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.....

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

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.   

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.

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?

Edited November 14, 20169 yr by KhunBENQ

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.

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..!

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.

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.

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.

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