Question for Retirement Visa experts >

[Turbota 0]

I am really confused on this whole visa issue that seems to be changing all the time.

 

Here is my situation ... I am living in the Philippines, but now want to move to Thailand. I am a US citizen, over 50 years old, and am getting a US Fed Gov retirement/pension as a former GS-13 employee. Putting money into a bank account setup in my name here in Thailand is not a problem.

 

I read the thread below which may not contain ciurrent info about getting a Retirtement visa, and seems to have some very conflicting information.

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28499

 

Anyway; Does someone here know exactly how I can go about getting a Retirement visa for living in Thailand? I would hope I can apply for this after coming to Thailand. If I need to put money into a Thai bank, I need to be there to setup a bank account in my name, and then wire the money from my US bank into this newly opened account.

 

Someone posted that you need to get a Non-Resident O visa before applying for a Retirement visa (that seems strange to me). I just wanted to come to Thailand on a 30 day tourist visa, then a couple of visa runs to buy me a little more time while they are proccessing my Retirement visa paperwork that I would apply for once I come to Thailand and open a bank account with the required money.

 

Am I making this process too simple?

 

Just seems to me that all the Imigrations people want is someone with money in a Thai bank, a good monthly retirement check and be of the minimum age requirement. I can't understand why having a Non-Imigrant O visa first would make any difference to any of this ?????

 

BTW ... I don't want to be involved in business or work in Thailand.

 

Thank's

Ron

[PattayaPete 530]

It really is quite easy. Here's what you should do.

 

Go to the Thai embassy in Manila and apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa. Tell them you wish to retire in Thailand and that you have a pension which meets the financial requirements.

 

When you arrive in Bangkok go to the American Embassy and get a proof of income document. All you need to do to get this is swear in front of an embassy official that you have a pension greater than 65,000 baht a month. No proof required.

 

Then go to Thai immigration in Bangkok or Pattaya and apply for a one year extension by reason of retirement. You should get an extension to the O visa for 1 year. At the end of that year you can get a further one year extension by simply showing a bank account that has had 800,000 baht or more in it for the previous 3 months or alternatively get another letter offering proof of income from the American embassy.

 

The only problem you may have is getting the O visa in Manila. The embassy there has a bad reputation. If they will not give you one then you "may" be able to convert your tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant O at Thai immigration in Bangkok. This did not use to be possible but I have read of several people managing to do this now. Alternatively you can probably get an O visa in Singapore.

 

The easiest places to get the initial O Visa are Dallas USA, Hull England or Amsterdam Holland who will all dish out one year multiple entry O visas for the asking. I got my O visa in Singapore and had to show proof of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Singapore would only issue single entry (good for 3 months) O visas but if you are going to apply for a retirement extension then that is all you need. I suspect that the Thai embassy in Manila will do the same as the Singapore Embassy.

[winner 0]

I have a retirement visa and have renewed it twice. Don't put your money in a Thai bank. Unnecessary! I just get a letter from the USA embassy each year attesting that my income is over 65000 baht per year. No problem with that.

[Emil 0]

I got mine back in September. I arrived on a 30 day entry stamp. Went to the US Embassy and affirmed that I had a pension in excess of the 65K baht a month at a cost of $30 or 1200 baht ( I'm also a retired Fed). Opened an account iwth Bangkok Bank (10K). Got a Dr certificated (am told this is no longer required). Went to Jomtien Immigration and had to first get a non-immigrant "O" visa (cost is 2K and about 10 minutes) then went to the retirement visa station and paid 1900 baht plus copies of forms, passport, and photo. Left it overnight and came back the next morning and pick it up. At that time I then applied for the multi entry stamp (cost 3800 baht). I thought the whole process was rather simple.

 

I forgot to mention that at immigration the person wanted to see 3 months of activity with my bankbook. Told them I had just opened the account yesterday and they went ahead and prosessed my visa. Also I took TGF and many times the person at immigration was speaking thai to her so maybe that helped with the process.

Edited February 4, 2007 by Emil

[redwood13 56]

I can't understand why having a Non-Imigrant O visa first would make any difference to any of this ?????

 

Thank's

Ron

 

A single entry N-I O Visa is only valid for a stay of 90 days. The reason you need a N-I O visa is because what you're going to be doing is requesting that Thai Immigration extend that visa to a full year. And you'll be requesting that they do this on the basis that you meet their qualifications for retirement. That is, formally speaking there is no such thing as a "retirement visa", even though most all of us use that term. Similarly there's no "marriage visa" - your extension is based on supporting a Thai - in this case a wife.

 

From what I've read on thaivisa.com I very much doubt that you'll be able to get an O Visa from the Thai Embassy in Manila.

 

You can still (I say "still" because there was some word on thaivisa.com that this would be for a limited time only) get a Tourist Visa changed to an O in Bangkok and likely in Pattaya as well. As Emil has indicated they can do this immediately or they may ask you to return 3 or 4 weeks prior to the expiration of the "admitted until" date of your Tourist Visa.

 

As Pete has said you'll need the 65k pension/income as certified by Embassy letter. Also there have been reports that at least at Bangkok Immigration they may want to see supporting documentation for the Embassy letter in the form of pension slips, tax records, etc. I haven't heard anything about Pattaya Immigration asking for this. You will also have to have a local bank account and provide passbook/copies and bank letter of deposit balance as that is a general requirement. If you're qualifying based on pension/income then the amount in the account should not be material except it match the bank letter.

