Another visa question

[jeffo999 0]

I have seen some BM's mention that they need to go back home to get their retirement visa's after 18 months. Why is this? I thought renewal was done in Thailand.

 

Also on the 800k in the bank and pension income. Are they not letting you still have a combination of these? Is this not up to the certification from your embassy?

 

Seems like conflicting information.

[pattysteve 34]

I have seen some BM's mention that they need to go back home to get their retirement visa's after 18 months. Why is this? I thought renewal was done in Thailand.

 

Also on the 800k in the bank and pension income. Are they not letting you still have a combination of these? Is this not up to the certification from your embassy?

 

Seems like conflicting information.

 

As far as im aware,there have been no changes in the requirements for retirement extension.

 

The guy returning home after 15 or 18 mnths,maybe be too young to qualify for extension,or maybe just prefers a trip home to see family and get a new O visa.

 

The 800K is definately still the option of a combination of earnings or pension and money in the bank.

[Lucky 47]

I just renewed mine last week at Pattaya Immigration, now Chonburi Immigration, and all of the requirements are the same. Maybe some guys like to have an excuse to visit back home, like doing their taxes .

[biggles 509]

Maybe some confusion with visa type? I had a multiple O (not retirement type) which meant I had to leave thailand every 90 days and I needed to go back to my own country to renew it after 15 months. mate has had retirement O for six years and never had to return to oz to renew it, just goes to Jomtien to report every 90 days and renews once a year .

[LocalYokul 214]

you might not NEED to return all the way home if you can find an Embassy/Consulate in OZ or Asia that will do a one-year

 

I did one in HCMC, Vietnam & I've heard of others doing it in Taipei, Taiwan

[pattysteve 34]

Maybe some confusion with visa type? I had a multiple O (not retirement type) which meant I had to leave thailand every 90 days and I needed to go back to my own country to renew it after 15 months. mate has had retirement O for six years and never had to return to oz to renew it, just goes to Jomtien to report every 90 days and renews once a year .

 

Any O visa can be extended for the purpose of retirement if you meet all the criteria.

 

There is no such thing as an O visa that is "not retirement type"

[biggles 509]

Perhaps my description is not quite correct but I said "not retirement type" so that people would understand why I had to leave thailand every 90 days. If it was extended for retirement then I would only have to report every 90 days, not leave. also because it was "not retirement type" I could not renew it inside thailand.

[pattysteve 34]

Perhaps my description is not quite correct but I said "not retirement type" so that people would understand why I had to leave thailand every 90 days. If it was extended for retirement then I would only have to report every 90 days, not leave. also because it was "not retirement type" I could not renew it inside thailand.

 

Ah i understand now.

 

You have an O visa but havent gone thro the process to make it into a retirement extension.

[jeffo999 0]

As far as im aware,there have been no changes in the requirements for retirement extension.

 

The guy returning home after 15 or 18 mnths,maybe be too young to qualify for extension,or maybe just prefers a trip home to see family and get a new O visa.

 

The 800K is definately still the option of a combination of earnings or pension and money in the bank.

 

OK good. I would prefer to do the mixed pension and bank deposit even though my pension should clear the 65k hurdle unless the baht goes to 25/$. I really don't plan on returning home since I will not have one to go to.

[jacko 8,814]

I have seen some BM's mention that they need to go back home to get their retirement visa's after 18 months. Why is this? I thought renewal was done in Thailand.

 

Also on the 800k in the bank and pension income. Are they not letting you still have a combination of these? Is this not up to the certification from your embassy?

 

Seems like conflicting information.

There is no need to go back 'home' to get a retirement visa, it is an extension of a Non-imm O , and can be achieved (easier I think) in LOS.

Some people do arrive in LOS with an OA visa, a Thailand retirement visa obtained in their home country. A little onerous to get in some countries. Perhaps you have been talking to people who use these.

 

Another type of visa would be a straight non-imm O multiple which can get you 15 months in LOS.

 

I think it is easier just to keep the 800k in a bank account here, but you can get the retirement extension with proof of income. This income needs the certification and is the bit I can't be arsed with.

Edited June 21, 2010 by jacko

[jeffo999 0]

There is no need to go back 'home' to get a retirement visa, it is an extension off a Non-imm O , and can be achieved (easier I think) in LOS.

Some people do arrive in LOS with an OA visa, a Thailand retirement visa obtained in their home country. A little onerous to get in some countries. Perhaps you have been talking to people who use these.

 

I would think that the O-A visa would almost be guaranteed from your home country as long as you are 50. I have used the Houston Honorary Royal Thai Consulate in the past for non-B visa's so will try them for the O-A this time too.

[torrenova 644]

I would always advise the 800k option because if they ever change it, history has shown that if you are already on that level and they raise it, you are grandfathered in under the old scheme and your rate stays as it was when you signed up. Some people are on way less than 800k a year.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

As far as im aware,there have been no changes in the requirements for retirement extension.

 

The guy returning home after 15 or 18 mnths,maybe be too young to qualify for extension,or maybe just prefers a trip home to see family and get a new O visa.

 

The 800K is definately still the option of a combination of earnings or pension and money in the bank.

The definitive answer!!!

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I would always advise the 800k option because if they ever change it, history has shown that if you are already on that level and they raise it, you are grandfathered in under the old scheme and your rate stays as it was when you signed up. Some people are on way less than 800k a year.

