@Chris ******

very interesting, thank you, will look into this further. NZ definitely require the primary to apply for the Non-OA.

Heading to Australia to apply isn’t really ideal from a logistics perspective, we’re moving our lives in 6 suitcases from NZ to Thailand so better to fly direct rather than stop over in Australia for a few weeks to apply for the visas but will check it out!

@Brandon ***********

that’s good information thank you.

Yes I expect she’d be in Thailand for about one month initially so we could look for a condo together, then head to Vietnam to apply for the DTV whilst I remain in Thailand to complete my 1 year extension.

@David ******

thank you much! Indeed have been researching how to make this move for quite some time now and this forum has been a great source of information. There have been a few posts where one half is over 50 and the other half under 50 which seems a complex situation to solve and each circumstance is slightly different and therefore requires a tailored approach.

If only Thailand allowed the spouse to trail on the Non-O Retirement as is the case with retirement visas in so many other countries!

@Brandon ***********

yes she has a NZ passport so will enter visa exempt.

So under this scenario we travel to Thailand together, myself on a Non-O Retirement and my wife on visa exempt. My wife then travels to Vietnam to apply for the DTV whilst I stay in Thailand to complete my 1 year extension. If my wife is denied the DTV, she may not be able to enter Thailand as it could appear like a visa run because she was just in Thailand on visa exempt when we both travelled there together.

It’s not ideal for me to travel to Thailand whilst my wife travels separately to Vietnam to apply for the DTV.

Or sorry am I missing your point?

@Kool ******

thanks, I hadn’t considered a METV.

Are you saying that a METV can be converted to a Non-O Dependent visa? I didn’t think that was possible.

@Brandon ***********

thank you. Agreed on the Thai Consulate prices being very high compared to other countries, the Non-O itself costs NZD 800 / THB 15,600.

The concern with my wife applying for the DTV from Vietnam (for example) is that if she gets denied, then I’m in Thailand on the Non-O most likely with a condo lease, and she can’t enter the country. Applying for the DTV from NZ gives us confidence that we know where we stand before traveling to Thailand. Also when you compare the flights to a neighboring country and accommodation for a couple of weeks to apply for the DTV, it’s comparable to the cost of applying for the DTV from NZ.

@Henry *******

thank you. My wife would prefer a Thai cooking school for the ED but would consider a language school if that was the only option. I hear that if you are studying the Thai language under an ED, then immigration may test your skills when reentering the country.

@John *********

I’ve been communicating with the Thai Consulate in NZ regarding this option and it requires me to apply for the Non-OA which I would prefer to avoid given the additional requirements which continue ongoing so long as I’m on the visa. I’d much prefer to be on the Non-O.

@Simon *******

I am conducting my own research and receiving conflicting and unclear information and guidance on the correct approach to take for my specific situation. I’m sure that once the correct approach is 100% clear, the actual application itself is relatively straightforward

@Andy ***********

😄

Any recommendations on a good one in Bangkok?