 

-redwood

[Turbota 0]

Thank's for the info ... I posted these same basic questions on the Thai Visa message board and got the following answers from someone that obviously knows more about this than I do .... Just to share with you:

 

1. I wonder if they use the Gross or Net amount to figure out if you meet the 65,000 baht requirement or not? I actually get more than 65,000 baht per month, but it is only 60,000 baht after they take out taxes and insurance.

 

Gross amount - but be advised the rate used will not be the current bank rate. Believe it was 36 but with recent increase of baht value expect it may be less currently.

 

2. If they use the Net amount [after taxes and insurance are deducted] I wonder how much money I would have to put into a Thai bank account in my name to make up the difference?

 

You are expected to have a bank account in any case. The amount would have to make up for any shortfall between the required 65,000 baht per month and your per month figure x 12.

 

3. Would that small amount of money still have to stay in the bank for 3 months before I can apply for the Retirement Visa?

 

That is not clear - I expect the more money in excess the less chance it would be questioned. But for using 800,000 baht only it is a firm requirement to have 3 month record.

 

4. When I come to Thailand on my 30 day entry stamp, can I then pay for and get a Non-Imigrant O Visa within those 30 days while in Thailand?

(Someone said I need the O visa prior to even applying for a Retirement Visa)

 

You must have a Non-Immigrant O visa to extend your stay for retirement. There is no 30 day tourist visa for Americans so you must intend to arrive without visa and obtain 30 day visa exempt stamp. Normally that was not coverable in country but in last year immigration has been willing to provide a single 90 day stay non immigrant visa conversion for 2,000 baht if you apply with 21 days remaining on your permitted to stay stamp and meet the requirements for retirement extension of stay.

 

5. Once I get the Non-Imigrant O Visa, will that give me enough time to wait the 90 days the money has to stay in my bank account in Thailand and give me enough time to acually get the Retirement Visa?

 

The Non-Imigrant O visa would provide 90 days stay. It would be better to obtain a tourist visa from Thai Embassy which allows you a 60 day stay on arrival - then use conversion from that visa stay. That would provide the extra time. But you probably will not need this in any case as your pension should be enough. You have to obtain letter from US Embassy listing your pension amount (you fill in amount on form letter and sign) and when you visit immigration take that, bank letter and passbook, and retirement statement of earning in the event they wish to check that.

[Rex7777 0]

I'm currently in the process of doing this as well. Got a one year multiple entry non immigrant O from the Denver USA Thai Consulate, although I still haven't gone to the US embassy for the letter. I don't forsee any problems, though. If need be, I could verify a current income of 350,000 baht per month, from the USA. If necessary, I could open a Thai bank account, but I'd rather not put a lot in there. Just to be on the safe side, I may open an account with 100,000 baht. I'll have to see if that works. It's too bad they don't have more clear cut rules.

 

Rex

[Slobbert 0]

I applied for my retirement visa one year ago at the Thai Consulate in Chicago. For the initial retirement visa I had to provide documentation proving 800,000bt in the bank, medical certification that I didn't have syphillis, elephantiasis or "other diseases repugnant to society" (that phrase always kills me), and a criminal history check. That and $50 got me the visa with no problems at all.

 

It expired this past month. To renew it, I had to get the notarized statement from the American Embassy in Bangkok. They didn't ask me for any documentation of my income, just took my word for it and notarized the statement. I took that and a copy of my Thai bank book ( Yes, you WILL need a Thai bank account. I put only a couple hundred bucks into it) to Pattaya Immigration. The guy who handles retirement visas there is a total prick and he'll bounce your application for the smallest discrepancy. I was sent packing because I didn't have a letter from my Thai bank stating that I indeed have an account with them. It wasn't fatal, it just took extra time to run to the bank and get the letter (100bt charge, thank you). Immigration charges you 1900bt for a single entry visa, and I think 4300bt for multiple entry. I'm not positive on the second amount.

 

I looked into the visa renewal extensively before attempting to do it because of all the changes that were implemented last October. It seems that different Immigration offices are applying their own interpretations to what they want you to provide. I had no idea that I'd need a letter from my Thai bank in spite of all the research and questions I'd asked before applying for the renewal. Take documentation for everything even if you think you won't need it. Best of luck.

[bart 0]

When you arrive in Bangkok go to the American Embassy and get a proof of income document. All you need to do to get this is swear in front of an embassy official that you have a pension greater than 65,000 baht a month. No proof required.

If I arrive in Thailand with a Non-immigrant O (from Hull) will the British embassy in Bangkok perform the same service for a Brit?

[Emil 0]

 

 

1. I wonder if they use the Gross or Net amount to figure out if you meet the 65,000 baht requirement or not? I actually get more than 65,000 baht per month, but it is only 60,000 baht after they take out taxes and insurance.

 

Gross amount - but be advised the rate used will not be the current bank rate. Believe it was 36 but with recent increase of baht value expect it may be less currently.

 

You must have only worked for the feds a short time or an ex-wife or two is taking a big bite out of your pension.

 

The form that you get from the US Embassy states income over 65K baht. It doesn'r state pension only so you can add in interest income, dividend income, rental income, etc.

[PattayaPete 530]

If I arrive in Thailand with a Non-immigrant O (from Hull) will the British embassy in Bangkok perform the same service for a Brit?

 

The word is that the British Embassy is not so accomodating. They will provide the letter but you need to show them proof of your income.