For the price of an elite visa you can pay a good chunk of your rent in the Philippines, a country which is roughly the same except has better English, way better beaches, a “naughty” scene if you’re into that (as that may be a driver for some here), and if you stick to the big cities equally good food options.

Oh and they let you stay for 3 years without leaving on a tourist visa which you can extend for roughly $30 a month without an agent, without ever worrying about an immigration officers mood, and without worrying you might not be allowed in because you stayed a while.

Being in the same situation as many here having to figure out and stress over visas, if I’d be allowed back in during the future etc, I decided to just book a flight to the Philippines in February when my current visa is up.

I have lived there for 10 years on and off before arriving to Thailand and it baffles me why anyone would wanna stick to Thailand when there’s a stress-free visa option available a short flight from here in a country that’s “same same but different”

My theory is that people who are ready to cut off an arm for a visa to stay here just never been to the Philippines or only went to a few shitty places and didn’t have a good time. But I’d encourage all to give it a proper look. Especially BGC in Manila.

If you are really worried about it, use a visa agent. You’ll pay an extra 2K but they’ll tell you if it’s ok or not and get it done if it is.

@Bennett *******

oh maybe I misread, I thought he was planning to exit the country again while they’re processing his new education visa. That’s why I’m saying don’t leave, let them finish. I am not 100% sure but I’m pretty sure that as long as Thai immigration is aware he’s getting his new visa he can just stay until they finish processing his new one.

Whatever move you make, inform the school first that’s doing the paperwork for him. Don’t leave abruptly or mess with the process until his new visa is 100% done, then if he ever needs to go he can do so with a re entry permit. The school should know if they have enough time and if it’s okay or not, especially if they started the processing already.

Obvious thing is to stop traveling outside Thailand until the visa situation is sorted. That’s the price for the mistake. Once he gets his new visa get a re entry permit properly.

@Stuart ********

Is one year of an education visa cause for concern? What kind of history would warrant the agency versus flying in and out for example?

Is it recommended to use an agency? I pretty much only heard of people having problems when they’re attempting the journey alone.

@Terary *********

does she have the means to pay you anything?

If she’s got a lot of money in her name, just tell her you’ll do the divorce in exchange for whatever you think is fair. If she has little to income and/or little to no savings you aren’t going to realistically recover anything.

Also, not sure how it works here, but if you contest it there’s maybe even a chance the courts award payments in her favor. Might be cheapest and most painless to sign whatever it takes it end it asap.

Very incomplete question. Are you going to have actual monthly income also or just living off of savings the rest of your life?

Do you want to live in a nice place and have freedom to move around, dine out, etc? Or you ok with living like a poor Thai and stay home in a tiny room eating street food?

If just savings the rest of your life probably you need a million dollars if you want to live a normal lifestyle as a foreigner without working again.

If you have a monthly income that covers your lifestyle costs, then maybe having 1 year worth of expenses on hand in case your income is interrupted is sufficient.

I would give it that much time because I have seen loads of people with less savings panic and make bad choices or have to pack up and leave on a whim as soon as they encountered a money issue or a problem with the business or job.

Better to have a big buffer so you know that no matter what you are going to be fine for a while.