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What visa options are available for my wife while I apply for a retirement extension in Thailand?

Retirement VisaNON-O VisaVisa for Trailing SpouseThailand ImmigrationExpats in ThailandVisa Application ProcessTourist VisaFinancial Requirements for Visa
Dec 21, 2021
4 years ago
Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, so after much deliberation, I've scrapped the idea of applying for an OA/OX visa in Sydney (way too many unknowns and risks), the level of conflict info on the Sydney Consulates website compared to the rest of the world would indicate I will have problems after the first year of a 5 year OX visa.

So, my new Plan A, will be a 60-day TR visa and I'll apply for a retirement extension in Phuket. I should be good with all the requirements, 800k THB in the bank etc.

My question concerns my wife, she is under 50, Australian and can't meet the same extension requirements, what am I applying for her to remain with me? Is it as simple as a trailing/spouse visa attached to my retirement extension? As always, thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is shifting from applying for an OA/OX visa in Sydney to obtaining a 60-day TR (Tourist) visa and subsequently applying for a retirement extension in Phuket. They inquire about visa options for their Australian wife, who is under 50 and cannot meet the retirement extension requirements. The response clarifies that the wife's visa options are limited, emphasizing the need for her to obtain a 90-day NON-O visa based on her status as a trailing spouse before arriving in Thailand. The community suggests contacting the Sydney consulate for specific guidance on both applicants' visas.
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Yvonne *********
What are the unknown risks.

I emailed the Sydney office Yesterday with some queries and was surprised I had an answer in 10mins.

So just curious as to why you think it will be hard
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Yvonne ********
 I think they are concerned about the impending increase in the financial requirements for the O-A visa going from the current 800K to the already approved but not implemented 1.2 million baht AND the insurance going from the 40k/400k out/in-patient that it is now to the 3 million baht policy which is again approved but not yet implemented
4 years ago
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Yvonne *********
@Tod ********
Thanks Tod

Even more confused.

Neither the Canberra and Sydney mention anything about visiting immigration once a year, all Sydney said in an email was get insurance for 1 year and renew every year.

It would be great to here from somebody who did their visa via Sydney

Another thing we thought of was if we flew out of Thailand close to the end of year one then come back in with new insurance will we get stamped in for another year without having to go to immigration
4 years ago
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Benjamin ******
@Yvonne ********
 >Neither the Canberra and Sydney mention anything about visiting immigration once a year, all Sydney said in an email was get insurance for 1 year and renew every year.

Never ever trust what a Thai embassy website says about getting an extension of stay, and never trust what an immigration office says about getting a visa outside the country. They are overseen by two completely different agencies who do not communicate with each other.

What immigration office will you use?
4 years ago
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Yvonne *********
@Benjamin *****
It all depends on which visa we go for, the OX will be Sydney the OA would be Canberra
4 years ago
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Yvonne *********
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Yvonne ********
 I couldn’t get a straight answer wrt what happens after the first year of the OX visa. My understanding is that I would only be stamped in by immigration for the duration of my health insurance (1 year). It was very grey as to whether I’d be asked to meet the financial requirements for year two onwards by having the money in country for the renewal. Sydney have absolutely confirmed to me in a email that they will accept proof of funds in my Australian bank for them to issue the OX visa. From talking to
@Tod ********
 and others I think that each annual extension could be a problem and require me to transfer 3m THB to Thailand at a later stage. I’m really happy to hear if people have a different understanding 😎
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@Wayne *********
 I thought the same. I didn’t take OX because I can’t trust that they won’t make it harder after year 1 re funds etc. Then again I could have just swapped to marriage visa if they do. I plan to visit Oz every year or so anyway and want good insurance so OA does me fine.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 the O/X gets you almost a 5 year stamp. They know your insurance can't be for more than a year at a time.

You just do 90 day reporting at the immigration office No one I know of had to show proof of funds on year two or anything once you're inside the country. Then again I doubt that more than 15-20 people in the entire country have an O/X visa

There is no 'annual extension', when the first 5 year visa sticker runs out you go and get a NEW 5 year visa sticker stuck in to your passport.
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 And provided the OA or OX is multi entry you can come and go during the duration of the visa??? Is that the correct assumption?
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 okay well that could change things if there no in country requirements to show that the money hasn’t moved from Australia to Thailand. That was my biggest concern. 800k is okay but 3m THB starts to get scary lol.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 READ the terms carefully on the website because I believe there IS a requirement that you move the money here and that it can't go below a certain level unless you spend it inside the country. ..

It's just such an uncommon visa type that I doubt immigration officers/offices have much experience dealing with it
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Thanks Tod, one more question (hopefully my last ;). If I arrive on an OA/OX obtained in Sydney and my wife gets her Non O, also from Sydney what is the process once we land? Do we get stamped in at the airport and move straight to 90 days reporting or have I missed a stage?
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 works like this, IF you arrive on an O-A you'll get stamped in for a year (or as long as your health insurance is valid for). IF you arrive on the O/X you get stamped in for almost 5 years.

Your wife arriving on a single entry Non-O visa will get stamped in for 90 days. <- when she has about 30 days left on that stamp, you BOTH need to go to the immigration office and she will get a year extension based on being the spouse of someone on a "long stay" (retirement) visa for 1900baht.

Only THEN will she will start counting to do the 90 day reporting. You on the other hand will have your first 90 days report due 90 days from the date you stamped in.

You are correct if you get the O/A it is multiple entry and you can come and go all you want on that visa (the O/A will get you stamped in for a year every time you enter or as long as your health insurance is valid for)..
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 you are a legend, thank you for the clear explanation. Very much appreciated, many thanks. If you are a beer drinker the next round is on me if our paths cross in the LOS.
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
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Ellie *******
You need to check the embassy/consulate for detailed procedures for your Non-O retirement and Non-O trailing spouse for your wife and if they (where you are applying) issue.

