Should I apply for a retirement visa in Australia before moving to Thailand or apply once I arrive?

Very very very very good advice. Rent... No need to buy. Renter's paradise.

What he said

Using this visa as an example

It was issued on May 13 2013 and it has an "Enter before" date of May 12 2014 <- one year from the date it's issued.

The holder can exit/enter the country all they want for the validity of the visa and as long as it's on or before the 12 of May 2014 they will be stamped in for a completely new calendar year

@Garry *******

, you won't need to do anything on that visa for almost 2 years..

You want the Non-Immigrant Type O-A Long Stay (retirement) visa

@Ga***

You use the links to the Thai consulate in either Sydney or Canberra I posted further down and follow their requirements to get the visa BEFORE you wing your way here

@Tod ********

it was more than the officers mood.it was an interpretation of something that is not defined in the legislation and Joe accused me of spreading false information and threatened to kick me out of the room for spreading false news! lol.

@To**

, when it comes to thai visas, extensions and immigration officers no one is perfect. At best it works like it's written and at worst it's a totally grey area (dark grey at that). You just never know what an immigration officer's mood is going to be when you get in front of them..

@Tod ********

well he aint perfect. I had an event happen to me at the chong saenam crossing and he was adamant that it was impossible that it happened and when I insisted he threatened to turf me!

what you do on that visa

@Ja***

is. Just prior to the "enter before" date on the visa you exit/re-enter the country. This gets you stamped in for a completely NEW calendar year (giving you two years in country on that visa.

Then when that year runs down you either go back to your country and get another O-A visa OR you go to the immigration office and start getting yearly extensions of stays (like you have now)..

@Stan *********

comparison of opinion. Especially from Ubon Joe

@Stan *********

He was mentioning that Ubon Joe (one of the moderators on there) is very knowledgeable. He is super knowledgeable about visas an extensions.

@Tod ********

yes Tod. And I assumed incorrectly I gather that the OP was retiring to Thailand fm AU. With the O-A is it renewable each year? Does one have to be back in AU to get it renewed each year?

James Miller , why would the OP need to pose his question on TV when he has already been given the definitive answer .

@James *******

I would bet dollars to durian you have a stamp like this in your passport. You get it from the immigration office every year. It is NOT a visa, it is a yearly extension of stay and costs 1900baht, AND you also buy a multi-re-entry permit every time you get an extension and it costs you 3800 baht.

I can tell you have an extension and NOT a vsia because when you exit the country you are stamped in for the same date when you return.

Please feel free to help offer advice on the group, and know I meant no disrespect, it's just really really hard to fool me about visas or extensions of stays to thailand.

An extension and a re-entry permit looks like this.

@Tod ********

amen to that! and a LOT of insults as well

Whatever.... I solely tried to be of assist with sharing my personal experiences with the retirement visa... Extension of Stay. I'll pass on further comment. Good luck to him. Enjoy Thailand!

@James *******

Ubon Joe is a smart guy but that forum is pretty sucky and you have to wade thru a LOT of b/s to get good answers

@James *******

tod knows as much or more than those guys

@James *******

unfortunately you are confusing a VISA that you get from a thai consulate outside the country with an extension of stay you get from the immigration office inside the country

Not true... The visa is issued for one year! If you have a multi-entry permit each time you reenter the date of expiration will be the same as the expiration date for the visa. I do this many times... Even this week.

@James *******

That visa is valid for a year, It can ONLY be gotten from a thai consulate in a country your passport comes from or a country you hold legal residence in.

It is sold as a year-long multi-entry visa meaning you don't need a re-entry permit. As long as you enter the country before the visa itself expires you will be stamped in for another year

David Bonas Hang about, Let's not get ahead of ourselves :O

The visa is valid for a year from the date it's issued and is multiple entry meaning you can come and go as many times as you want during that validity and you will get stamped in for a new year every time you enter as long as it's prior to the "enter before" date on the visa

David Bonas no, it has an expiry date

@Tod ********

if he comes and goes out of Thailand he DOES NEED a multi-entry permit. 3,800 Thai baht annually for the permit.

Tod There are so many levels of police in US I wonder who I would have issues police report . Sheriff , city , state FBI takes for ever ?

@Tod ********

even if u go out?

@Tony *******

he wouldn't need a re-entry permit on that visa for a year :/

remind him of re-entry permits!!