HI Tanga

Blue Skying it - is that like rose colour glasses

I understand what you say and even why you say it. I asked around about the SRRV being returned and although I have no idea about the situation that you have reported but it does not seem the usual. So far the information that I have received is the longest wait was just over 7 days - you need to let them know why you are going, pay a reasonable fee to have your visa changed in your passport to 21 days as a tourist and then you are given a letter to take to the bank to have your funds released

Without this sort of Visa I will not be able to work and if I stay as a tourist I would have a difficulty getting my son enrolled in a school. Also we would have to make representations to the BOI to keep getting our visa extended so the $360 a year is good value for me. Also those on the $10 still pay the $10 so I know mine will be fixed as well at the start price

It may well be that the wife had no idea how to deal with what is a expat problem but I have no knowledge so difficult to comment – but it may well be that if they was dealing with a expat rather than a local the result ay have been different - If I decide to marry (unlikely) I would transfer to the 13A visa anyway

As for the operation, yes I have heard some horror stories and also a balancing stories of first class care as well - pot luck - I have has expeances of the NHS and I feel that is also pot luck - caner pills for some one side of the street but not the other as it is a differnt area

My skills are Scuba related and not just just average skills. 40,000 = £600 a month - On average over a year I should make that (after expenses) - of course it is seasonal so as I said a average - but still 50,000 a month to fall back on. It well take me 2yaers to get to that level but my first year budget is not dependent on earning. Please to see that agree that al least my first year budget seems to be reasonable

However Tanga I have to bow to your superior knowledge as you show on the board that you are there and I am not.

In some ways the SRRV is dipping my toe - it makes things a lot easier to be there than a tourist especially when I have a child in tow.

It would be more expensive I think to dip my toe as a tourist -

Now if your can think of a better English speaking country in Asia that does not have too many close ties to the UK where you can loose yourself for a while I would be pleased to here it (not being sarky honest) I looked very closely at the MM2H and it certainly has its good point (some very strong) and I may make that move when my son is older and I am no impressed with the High school education RP but the elementy and jounior seems fine with some home input. But at this point I would struggle with the criteria for MM2H

Yes I would agree with the blue sky bit but sometimes there is so much negativity it makes you think its impossible and I will be murdered, cut up, jailed. fleeced, mugged, broke, ill, and on my death bed within 20 mins of arriving

Good input thanks.

Whoosh