Have been browsing HHAD forums for a while and have found very useful. Am new to the site but have visited HH a couple of times over the last 4 years and will be out again in October.
My wife (Thai) and I are thinking of relocating to HH. No obstacles should be too difficult to overcome, however, there are a few issues that are concerns - any feedback from those who have been thru this would be gratefully recieved. Main concerns are :
Would an income of 30-35,000 Bht per month enable a modest living for a couple?
We intend to acquire ( buy or have built ) a property up to 3.5m Bht. We know the issues regarding Title etc. but can this realistically be achieved from a distance or is it vital to be in LOS whilst all the purchasing wheels are in motion?
Visa's - in general how has everyone got on with what appears to be a confusing process?
Moving tto LOS
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Johnandraya
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- Location: Chichester, England
Welcome to the board,
I'll try to cover your queries as I seee them.
1. Income really depends the sort of lifestyle you want. Personally, I think that 30-35,000 a month for 2 people is not much. It's doable, but you won't be going out much. 40-45,000 is more realistic. Many people would require more. Prices are going up over here and the situation won't improve for quite a while.
2. There is loads of information on buying property on the site. Try a search. I wouldn't buy property from a distance. You're leaving yourself wide open. I'm sure you wouldn't do it the other way around.
3. Visas are actually pretty straighforward. You're married to a Thai national, so you'll be able to apply for a Non Immigrant visa in the UK. The Consulate in Hull is probably the most user friendly. Take a look at their web site. Everything can be done by post. If you come on a non O, then you can apply for a year's extension to the visa once in Thailand. Note - you must show 400,000 in a Thai bank account or an income of 40,000 a month or a combination of the two. With the extension, you only need to register with the authorities every 90 days, basically confirming where you live - again this can be done by post now - and you never have to exit the country. After a year, apply for another year's extension. As long as you meet the financial requirements, this process can be done indefinitely.
There are retirement visas, but you must be over 50 years old and have 800,000 in a Thai bank, or income of 65,000 per month or a combination of both. The extensions based on marriage would obviously be easier for you.
If you can't manage the financial erquirements, then apply for a multiple entry Non O (through Hull). You'll get 90 days on arrival and the visa's valid for a year. You must exit Thailand every 90 days though. Most people here go to Ranong and over to Burma. It can be done in a day.
Once that visa is finished, get down to Penang and apply for another multiple entry Non O, taking your marriage certificate and copy of wife's ID card. They're issuing these visas down there at the moment. Be aware that immigration laws change frequently here and from office to office. Best bet is to check on the local situation at the time of applying.
If you can't get any of the above, then it's the good old tourist visas - good for 60 days on arrival and one extension of 30 days. Single, double and triple entries are the norm. Or there's the dreaded 30 day runs - not a route I would recommend on a long term basis.
Hope tha helps.
I'll try to cover your queries as I seee them.
1. Income really depends the sort of lifestyle you want. Personally, I think that 30-35,000 a month for 2 people is not much. It's doable, but you won't be going out much. 40-45,000 is more realistic. Many people would require more. Prices are going up over here and the situation won't improve for quite a while.
2. There is loads of information on buying property on the site. Try a search. I wouldn't buy property from a distance. You're leaving yourself wide open. I'm sure you wouldn't do it the other way around.
3. Visas are actually pretty straighforward. You're married to a Thai national, so you'll be able to apply for a Non Immigrant visa in the UK. The Consulate in Hull is probably the most user friendly. Take a look at their web site. Everything can be done by post. If you come on a non O, then you can apply for a year's extension to the visa once in Thailand. Note - you must show 400,000 in a Thai bank account or an income of 40,000 a month or a combination of the two. With the extension, you only need to register with the authorities every 90 days, basically confirming where you live - again this can be done by post now - and you never have to exit the country. After a year, apply for another year's extension. As long as you meet the financial requirements, this process can be done indefinitely.
There are retirement visas, but you must be over 50 years old and have 800,000 in a Thai bank, or income of 65,000 per month or a combination of both. The extensions based on marriage would obviously be easier for you.
