Confused

[stuandchris]

Hi

Can anyone help me please?

The changes, or tightening up of the visa rules has left me completely confused.

Basically I would like to know what type of visa to apply for. My situation is as follows;

English, married to an English girl. I am 48 as is my wife. I have just had a house built in Phuket and opened a business there. I haven't applied for a work permit. I have personal a/c and Business a/c with Thai Commercial Bank.

We wish to retire to Phuket in the early part of next year [2007] and when we reach 50 we will apply for a retirement visa. Therefore we would like to stay a year before hitting the big 50.

The rules on money in the bank and monthly income is not a problem.

Is it possible to stay for a year [visa runs no problem] and what visa should I ask for.

Many thanks

Stuart

[lopburi3]

You may be able to obtain multi entry non immigrant O visas from a Consulate in the UK. But I would suggest you contact Sunbelt or another such firm if you intend to operate a business and obtain a work permit as they may not be compatible with retirement.

[Lite Beer]

You may be able to obtain multi entry non immigrant O visas from a Consulate in the UK. But I would suggest you contact Sunbelt or another such firm if you intend to operate a business and obtain a work permit as they may not be compatible with retirement.

The Consulate in Hull would probably be the best bet for the Visa. Can do by post. Google it and look at their web site.

[Crossy]

You may be able to obtain multi entry non immigrant O visas from a Consulate in the UK. But I would suggest you contact Sunbelt or another such firm if you intend to operate a business and obtain a work permit as they may not be compatible with retirement.

The Consulate in Hull would probably be the best bet for the Visa. Can do by post. Google it and look at their web site.

Yep, I believe that 'investigating retirement options in Thailand' is a valid reason for applying for a multi entry non-o visa

Talk to Hull, they are very professional and helpful

[stuandchris]

Thanks for the info so far, guys and gals.I spoke to the Consulate in Liverpool today [13/11/06]. They said they had received new instructions today that the only visa's thay were allowed to issue were tourist and retirement, all others had to be done in Thailand itself.

She was not too sure herself as she had only just got the instruction, I would presume the same would have gone to all Consulates.

She also said this is Thailand, you should talk to friends over there. I have mailed my solicitor, I will let you know any developments. [the only friends I have in LOS are Thai at the moment and they wouldn't have a clue, I hope to make expats as friends when, if ever, we can get over there full time]

[Maestro]

... Consulate in Liverpool...said they had received new instructions today that the only visa's thay were allowed to issue were tourist and retirement, all others had to be done in Thailand itself... I would presume the same would have gone to all Consulates.

Just the same, why don’t you invest tuppence in a phone call to the consulate in Hull and see what they say.

---------------

Maestro

[stuandchris]

... Consulate in Liverpool...said they had received new instructions today that the only visa's thay were allowed to issue were tourist and retirement, all others had to be done in Thailand itself... I would presume the same would have gone to all Consulates.

Just the same, why don’t you invest tuppence in a phone call to the consulate in Hull and see what they say.

---------------

Maestro

Cheers Maestro, will do that tomorrow. Also could Sunbelt help on this? Asking as a newbie.

All we want to do is retire and spend all our money in Thailand, we are even going to give our house to a Thai when we die for god's sake. A year seems small fry in comparison.

And I know that is farang thinking, but it is going to a quite poor family and it will make them very happy when we pop off, seems a shame that that might not happen, I can still sell the house and bog off elsewhere.

[stuandchris]

... Consulate in Liverpool...said they had received new instructions today that the only visa's thay were allowed to issue were tourist and retirement, all others had to be done in Thailand itself... I would presume the same would have gone to all Consulates.

Just the same, why don’t you invest tuppence in a phone call to the consulate in Hull and see what they say.

---------------

Maestro

Tell me off for being nosey Maestro, how come a swiss addy knows about hull?

I can only presume you needed to get out of there, who doesn't!

[Maestro]

Tell me off for being nosey Maestro, how come a swiss addy knows about hull?

It is all part of my fountain of useless – and sometimes not so useless – knowledge.

Sometimes I wonder myself why I know certain things. Must be from a former life.

---------------

Maestro

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hull is kinda well known

[naka]

... Consulate in Liverpool...said they had received new instructions today that the only visa's thay were allowed to issue were tourist and retirement, all others had to be done in Thailand itself... I would presume the same would have gone to all Consulates.

Just the same, why don’t you invest tuppence in a phone call to the consulate in Hull and see what they say.

---------------

Maestro

Cheers Maestro, will do that tomorrow. Also could Sunbelt help on this? Asking as a newbie.

All we want to do is retire and spend all our money in Thailand, we are even going to give our house to a Thai when we die for god's sake. A year seems small fry in comparison.

And I know that is farang thinking, but it is going to a quite poor family and it will make them very happy when we pop off, seems a shame that that might not happen, I can still sell the house and bog off elsewhere.

Just make sure not to tell them, or your retirement might be much shorter than you planned for.

Naka.

Edited November 14, 2006 by naka

[stuandchris]

I am soft Naka but not that soft !

[stuandchris]

Many thanks Maestro and others, I phoned Hull today and the info i got was brilliant, they talked me through all the options and were very helpful.It has really taken quite a lot of stress off me.

If any of you are in Phuket I owe you a beer!