Retirement Visa- In the US or in Thailand?

[webfoot 29]

O.K. I lost my job of 15 years a couple of months ago and I am tired of living in this town. I have been to Thailand about 11 times and it has always been my goal to try and attempt living there. I'm 55 and I do have a small pension which I have not started yet because the longer I wait the larger the monthly benefit is. I have some money which I am living off of and I plan to sell my condo. I figure the first year I will just live off the 800,000 baht that is required and if I decide to stay I will start my pension and combine that with a cash deposit in a Thai bank to meet the requirements.

 

After reading the reqirements for a retirement visa at the Thai consulate in Los Angeles I was wondering if it is easier or better to apply here in the U.S. or get a tourist visa and have it all taken care of there. Is there an advantage of getting the visa in Thailand?

 

I also understand that the 800,000 baht deposit has to be made 90 days before the retirement visa can be applied for. How would this be accomplished if I apply at the U.S. consulate? Should I just pick a bank in Thailand start an account and wire the money 90 days before I enter Thailand?

 

Then read somewhere that when you apply for a retirement visa what you get is a type "O" nonimigrant visa. Can anyone shed some light on that?

 

I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has retired in Thailand who have received their visa in their home country or in Thailand and what problems they encountered. Perhaps I could get some tips on how to avoid any pitfalls that you have experienced.

 

Any information would be appreciated.

[thegrogmonster 111]

As I understand it you can only apply for the retirement visa once you are in Thailand.

 

In your own country you can apply for a 1 year non-immigrant O visa. This visa will let you stay in Thailand for a year but you still have to exit the country every 90 days.

 

Once you get into Thailand you can open a bank account and deposit 800,000 baht into it. Once it has been in there for 3 months you can apply for a 1 year retirement visa. This lets you stay in Thailand without having to leave the country every 90 days. I think that you have to report to an immigration office every 90 days though.

[jacko 8,822]

As I understand it you can only apply for the retirement visa once you are in Thailand.

Not true, you can get a Non-Imm O-A from some 'home' countries (USA,OZ,UK and others). This is a retirement visa, it is easier to get in Thailand as no police report is required. Perhaps worth investigating as proving the income can be easier at home along with some other aspects.

In your own country you can apply for a 1 year non-immigrant O visa. This visa will let you stay in Thailand for a year but you still have to exit the country every 90 days. .

Yes, I would recommend this, a multiple is required. The requirements for it vary country to country, embassy to consulate. The 90-day visa runs are nothing to be put off by, a day trip to the Cambodian border for 2000 baht. Actually you can get nearly 15 months out of this visa.

Once you get into Thailand you can open a bank account and deposit 800,000 baht into it. Once it has been in there for 3 months you can apply for a 1 year retirement visa. This lets you stay in Thailand without having to leave the country every 90 days. I think that you have to report to an immigration office every 90 days though.

Quite correct.

 

Most people get a Non-Imm O in their home country, then convert it to a retirement visa in Thailand.

 

 

Good luck OP, although you may not be able to 'live off' the 800,000 baht as you say. I heard that immigration may want to check up on it now and again, to make sure you didn't just 'borrow it'. Probably easier to maintain a balance of about 800k, or prove your income. Check out this website.. http://www.pattayaexpatsclub.com/visainformation.htm

Edited July 27, 2007 by jacko

[Gary 4,119]

Maybe things have changed in Los Angeles. (??) I tried for a retirement visa there a few years ago. The Thai lady there then was not helpful at all to the point of being downright rude. She answered no questions for me and only shoved papers at me. I was able to figure out what I needed from the papers. I got my police report, had no problems with the financial part but what killed me was the doctor's report. My doctor refused to sign off the document without actually running all the bullshit tests. It turned out that my insurance wouldn't cover the cost and the tests WERE expensive. I settled for a tourist visa and had absolutely no trouble getting my retirement visa in Pattaya (now Jomtien).

 

As far as the 800,000 in a Thai bank you CAN use this money throughout the year and them top it back up three months prior to your next extension. In fact immigration likes to see a lot activity from your Thai bank account. If you have wire transfers from your home country recorded in your Thai bank book, this also helps.