If you can't manage the financial erquirements, then apply for a multiple entry Non O (through Hull). You'll get 90 days on arrival and the visa's valid for a year. You must exit Thailand every 90 days though. Most people here go to Ranong and over to Burma. It can be done in a day.
Once that visa is finished, get down to Penang and apply for another multiple entry Non O, taking your marriage certificate and copy of wife's ID card. They're issuing these visas down there at the moment. Be aware that immigration laws change frequently here and from office to office. Best bet is to check on the local situation at the time of applying.
If you can't get any of the above, then it's the good old tourist visas - good for 60 days on arrival and one extension of 30 days. Single, double and triple entries are the norm. Or there's the dreaded 30 day runs - not a route I would recommend on a long term basis.
Hope tha helps.
I should also have mentioned that if you go down the year's extension route, it's best to just get a single entry Non O visa in the UK.
I'm pretty sure that you can only apply for the extension during the last 30 days of the visa's validity. If you get a multiple entry, then the visa's valid for a year and you won't be able to apply for the extension until you've been here for 11 months - depending on when you arrive. The visa's validity date starts from the day it's put in your passport.
Check this out with The Embassy or Consulate though.
I'm pretty sure that you can only apply for the extension during the last 30 days of the visa's validity. If you get a multiple entry, then the visa's valid for a year and you won't be able to apply for the extension until you've been here for 11 months - depending on when you arrive. The visa's validity date starts from the day it's put in your passport.
Check this out with The Embassy or Consulate though.
Hi and welcome,
If you can afford to do it, there is absolutely no question that you should be in Hua Hin for the purchase, construction, completion, handover and snagging period of your property. Do not believe any suggestions to the contrary - I have yet to meet a single person who, having done things from a distance, would not have done it differently if they could, myself included!
Good luck!
If you can afford to do it, there is absolutely no question that you should be in Hua Hin for the purchase, construction, completion, handover and snagging period of your property. Do not believe any suggestions to the contrary - I have yet to meet a single person who, having done things from a distance, would not have done it differently if they could, myself included!
Good luck!
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Guess
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Just to add my bit. I got a year O visa from Hull three years ago. I did not need to show anything except a letter from a sponsor stating that they would repatriate me in the event of a disaster.lomuamart wrote:Welcome to the board,
I'll try to cover your queries as I seee them.
3. Visas are actually pretty straighforward. You're married to a Thai national, so you'll be able to apply for a Non Immigrant visa in the UK. The Consulate in Hull is probably the most user friendly. Take a look at their web site. Everything can be done by post. If you come on a non O, then you can apply for a year's extension to the visa once in Thailand. Note - you must show 400,000 in a Thai bank account or an income of 40,000 a month or a combination of the two. With the extension, you only need to register with the authorities every 90 days, basically confirming where you live - again this can be done by post now - and you never have to exit the country. After a year, apply for another year's extension. As long as you meet the financial requirements, this process can be done indefinitely.
I have seen stated that for a marriage visa you must show income of 40,000 Baht per month or a lump sumof 400,000 Baht but not a combination as is true with a retirement visa.
I now have a marriage visa obtained in Penang. I showed the lump sum. However, I still need to exit Thailand every 90 days despite many pleads to immigration in Prachuap and here in Hua Hin. I was told that to get a visa stampable in Hua Hin I needed to show 600,000 Baht.
What has become apparent tome is that every Embassy/Consulate treats the situation diferently.
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Guess,
Are you sure you're not getting the different "visas" a little mixed up?
Technically, there's no such thing as a "marriage visa".
If you're not married to a Thai, then the consulate at Hull are accommodating in issuing multi entry Non O visas (good for 15 months, if the last entry is timed correctly). All they require is a guarantor in the event of repatriation, as you've stated.
Assuming you are married to a Thai national and will later apply for a year's extension, then it's far better applying for a single entry Non O based on marriage. Whether in the UK or Penang dosn't matter. No financial requirements at this stage - just proof you're actually married.
Then, once in Thailand, apply for a year's extension to the single entry within the last 30 days of the visa. You then do have to show funds. This extension can only be issued by immigration in Thailand. It's got nothing to do with any Embassy or Consulate anywhere.
