Gammy

Gammy, no immigration office will transfer the visa stamp to the new passport, but any immigration office should be able to transfer the validity of an extension of stay to the new passport, not just the office that issued the extension. I suggest you call the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok to ask for clarification.

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Maestro

Many thanks for that Maestro

Welcome and TIT. Why do we have immi's spread all over the country, if they do not do their job?

I have nowwhere read as yet that I have to do my visa matters in the region I live, but such a message also tells me that it is best to have everything

done at Suan Plu in Bangkok.

Thanks for the reply gzu8u8by.

It would be a bonus to have this done in Bangkok as it would halve my round trip. However they told me at Nong Khai that even Bangkok immigration could not do this transfer. Only Phuket. Do you think I've been mis-informed?

I have a retirement visa expering in November and issued by Phuket immigration.

I recently moved from Phuket to Udon Thani and en-route renewed my passport at the British Embassy in Bangkok.

I received the new passport together with the cancelled old one a few days ago. I took these to immigration at Nong Khai and asked them to transfer the stamp to my new passport.

The first problem was that they would not accept my new passport without an authorised letter from the British Embassy. Luckily I obtained a notorised letter from them regarding my income and this seemed to satisfy them.

The next problem was that theywould not transfer the visa stamp and that I would have to return to Phuket immigration to get this done. This is quite a trek from Udon Thani and this whole process is becoming very expensive.

Has anyone else had a similar experience. I'd appreciate any comments.

Went to Phuket immigration two days ago to renew my retirement visa.. In previous years I was in and out in 30 minuets. This time I had to wait three hours. I've never seen so many farangs waiting for visas. I was worried that my 2002 validation from the British embassy comfirming my pension would not be enough. No problem. When I was eventually seen I was processed whithin 20 minutes.I have to say that the conduct of the immigration officers was admirable to all. They were calm, compasionate, and emphatic, and to me personally very courteous. The purpose of this post is that I witnessed some deplorable behaviour by some farangs waiting for no more than one hour. They were arrogant, rude and disrespectful to the staff that were trying to do their best. No wonder we hear of negative feedback from farangs trying to get permission to stay in this wonderful country.If I were an immigration officer I know how I'ld deal with them!!

Hi,

I'm due to renew my retirement visa in Phuket. I have done this with the validation from the British Embassy that I have a pension, for life, in excess of 65000 Baht per month since 2004. I thought this was valid until my passport expires. However, I read some posts that this was not now acceptable. Can anyone bring me up to date please? What can I do to ensure a 12 month retiremenr visa?

Nearing the end of my first week in Bangkok.

Was granted a retirement visa without any real hassle, although they made me open an account with a Thai bank with a minimal deposit, despite being satisfied with my annual pension.

They told me that when I apply to renew the visa next year I must show a letter from my Thai bank that I have made regular deposits from the UK. I can do this ok but it costs for transfers, whereas I can withdraw money from my UK account using my ATM card. This is free and gives a good exchange rate. Would they accept evidence from the ATM receipts?

Can you claim VAT back on a retirement visa for goods purchased?

Appreciate any advise on these matters.

Thanks

Gammy

Has anyone had any dealings with the BKK branch of HSBC?

Appreciate any information.

Sorry Rinrada but I don't quite understand the Flex card.

Where can I get this ATM card or any other card that gives interbank exchange rates?

Thanks MaiChai.

I've explored this posibility but the only problem is, the exchange rate is applied by the UK bank which is a lot lower than the Thai rate of exchange. If £500 were whithdrawn over a month the loss is about £40.

Does anyone know if a Thai bank will accept a UK bankers draft?

Many thanks all. Very helpful.

The cheapest transfer I've found is £14 up to 5 days, or £20 next day, max £10000.

I tried citibank in London but they require a minimum £30000 annual income (I don't even come close to that).

I thought of bankers draft, registered, posted by my daughter every month but that seems a bit risky.

I didn't realise the Bangkok Bank had a branch in London. Thanks for that. I'll give them a try.

Thanks.

Any recommendations for reliable banks in BKK that don't charge to much for international transfers?

Can anyone assist please.....

What's a cheap and efficient way to transfer a regular monthly amount of money from my UK bank to a Thai bank?

Any information regarding this subject would be appreciated.

Many thanks

I realise that your talents lie in the IT,  but have you considered teaching English.

There may be a problem that English is not your native tongue, but if you get yourself a teaching qualification e.g. TESOL it may be worth a try.

I'm not sure what the criterea is for an English teacher in Thailand i.e. degree or TESOL or both, but if you can find a school to take you on then they should arrange your 12 month visa for you.

There are many teaching jobs available in Asia particularly for young people.

Have a look at the sites below and you may be able to find the answers to my doubts or maybe someone in this forum will know.

Try Dave's ESL Cafe at www.eslcafe.com and Stickman at

www.stickmanbangkok.com

Good luck!!

Hi Roguetrader

Because it is my intention to apply for a retirement visa when I get to Thailand I applied by post to the Birmingham Consulate for a multi entry Non-Immigrant 'O' Visa. This allows you to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days and allows you to leave and re-enter for as many times as you want within a period of 12 months from the date of issue. I think I've got that right.

Fortunately I got mine at the old cost of £30 but it's gone up and is now £90.

To obtain this I had to send a completed application form, my passport valid for at least 6 months, 2 recent passport sized photographs, a postal order for the appropriate fee(they don't accept cheques), a pre paid registered letter, a copy of a recent bank statement showing that you have enough funds to support yourself while you are there(no minimum deposits or proof of income required), and a covering letter stating the reason you require that type of visa i.e. to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand. It's advisable to send this via registered mail.

