Answered5 years ago
Can Australians move to Thailand permanently?
Hi there, my partner and I are from Australia. Are we able to move to Thailand permanently
Answer summary
Yes, Australians can move to Thailand permanently, but the feasibility depends on several factors such as age and financial situation. For individuals over 50, a NON-O visa can be obtained and extended annually if financial requirements are met. Those under 50 might consider an Elite Visa or a work visa, possibly through teaching opportunities. It's important to thoroughly research visa options, living costs, and the current regulations as they can change.
65 repliesnewest first
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John ********
Thailand is open for all with $$$$
Bruce *****
Yes if you meet the conditions
David *********
Yes you can , if under 50 Elite is probably best .
I guess age ? Employment ? Children ? Needing work ?
That's what you need to answer .
I guess age ? Employment ? Children ? Needing work ?
That's what you need to answer .
Stephen **********
good idea
Shane **********
OPThanks everyone for the comments, think it may have to be bali as it's seems alot easier and cheaper
Gregg *************
Yes moving to thailand these daze is no longer an easy nor a cheap adventure
Wayne ********
@Gregg ************
agree
Stéfan ********
@Gregg ************
Thailand is remarkably inexpensive Gregg *************
@Stéfan *******
yes cost of living maybe but I believe we’re discussing the costs of various visa options here correct??? Those don’t sound inexpensive to me sirStéfan ********
The best long term avenues would be a business visa (maybe teaching or setting up your own business) or an elite visa. Other possibilities are student visas. Having said that, nothing is permanent in Asia and the Thai government is notorious for moving the goal posts and changing the rules.
David *********
Last I heard was 500,000 BHT
Aofsie **********
Yes ,Elite visa if u like please contact me
Shane **********
OP@Stéfan *******
yeh thinking the sameShane **********
OP@Wayne *******
yeh I've already said that's to expensiveShane **********
OP@Aofsie *********
how much are theyAofsie **********
Wayne ********
@Stéfan *******
there is a special deal now by TE if u an existing holding of a 5 yr visa you renew for another 500,000 and your get 15 yrs additional plus whatever is left on your existing TE 5 yrs called Upgrade Superiority Stéfan ********
@Shane *********
it’s basically *****
0 baht for five years or *****
00 baht for 20 years, times 2 in your case. A ridiculous proposition when you could invest that money.Wayne ********
@Shane *********
me either as i have ThaiElite it’s 600,000 each for 5 yrs if u were married u could get a family 5 yrs for 2 persons 800,000 xx there is an offer now for current ThaiElite visa holders to upgrade and for another 500,000 you can get 15 yrs more but only if u an existing holder. 500,000 for 5 yrs is abt 20,000 aud per person i don’t think you want that Shane **********
OP@Aofsie *********
Sorry I don't understand the message
Durrant ********
Ofcourse you can as long as your rich...
Oliver *************
@Durrant *******
That Does Help But is Not the Defining Factor 
Andy **********
Depends
Wayne ********
i think you really need to know if you can afford to
live here to a standard you are use to send me private msg my wife and i are from australia sydney n melb we have been here 15 yrs
live here to a standard you are use to send me private msg my wife and i are from australia sydney n melb we have been here 15 yrs
Shane **********
OP@Wayne *******
sent you a pm mate
Chris ****
This so just a lazy post innit? Not bashing but one human to another pick up your feet a little. How old? Need a work visa? Children?
David ********
Play online poker for a living. Easy peasy and you'll live like a king.
Gregg *************
Thailand is an amazing country on many levels and has always been kind and helpful in my 22 yrs of visiting and having lived there for six yrs—-hard to beat thailand even with all the changes
เต๋อ *****
If you are under 50, find a teaching job, school will get you visa
Shane **********
OP@เต๋อ ****
I have no teaching background
Martin *********
@Shane *********
... neither did most of the teachers, back in the day.เต๋อ *****
@Shane *********
many schools and parents want their kids to speak fluent English, you are perfect if you have certificate for teaching.