It sounds like you got another multi-entry non O in Penang, on the basis of marriage. This is probably the best visa you can get now in neighbouring SE Asain countries. So, you have to exit every 90 days.
The 600,000 you're being asked for smells of 200,000 tea money to get the year's extension before you're able to apply for it - ie 30 days before the visa expires. I would check up on that timing, though, as I said in my OP.
I could be wrong, but that's my understanding of your situation.
Are you sure you're not getting the different "visas" a little mixed up?
Technically, there's no such thing as a "marriage visa".
If you're not married to a Thai, then the consulate at Hull are accommodating in issuing multi entry Non O visas (good for 15 months, if the last entry is timed correctly). All they require is a guarantor in the event of repatriation, as you've stated.
Assuming you are married to a Thai national and will later apply for a year's extension, then it's far better applying for a single entry Non O based on marriage. Whether in the UK or Penang dosn't matter. No financial requirements at this stage - just proof you're actually married.
Then, once in Thailand, apply for a year's extension to the single entry within the last 30 days of the visa. You then do have to show funds. This extension can only be issued by immigration in Thailand. It's got nothing to do with any Embassy or Consulate anywhere.
It sounds like you got another multi-entry non O in Penang, on the basis of marriage. This is probably the best visa you can get now in neighbouring SE Asain countries. So, you have to exit every 90 days.
The 600,000 you're being asked for smells of 200,000 tea money to get the year's extension before you're able to apply for it - ie 30 days before the visa expires. I would check up on that timing, though, as I said in my OP.
I could be wrong, but that's my understanding of your situation.
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Guess
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Well I am certainly getting something mixed up. I have seen many references to marriage and retirement visas in publications such as Hua Hin Today and ThaiVisa.com. I have also spoken to many people who have already been down the same route and immigration officials here in Prachuap.lomuamart wrote:Guess,
Are you sure you're not getting the different "visas" a little mixed up?
What has frustrated me is that I was never getting consistent stories. I based my decision on what visa to get by following the advice given to me by the agent in Penang. Prachaup had already told me that I had no chance of getting a visa here in Thailand.
I got my visa OK but had to show marriage license and bank book along with a letter from the bank manager stating that the money had been deposited overseas. I also had to take my house rental contract.
I am a littele confused about the single entry aspect that you mentioned. I would have thought that with a single entry I would still only get a 90 day stamp which would leave me in a position of having at some point during the life of the visa to leave the country without being allowed re-entry.
What have I missed here?
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Guess,
I've checked it out. Don't say I don't try for you, despite your ratings in IKTS.
Requirement is definitely 400,000 for a marriage extension.
Were immigration satisfied that the monies came from overseas?
I was wrong. You can apply for the year's extension within 30 days of any entry of 90 days. It's got nothing to do with with validity of the visa, as I previously thought.
Furthermore, if all your papers are in order, there's no assumption from the authorities that you're working illegally or not properly married.
Should be a breeze.
I've checked it out. Don't say I don't try for you, despite your ratings in IKTS.
Requirement is definitely 400,000 for a marriage extension.
Were immigration satisfied that the monies came from overseas?
I was wrong. You can apply for the year's extension within 30 days of any entry of 90 days. It's got nothing to do with with validity of the visa, as I previously thought.
Furthermore, if all your papers are in order, there's no assumption from the authorities that you're working illegally or not properly married.
Should be a breeze.
Guess,
I've just seen your reply.
You CANNOT apply for a year's visa outside of Thailand without exiting the country every 90 days.. There is simply no such thing in your circumstances.
The big difference is getting a multi entry O visa - on the basis of marriage - and applying for the extension in Thailand.
The extension gives you a year, with reporting every 90 days, but not having to exit the country on visa runs.
Hence the popular misconception of a "marriage visa". It's quite simply an extension of a Non Immigration Visa on the the basis of marriage, with financial strings attached.
I've just seen your reply.
You CANNOT apply for a year's visa outside of Thailand without exiting the country every 90 days.. There is simply no such thing in your circumstances.
