Best visa to get
Best visa to get
Hi Guys, We are in the U.K. At present and I am married to a Thai National. ( We got married in the UK. ). We are moving to To Hua Hin in November, does anybody know which is the best Visa to get. Ie. do I get a 60 day tourist visa and change it a married to a Thai National Visa, and where would we need to go to get the visa, I know there is an immigration dept. in Hua Hin. Also what can I expect to pay RENT for 2 bed detached house maybe 3 miles from the shore. Or maybe North of Hua Hin towards Cha amm, we also thought about living in Chaa Amm, What do you think. Guys. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks
Re: Best visa to get
There is a lot of information on this site that answers all the questions you have asked. You do have to do some work yourself instead of expecting us to just reinvent the wheel for you. Take some time to search the site and if you have questions then, ask. I am sure you will be rewarded with the information you discover.
Re: Best visa to get
That was really helpful brianks, just what this forum needs for people trying to adjust living in a new country. Why even respond with this nonsense?
Re: Best visa to get
Hi
If you are married to a Thai national as i am, best off with a 1 yr spouse visa, this will allow multiple entries into Thailand, and you wnt need to visit the immugration office in Hua Hin every 90 days to get an extension.
From what i understand the spouse visa also allows you to apply for a work permit should you wish to work in Thailand.
Hope this helps.
If you are married to a Thai national as i am, best off with a 1 yr spouse visa, this will allow multiple entries into Thailand, and you wnt need to visit the immugration office in Hua Hin every 90 days to get an extension.
From what i understand the spouse visa also allows you to apply for a work permit should you wish to work in Thailand.
Hope this helps.
Re: Best visa to get
Hi I was in a similar position came over from the UK with my Thai wife, I'm no visa expert but you can't change a tourist visa to a marriage visa in Thailand I don't think.
The best way is to get a 90 day non O before you come to Thailand and when you are here in the last 30 days of that visa extend it to 1 year.
When I did mine Hua Hin immigration advised me it was far easier to get the non O extension based on the grounds of retirement if you're over 50. That's what I did and I was in and out within 10 minutes with a 12 month visa in my passport.
In terms of best area and prices everyone will have an opinion on the best place to live I prefer slightly to the south of Hua Hin but each to there own a decent 2 bed can be found for 20,000 a month +- depending on location, quality etc. we rented a place and spent the first few months just exploring to see where and what we liked and we are very happy with our choice.
The best way is to get a 90 day non O before you come to Thailand and when you are here in the last 30 days of that visa extend it to 1 year.
When I did mine Hua Hin immigration advised me it was far easier to get the non O extension based on the grounds of retirement if you're over 50. That's what I did and I was in and out within 10 minutes with a 12 month visa in my passport.
In terms of best area and prices everyone will have an opinion on the best place to live I prefer slightly to the south of Hua Hin but each to there own a decent 2 bed can be found for 20,000 a month +- depending on location, quality etc. we rented a place and spent the first few months just exploring to see where and what we liked and we are very happy with our choice.
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Dannie Boy
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Re: Best visa to get
If you are over 50 you could consider getting an O-A visa but for that you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 800,000 baht savings or income of at least 65,000 per month and the annual renewal can then be done at HH immigration. The marriage visa only requires half the funds but has to be renewed via Bangkok.
Re: Best visa to get
To get a visa based on marriage is not that simple. Many hoops to jump through. Initially a long and very detailed interview at immigration. You will initially get one month.
As has been said already, this type of visa can only be approved in Bangkok, hence the short jerk extensions.
You have to be prepared for a home visit and interviews with the neighbours. Then you may get another one or maybe two months. Eventually, if all goes well, BKK will approve the visa and your passport will be extended up to 12 months since your application.
Based on retirement is much easier as it is approved locally.
Believe me. I've been through both procedures and currently have extensions based on retirement.
"and you wnt need to visit the immugration office in Hua Hin every 90 days" - not true. You still have to report your whereabouts every 90 days.
As has been said already, this type of visa can only be approved in Bangkok, hence the short jerk extensions.
You have to be prepared for a home visit and interviews with the neighbours. Then you may get another one or maybe two months. Eventually, if all goes well, BKK will approve the visa and your passport will be extended up to 12 months since your application.
Based on retirement is much easier as it is approved locally.
Believe me. I've been through both procedures and currently have extensions based on retirement.
"and you wnt need to visit the immugration office in Hua Hin every 90 days" - not true. You still have to report your whereabouts every 90 days.
Re: Best visa to get
HHTel
I should have clarified, i obtained my 1yr spouse visa in Australia before visiting Thailand, and it was a very simple process, no interviews, just provided some basic documentation. Maybe more complicated in the UK, and i chose the spouse visa as i believe it will allow me to work in Thailand should i wish. Dont believe you can do this on a retirement visa but i could be wrong.
I should have clarified, i obtained my 1yr spouse visa in Australia before visiting Thailand, and it was a very simple process, no interviews, just provided some basic documentation. Maybe more complicated in the UK, and i chose the spouse visa as i believe it will allow me to work in Thailand should i wish. Dont believe you can do this on a retirement visa but i could be wrong.
Re: Best visa to get
^ You are correct about the work part. I too got my A-O visa before coming to Thailand but some think it is easier or better to get it there. I guess they don't want to be subjected to the required criminal background check in their own country... 
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Best visa to get
Thanks for all the info guys, it is much appreciated.