Which VISA ? Thoroughly confused, please help.

[KhunDang]

Hi Thai VISA Forum members,

I have just begun the process of planning to relocate to Bangkok to be with my girlfriend.

As many of you of can likely attest, the VISA's available and the rules attached are quite confusing, if not stressful.

I am certain my question has been answered previously over the years, but finding the right forum topic is difficult, so I thought it best to just ask away and hope for the best.

Any advice, tips or clarification would be greatly appreciated....

I intend to relocate from Sydney to Bangkok in April 2015.

I will stay with my girlfriend and her family in the Bearing area.

I have no intention of working or finding work for at least 12-18 months. I would like to take a few months of me time and then absorb myself in some study. My intention is to attend a Thai language school for 12 months as well as doing a Computer Aided Drafting and Design course at the same time.

I intend to marry my girlfriend in mid-2015 and eventually look at building a house in late 2016 (her land). Once complete, I will consider finding employment, most likely with an international company not based in Thailand, I will merely use Thailand as my home base and will likely travel overseas for short periods for my work.

Financially, I can afford to not work for a couple of years and can show a net worth of roughly 20,000,000 Baht if asked by regulatory authorities.

The O-A visa is not an option as I am only 38 years of age.

The Non-B seems targeted more toward those who intend on working and obtaining a work permit.

The Non-ED is only valid for 3 months and would likely expire well before I started my studies.

Is my only real option the Non-O VISA ? With this, I do know that a Thai bank account needs to be in place for 3 months prior to applying for the Non-O, but I am also reading that opening a bank account may prove tricky without a work permit.

Essentially, I am just confused by the hoops to jump through and just want to make the right decision.

From my situation as described above, could anyone kindly assist me with some info or feedback ?

Many thanks in advance.

Darren.

[ubonjoe]

You will not be able to get the non-o visa and/or an extension of stay until you get married.

To start with I suggest you get 2 entry tourist visa that will give you about 6 months of total stay. With a little effort you can open a bank account with a tourist visa.

The you could apply for a multiple entry non-o visa at an embassy or consulate based upon marriage. Or you could get a one year extension of stay based upon marriage.

You can go to school with a tourist visa or the non-o visa or extension of stay.

[daveAustin]

Ed visas are valid for a year at a time, are they not?

[KhunDang]

Many thanks for the response UbonJoe.

I am considering the option of visiting for a short holiday, getting married, applying for the Non-O, opening a bank account and then coming home to Aus while it all plays out.

Appreciate your feedback.

[KhunDang]

90 days for the ED as per the Thai Consulate website here in Sydney (daveAustin)

[JOC]

Why not buy Thailand Elite Card, Easy Access ?

Gives you 5 years without visa hassle for 500k.

Since you according to your OP travels a lot, the card will even give you VIP treatment at the airport.

[KhunDang]

Reading all about that now JOC.

Definitely an option. Seems almost too good to be true though. Legit ?

[ubonjoe]

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

Ed visas are valid for a year at a time, are they not?

Normally you get a single entry non-ed visa that gives a 90 entry and then do 90 day extensions for attending a language school.

It might be possible to get a multiple entry non-ed in OZ that would give you 90 day entries for a year.

Reading all about that now JOC.

Definitely an option. Seems almost too good to be true though. Legit ?

Yes it is legit. You get a PE visa that is allows multiple one year entries for 5 years from Thai immigration.

[KhunDang]

Well, 24 hours and a few paracetamol milkshakes later, I am still struggling to grasp many things with Thai visa's, but am hopeful any of you may have some feedback to the below....

Double-entry tourist visa (60 days) with 30 extension: If I apply for this visa and it is issued to me, I will then have to sell my home before heading to Thailand (usually an 8-10 week process). Does that chew up my 60 days from date of issue or does my 60 days begin when I actually enter the Kingdom ? The Sydney Thai consulate website is a jumble of words and isn't clear about dates of issue/validity etc.

I am erring on the side of caution and waiting to sell up once I know the visa is approved, but am concerned this cautious approach my cancel out the visa before I get to even use it.

During my 60+30 in Thailand, I intend on marrying my girlfriend and hopefully open a bank account on said visa. Can I apply for the non-O marriage visa whilst in the kingdom or do I have to apply for it out of country ? Am I correct in saying that a Thai bank account needs to be in place at least 2 or 3 months before I can even make my non-O application ?

Lastly, if I decide to just bite the bullet, part with 500K baht and get the Thai Elite Easy Access card, are there any implications to getting married on this and would I need to also have a non-O marriage visa in addition to the card ?

Sorry to be a pain in the bum. I've read hundreds of forum topics and am still not overly clear on things.

Many thanks in advance for any help you may be able to impart.

[ubonjoe]

You will get your tourist visa without a problem. Apply for it after you sell your house. It only takes a couple of days to get.

You can only apply for a change of visa status to get a non immigrant visa (class O) in Bangkok. You will only need the 400k baht to be in the bank on the date you apply for the change. It will require 2 trips to complete the change of visa status.

If not living in or near Bangkok it would easier to go out for single entry non-o visa. You will not need to show any financial proof to get it.

You only need the money to be in the in the bank for 2 months when you apply for the extension of stay during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you will get form the non-o visa or the change of visa status.

If you choose Thai elite option it would have no effect on your getting married and you would not need the non-o visa.

[KhunDang]

Many thanks UbonJoe, that makes things so much clearer for me now.

I greatly appreciate your help and feedback.