Visa Criteria

[DAVYCHEZ]

My wife and I are hoping to move out to Hua Hin in December. My wife to retire, we are both under 50 and this appears to be a sticking point.

Income is not an issue only age. Can anyone give a little more guidance based on experience.

[Big Boy]

How far off 50 are you both?

[DAVYCHEZ]

My Wife is 42 and I'm 48, I work overseas so income isn't a problem but its my Wife who will be 'retiring'.

[Big Boy]

Ouch!! I'm assuming that neither of you are Thai. That's a problem beyond my knowledge. I'm afraid that you'll have to wait for our resident expert lomuamart to advise if there is a way to achieve retirement at such a young age.

[Edit] I've just been reading back through your previous posts to try to identify you and your wife's nationality. I must admit, I was quite surprised to see that you started off posting as a woman.

I'm assuming you must be a couple sharing a forum logon.

[DAVYCHEZ]

We're both Brits, really didn't think we'd have a problem until we checked on the Thai Consulate web page. Seems as though my Wife doesn't seem to fit into any of the categories.

[barrys]

We're both Brits, really didn't think we'd have a problem until we checked on the Thai Consulate web page. Seems as though my Wife doesn't seem to fit into any of the categories.

Your wife could apply for an education visa for learning Thai. This can be extended for up to 3 years, while you can get tourist visas for your time off from working overseas.
By then you will be 50 and can apply for a visa based on retirement (purists, please don't shoot me down on the terminology!) with your wife as a dependent, I think .......

...... over to bapak and lomu for more detailed info.

[DAVYCHEZ]

Great, thanks for the reply. We'll look into applying for an education visa, again thanks for your help

[DAVYCHEZ]

Ha Ha by the way yes we are a couple sharing a forum logon, hope we didn't confuse you too much

[Big Boy]

[DAVYCHEZ]

I've just found a Thai Language Centre in Hua Hin. Now is this right, if my Wife enrols with them to study Thai then she can get a 1 yr visa but if she pays extra then she can get a 3 yr visa? Cheers!

[Big Boy]

As barrys said, Bapak is probably your best bet for getting answers about the visa for learning Thai. However, I don't think it's just a case of obtaining the visa, I believe she actually has to do the course to keep it current.

[DAVYCHEZ]

Yes I think you're right about the course but that has to be positive surely? I don't know why we didn't think of it before really, it must make life easier if you can speak just basic thai.
I've just emailed regarding the course and enrolling so fingers crossed that this is the way to move over legally.

[Big Boy]

I couldn't agree more. I wish you the best of luck with your plans.

[margaretcarnes]

Just a same same but different thought - can retirees who are under the normal income limits also still go for the Education one year visa?

[lomuamart]

I'll leave it to bapak to take you through the education visa criteria but once you're 50 you can apply for an annual retirement extension and your wife can piggy back on it even if she's under 50.