Too Young to Retire to Live...Now What?

[thewaggaringa]

A brief back ground on myself first.

A 33 y/o Australian national, who lived in the UK up until the end of last year. Thai girlfriend since the beginning of 2010, who lived with me for 2 years in the UK through 2012/13. In 2008, I established a business in the UK with a UK business partner & at the end of last year, we cut a deal, that would allow me to essentially retire from the business, but to receive a % of the business annual profits in the form of a dividend. Now, whilst I don't receive the same amount of money as I used to, we currently live fairly comfortably on approx. THB100,000 per month, whilst I'm still able to put a little away for a rainy day.

Now my problem.

With the current tidy up of visa runners/tourist visas for those they perceive to be illegally living in Thailand, which means they must be working here as well, it has virtually left me with one decision, which is to hastily marry my girlfriend of 4+ years. Whilst I dearly love her, it grates against everything in my body, that I am basically being forced to do this by the current Thai system, which has no scope to consider partner/defacto visa's for any period of time.

They are also justifying the crack down on some perceived idea, that this will keep the bad apples out & any criminal people from the country. I can't see this from being anything further from the truth. In my opinion, I can only see that this will bring about a new business model for people selling Sham marriages. I can absolutely see people basically buying marriages for the purpose of staying & living in Thailand & still working illegally or criminally or what ever the case may be. With the greatest respect, what thai person, wether man or lady, who is older, disabled, had enough of bar work or whatever the reason may be, accepting THB50k per year or whatever, to simply marry someone, so they can remain in the country.

How is it that a country will allow this? Yet myself, with 4 years of photo's with my girlfriend with us together at family occasions, trips overseas etc are not allowed under the current system to apply for any kind of visa. It just seems absolutely ridiculous.

I would like to hear from any one in a similar position or other regular people who can see the frustrations of the situation

I DON'T want to hear from anyone who says I can just go home, says to move somewhere else, says I should be able to afford the Elite Card (which is obviously completely open to criminals who can pay for it), etc etc

[Soutpeel]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

Edited July 16, 2014 by Soutpeel

[kaobang]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

did you read what he said.of course not

he does not want to investe or get the TE card,he clearly said that

and he has an income which allows him a not working life.

and he does not want to pay for an ED VISA if maybe in 2 month there is a crackdown on this type of visas(every day schanges,reinforcements..and so on)

Edited July 16, 2014 by kaobang

[brewsterbudgen]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

did you read what he said.of course not

he does not want to investe or get the TE card,he clearly said that

and he has an income which allows him a not working life.

and he does not want to pay for an ED VISA if maybe in 2 month there is a crackdown on this type of visas(every day schanges,reinforcements..and so on)

The Ed Visa is the way to go. Marrying if you don't really want to do this seems extreme.

[phirho]

says I should be able to afford the Elite Card (which is obviously completely open to criminals who can pay for it)

Each application for the Elite Card is checked and requires approval from the Immigration department. I don't see how it is more open to criminals than any other type of visa.

I don't think there will suddenly be a large number of fake marriages. They are relatively popular in western countries because you typically only need to be married for 2-3 years to get permanent residence or even citizenship. In Thailand you will need to continue providing proof of your marriage each year for as long as you want to live here.

[Soutpeel]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

did you read what he said.of course not

he does not want to investe or get the TE card,he clearly said that

and he has an income which allows him a not working life.

and he does not want to pay for an ED VISA if maybe in 2 month there is a crackdown on this type of visas(every day schanges,reinforcements..and so on)

so what are your suggestions then ?, all you have done is repeated what he has posted already and yes I read his post

If he dont want to go down the marriage road, other than what has been stated in my first post, he dont have too many other options left does he ?

so waiting in anticpation for your insighful and expert guidance to a workable/practical solution to his problem

Edited July 16, 2014 by Soutpeel

[IBoldnewguy]

As far as I can tell the OP doesn't want any suggestions that do not agree with his somewhat biased assessment of how things should be done to aquire a legal visa. With that bias in mind I don't see how even the most experienced advice will benefit the OP, other than to wish him luck with his own solutions. Ooops.... sorry.... this is probably one of the posts he didn't want posted....

[riclag]

From what I read here this Elite Card is subjected to scrutiney by misinformed IO's (go fiqure,lol)and for 500,000 !!!!!! Sit tight, see what happens week of August 12 IMOP .

says I should be able to afford the Elite Card (which is obviously completely open to criminals who can pay for it)

Each application for the Elite Card is checked and requires approval from the Immigration department. I don't see how it is more open to criminals than any other type of visa.

I don't think there will suddenly be a large number of fake marriages. They are relatively popular in western countries because you typically only need to be married for 2-3 years to get permanent residence or even citizenship. In Thailand you will need to continue providing proof of your marriage each year for as long as you want to live here.

[asdecas]

OP - you say in your post that you are "...basically forced to do this..." (marry your girlfriend).

Perhaps it is a product of globalisation over the past few decades, or perhaps the laxity of previous regimes, but I'm struck again and again by how many people posting their visa problems here seem to have the underlying assumption that they have special rights as foreigners in Thailand, and the indignation that is implied or expressed when Thai immigration enforces laws which have been on the books for decades.

