DTV & ..question..

[Skip]

20 hours ago, AussieBob said:

I agree - I do everything myself - it is easy and clear. If not sure about anything I just go into the local Provincial Office and ask them how to do it (or the wife does actually).

There is a valid need for an 'agent' however. I know of several single retired Expats here on the Pension that just do not have the needed 800K bank deposit, or just dont want to keep that much here in Thailand (In Australia that is close to $40K and for many that is a lot of money).  So what they do is use an agent who organises for a bank letter/deposit to be provided and does all the other stuff - including 90 day reporting. Yes that might be clamped down upon in the future, but until then spending a small amount of money on an agent is very worthwhile. 

It is not just about "need for an agent... there are those of us who just do not "want" to be bothered with dealing with the details and would prefer to be playing golf for the time spent... or napping.

[AussieBob]

7 hours ago, Skip said:

It is not just about "need for an agent... there are those of us who just do not "want" to be bothered with dealing with the details and would prefer to be playing golf for the time spent... or napping.

Fair enough - good point. I must admit that after organising the official marriage stuff here, I was exhausted and I would recommend to use an agent to anyone. The 90 day and annual renewal aint anywhere near that 'problem' - but as you said - it would be much easier not to have to do it at all. Plus of course the local Office gets a kick-back from the Agents - so they always look after them.  

[Liquorice]

On 12/20/2024 at 10:24 AM, AussieBob said:

There is a valid need for an 'agent' however. I know of several single retired Expats here on the Pension that just do not have the needed 800K bank deposit, or just dont want to keep that much here in Thailand (In Australia that is close to $40K and for many that is a lot of money).  So what they do is use an agent who organises for a bank letter/deposit to be provided and does all the other stuff - including 90 day reporting. Yes that might be clamped down upon in the future, but until then spending a small amount of money on an agent is very worthwhile. 

The financial requirement to stay in Thailand is well documented. If you can't meet those requirements, then you shouldn't be staying here. It's only due to Thailand being so corrupt that agents manage to circumvent the law. There is a financial requirement to reside in Australia, Bob, can agents in Australia circumvent those rules?

The cheapest agent I know of charges 17,000 BHT for a 'dodgy' 1 year extension of stay.
Not exactly pocket change.

[Liquorice]

11 hours ago, Skip said:

It is not just about "need for an agent... there are those of us who just do not "want" to be bothered with dealing with the details and would prefer to be playing golf for the time spent... or napping.

Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the excuses before.

The nearest local agent is over an hour's drive from here, yet those who complain about jumping through hoops and over hurdles, will drive an hour there and then back, then a week to ten days later make the same journey. In-between, they are without a Passport.

My extension is based on Thai spouse. All the required documents other than from the bank are already in my possession, Passport, Tabien Baan, I merely have to make a few copies which is really time-consuming and difficult (I'm being sarcastic). A quick trip to the bank then to Immigration, and I'm home, whilst they're still travelling back home from the first visit to the agent.

[Khunmark]

52 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the excuses before.

The nearest local agent is over an hour's drive from here, yet those who complain about jumping through hoops and over hurdles, will drive an hour there and then back, then a week to ten days later make the same journey. In-between, they are without a Passport.

My extension is based on Thai spouse. All the required documents other than from the bank are already in my possession, Passport, Tabien Baan, I merely have to make a few copies which is really time-consuming and difficult (I'm being sarcastic). A quick trip to the bank then to Immigration, and I'm home, whilst they're still travelling back home from the first visit to the agent.

It’s not just a matter of having all the relevant documents. Although the Spouse visas require a small forest of paperwork. It’s also dependant on your local immigration office. I live in Chiang Mai and as anyone also lives here will attest, the trip to the immigration offices here is an unpleasant experience for a multitude of reasons. None the least, the waiting time to be seen.
 

If you’re doing it on your own you should fully well expect an all day affair in trying conditions. My agent, god bless her, has me in and out the door within 20 minutes with everything taken care of. She also picks me up and drops me off at my condo afterwards. All for what amounts to around $300AUS. I liken it to travelling business class. A lot more pricey, but worth the money when you factor in the stress of the alternative.

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, Khunmark said:

I live in Chiang Mai and as anyone also lives here will attest, the trip to the immigration offices here is an unpleasant experience for a multitude of reasons. None the least, the waiting time to be seen.

Nonsense, I have friends in Chiang Mai, 2 hours tops.

You can make an online appointment for extensions based on retirement 
https://outlook.office365.com/book/ChiangMaiImmigrationOffice@imm5division.onmicrosoft.com/
And apply online for tourist extensions.

[Skip]

10 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the excuses before.

The nearest local agent is over an hour's drive from here, yet those who complain about jumping through hoops and over hurdles, will drive an hour there and then back, then a week to ten days later make the same journey. In-between, they are without a Passport.

My extension is based on Thai spouse. All the required documents other than from the bank are already in my possession, Passport, Tabien Baan, I merely have to make a few copies which is really time-consuming and difficult (I'm being sarcastic). A quick trip to the bank then to Immigration, and I'm home, whilst they're still travelling back home from the first visit to the agent.

All that for you while I played 18 holes of golf... wow... which should I choose?

[Skip]

8 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Nonsense, I have friends in Chiang Mai, 2 hours tops.

