Aussie wanting to know visa rules in Thailand for moving to live.

Best of luck!   Not to put a damper on it, but I trust you know that NO foreigner can own land in Thailand.   Regardless of any premarital legal agreements etc., the land itself can only be owned by a Thai person.   If you have not purchased it yet,  I would consider engaging an "honest" lawyer (if there is such a thing)....one who speaks English and is VERY knowledgeable about land ownership/deeds etc.   Many lawyers give different answers...few have ever even been to the Land Office, and fewer know the requirements set forth by the Land Office/Government.
After 15 years...I too fell into the category of those who never listened to those who had come before.
Rick

Cheers Rick but taking a leap of faith. So far so good. The deeds were done proper. Time will tell I guess. Thankyou

Such a loving and generous gesture, to buy your girlfriend a block of land.  That way if you have a change of heart she won’t end up empty-handed and you won’t have to feel too guilty.

The Thai government expects you to have at least 65,000 baht per month for a decent lifestyle and to qualify for a retirement extension of stay on your non-O visa.

Yeah. Have a big heart. Haha. You say $65000 per month coming in or  would it be the same with lump sum in the bank ? Thanks for the info.

You have three options for retirement:

1.  65k baht per month to quality for extensions good for one year.  Requires a letter from your embassy verifying income.

2.  800k baht on deposit in Thai Bank.  The first extension the money must be on deposit a full two months prior to extension request.  The second extension, and onward, the money must be on deposit a full three months prior to extension request.  Requires letter from bank stating current amount on deposit. You also need copies of your bank book to prove deposit did not fall below required amount during required time period.  Good for one year.

3.  Yearly income plus bank account deposit must total not less than 800k.
Example:  400k baht on deposit so you need income letter from embassy for monthly income of 33.5k baht minimum  (33.5kx12=402k plus 400k on deposit gives you 802k baht) .  Good for one year.

Thanks stray dog. That sounds simple yet effective for them. Maybe Australia should adopt the same policies.
Would the value change if you were to marry a Thai woman? Interested to know. Cheers

If memory serves me correct you only have two options.  You can have monthly income of 40k or 400k on deposit in bank. 

From what I have read marriage extensions require much more paper work, including pictures, and take up to 30 days for approval because only Bangkok can give approval.  In some cases the local office will visit your home to talk with you, wife and neighbors.

Retirement extensions are approved at local office.   Immigration offices prefer retirement since it means less work for both.

What about education visa to study languages?
You can stay in Thailand at least 8 months.
Because I plan to make it before marry visa with my partner too.
Also Im working about this visa ED if you would like to know more feel free to ask.

For a lump sum....one has to have 800,000 baht in bank.   It has to have been in there for minimum of six months.   The alternative is, as stated elsewhere, to show/prove that one has a monthly income of 65,000 baht  (for US, one can get a notarized paper from the Consulate, verifying government retirement/SS etc.).   Rick

I question the lump sum amount to be questionable and that alternatives can be presented. Then again, I'm not immigration.

if you want it easy...just get a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa in yur home country before you come here  ….you can extention  to 8 months easy.

when you marry......get marriage papers translated into English ...and ask for O visa   ( one year )

these are easy to get and not expensive  and with these no question asked about the money you should have

Hi all,
I've been going through this process for the last 3 weeks and have been told today that I have to get out of Thailand by the weekend.
It appears things have changed regarding income.... If you have BHT 800,000 in a Thai bank account you still have a good chance but if you do not have a pension coming into a Thai bank account amounting to at least BHT 65,000 month you can be refused a visa.
It does not matter that I have a business in my home country and can prove I make this each day, I am not 65 and therefore do not receive the pension. Silly that you can apply for a retirement visa from 55 in Thailand,
Simonrat you will probably have to go with the marriage visa and fork out around A$3,000 to have everything sorted, then only need BHT 400,000 in the Thai bank.

Thankyou jack fish. I find it all very interesting considering Australian visa rules for foreigners seems too easy. Considering we let people into our country as permanent citizens maybe aussies should be looked at differently for living abroad by other countries as long as have a clean record etc. Thanks. Btw she has proposed to me. I said I will think about it 😀May make it easier. Cheers

You can do visa application in Australia, check out the Thai consulate website in Canberra, you will find out all the info that you need to get a visa here in Australia before you go.
As to how much is it going to cost you living there having a Thai girlfriend would be cheaper than for Farangs.

Hello Gary,

I’m American, However from what I understand it’s similar.

1.Firstly you need at minimum a 90 Visa at first this will allow you 90 days plus your able to open a Bank Account with a 90 Visa.

2. Once you have acquired 90 day Visa  you also need to show proof of at minimum income of 65,000 Baht per month  this can be in combination of cash or bank account assets, This is the easiest way to go.

3. You should be able to go to your local embassy or wait and do here in Bangkok if that’s were the Australian Embassy is , That’s where the United States Embassy is.
You also have to get a income verification form from your Embassy and get it notarized as well.