Nobody is forcing you to do anything. Others have made practical suggestions as to how you might solve your dilemma. Why not just accept your position as a farang that is welcome to come and live in Thailand, but only under specific conditions? Your own country imposes far more stringent controls on foreigners, in particular Thais.

Edited July 17, 2014 by asdecas

[sanuk711]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

+ Marry her +++ & about a dozen other ways to stay.... that are grey areas (not to mention on TV ) but for someone who has come from a successful business , try thinking on your feet about them--its not difficult.

One Example "JUST completely HYPOTHETICAL" If one of the million abandoned village girls having babies would happen to put your name on the birth certificate as the father, I guess you would be looking for a dependent Visa.....This is not England they will not be asking for a DNA....but of course no one would do that or any of the other 6-8 grey area things that come to mind...... as it Just wouldn't be right.

Look at the Elite Card again...300 baht a day.....have you done the math on what it would take to relocate, not to mention having a Thai girlfriend who wont be happy in most of the surrounding countries.

2 young people in a place like Thailand---its so easy to make a living here thewaggaringa or you can view it from the bar stall & listen to how its all going to collapse -- how they hate farrangs...how they have got it in for us.

Good luck on your new start here................................

[Hamlet07]

The frustrations of your situation regarding Thai Laws and 'defacto' are also reflective in the disconcerting situation in both the UK & Oz. Personally I would go the ED Visa route and then whatever propitious circumstance is presented forthwith.

Obviously, your not a malfeasant and if your sedulous enough, your situation will ameliorate........

Edited July 17, 2014 by metisdead
Oversize font reset to normal.

[zombie nights]

As far as I can tell the OP doesn't want any suggestions that do not agree with his somewhat biased assessment of how things should be done to aquire a legal visa. With that bias in mind I don't see how even the most experienced advice will benefit the OP, other than to wish him luck with his own solutions. Ooops.... sorry.... this is probably one of the posts he didn't want posted....

I agree. The OP has designed his post to suit his own "victim" mentality.

That said I suggest to him:

Once the situation is clearer in August, consult with a reputable BKK based firm of immigration lawyers. Or if you cannot bear to open your wallet to pay lawyers, go direct to immigration and ask them for advice. You may be surprised they can be quite helpful for non criminals like you OP.

And despite what you say OP, the Elite Card works out at 100K per year which when converted to another major currency ain't a fortune. You say you have rainy day money.

If you can't afford the elite card right now, just get a loan.

Simple.

Edited July 17, 2014 by zombie nights

[JonboyBKK]

I have been waiting for someone to post something like this as I am too in a very similar situation and see very little practical advice from people actually doing something. Myself, I have come to these conclusions.

I am too busy to go to school and I am not gonna just get married for a visa, the only thing really left are two options.

1. Go to your home country and apply for a one year multi-entry business visa. I have a friend that did this a couple years ago with no hassle, he said he was planning to start a company in Thailand and they gave him a one year 90 day per entry business visa to do research in the country to start his business.

2. Actually start or buy a company. I am leaning towards this one as I don't want to even be bothered going back once a year and I don't want the chance to get denied a business visa. I already have companies in both China and Hong Kong but I don't know that much about the limitations and workings of a Thai company so for both myself and the original poster let me ask some questions to the forum about this.

- Can a company a foreigner owns basically do anything? For example, could I own a small bar, coffee shop or restaurant and have a staff of 4 people and that gets me the working visa? Of course as long as the place didn't take much work and didn't lose money that is a decent option.

- If you open a company does the first foreign visa come without 4 staff or do you need 4 staff to even secure 1 foreign working visa?

Of course I'm gonna wait to see how hard core they get about the whole thing but if you have enough money to throw 500,000 THB for elite status, it would only cost maybe 100,000 - 200,000 to have some business that could hopefully break even every year and maintain your visa.

Now, I have not done this in Thailand so I am in the position for people to shoot my theory down if they have real experience.

[tubby johnson]

The frustrations of your situation regarding Thai Laws and 'defacto' are also reflective in the disconcerting situation in both the UK & Oz. Personally I would go the ED Visa route and then whatever propitious circumstance is presented forthwith.

Obviously, your not a malfeasant and if your sedulous enough, your situation will ameliorate........

If I get the Ed visa, will you please teach me English?

[kingstonkid]

OP

If you love her why not marry her? Just wondering?

[LuckyLew]

doesn't want to pay for this or that, just wants to come and go as he pleases

This is the type pf person Thailand no longer seems to want

You can say what you want about the changes but they will happen

So it is pay up for a ED visa or business visa or get married or stay home ...

The sooner you accept it the better off you will be

Edited July 17, 2014 by LuckyLew

[notmyself]

There is always this....

