Thailand Visa question No. 253/21: Which visa?
Questioner: Rudolf
I am 64 years old, and have a WAO (old scheme) income of 1.600 euros p/m net and euros: 35.000 in my savings account here in the Netherlands. I have a wife in Thailand, not legal on paper but married through buddha religion in 2016).
Until March 2020 I always had a Non o immigrant visa of 90 days, 2x a year. However, now I want to go to my wife for 2021 days in December 120, so 30 days longer!
Please give your advice, which visa to apply for, and if necessary/possibly extend it by 30 days at immigration. And what about the return ticket? Will I have to show an open return ticket, or can I buy a return ticket in Thailand to leave Thailand no later than day 120?
I'd like to hear from you.
Reaction RonnyLatYa
For immigration, your relationship is that of boyfriend/girlfriend. You can't bring anything else with you at immigration. But I think you already knew that
As before, you can apply for a Non-immigrant O based on Retirement. There you will receive a residence period of 90 days. You already knew that. However, you cannot extend it by 3 days. Only with 1 year. But I suspect that you will go to Thailand several times given your relationship and then it might be better to immediately apply for a year extension.
1600 Euro is not enough to prove the financial just with an income, but you can also go for the full bank account of 800 000 Baht on a Thai account, or a combination of income and a bank account. Must then be 800 Baht together on an annual basis. (Note that some require at least a bank amount of 000 Baht with that combination method. It is best to inform one at immigration)
You can even stay in Thailand for a whole year if you want. You can also return to the Netherlands whenever you want, but don't forget to re-entry.
That way you will no longer have to apply for a visa in the future. Just make sure you are in Thailand every year to renew for another year.
Leaving with a return ticket seems the easiest to me. You know when you're coming back, don't you? Will also be the cheapest than buying a ticket in Thailand I think.
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