Bobby ********
เต๋อ ซซซ. You need a degree to teach English in Thailand. You can get away with some lower level schools but the pay is crap
เต๋อ *****
@Shane *********
English is one subject, just get a certificate of teaching in Australia, then you are set.Bobby ********
If you're under 50, the easiest but most expensive method is the Elite Visa
Shane **********
OP@Bobby *******
thankyou
George *************
Yes, if 50 or over you could get a Non-O visa and extend your stay year after year as long as you can meet the financial requirements. Look at the requirements for getting a Non-O visa from the Thai Embassy in Sydney. Here's the process of getting a retirement extension of stay in Phuket as an example:
******************************************************
Shane **********
OP@George ************
thankyou
Grant ************
Depends on your age and what type of visa you’ll be able to get. Will you need to earn a wage or do you have investments to earn an income.
There’s a few things you’ll need to weigh up which will most likely help with your decision.
Good luck.
There’s a few things you’ll need to weigh up which will most likely help with your decision.
Good luck.
Shane **********
OP@Grant ***********
Thanks mateGrant ************
@Shane *********
there are a few options but would depend on you and your wife’s ages. I think I read somewhere about buying a property in Thailand can also help with visas.
All I suggest is go in with an open mind and do your homework.
Do you know where in Thailand you’ll be looking to settle?
Grant ************
@Nigel *******
nice. I’m currently in Melbourne and about to start a short project. Maybe Christmas but it’ll depend on work. 
Nigel ********
@Grant ***********
, we have many mutual friends in Aonang. Missed you by a few days earlier in the year. When are you back?Nigel ********
@Grant ***********
, yes, 4 new visa categories are proposed, 2 of them are long term visas based on investment of more than tb10m. But.... as you know... this is Thailand
Gene **********
@Shane *********
Hua Hin would be my pick if permanent.Grant ************
@Shane *********
have you been to Ao Nang, Krabi? If you like those other locations I think you’d like it there also. Very laid back. Shane **********
OP@Grant ***********
Most likely Chiang mai but I like hua hinShane **********
OPThat's the plan Gregg Steinberger, prefer Thailand but will consider Bali if Thailand isn't possible
Steve *******
@Shane *********
don't have experience in Indonesia, bit mostly all asian countries have better, less steal-y, scam-y immigration systems than Thailand, so I would recommend looking into Vietnam and the Philippines before making a decision.Shane **********
OPThanks mate but my mrs is interested in Thailand preferably or Indonesia
Chris ******
Of course you can if you have enough money to live on ….
Shane **********
OP@Chris *******
these are the things we are trying to find answers for.
Duncan *******
@Shane *********
we don't know what your income is so that's impossible to answer. Some people live here on $500 a month - you wouldn't want to but it's doable. $2,000 a month will give you a fairly comfortable lifestyle in most parts of Thailand. Put it this way, it's a hell of a lot cheaper to live here than Aus.Chris ******
@Shane *********
there’s always ways around visas …. Depending on how much you’re willing to pay for them … Shane **********
OP@Duncan ******
thanks mate, we will be living off savings. Need to find out the legal amount that we needGregg *************
Get out while you can for sure australia is fucked
Graeme **********
Russell Thomas and why do you think there are lockdown, travel restrictions and curfews?
Lyndon *******
@Graeme *********
new age American hippies watch Tucker Carlson now. This means they know more about Australia than Australians do.Graeme **********
@Lyndon ******
everyone knows that if it’s on Fox it’s fake news and bs. Graeme **********
Russell Thomas As an Aussie, why wouldn’t I know.
Graeme **********
@Gregg ************
not as fucked as the USA mateLyndon *******
Bit generous with the 'everyone' there mate.
Graeme **********
@Lyndon ******
it’s the Trump, QAnon, tinfoil hat station. I watched it during the election that Trump had ‘stolen’ from him. Absolutely pathetic biased reporting. Luckily it was offset by CNNGregg *************
@Graeme *********
I’d say it’s going on everywhere mateActivity
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