Can I apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa in Pattaya as an Aussie FIFO worker?

Nov 24, 2019
5 years ago
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm an Aussie, moving to Pattaya. I'm heading over for a few days mid December, but was just going to enter without a visa. I want to apply for a 12 month non immigrant visa, and roll them over each year (I'm not retired, work FIFO). Can I just apply when in pattaya?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the visa situation for an Australian expat moving to Pattaya who intends to apply for a 12-month Non-Immigrant Visa while entering Thailand without a visa. The community comments address concerns about the ability to convert visas, the requirements for a residency certificate, and the necessity of having adequate funds in a Thai bank account. Key points include that working FIFO complicates visa options and that obtaining residency status is particularly difficult.
Robert *******
If you are inside Thailand for a few days or two weeks it is to short to convert to the Non Immigrant O visa, in Pattaya you need at least 21 days. Get this visa in Australia before you make your way into Thailand, as soon as you are in Thailand get a bank account and deposit 800.000 Thb, plan that you will be back in Thailand before the 90 days Admitted to stay passed and you can apply for a 1 year Extension of Stay with a multiple re-entry permit
Bill *********
@Robert ******
does the 800.000bt need proof of it being an international transfer ?
Robert *******
If you have the visa from Australia the application for the 1 year Extension of Stay can only be done during the last 30 days of your admitted to stay period. But that process is done in less than an hour,
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
cool. No issue with bank account, and I will be back every 30 days for break. Issue is I'll not stay more than 12 days at a time
Robert *******
There are a few options, are you over 50 years old, if yes than you can look into the Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years old, otherwise the Thai Elite Visa for 5, 10 or 20 years which is multiple entry, so you can fly out and in when ever you like
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I also want to apply for a residency certificate, have a lease, need letter from agent too I believe
Michael ********
Also, You do not, and cannot, use a 30 day residence cert for any proof to give to the ATO (because virtually anyone can get one). You just need to prove, in Australia, that you qualify as a NON resident of Australia. Which is a whole different thing. A registered overseas address is good to put on your next tax return, but a good Accountant is much more important.
Steve ********
ATO = Australian Tax Office
Michael ********
@Mark *********
On arrival to Thailand, you need to register your address with Pattaya Immigration within 24 to 36 hours, in soi 5 Jomtien. To do that you need your rental agreement, copies of your passport and pages, fill out the form. Once you get the TM30 receipt, you apply for a residence cert which costs 300 baht. You can use the resident cert to get a licence (with a medical cert), buy a vehicle and open a bank account. It is valid for 30 days. If you intend to be a NON resident of Australia for tax purposes, you should visit a good accountant and get them to notify the ATO on your behalf that you will be leaving Oz and a non resident. You must also be paid from outside of Australia and it is recommended to be into a foreign account. It also helps to rent out any property in Oz, not have any bills in your name, and even sell vehicles if you want to legit.
Benjamin ******
What's an ATO?
Rob *******
Mark Tildsley ... thats where I got my last ones but no need now cuz I've had yellow book for a couple of years so don't need certificate.
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
in case I need to prove to the ATO I'm a non resident of Australia..the more paperwork the better!
Rob *******
@Mark *********
... get a certificate of residency from Immigration and yes you need it to get a DL. Not sure what all you need but certainly a copy of the lease agreement but best to check online the full requirements and of course you will need to have done your TM30 prior to visiting imm or you will get fined.
Benjamin ******
Getting Thai residency is very difficult. I don't think you can get a residency status based on getting an elite visa, OR a "retire" visa; only visas that allow extensions (I think). I do know they only allow 100 people from each country each year to get residency status.

It's complex to get, and there's really not much of a reason to get that status.
Mark **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Fly in fly out. I work 4 weeks in Mongolia, then fly back to lay on beach for 2 weeks
Benjamin ******
The only visa I can imagine that fits your needs if you aren't over 50 is either an elite visa (good for 5 to 20 years), or an investment visa (good for however long you keep the investment in Thailand). A 5 year elite visa is 500K THB. An Investment visa is 10M THB (if my memory serves me right).

The elite visa information can be found at

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The investment visa can be found at

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If you are over 50, you can get one of the "retirement" visas. I'm not an expert at that type of visa though, and I don't want to give the wrong advice.
Benjamin ******
What's FIFO?
Steve ********
I always pick the milk from the back
Maria *************
@James *******
the term FIFO is actually exactly what Robert says.
James ********
@Benjamin *****
fly in fly out
Robert *******
First in First Out, like new product on the back of the shell and sell older ones first, or what you see at
****
, fridges with doors in the back, so the oldest drinks get sold first
Robert *******
There is no visa for people who work FIFO
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