More excellent advice. I have read on Thaivisa.com that there was talk of doubling the requirement. But this may not be as horrible as it seems except for the initial visa.

 

With the current economic situation I would hope that is doubtful (2.5 years for me) but.... Thai logic is not American logic.

[joekicker 53]

More excellent advice. I have read on Thaivisa.com that there was talk of doubling the requirement. But this may not be as horrible as it seems except for the initial visa.

 

I wouldn't believe much of this

 

BUT

 

when this happens, it is almost always sprung suddenly. Very nasty surprises all of a sudden.

 

.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I wouldn't believe much of this

 

BUT

 

when this happens, it is almost always sprung suddenly. Very nasty surprises all of a sudden.

 

.

But not a show stopper for those of us who can afford to apply for the visa.

 

Let's say it is doubled to 1.6 million baht. I for one had planned to live on 800K or less so it is only a matter of coming up with the initial payment, living within my budget and replenishing my account from USA assets yearly.

[joekicker 53]

Let's say it is doubled to 1.6 million baht.

 

Yes and realistically this is 99.9% the worst scenario. In real life in the past, increases have usually been less than 100 per cent, but ALSO those already with visas have been grandfathered at the previous levels. Avoid anyone who says he *knows* what will happen but I'd say you've got the worst-case possibilities covered quite well and I'd bet that when-not-if it eventually happens, it probably will be less of a shock than you've planned.

 

.

[jacko 8,814]

I would think that the O-A visa would almost be guaranteed from your home country as long as you are 50. I have used the Houston Honorary Royal Thai Consulate in the past for non-B visa's so will try them for the O-A this time too.

It might not be guaranteed if you have a police record......

[Emil 0]

There is no need to go back 'home' to get a retirement visa, it is an extension of a Non-imm O , and can be achieved (easier I think) in LOS.

Some people do arrive in LOS with an OA visa, a Thailand retirement visa obtained in their home country. A little onerous to get in some countries. Perhaps you have been talking to people who use these.

 

Another type of visa would be a straight non-imm O multiple which can get you 15 months in LOS.

 

I think it is easier just to keep the 800k in a bank account here, but you can get the retirement extension with proof of income. This income needs the certification and is the bit I can't be arsed with.

 

I helped a freind get his retirement visa this past May. He entered LOS and got the 30 day stamp at BKK, before that expired he went to the US embassy and got his form stating his income was over 65k baht a month, (no proof needed) and then went to Jomtien Immigration and got the retirement visa. The same thing that I did back in 2006, the only difference was that I had to pay 2000 baht for the non immigrant O visa and have it stamped into my passport and then 10 second later stamped used before I preceeded on to the retirement visa desk. My friend just had to pay 3900 baht at the retirement visa desk so they stremlined the process but still collected the same amount of baht.

Edited June 22, 2010 by Emil

[jeffo999 0]

It might not be guaranteed if you have a police record......

 

Good point...good thing I have kept clean.

 

I wonder if the 800k in a Thai bank could be 800k in Bangkok Bank in your home country? At least this way it would be protected.

[jacko 8,814]

Good point...good thing I have kept clean.

 

I wonder if the 800k in a Thai bank could be 800k in Bangkok Bank in your home country? At least this way it would be protected.

No, it is definitely 800k in the bank here.

Even a foreign currency account in LOS would not qualify.

[Old Salty 3]

No, it is definitely 800k in the bank here.

Even a foreign currency account in LOS would not qualify.

That is not totally right, because I have 800 k in a foreign currency savings account and had no problems renewing my retirement visa. The money has to be in a savings account and not in a term deposit account, so that you can access your funds immediately if needed.

[jacko 8,814]

That is not totally right, because I have 800 k in a foreign currency savings account and had no problems renewing my retirement visa. The money has to be in a savings account and not in a term deposit account, so that you can access your funds immediately if needed.

I heard of others being rejected when trying to use a Thai based foreign currency bank acount (equivalent to 800k+ baht), but in my case the bank letter was the important thing...

Retirement Extension: In order to qualify for a 1yr 'extension' for retirement purposes, you must show an official Bank letter confirming a Thai bank statement in the amount of at least 800,000 baht

So I guess if the bank issues the letter, that will suffice.

[Old Salty 3]

I heard of others being rejected when trying to use a Thai based foreign currency bank acount (equivalent to 800k+ baht), but in my case the bank letter was the important thing...

Retirement Extension: In order to qualify for a 1yr 'extension' for retirement purposes, you must show an official Bank letter confirming a Thai bank statement in the amount of at least 800,000 baht

So I guess if the bank issues the letter, that will suffice.

Yes you are right. The bank has to issue a letter and state that the amount of your foreign currency is equal or more than 800,000.00 Baht, but you should have a letter from the bank in any case and not just the savings book.

[jeffo999 0]

This is the info I got...

 

Thank you for your request for information regarding visas for Thailand. When you apply for the visa the bank account should be in the U.S. So if you plan to transfer the funds later that is acceptable. I have attached the forms and information required for this type of visa. If you require additional information please contact the Visa Section at telephone (323) 962-9574 ext 230 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you.

 

 

 

Visa Section

 

Royal Thai Consulate General

 

Los Angeles