@John ******

I am not aware of any advantages other than it being easier John, but I read a lot of posts from people saying they were giving up on the marriage visa and reverting to retirement as it's too much hassle.

I have no personal experience, so it was just a suggestion.

Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck.

Are you over 50 John and if so, why not consider applying for a retirement Visa instead.

I believe the retirement Visa is much easier to obtain than the marriage Visa (someone will correct me if I am wrong).

I think you can convert from retirement to marriage Visa a year later.

Why not do your 90 day report online tomorrow, then you should have nothing to worry about?

@Christopher **********

yes I can guess. That's even more ridiculous than my situation.

Your situation seems very similar to mine and I must be honest I gave up on health cover and opted for accident instead.

I am in good health and take regular exercise (I run 10k and swim for 30 minutes) but I got tested for a few things to be safe before coming to Thailand. All of these are now excluded as well as a couple of things I had treatment for and given the all clear.

I could accept this if the premium reduced with everything they exclude, but it doesn't.

I think the pre existing things last for 10 years, but someone will correct me if I am wrong and it's difficult to get insurance after age 65 years.

@Silk ***

I have read different things on this topic.

Some people state they could not open a bank account now without an agent, others state it is still possible, so depending on where you are try them and see.

It is a year and a half since I opened my account, so things could have changed, but I still had to go to several banks and branches of banks to find one willing to open, even though I had the letter from immigration and everything.

The bank account was the most difficult part of the visa process, everything else is just filling in simple forms and providing your documents at the correct time.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted.

Does this help with the process?

@Silk ***

have you tried to open a bank account?

If you need an agent to do it I read that they charge about 3,000 baht for this service, so it probably makes more sense than flying home?

@Simon *********

it's still on behalf of UK immigration!

I don't recall them being involved, but okay maybe they were, what's your point?

Presumably you are saying iIt's so complex that you have to pay someone to complete a form for you and put your evidence in the format requested?

I realise it will be beyond a few people's capabilities, but surely there aren't that many people that fall into that bracket.

@Simon *********

we applied through the uk gov site when I did it about 4 years ago, I have no idea if they have outsourced some of the work to India now, but it is still on behalf of UK immigration if they have.

Most Thai people don't, but if you read his post his gf clearly seems to have the credentials, which is why I suggested it.