The big difference is getting a multi entry O visa - on the basis of marriage - and applying for the extension in Thailand.
The extension gives you a year, with reporting every 90 days, but not having to exit the country on visa runs.
Hence the popular misconception of a "marriage visa". It's quite simply an extension of a Non Immigration Visa on the the basis of marriage, with financial strings attached.
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Guess
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Many thanks Lomu, you have just put things in perspective. Perhaps I should have spoken to you earlier.lomuamart wrote:Guess,
You CANNOT apply for a year's visa outside of Thailand without exiting the country every 90 days.. There is simply no such thing in your circumstances.
The big difference is getting a multi entry O visa - on the basis of marriage - and applying for the extension in Thailand.
The extension gives you a year, with reporting every 90 days, but not having to exit the country on visa runs.
Hence the popular misconception of a "marriage visa". It's quite simply an extension of a Non Immigration Visa on the the basis of marriage, with financial strings attached.
BTW you do not have to upper case me, I know that I am thick as two short planks but I have mastered the basic skills of readin and righting.
Well perhaps mastered is a sign of delusion, but there again look at the time stamp.
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Johnandraya
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- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:54 pm
- Location: Chichester, England
Moving to LOS
Thanks to all for initial feedback - it is clear from the correspondence that I am not the only one who find the whole subject of Visa thoroughlu confusing. However, the points are duly noted - many thanks
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soulsurf
- Amateur
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- Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:23 am
- Location: San Diego,California
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guesthouse boogie
I'm here finally! I jumped right in head first in Bangkok...what a wild ride! Fun,crazy horrible air,taxi drivers takin me to where THEY felt like etc...but still fascinated by it all. Got to Hua Hin last week...can breathe...but kinda lost in a sea of fookin Swedes!
I look forward to meeting some of the HHAD locals like Buksida Luomamart Lev, etc. Doin the guesthouse boogie right now...a week here a week there....startin to get my bearings a bit...not too thrilled on the bars...the booze seems to all give me a hangover even after one drink...WTF...I need good quality booze like Stoli vodka or Bacardi Limon rum or maybe Jack Daniels....lol...am I a spoiled Falang? hahahaa also noticed many saying Chang was strong good kickin beer....not kickin me much!
Maybe it's the different time zone or the condition of my health...(very little sleep in week and a half since I landed at Don Muang) Had some fantastic night time extra carricular activities in BKK...so far here had kind of an average experience...but did have a great massage across the main street back off the main strip a bit...fantastic!
Can someone tell me of a gym...I don't mean to seem like the vain American,but I would like to keep in just a basic kinda shape. Hope to meet you guys soon
Take care Mad HHaders !
Mel
I look forward to meeting some of the HHAD locals like Buksida Luomamart Lev, etc. Doin the guesthouse boogie right now...a week here a week there....startin to get my bearings a bit...not too thrilled on the bars...the booze seems to all give me a hangover even after one drink...WTF...I need good quality booze like Stoli vodka or Bacardi Limon rum or maybe Jack Daniels....lol...am I a spoiled Falang? hahahaa also noticed many saying Chang was strong good kickin beer....not kickin me much!
Maybe it's the different time zone or the condition of my health...(very little sleep in week and a half since I landed at Don Muang) Had some fantastic night time extra carricular activities in BKK...so far here had kind of an average experience...but did have a great massage across the main street back off the main strip a bit...fantastic!
Can someone tell me of a gym...I don't mean to seem like the vain American,but I would like to keep in just a basic kinda shape. Hope to meet you guys soon
Take care Mad HHaders !
Mel
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Guess
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Re: guesthouse boogie
Whaaaaat? Have you ever been to San Diego. I could not find a bar at all. It was like Liverpool on closing day.soulsurf wrote:.not too thrilled on the bars.
Mel
Hua Hin has the best bars in the world.
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Re: guesthouse boogie
Guess, did you close your eyes!!Guess wrote: Have you ever been to San Diego. I could not find a bar at all.
What about the Side Bar close to Horton Plaza?
Good one!!
I intend to live forever - so far so good.