At least Canberra said they issue them a while ago while they don't list it on their website.

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4 years ago
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Tod *********
okay you won't be able to apply for a retirement extension straight off your 60 day tourist visa entry 😕 You're missing a step in the process

If you're doing this in country you come in on the tourist visa, get stamped in for 60 days, and first you apply for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000baht at the immigration office (by showing you transferred 800K baht into a thai bank account in your name only from abroad).

Then you wait two weeks go back and get that Non-O and a new 90 day stamp inked in.

Then wait until you have 45 days or less left on that new 90 day stamp and apply for the year extension for 1900baht (after the 800K baht has been seasoned in a thai bank account in your name only for 2 months).

Unfortunately it's not gonna work out like that for your spouse. She cannot come in and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being the spouse of someone on a 'retirement' visa. That is one of the only reasons they will NOT issue a Non-O visa in country for. She'd have to get that initial 90 day non-O visa from a thai consulate BEFORE she comes here.

I would contact the Sydney consulate and see if they will sell you and your wife 90 day Non-O visas based on retirement and trailing spouse before you come. Failing that both come in on tourist visas, you get the 90 day Non-O based on retirement and then hope that nearby countries are open so you could send her to a thai consulate to get a 90 day Non-O based on trailing spouse by showing you have a Non-O based on retirement.
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, so Sydney does say that they will sell me an OA visa and because my wife doesn't meet the requirements, they will consider her for a Non-O. Does that align with what will be needed once we come to do the extension? Do you think she will be okay with a Non-O issued outside of Thailand?
4 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Wayne *********
 You need to check with Sydney for your spouse. At least they mention that

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4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
 Thank you Ellie, I think we have a resolution. I’ll do the OA option and see if my wife will be allowed the Non O as you mentioned above. Many thanks
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 IF you get the O-A your wife will have no issue at all getting the Non-O from them
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hmmm okay, if Syndey won't allow Non-O, do you have a recommendation? Can she come on a TR and move to an ED Visa, she wants to learn the language anyway?
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 whether she can or can't get an in country 90 day ED visa issued is totally between her, the school she enrolls in and the immigration office they use. With more and more countries opening up I think you will see a gradual phasing out of the issuing of in country ED visas for private schools (like it was pre covid where people went to nearby countries and got the ED visa from a thai consulate there)

BUT

Have her contact some schools and see what's what
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So does that mean I'm back to square one? Or should I go back to the path of OA for me from Sydney and will Phuket allow her a trailing/spouse visa if she comes on a TR visa?
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, I'll try that
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 start emailing the consualtes, Sydney ain't the only thai consulate in Australia, email them all, (except Perth because it's closed) and see if any of them will issue you a 90 day Non-O visa based on retirement and your wife a 90 day Non-O based on being your spouse.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Tod Daniels. Sorry Tod, I should have been more specific. Non-O (50+) is not available in Australia.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Bobby *******
 ahh right, I remember now

Sorry for the bad info
@Wayne *********
 🙁
4 years ago
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John **********
@Tod ********
 according to the Sydney embassy they do sell a Non-O Spouse visa

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4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Thanks John and everyone, I have my answers. It looks like both Sydney and Canberra will both offer a Non-O based on being the spouse of the holder of an OA
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 all good guys. As I mentioned below its does appear that if I go down the OA route myself that Sydney will issue my wife a Non-O because she can't meet the criteria at present.
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
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Tod *********
@Wayne *********
 nope, no matter if you get an O-A or an O visa and come in there is no way your wife can get a Non-O trailing spouse visa issued inside the country based on you holding a 'retirement' visa
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Bobby ********
Tod Daniels. Sydney doesn't sell the non-O "retirement" visa
4 years ago
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Longy ****
@Bobby *******
 but there was a report in this group about a month ago, of Sydney recommending bods apply in Canberra for a non-O, who were reportedly giving them out, a first for Australia
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Longy Oi. Not that I'm aware of. There are a number of Non-O visas available (spouse, volunteer, medical etc) but the only "retirement" visas are the OA and OX.
4 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Bobby *******
 Canberra does.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Ellie Takei. Canberra offers non-O retirement? Do you have a link to that? I'd be very interested! Thanks!
4 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Bobby *******
, I just put the link to the post on this group a bit while ago as below. Not sure if it's exactly what you want though..
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Ellie Takei. I've never been able to find non-O (50+) on the Canberra website. Just had another look and still cannot find it. I know embassy websites are often difficult to navigate, so if you have a link to it, it would be greatly appreciated
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 both the Sydney and Canberra website mention the possibility of obtaining a non O for your spouse under the 1 year OA application rules. Hope that helps
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But not for someone who is 50+. It’s simply states that if your spouse doesn’t meet the OA requirements you may apply for the Non O. I I have it correct then I’ll apply for the OA with all the usual insurance requirements etc and do a Non O for my wife.

Hope that helps
4 years ago
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Ellie *******
@Wayne *********
,
@Bobby *******
, I put the link to the previous post about Non-O retirement & spouse in Australia in the comment below.

Canberra said they issue Non-O retirement and Non-O spouse to a retiree in the email to Tod, while they don't put that information on their website.
4 years ago
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Simone *********
@Ellie ******
 that’s interesting. I’ve spoken to Sydney & Canberra on seperate occasions and both have advised they do not offer a Non-O for retirement?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
Wayne Simmonds. Yes I understand that, but Ellie is saying the non-O retirement is available from the Canberra Embassy. That's what I'm interested in, not the non-O spouse
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Wayne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank Tod, much appreciated.
4 years ago
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Wayne **********
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