Alan Kerr. The lady who got an OX about months ago sent a picture of her stamp to one of these groups. I wish I'd kept it. She was most certainly stamped in for five years, there was no requirement to leave and re-enter. She got hers through Sydney. That's when I first became aware of it.

They're unbelievably slow! All visa applications are sent to British High Commission in New Delhi. There's no way of contacting them, and VFS won't give out phone numbers. You'll get better info in this group

UK IMMIGRATION AND VISAS

James Miller. Yes, but apparently individual consulates can actually set their own policies for issuance of visas. For example, only the Canberra and Wellington Embassies will issue a 12-month multiple-entry "working holiday" visa to young people wanting to live and work in Thailand. This is not available anywhere else.

James Miller. That's Washington. The Sydney consulate has different criteria for the OX

Alan Kerr. OX from Sydney Consulate does not need money in Thai bank account and does not need annual extension as entry is valid for five years

Bernard Le Du. OX visa you are stamped in for five years, so no requirement to extend each year

Yvonne Russell. Not if you get the visa through the Sydney consulate. There is no requirement to transfer money to Thailand

Michael Fish. If you're still in Australia you should give this one a go. No other embassy offers a five year visa without major expense and not having to transfer ridiculous amounts of money. If I was there now, it's what I would be doing. I don't know what happens when you go for the extension after five years, but realistically, just cross that bridge when you get to it.

Michael Fish. You can do that online

Michael Fish. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has done an OX. There was a lady in one of these groups about six months ago - I wish I'd kept her details - who had done it through the Sydney Consulate and was actually in Thailand, having been stamped in for five years. You couldn't get a five year insurance policy, so I don't know how that part works. I might ask the question on Thai Visa Advice group. The guys there have a good handle on these things.