Advice re. Visa

[Ooladolla]

Previously I held a retirement visa which I qualified for with a monthly pension. I have returned to Australia for 3 months and during that time my visa would have been due for extending and my passport was also due to expire so I had the intention of re-applying for a retirement visa once my new passport arrived. Looking at the requirements for the visa I see that they have changed the ' monthly income option ' and now only offer the retirement visa based on 800,000 thb in the bank for three months. Gone is the monthly income. As I can't meet the 800,000 what are my best options ? I have a Thai partner and she has travelled with me two times now to Australia. I am happy to formally marry ( in Thailand ) and that I assume will get me a visa based on marriage to remain Thailand where we have been living together for two years. Long term I want her and I to live in Australia so I will be applying for a visa for her on that basis sometime in the future. For now, when I return in February 2017 to Thailand what visa should I apply for and will I need a ticket to show I will fly out after that visa expires or can I say that we will be getting married and will apply for a marriage visa ?

thanks.....

[Evilbaz]

As of today there is still a monthly income (certified) option at Canberra Thai Embassy ?!

[dentonian]

You previously held an extension of stay based on retirement, not a Visa.

 

The financial requirement for getting an extension based on retirement are 800,000 in a Thai bank or a monthly income of 65,000 baht, or a combination of the two equivalent to 800,00 per annum.

The financial requirement for an extension based on marriage is 400.000 in a Thai bank, or 40,000 monthly income.

 

You must obtain a Non Imm O type Visa from Australia in order to do an extension at local Immigration offices in Thailand.   

[BritTim]

I would be inclined to contact your preferred consulate and explain the situation. If you have a recent certified income letter, I think the chance is fairly good that they will issue you a single entry Non O visa that you can extend in Thailand.

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, Evilbaz said:

As of today there is still a monthly income (certified) option at Canberra Thai Embassy ?!

Yep, for the Non-O-A.

 

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O-A"-(Long-Stay).html

Quote

 

- A copy of bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totalling not less than 800,000 Baht.

 

Completely equivalent to the one year extension in Thailand.

 

They do not issue normal 3 month Non-O in Australia?

[Maestro]

Check with your local Thai consulate if they will give you a single-entry non-O visa and the requirements for it; reason for the trip: explore retirement possibility in Thailand. Failing that, get a single-entry tourist visa and after arrival in Thailand do a conversion to non-O visa at your local immigration office as the preparatory step for an application for retirement extension.

[Ooladolla]

5 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Yep, for the Non-O-A.

 

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O-A"-(Long-Stay).html

Completely equivalent to the one year extension in Thailand.

 

They do not issue normal 3 month Non-O in Australia?

Reading the information on the above link - monthly income should still be enough to qualify for a retirement visa, yet the embassy in Sydney has deleted that option. As I live in New South Wales,  can I go to Canberra (ACT) and apply as it still lists the monthly pension option. I did ring the Sydney consulate and they confirmed that it's 800,000 thb or nothing ( contrary to the above link ).

confused..!

[ubonjoe]

17 minutes ago, Ooladolla said:

Reading the information on the above link - monthly income should still be enough to qualify for a retirement visa, yet the embassy in Sydney has deleted that option.

I think that is an error on their website. I am certain they still accept proof of 65k baht income.

I find it hare to believe that they would not accept proof of income.

You could apply in Canberra. You could do it by mail also.

[Ooladolla]

Canberra may be my best option then. Sydney seemed to stick to the cash in the bank when I questioned them on the phone. I spoke to two staff there today by phone. When they heard I had a Thai partner they defaulted to get a marriage visa.

[ubonjoe]

If you are married to a Thai you could get a single or multiple entry non-o visa without a problem.

You could then apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement by doing a statutory declaration at the Australian embassy to prove 65k baht income.

[Ooladolla]

We are not married, that was an option when I return to Thailand in February