[Owen` 2]

Curiosity question of considerable importance.

 

The pension mentioned by the OP . . . is it to be inflation adjusted? I understand it is higher if you delay it, but once it starts . . . is it going to get a COLA bump each year? Be sure you know the answer to this question. It is hugely important.

[Eneukman 1]

A retirement visa can ONLY be issued in your home country. I would not recommend this route and as Gary says it is much easier to obtain this in Thailand. For one thing, a medical report is no longer required. (it was a joke in any case).

 

When I applied for mine, I obtained a multiple non-Immigrant O visa from Hull, which I later converted to a retirement visa here. (strictly speaking, what you get in Thailand isn't a retirement visa, but an extension to an existing visa based on retirement).

 

Immigration now require you have to had a minimum balance of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months, unless you are applying on the basis of having an income of at least 65,000 baht per month. This figure has been the same for a few years now, so no doubt it will be increased at some point in the future. Those already living here may be able to stay on the same rate - but TiT.

 

Gary said he originally came out on a tourist visa, which he later converted to a retiremet one. I'm not certain about this but I think that this has first to be converted to a non-Immigrant O visa here. Is this correct, Gary, or can you go straight from a tourist visa to a retirement one?

 

Alan

[Emil 0]

Last September when Thailand decided to crack down on the 30 day entry stamps one could get within a year I decided to get the retirement visa. I did so in LOS and was in country on a 30 day entry stamp. The first thing I did was viist the US Embassy (this was 2 days after the coup) and get the monthly income verification letter stating that I had over 65,000 baht on monthly income (this cost 1200 baht) Then when I returned to Pattaya later that day I went to the Bangkok Bank and opened an account and deposited 10,000 baht (this cost 150 baht for the ATM card). The next morning I went back to the bank and got a letter stating that I had an account ( cost was around 100 baht), then went to the Dr for a medical certification (cost was around 200 baht and am told this is no longer required) then went to Jomtien Immigration with numerous photo copies of my passport and all these letters along with a few passport photos. First I had to get the non immigrant "O" visa which cost me 2000 baht and was stamped into my passport and then stamped used a few seconds later. Then I filled out the paperwork for the retirement visa and gave them all the letters along with 1900 baht and was told to come back Monday to pick up my passport as this was Friday afternoon. Went back Monday morning and picked up the passport after which I filled out another application for a multiple entry stamp at a cost of, I believe 3800 baht.

 

All in all a farily simple process, the trip to Bangkok consumed the most time. Time spent in Immigration was a little over an hour the first day and around 10 minutes the 2nd trip.

[webfoot 29]

Thanks for all the great information!

 

Owen, yes the pension does have inflation increases but has to be approved by the state legislature every year since the job was a state government job. If I don't start the pension it increases by approximately $100 every year but if I take it I will get about 2% per year so that's the trade off.

 

It sounds like the best thing to do is get the visa while in Thailand from what I've gathered. I guess I'll also need to renew my passport since the Thai consulate websites states that it must be valid for another 18 months and mine only has 14 months left. That's going to be a pain since the U.S. has now required all travelers to Mexico and Canada to have passports now and the rush has created a two to three month backlog. So I guess that I need to do that before I start anything else.

 

I have one more question though. What does "OP" mean. Thanks.

[Owen` 2]

OP = Original Poster

 

Keep an eye on that pension and what bills are introduced to the state legislature. You're a good candidate for getting your inflation adjustment cut. At 2%/yr, it already has been. That is less than most inflation measures.

 

Another hugely important item . . . what sort of retiree medical coverage benefits are offered by the state and do they extend outside the state?

 

But enough of that. Listen to the guys tell you how to get your visa.

[Gary 4,119]

A retirement visa can ONLY be issued in your home country. I would not recommend this route and as Gary says it is much easier to obtain this in Thailand. For one thing, a medical report is no longer required. (it was a joke in any case).

 

When I applied for mine, I obtained a multiple non-Immigrant O visa from Hull, which I later converted to a retirement visa here. (strictly speaking, what you get in Thailand isn't a retirement visa, but an extension to an existing visa based on retirement).

