price started reasonably ok with a 20' container at around $6500AU but ended up around $8000AU with insurance. Would have been more but we knocked a lot off the list. If I had the chance again I would probably not even bother with insurance. Service at both ends was pretty good and we only had a couple of small breakages, one of which the transport company at this end got repaired for us very reasonably.

I was worried customs may want some duty but on advice from the company at this end we paid $100 and everything was cleared through. All in all pretty good and 6 weeks door to door, Sydney to Pattaya. To be on the safe side I took copies of all invoices of items relatively new to prove they weren't purchased in the last 12 months and subject to duty.

+1

I also used Conroys, but my price of A$6500 included insurance costs. The clearance agent arranged by Conroy in Thailand, Asian Tigers, were great and the customer service rep spoke good English with zero additional charges

The costs have risen since you moved here Simple1. Originally, I was expecting around $6K too but it certainly didn't end up that way. Also in relation to that and your comments regarding Asian Tigers, on Conroys advice, we didn't use them at this end due to their higher cost; it would apparently have been a lot more! They are very good as you say but we also didn't have problems with the alternative Conroys suggested.

Marty: Cast a very critical eye over what you intend to bring and sell off as much as you possibly can in Oz. I am sorry I bought so much with me.

Sorry Dazza, my last comment above was for you. Dunno where the hell I got Marty from. Hehe.