4. Once you enter the country you will have 90 days to go to Thai Immigration , I suggest you not wait the full 90 days.
I would go at least 2-3 weeks prior to your 90 day expiration date.

5. You can then apply for a 1 year retirement visa or extension of stay , I don’t know why they say that because when they stamp your visa it says Retirement Visa
You have to show proof of income every year you renew your Retirement Visa and you will be required throughout the year to check in at Immigration quarterly or every three mobths as well.

Items Needed :

1. Valid Passport with at least 1 year 6 months valid.
2. Proof of income notarized form from your Embassy.
3. Passport photos
These will be needed for annual renewal and your initial  90 Day Visa.

There are two more options but this listed above is the easiest way to go.
1. You can show a total of 800,000 Baht in Bank Account alone but the proof of monthly income is much more easy.
2. There is a 20 year Visa now but it’s running around 500,000 Baht I believe.

Hi, if the deeds were done correctly , who actually owns the land , because you cannot and if a house is built on it thats not yours either , be very careful.      TerryM

Your not considered as retired if your still running a business.

Marriage to a Thai woman does not change financial requirements.

Ok so let me get this correct in my mind.
I am a single 52 year old male so I will have to wait until 55 before I can apply for a retirement visa? and is it better to do this in Thaliand? or in your own country? meaning is it cheaper to sort out in Thailand?

Next. If I have 800k or more in an bank account I have to have that level in there for 6 months yes? as when I retire I will just have a lump sum in my account and no monthly pension income.Will this be allowed? as I have no money coming in every month just a lump some over 800k in my account which I always have to keep at that level yes?

Thanks for your comments on this.

Eddie.

Regarding the financial aspect...you are correct.   It is either/or,   If using a steady bank account it can NEVER fall below the 800K, otherwise it will be disallowed as a qualifier.

Please reread post number six.  You can put money in the bank for 6 months if you want to but all you need is 2 month for the first extension and 3 months every year after that.  You can get a retirement visa at 51 so no need to wait until you are 55.

Thanks for your feedback,

Yes I agree and I read post 6 but it states you need a letter from your embassy verifying your monthly income, which I will not have just a lump sum of 800k or more.
So basically the 65k Baht per month income  is not an option for me as I will not have a monthly income just my lump sum which means that I always have to have 800k min in my bank account at all times yes?

Thanks for your response.

Thanks for your update really helpfull:-)

Next question please.
Arranging your retirement visa I have heard from and Australian that had this done from a Thai Lawyer cost him 25000 Baht for all paperwork so is this realistic? or even 25000 to 35000 Baht would still be ok.

So if go there on holiday for 30 days tourist visa free, can I get this done in one month?
And apart from money in the bank 800k what else do I need?
I am 52 and will have no monthly income just a lump some in the bank.

Thanks.
Eddie:-)

I have always found the visa procedures relatively easy to follow without the help of lawyers or agents.  I have been told many people find the whole procedure incomprehensible and gladly pay others to do it for them.  It is really up to the individual to evaluate their own level of comfort and competency.

Hello,

Yes , Yes and Yes and one more  ,  A Bank account with at least 800,000 Baht in it for at least 6 months prior.

Maintaining that level 6 months prior to
re-applying for Retirement Visa.

55 or older to be approved for a Retirement Visa.

You must also obtain a 90 Visa to qualify for a Retirement  Visa or obtaining a Thai Bank Account.

Hello,

If you want you can create a business in Thailand authenticate it and you take 41% Ownership with your Girlfriend or Wife , Then when death or separation  occur you have stake in your’s and her assets in Thailand.

Just an option.

Hello ,

The rules have not changed these are your options.

1.  800,000 Baht in Bank 6 months prior to Retirement Visa Application.
2. Proof of 65,000 Baht monthly income by a notarized and stamped income document from your Embassy , This is the easiest of the two options.
3. Both options once approved you will have to check in every 3 months with immigration and this has to be re- newed every year.
4.To obtain a Thai Bank Account or Retirement Visa you must first obtain a 90 Visa first.

You do have one other option a 20 year Visa at an estimated cost of about 500,000 Baht.

I read a number of post on this thread I believe are incorrect when it comes to applying for temporary stay in Thailand so I have posted link to translation of Order No. 777/2551 issued by the Royal Thai Police.

http://asean.org/storage/2016/08/Thailand172.pdf

As explained by others, 6 months is not required but there is nothing wrong with doing it that way if one wishes to.

I use the 65,000 Baht income per month , Get a proof of income form from The U.S. Embassy stamped and notarized go to Thai Immigration 30 minutes or less it’s done 1 year Retirement Visa.
I check in quarterly during the year as required.

It’s easy and have been doing it this way for years.

Before you can open a Thai Bank Account or get a Retirement Visa you must apply and have a 90 Visa per Immigration.