 

Immigration now require you have to had a minimum balance of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months, unless you are applying on the basis of having an income of at least 65,000 baht per month. This figure has been the same for a few years now, so no doubt it will be increased at some point in the future. Those already living here may be able to stay on the same rate - but TiT.

 

Gary said he originally came out on a tourist visa, which he later converted to a retiremet one. I'm not certain about this but I think that this has first to be converted to a non-Immigrant O visa here. Is this correct, Gary, or can you go straight from a tourist visa to a retirement one?

 

Alan

 

Yes, you are correct. A tourist visa MUST be changed to a non-imm visa before you can get your retirement visa. At one time you had to leave the country to do that but you can now change it without leaving the country. Much is often made of the fact that there is no such thing as a retirement visa. Technically that is true but immigration certainly knows what you mean when you inquire about a retirement visa. Also, technically you don't get a new retirement visa either. You get an extension every year for another year. Starting in October you will now need to take the income statement letter from your embassy to have it legalized by the Thai government. Not a big deal but just another stop and more shit to go through.

 

The 800,000 baht in a Thai bank is much easier but with the piss poor exchange rate and the LOW interest rate paid by the Thai banks, I refuse to transfer and keep that much money over here.

[rogercw 3]

I came here in May last year with an "O" visa. When my first 3 months was up I paid Key Visa 10,000 baht to do the Retirement extension for me. All I had to do was go to the Embassy in Bangkok for the income verification letter. Gave my passport and the letter to Key Visa one day and came back the next and picked up my passport with a Retirement extension in it. Stress free. You can do it yourself and save some money, which I did when I got my second extension. Having someone do it for you the first time reduces stress and anxiety.

[jacko 8,822]

(Gary)The 800,000 baht in a Thai bank is much easier but with the piss poor exchange rate and the LOW interest rate paid by the Thai banks, I refuse to transfer and keep that much money over here.

Fair point of view Gary, but I got 1500 baht interest from my bank account last month... pleased me . As I learned today, proving income, although only necessary the first time, can be a bit of effort from October, and a bit of expense. Visits to your embassy, their charges, then the letters have to be verified (stamped) by some Thai chamber...again a fee required. Perhaps I have more money than patience.

 

Anybody out there who has previously proven their income, as a means of obtaining their retirement visa, may want to consider renewing it early! You can renew up to 3 months before expiry, and the more stringent income proof only comes into effect October 1st. Hence postpone the onerous effort for a year!

Edited July 29, 2007 by jacko

[irishman 0]

From the US, the easiest way to get your retirement visa is to get an O visa from the Thai Conculate and then come here for the rest. I made the mistake of paying for a Multiple entry O visa in the States and after I got the retirement Visa , the Multiple entry aspect was canceled. So I had to get a new Multiple entry stamp here. $45 down the drain!

 

Cheers

[mrstein 0]

How does it work if you are under the age of 55 ?????

 

I am assuming there are plenty of blokes under 55 whom are living in Thailand.

 

Stein

[Eneukman 1]

How does it work if you are under the age of 55 ?????

 

I am assuming there are plenty of blokes under 55 whom are living in Thailand.

 

Stein

 

You can get a retirement visa once your 50. I'm 52 and have just extended my visa for the second time.

 

Alan

[Gary 4,119]

Fair point of view Gary, but I got 1500 baht interest from my bank account last month... pleased me . As I learned today, proving income, although only necessary the first time, can be a bit of effort from October, and a bit of expense. Visits to your embassy, their charges, then the letters have to be verified (stamped) by some Thai chamber...again a fee required. Perhaps I have more money than patience.

 

Anybody out there who has previously proven their income, as a means of obtaining their retirement visa, may want to consider renewing it early! You can renew up to 3 months before expiry, and the more stringent income proof only comes into effect October 1st. Hence postpone the onerous effort for a year!

 

Well jacko, you can thank me for the baht weakening. I bit the bullet and wire transferred the 800,000 baht over here. The baht has been weakening since then. Cost me about 40,000 baht on the exchange rate so far for doing it a little early. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

[thai1on 0]

From the US, the easiest way to get your retirement visa is to get an O visa from the Thai Conculate and

 

Irishman, I am about to start the process. What did you use for "purpose of visit". I'm told that

visiting friends, riding elephants, etc, are not acceptable.