Religious Visa Employment

This is not very common but there has been a slow up-tick over the years with evangelists arriving in Thailand to preach. What is needed is a Thai Business Visa however the documents for this would be different to a normal business visa. The following documents are required for the visa.

http://www.thailand-visa.net/religious-visa-employment.html

I have extensive knowledge in Christianity, Islam, Judaism and others but my knowledge of Buddhism as specific to Thailand is quite poor. I need another 2.5 years before I can get retirement visa so figure that this could be the way to go. Also, the chances of a crackdown on this type of visa is likely to be remote.

[duanebigsby]

The OP isn't looking for suggestions other than Thailand changing its' rules just for him.

If the OP is already complaining about this country in which he's never lived, he'll hate it a year anyways.

[SNGLIFE]

You've been together for 4 years. Good grief, marry her. Talk about getting the milk without buying the cow...sheesh...

It sickens me that foreigners are frequently so selfish. She is also giving YOU the best years of her life. For what? So you can "opt out" whenever it suits your fancy? If I were her friend, I'd advise her to leave your sorry azz by now...4 years of being dragged around as a showpiece and/or live-in booty...C'mon now...do the right thing and marry her.

Problem solved.

[belg]

just go back to the UK,nobody asks you to marry anybody, nor live here a normal life ... start a company, if you are so good to get 100k baht per month for doing nothing

[kriswillems]

1. ED visa. This is your best chance for now.

Other options don't work anymore, are unsure, or you don't want them.

Other options:

2. Work and get a non-immigrant-B

3. Marry and get a non-immigrant-O

4. Get 1 tourist visa per year (and take a 30 day extension)

5. elite card

6. live in UK

You are asking for a magical hassle free solution. It doesn't exist (anymore).

I think time will tell, for now on you can't make any long term plans here.

Expect to wait at least until there's an elected government to make new plans.

Immigration rules change following the seasons here.

[anono222]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The frustrations of your situation regarding Thai Laws and 'defacto' are also reflective in the disconcerting situation in both the UK & Oz. Personally I would go the ED Visa route and then whatever propitious circumstance is presented forthwith.

Obviously, your not a malfeasant and if your sedulous enough, your situation will ameliorate........ alt=lock.gif>

If I get the Ed visa, will you please teach me English?

Word!

[tubby johnson]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The frustrations of your situation regarding Thai Laws and 'defacto' are also reflective in the disconcerting situation in both the UK & Oz. Personally I would go the ED Visa route and then whatever propitious circumstance is presented forthwith.

Obviously, your not a malfeasant and if your sedulous enough, your situation will ameliorate........ alt=lock.gif>

If I get the Ed visa, will you please teach me English?

Word!

Agreed, except for the rather painful fact that Hamlet07 wrote: "... your not a malfeasant ..."

Ouch! That's a clear red flag.

[gamini]

You are Australian and you want to live in Thailand. There are lots of Thais who would like to live in Australia. But it is impossible for them to do so. My wifes brother could not even get a tourist visa. So why should you complain about regulations here?.

[nahkit]

The frustrations of your situation regarding Thai Laws and 'defacto' are also reflective in the disconcerting situation in both the UK & Oz. Personally I would go the ED Visa route and then whatever propitious circumstance is presented forthwith.

Obviously, your not a malfeasant and if your sedulous enough, your situation will ameliorate........

Pretentious? Moi?

[NoshowJones]

Great post OP, and making a lot of sense. However, sense is not that common in Thailand.

[Suradit69]

Go and learn Thai then at a repuable school, and get an Ed Visa

Invest THB 10 million is condo's and get an investment visa

or the one you didnt want mentioned the 500k TE card (less than THB 300/d) and gets you 5 years of hassle free visa's

Get a job in Thailand

Thailand doesnt recognise "common law" relationships and one suspects that aint going to change

did you read what he said.of course not

he does not want to investe or get the TE card,he clearly said that

and he has an income which allows him a not working life.

and he does not want to pay for an ED VISA if maybe in 2 month there is a crackdown on this type of visas(every day schanges,reinforcements..and so on)

A lot of "he does not wants" in there,

What he does or does not want may not be a priority for the Thai government when formulating and enforcing visa rules and regulations.

The rules and regulations are unlikely to change to suit his whims, so maybe he needs to modify what he wants or ... here's a revolutionary thought ... he could go somewhere else where the immigrations rules are fashioned to fit his preferences.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Suradit69

[Boatfreak]

Asian english teacher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF7qw6TSP8g yes I know she is not Thai but it gives an idea. If I would learn Thai in the UK I would like it to be given by a Thai native speaker not by a Britton.

[csabo]

I am not an expert on the marriage route but are there not multiple options for marriage?? Is my understanding correct that a marriage can be preformed by a monk that is only valid in Thailand and there is a more official route that is valid worldwide? I along with the OP might be interested in advise on this and legal ramifications in the event of stormy weather.

[AYJAYDEE]

I am not an expert on the marriage route but are there not multiple options for marriage?? Is my understanding correct that a marriage can be preformed by a monk that is only valid in Thailand and there is a more official route that is valid worldwide? I along with the OP might be interested in advise on this and legal ramifications in the event of stormy weather.

i havent seen a monk marry anyone. and unless its registered i dont think its valid anywhere including thailand