The address is Royal Thai Consulate, Exchange Buildings, Stephenson Place, Birmingham, B2 4NN. The telephone No is 0121 6439481 and the fax is 0121 4493334.

I would advise you to give them a ring. They're most helpful.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Luv the poem!

Gammy

Thanks for the advice jonwilly and lopburi.

I spent a year teaching in Korea and three weeks in Thailand on the way back home.

I am aware of the cultural differences and know you have to adapt to their ways and stick with it.

The humidity is something that I can do without but will persevere and try to live with it. I'm told that in time it gets easier.

After I left Thailand I was sure that when I retired I would live there.

If the worst happens then I have a return ticket to the UK.

You can enter Thailand for up to 90 days as many times as you wish during the time that the visa is valid (one year?).

AFAIK there is no increase in deposit required yet and suspect that if it does increase in the future those who are already in the system will continue with the same requirements they entered with.

Thanks for the info Lopburi

Is that from date of issue or date of entry?

The dealings I've just had with the Consulate in Birmingham, from my first phone call asking for advice, to receiving my visa has been trouble free. They couldn't have been more helpful and obliging.

I was advised to submit the application before the 22nd Aug to avoid the increased fees. This I did but put a covering letter asking them to date it from 22nd so that I could get the maximum time from it at the old fee of £30. They have obliged and I received a multiple entry non-immigrant 'O' type visa today. I would thouroughly recommend using them. All this was done by registered post.

My intention is to use this to obtain a retirement visa when I get to Bangkok. However due to the recent posts about the increase in the deposit required for retirees and the Philippines being an alternative I may forgoe that and take a trip over there after the 90 days, and if I like it stay there.

I know that the visa that I have allows me to stay for up to 90 days but what does the multiple entry condition allow me to do? Can anyone tell me please?

 ???

Thanks

Gammy      

I enquired about opening a Nationwide account today.

It is true that they don't charge for the use of Atm machines with their card, but the exchange rate is applied in the uk.

At the moment the Post Office and my bank's (Nat West)exchange rate for Baht is about 62.55. Nationwides exchange rate is about 59.8. Ok for small amounts but hits hard on the larger withdrawals.

Also they charge £20 to transfer money as opposed to £10 by my bank.

My documents are with the Thai Consulate in Birmingham at the moment. I'm just hoping they'll issue me with a non-immigrant "O" visa.

Gammy

What did you ask for????????

What forms did you submit?

Hi again Nakhon

Forgot to say my pension fund will not pay directly into a Thai bank, but my bank will transfer funds for £10 per month. I'm thinking that ATM may be better??

Gammy

My documents are with the Thai Consulate in Birmingham at the moment. I'm just hoping they'll issue me with a non-immigrant "O" visa.

Gammy

What did you ask for????????

What forms did you submit?

Thanks Nakhon

I submitted an aplication for a non-immigrant "0" multiple entry visa valid for 90 days with all the necessary documents and a bank statement showing that I could support myself for those 90 days.

I spoke to the Birmingham Consulate twice and found them to be very helpful. They told me to submit the application before the 22nd August with a covering letter of explanation and the £30 fee and they would issue the visa from the 22nd.

He didn't seem to think that there would be any trouble in BKK obtaining the retirement visa if i could show the combination of my pension and deposit would be 800000 Bht. I'll have to wait and see now.

I've since read posts that the Hull Consulate is very user friendly. However, as I said I have found Birmingham very good so far. I'll let you know the final outcome with them.

Ummmm where's Suan Plu????

 ???

Remember that the Immigration were probably being

Ultra strict will Redwood because he entered the Kingdom on a Tourist Visa

Hence our advice to you to make sure you have an O-A Visa

Roger, I hadn't thought of this and this may be the case although there was never any hint that my having a tourist visa was part of the problem.  He essentially ignored the option of using pension income as a part of the process - i.e. when I brought up the possibility it seemed as if to him the option simply didn't exist.

I agree that "Gammy" should obtain an O-A in UK.

I'm currently in California and I'm going to apply for an O-A  as I think I've found a way to avoid the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles which has a reputation of being very user unfriendly.

-redwood

Roger and Redwood

If it is the case that this guy won't recognise a pension, is there a system of appeal, and who to? Or doesn't that sort of thing happen in Thailand?

Gammy

Hi Gammy,

All is NOT lost

Remember that the Immigration were probably being

Ultra strict will Redwood because he entered the Kingdom on a Tourist Visa

Hence our advice to you to make sure you have an O-A Visa

The Regulations do say - Pension OR Deposit

OR a combination of them.

Roger

Thanks Roger

That's a relief.

My documents are with the Thai Consulate in Birmingham at the moment. I'm just hoping they'll issue me with a non-immigrant "O" visa.

I'm not due to leave until November 15 so I should be able to meet the three month expiry date and it gives me plenty of time to arrange everything here.

I feel a bit vulnerable not knowing much about the prcedures, so thanks

Gammy

In my conversations with Kuhn Pallop at Suan Plu Immigration in Bangkok earlier this year, he will only issue a retirement visa with 800K baht in a Thai bank.  He will not allow the use of any part of a pension in the process.  On the other hand he was allowing application using a 60 day tourist visa and then changing that to an O visa without the applicant having to leave Thailand to obtain an O visa.

As "jonwilly" indicates the authorities in Chiang Mai have a differing approach to the financial requirements.

-redwood

Hi Redwood

This is disturbing information. I can manage the pension and the deposit but not the deposit on it's own.

I've made all the reservations in BKK now and can't change them.

I looks as though I can wave goodbye to a retirement visa.

Any sugestions? Any rights of appeal or is he all powerful?

Gammy

Thanks for the time and effort taken by all those who sent information. It was a great help!

Gammy