TIA

[irishman 0]

Telling the truth is the best resort. I told them I was planning on retiring in Thailand and so I needed the O isa while I was looking for a condo to buy.

 

Cheers

[joekicker 53]

One rule you can't break: You MUST arrive in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa for any further action to take place with the immigration department. Do as much as you can abroad, obviously -- but you MUST have a non-immigrant visa to get the Real Deal one-year stamp from the immigration department a few months after you arrive.

 

It's probably much easier to get it in your country than fly out of Thailand to Singapore or somewhere to get one later on. Even if the embassy/consulate wonks are unhelpful, they pretty much have to give you the proper non-immigrant visa so long as you're politely forceful about it.

[js007 795]

Perhaps it goes without saying, but you should carefully consider the future value of the US dollar and the possibility of continued inflation in Thailand. Thailand requires 800,000 baht in the bank or a monthly income of 65K baht. But do you really want to live on that amount? Its possible, but maybe not so easy especially if the dollar keep dropping.

 

I've never added it all up, but I think I probably spent an average of 120,000 baht or more per month during my first year in Thailand.

 

J

[m_right 0]

One rule you can't break: You MUST arrive in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa for any further action to take place with the immigration department. Do as much as you can abroad, obviously -- but you MUST have a non-immigrant visa to get the Real Deal one-year stamp from the immigration department a few months after you arrive.

 

It's probably much easier to get it in your country than fly out of Thailand to Singapore or somewhere to get one later on. Even if the embassy/consulate wonks are unhelpful, they pretty much have to give you the proper non-immigrant visa so long as you're politely forceful about it.

 

I broke the rule and came on a tourist visa. I went to immigration in Jomtein and changed from tourist to retirement. I showed them a health certificate, bank book and statement of income from U.S. embassy. It was a pain but I did it. It worked out better then getting it in the U.S. under my particular circumstances.

Jan 2007

[Eneukman 1]

I broke the rule and came on a tourist visa. I went to immigration in Jomtein and changed from tourist to retirement. I showed them a health certificate, bank book and statement of income from U.S. embassy. It was a pain but I did it. It worked out better then getting it in the U.S. under my particular circumstances.

Jan 2007

 

You can now even convert the standard 30 day stamp to a retirement visa, though you first have to convert it to a non-Immigrant visa at a cost, I think, of 2,000 baht.

 

Strictly speaking, a retirement visa can only be obtained in your home country. What most of living here call a retirement visa is really an extension to the non-Immigrant O visa we had when we fist entered Thailand based on retirement. It is, however, easier to call it a retirement visa.

 

A medical certificate is no longer required for a "retirement" visa. Perhaps they have finally realised that the whole procedure was a joke in the first place.

 

Alan

[interbrit 0]

Is it now definite that you can come in on a tourist (30 day) visa and then get a 'retirement' visa issued in Thailand or was the above poster's experience a one-off?

 

This would save me a lot of hassle but I should like to be sure before I arrive.

 

Thanks.

 

Interbrit

[capdagde 1,954]

Irishman, I am about to start the process. What did you use for "purpose of visit". I'm told that

visiting friends, riding elephants, etc, are not acceptable.

TIA

 

Visiting elephants and riding friends probably even less...

 

Andy

[m_right 0]

Is it now definite that you can come in on a tourist (30 day) visa and then get a 'retirement' visa issued in Thailand or was the above poster's experience a one-off?

 

This would save me a lot of hassle but I should like to be sure before I arrive.

 

Thanks.

 

Interbrit

 

I did it. The hardest part was getting a bank account in Thailand which was not absolutely needed but the immigration guys wanted to see one. I had letter stamped from U.S. embassy for income above 65K bhat. The whole thinh took me a few days of running around but it was still easier then getting it before I came. One thing that can help is to have a TG that knows some English with you. It seemed to smooth things when they found out I had a Thai GF. Who knew.

Good luck and don't worry too much.