Confused about VISA (like many others)

[ahandpatsy]

I know this topic has and will continue to be discussed many times, but I am very confused about what to do for the best

I am 54 years old and will in the future be wanting to retire permanently in Thailand

I visit here about 4 times a year now and stay with my thai g/f for up to a month at a time.

I am trying to get a thai bank account to start the process of regularly depositing the 65k or saving the 800K for retirement visa.

However in the next 3 years I intend to start stretching my stays here to say 6 weeks in december january

would it be best to keep coming in on 30 days tourist (how do I extend to say 6 weeks or 60 days)

Or better to start process of retirement visa now?

If so what are the first steps

Any help would be gratefully received thanks

[lomuamart]

My advice would be to go the extension route. You're going to need it in due course anyway.

The rules and regulations regarding 30 day visa exempt stamps change with alarming regularity. Currently, you're allowed two of them in any year if using land crossings but they seem to be fairly limitless if you're arriving at the airport.

However, that just seems a bit unstable and uncertain. All you'll need is some Imm officer at Swampy to start questioning you about why you're using so many of the 30 day entries. It might not happen, but....

Any 30 day visa exempt entry can be extended for a further 30 days for 1,900 THB.

If you get the retirement extension, then you're good for a year but make sure you get a re-entry permit if you're going to be shuttling back and forth from somewhere - 1,000 THB for single re-entry, 3,800 for multiple.

IMO, you're much better off that way. You've just got to plan ahead to get the money side of things sorted out.

Oh, and get the right visa, ie a Non Immigrant O that will allow you to extend easily. It is possible to annually extend from a 30 day visa exempt stamp or tourist visa but you'll be doubling your work load. We can advise on that route if you need the information.

[Dannie Boy]

My advice would be to go the extension route. You're going to need it in due course anyway.

The rules and regulations regarding 30 day visa exempt stamps change with alarming regularity. Currently, you're allowed two of them in any year if using land crossings but they seem to be fairly limitless if you're arriving at the airport.

However, that just seems a bit unstable and uncertain. All you'll need is some Imm officer at Swampy to start questioning you about why you're using so many of the 30 day entries. It might not happen, but....

Any 30 day visa exempt entry can be extended for a further 30 days for 1,900 THB.

If you get the retirement extension, then you're good for a year but make sure you get a re-entry permit if you're going to be shuttling back and forth from somewhere - 1,000 THB for single re-entry, 3,800 for multiple.

IMO, you're much better off that way. You've just got to plan ahead to get the money side of things sorted out.

Oh, and get the right visa, ie a Non Immigrant O that will allow you to extend easily. It is possible to annually extend from a 30 day visa exempt stamp or tourist visa but you'll be doubling your work load. We can advise on that route if you need the information.

Lomu, I intend leaving Thailand at the beginning of May, a month before my O-A visa expires. I am not intending to renew it but will return after the visa has expired on a 30 day visa exemption and then apply for an O visa. I did ask the lady in the Tha Yang office about what I needed to do, but she was unusually evasive - no doubt following orders from above. To try and get as prepared as possible, any advice you can give will be much appreciated - I already have the 800k seasoned in the bank, so it’s just the other details. Cheers


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[B6PTW]

Hi
You could just get a 60 day Tourist Visa in your home country and then if you wish to you could then extent that by 30 for 1900 baht when in country. That would give you the requisite time.
Regards

[lomuamart]

DB,
I've always thought that doing it your way involves two proofs. Ie, you need the income/savings sorted out to upgrade from a visa exempt stamp or tourist visa. And then you need to prove it again when extending.

It's just two stages and double the effort but definitely is possible.

[lomuamart]

B6PTW,

I think the OP is maybe looking longer term than a quick tourist visa and extension, hence my advice.

And these days I really don't think it's advisable to come and go long term on anything but a non O and extension. Those good old days have long passed away.

[Nereus]

My advice would be to go the extension route. You're going to need it in due course anyway.

The rules and regulations regarding 30 day visa exempt stamps change with alarming regularity. Currently, you're allowed two of them in any year if using land crossings but they seem to be fairly limitless if you're arriving at the airport.

However, that just seems a bit unstable and uncertain. All you'll need is some Imm officer at Swampy to start questioning you about why you're using so many of the 30 day entries. It might not happen, but....

Any 30 day visa exempt entry can be extended for a further 30 days for 1,900 THB.

If you get the retirement extension, then you're good for a year but make sure you get a re-entry permit if you're going to be shuttling back and forth from somewhere - 1,000 THB for single re-entry, 3,800 for multiple.

IMO, you're much better off that way. You've just got to plan ahead to get the money side of things sorted out.

Oh, and get the right visa, ie a Non Immigrant O that will allow you to extend easily. It is possible to annually extend from a 30 day visa exempt stamp or tourist visa but you'll be doubling your work load. We can advise on that route if you need the information.

Lomu, I intend leaving Thailand at the beginning of May, a month before my O-A visa expires. I am not intending to renew it but will return after the visa has expired on a 30 day visa exemption and then apply for an O visa. I did ask the lady in the Tha Yang office about what I needed to do, but she was unusually evasive - no doubt following orders from above. To try and get as prepared as possible, any advice you can give will be much appreciated - I already have the 800k seasoned in the bank, so it’s just the other details. Cheers


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There has been endless discussion about this and posts from several people whom have done it:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=38140&start=105

[B6PTW]

Dear Lomu
The op stated stretching out 4 to 6 weeks over the next 3 years.
As for the method I suggested it is perfectly legitimate and still viable
Regards

[ahandpatsy]

Guys im sure all solutions i guess my point was if i intend to live here on a more permanent basis in the next few years would it be better to bite the bullet and go for retirement visa as soon as

Thanks for opinions all greatly appreciated

[Big Boy]

If you have the cash available, why not go for it now? There is always a chance the cost of staying here could rise, in which case you would most likely be Grandfathered at the rate it is now. I can't think of any other advantages of doing it early.