We (SO and I) will be moving to Thailand in 3 weeks. We would like to settle down for a long term (years).

I have trawled through a lot of the great information here, but I am still uncertain if I should get my 1 year non-o here (NZ) first, or get visa on entry for 30 days and apply for the year once I'm here. I tend to want to apply for the long term visa once I get there, but are there obstacles getting it while on a tourist visa?

Any views or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Upon what basis would you expect to be able to get a multiple entry visa. Are your 50 or over?

Also you do not get multiple entry visas here. If you qualify you can convert a tourist visa to a 90 day non immigrant visa entry and then get an extension of stay. And the apply for a multiple re-entry permit.

Ahhh, thanks Ubonjoe. Yes, I am exactly 50.

From what you say, I should get it here first then.

Many thanks

Ahhh, thanks Ubonjoe. Yes, I am exactly 50.

From what you say, I should get it here first then.

Many thanks

Here as in New Zealand? YES! you can always do the 1 year extension thing later if you wish.

Is your significant other also 50 or over?

The only multiple entry visa you could get from the embassy in Wellington would be a OA visa. See: http://www.thaiembassy.org/wellington/th/services/779/17702-Non-Immigrant-O-A-Visa-(Retired).html

You might be able to get a multiple entry non-o visa from the honorary consulate in Auckland. Contact info can be found here: http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/honcon-asiapac.php

Cheers,

Yes, it's all a bit confusing. Wellington Embassy said don't bother, get a tourist visa, extend it as necessary, and if I want a non-O, just apply in Thailand. This is contrary to Ubonjoe's advice (which I take).

So, why would the Consulate in Auckland do stuff that the Embassy won't?

Significant other is 36 and a tertiary teacher of English.

Edited April 2, 201412 yr by Seastallion

Should say...SO is Thai

Cheers,

Yes, it's all a bit confusing. Wellington Embassy said don't bother, get a tourist visa, extend it as necessary, and if I want a non-O, just apply in Thailand. This is contrary to Ubonjoe's advice (which I take).

So, why would the Consulate in Auckland do stuff that the Embassy won't?

Significant other is 36 and a tertiary teacher of English.

The embassy will not issue a non-o for being 50 or over because they only do the non-oa visas.

A honorary consulate (IE: Auckland) cannot do the OA visa so they can do the non-o visa. Only embassies and official Thai consulates can do the OA.

Since you are not married to your SO they will have to get tourist visas because they do not qualify for any other visa.

For you it might be best for you get a tourist visa and do a change visa status to a non immigrant visa entry if you want to stay longer term here.. To do this you will need 800k baht in a Thai bank or proof of 65K baht income by way of a letter from the NZ embassy or have a combination of the two totaling to 800k baht.