You can make an online appointment for extensions based on retirement 
https://outlook.office365.com/book/ChiangMaiImmigrationOffice@imm5division.onmicrosoft.com/
And apply online for tourist extensions.

They do not honor the appointment system... you just know so much about nothing.  I live in Chiang Mai and have friends who spend their entire day trying to deal with immigration here... "it's a nightmare" is their take on it... I play golf while they live their "nightmare"... I use an agent that is 7 minutes from my house and on the way to the golf course so no special trip to deal with them... they are friendly and professional, and I do not mind  paying people to handle matters for me... my time and peace of mind is well worth the baht... but if I, like you, had nothing better to do I could and would do my own as well.

[Khunmark]

10 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Nonsense, I have friends in Chiang Mai, 2 hours tops.

You can make an online appointment for extensions based on retirement 
https://outlook.office365.com/book/ChiangMaiImmigrationOffice@imm5division.onmicrosoft.com/
And apply online for tourist extensions.

Thanks for the info. Can you book for a spouse visa application also?

[AussieBob]

16 hours ago, Liquorice said:

The financial requirement to stay in Thailand is well documented. If you can't meet those requirements, then you shouldn't be staying here. It's only due to Thailand being so corrupt that agents manage to circumvent the law. There is a financial requirement to reside in Australia, Bob, can agents in Australia circumvent those rules?

The cheapest agent I know of charges 17,000 BHT for a 'dodgy' 1 year extension of stay.
Not exactly pocket change.

The only financial requirements to move to and live in Australia are the provision of documents to show that you have the financial capability of supporting yourself when you arrive - ideally for at least 4 years and/or until you can gain employment. That is often supported by statements and commitments given by family members already in Australia. There is ZERO requirement to pay any money into an Australian bank account and to keep it there for any period of time - ever. 

Likewise, there is no requirement to apply every 12 months to stay. There is no requirement to report to Police every 90 days. There is no requirement to apply to leave and re-enter the country. The only similar requirement in Australia, and all Civilised 1st world countries that allow people to move and live there, is to report whenever you change your address - until when after 2-3 years of 'good behaviour' you automatically become a Resident. Then if you want to, you can apply to become a Citizen. 

IMO Thailand has failed to properly implement an Immigration System (how unusual I know).  They need their current Immigration system for Tourists - but they need an new 'system' for those who have the financial means to come and live in Thailand permanently in Thailand, like all civilised 1st world countries have.  This constant creation of new Tourist Visas for all the new long-term stays is a dog's breakfast.  If you did not know, technically (legally) all Expats staying in Thailand long term are Tourists. That is why the 90 days reporting and the 12 months annual renewal is required (even if done by themselves under things like Elite Visa) - because the maximum period of stay for a Tourist in the Thai Law is 90 days, and the maximum validity period of a Tourist Visa is 12 months. Thailand does not have a legal basis upon which to allow someone to enter and stay in Thailand as an Immigrant - ONLY as a Tourist (or Diplomat). 

[AussieBob]

16 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the excuses before.

The nearest local agent is over an hour's drive from here, yet those who complain about jumping through hoops and over hurdles, will drive an hour there and then back, then a week to ten days later make the same journey. In-between, they are without a Passport.

My extension is based on Thai spouse. All the required documents other than from the bank are already in my possession, Passport, Tabien Baan, I merely have to make a few copies which is really time-consuming and difficult (I'm being sarcastic). A quick trip to the bank then to Immigration, and I'm home, whilst they're still travelling back home from the first visit to the agent.

I wont argue at all - because mine was that way when in Chiang Mai and Rayong. However, that was not the case here in KK.  In fact, because of all the additional and different rules they have here for annual renewals for Marriage, next year I am going to switch to Retirement - unless things change.  Your current situation is great, but as I found out, there is no guarantee it will be that way in the future (they always change some rules here) - and it may not be that way if you ever change Provinces. Chiang Mai to Rayong was a change, but no problems - KK was insulting and difficult and unacceptable.

One size does not fill all, as I found out the hard way in KK.  3 visits to Office, 2 visits to Bank, 3 Officers visited House, 2 Witnesses required in the house who both had to sign witness statements, Insufferable long 10 minute speech by General littledick (in Thai to the Wife and Witnesses), and a overwhelming desire to stand up and tell the little vagina that 'I bought this effin house and I spend over 1 million baht a year in this country - so eff off and get the eff out of my Wife's house you little ................  But because I cannot speak Thai and am older and have a lot more self control than when younger, I remained quiet and still and said nothing.  And then I had to smile while they took a few photos - aarrgh!  

[Khunmark]

19 hours ago, Liquorice said:

There is a financial requirement to reside in Australia, Bob, can agents in Australia circumvent those rules?

It depends on the type of visa you are entering the country with. Refugees obviously don’t pay anything, however a contributory parent whom wants to follow you to Australia is expensive, costing from between 30,000 to 48,000 Australian dollars. Non contributory parent visas are less expensive, but the waiting time is close to ten years. Most other visas, including skilled migrant that offer permanent residency, cost anywhere between $2000-$5000 depending on the class of visa. Skilled Migrant and family visas make up the bulk of the visa types for those applying for permanent residency and the bar is set high.