What are the requirements and process for obtaining a renewable annual visa in Thailand for someone over 50 with a Thai partner?

@Jukka ********

No. What a load of nonsense.

1. I didn't hear the story second hand from the internet.

2. There are no "real" documents. At most they might put 800,000 in your account and withdraw it immediately. The money is certainly not there for the required 2 or 12 months. So, either:

(a) the letter that says that you have complied with the requirements is missing (and the IO has been bribed to overlook that fact), or

(b) the letter is a forgery, or

(c) the letter is misrepresenting the facts.

It's ridiculous to maintain the assertion that such a visa or extension has not been obtained under false pretenses when you have not in fact complied with the requirements.

@Daffyd **********

hope for the agensy😅 All documents from bank to emigration are real.. think you just believe stories in internet.

@Jukka ********

It doesn't happen often, but one time I know that immigration went right through one agent's client list and deported them all and gave them five year bans.

@Daffyd **********

I never heard that happen.

@Mark ********

it depend where you stay...check companies advertisin Visa.

@Jukka ********

And you get a visa that was obtained under false pretenses, which can get you deported and blacklisted.

@Jukka ********

Can you recommend one please

@Shayne *********

A tourist visa is 60 days, and that is way more than enough to open a bank account and fill in the visa application form. There is absolutely no need to add an extra 30 days as a matter of course. You presented it as *the* way to do it. It is merely an option (and one that is highly unlikely to be needed).

@Daffyd **********

of course there's no need but it creates less stress and pressure to get everything done in one month as well as finding somewhere to live more permanently, opening a bank account, getting licenses, meeting people and being normal.

There's no need to get a 30 day extension. And there's no need to get a tourist visa either. He can arrive visa exempt.

@Nicholas *****

Avoiding OA gives you the freedom to choose whatever heath insurance policy is best for you. (And you don't have to worry about policy dates aligning with visa extension dates.)

@Nicholas *****

with type 2 diabetic if your on medication you can buy it at any pharmacy. As far as insurance goes normally pre existing condition most Thai companies (insurance) will not cover the cost. You may pay a lot more and get it if you have the funds to do so.

Being type 2 a lot of Thai’s have it so medication is easy to get. I have type 1 insulin dependent so it’s still available for me and I have an insulin pump. So no worries on that.

@Nicholas *****

OA visa is normally not as good as an O-visa due to restrictive health insurance rules (plus there's the need to get a medical check and a police clearance report)>

Someone over 50 married to a Thai basically has six options (apart from Elite visa, etc):

1. OA-visa from your home country

2. O-visa (retirement) from your home country

3. O-visa (retirement) from Thailand

4. O-visa (marriage) from your home country

5. O-visa (marriage) from Thailand

6. O-visa (marriage) from Savannakhet or HCMC

@Nicholas *****

Basically, you need the account in the country where you apply. As the UK offers non-o (retirement) visas, it's best to do it there. Do not get an OA visa.

@Mark *********

You cannot open a Thai bank account here form overseas.

You can get a lot of rejections, but in the end, everyone manages to do it. Stick with Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, or Krungsri. Go to bigger branches, e.g. in malls. Take your gf with you.

If you got married in the UK, you have a more work to here to get it registered here.

@Nicholas *****

Retirement visa and marriage visa are quite similar.

@Nicholas *****

This is out of my area of expertise, but I purchased a Pacific Cross policy from Darren at Seek2Insure.com. He was recommended by another member of this group. My personal experience is that he and the insurer were responsive and provided the docs I needed for entry. I did check with my hospital (BNH) and an admin there said they would accept the policy. If you have a hospital in BK, I would confirm acceptance of coverage before purchasing anything. Happy to hear from others on this subject.

@Mark *********

That is just for Thailand Pass. This article implies that you need insurance for the non-O. It also mentions a criminal clearance. That's for non-OA I believe.

@Kevin **********

Right now everyone entering the Kingdom needs a policy with coverage limit of at least US$50K, but at the moment does not need a specific Covid coverage certificate. We will see on or after January 4 what changes will be made to the current system. That’s the date announced by the PM for reconsideration of the current suspension of the Test and Go Program

@Mark *********

That says you need insurance for a non-O?

@Nicholas *****

I would get the non-o in the UK, come to Thailand, open your account here, and after 60 days apply for the one year extension. I don’t have experience opening a Thai account from overseas, but is unnecessary and unduly complicated.

Yes, with a Non-O. My experience with Krungsi has been good and no issue quickly getting a letter on extension day verifying account balance. My wife is with Bangkok Bank and they’ve also been quite responsive. As has Kasikorn for the business. Setting up the account in BK is easier from a language perspective, but if you partner is with you….no issue with anything lost in translation.

@Nicholas *****

That’s generally the area where my Thai partners are from. The Provincial offices there are familiar with spousal visas. Once your marriage is registered there, it’s essentially putting together a package of documents including an application, pictures of you residing together, a map to your home (for the site visit), your bank statement and letter from the bank establishing the requisite bank balance for the two months prior to filing, copies of your passport etc. I found that in Phetchabun Immigration had an example of the complete package posted on the wall. Once you get through it all the first time, the extensions become easy. If you or your Thai partner would like to chat with my Thai partner happy to connect you.

@Nicholas *****

Happy to chat….I think if you look on the Royal Thai Consulate web site in your city you’ll get a sense of what the initial application entails….pretty straight forward.

@Nicholas *****

You may marry in either jurisdiction. We married many years ago in the US. Certified our marriage here by bringing our marriage certificate, obtaining an affidavit from the US Embassy, getting an certified translation of both documents then registering them with our local jurisdiction here in Petchabun. We then went to Immigration for the one year extension of our Non-O Visa. As for language, I’ve been taking on line courses for about a year. If you’re settling into an area with lots of ex pats you’ll be fine, but learning Thai helps navigate lots of stuff (e.g. restaurants, road signs). If you are going to give it a go, I’d recommend learning the alphabet to read and write. Helps with pronunciation. Here’s a brief read on the bullet points for Non-O Spousal visa. Good luck to you.