kuma

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is not a gread choice for info.

Better info here on the embassy in Tokyo's website. http://site.thaiembassy.jp/en/visa/type/397/

Thanks UJ, that is very specific to my circumstance.

Considering all the available options, at this point I like best your original suggestion, come here on a 30 day VoA and proceed. I know the immigration office here so provided the staff stay, they will be familiar with me and it is a very good office so that probably would work the best.

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Where did you find those requirements.

The are lot different than what is normally required.

I saw that on the Siam Legal website

https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-visa/90-Day-Thailand-Visa.php

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Only if you are a legal resident of Japan would you be able to apply there.

Oh I see. Ok well that then puts paid to that option. The IO here did not mention that (perhaps he did not know or assumed I was Japanese - the latter being a real stretch on his part) ????

So in that case the options are let it slide and return on a 30 day VoA and proceed, or top up to 800k and renew existing and let that sit.

All that said,  if I am working there, I am not sure if I would have a status = to resident or not, will have to check.

Thanks UJ, and all the other contributors

On 12/23/2019 at 1:10 PM, Jaxxper said:

For Thb 1,900 plus an exit permit, why wouldn’t you maintain it ? The continuous approval to stay might have some benefit in the future if they change the sum to be deposited or some other rule. Of course you’d have to maintain the Thb 800 k / Thb 400 k for the year. Just a thought.

Yes you have a point there, along the lines of what the OP mentioned as well, about risk of the rules changing.

I have not yet discarded that as an idea. What gives me pause is that rather than tying up that 800k doing nothing, I could have it actively engaged generating income for the 1+ years.

If they were to increase the amount required again, it probably would impact current holders as well, but there could be a grandfather clause so you are correct that there is an element of risk there.

Thanks for the input, appreciate all the comments. A great thread.

Cheers

On 12/23/2019 at 4:10 PM, Suradit69 said:

He said he was from Canada so he should be eligible for the 90 day non Imm O at an immigrations office in Thailand. He did not say he was getting a visa in Canada.

Yes, regarding my origin/place of potential application - I am Canadian and can meet all the posted requirements for a non-imm 90 day (the 'invitation letter' I am trying to get more info on from UJ) but I would in all likelihood be applying for the 90 day from Tokyo (not Canada), if I choose to go that route over doing a 30 day VoA here and continuing on based on that process.

My local IO here told me that I would need a health check up here to go from a 30 day VoA to a 90 day non-imm and then one year extension, but that I would not need to do that if I obtained a 90 day non-imm from Tokyo. I would not have a problem with a health check up today, but again there is risk there if we are talking a few years out.

Cheers

7 hours ago, Momofarang said:

@kuma You plan is to come back in one or two years time; so bear in mind that there have been extensive changes to the retirement requirements over the past 18 months, and there could be more to come.

Are we absolutely certain that the non-O for retirement will still be available in 2021 or 2022?

Momo

I hear you things can change in a blink, but I am thinking as UJ has said, that it will still be available.

If they were to consider some drastic change, I would hope it would be telegraphed enough in advance that I could apply under the current process before it changed.

It is a crazy world out there now and I think you are correct there is some level of risk, but small imo

Cheers

On 12/22/2019 at 4:14 PM, ubonjoe said:

No need to get a new entry during the process. You can apply for a 30 day extension of the 30 day visa exempt entry you would get for a fee of 1900 baht.

UJ

An update. Immigration suggested I apply for the 90 day Non-Imm in the country where I am working, instead of doing the VoA and extension. Have you found that to be more complex?

I read the following as requirements:

Requirements

Applicants for 90-Day Non-Immigrant visa to Thailand must demonstrate that they are neither a public or security threat to the Thai government. Further, the applicants must be physically present in the country where they lodge their visa application. The general requirements for this type of visa are as follows:

• A passport with at least 6-month validity from the date of your intended arrival in Thailand.

• An invitation or confirmation letter to clarify the purpose of travel issued by the concerned organization.

• Additional supporting document requested by the Royal Thai embassy or consulate.

• Proof of financial funds and travel itinerary.

• Embassy fee.

The visa applicants are advised to apply for their visa either by mail or in person at the Royal Thai embassy or consulate in their home country.

Cheers

All others, thanks for the contributions and lively discussion! Will reply to some of the messages. It can be a real spaghetti bowl if you consider too many options.

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to apply for the visa and extension at the same office.

Ah ok, so then get a 30 visa on arrival at immigration when landing, then apply for 90 day Non Imm O in the province, which I can then extend at 60+ days? Is that the process map? I suspect somewhere in all that I would need another border crossing as well?

Cheers

22 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It will not be that hard to apply again. It is the same as applying or the first time.

You first would need to apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry at immigration. The 800k baht only has to be in the bank on the date you apply. You would need to show proof the 800k baht was transferred from abroad.

Then you would apply for the one year extension based upon retirement during  the last 30 day of the 90 day entry from the visa. The 800k baht would then need to be in the bank for 2 months.

UJ, good day

After all these years, as usual I can always count on informative replies when it comes to you. Thanks very much as always for the time and effort you put in.

I hear what you are saying, upon arrival if I apply for a 90 day Imm O (I'm from Canada so I should be eligible) then I could visit the immigration office of the province where I register my residence in the final month, having deposited 800k on or before the day of my re-arrival to Thailand, and I would then have passed the threshold for 60 days deposit, and I could qualify for a new "retirement" visa - and get out from under Jomtien immigration, which, other than the dragon, I have to say have been pleasant to deal with, but the crowds are huge! Out here in the sticks it is a much more pleasant experience.

I will go visit the local office here tomorrow as well, just to be sure they align with this and I give them a heads up in advance.

I hope I have interpreted your message correctly - please advise if I went astray.

Have a great day, merry xmas and happy holidays Joe.

Cheers

Good day

Searching the threads I did not find much on this particular thought so I made a new thread rather than hijack an existing unrelated one.

I have lived here about 17 years now, on a mix of working and retirement visas. I have had a retirement visa for three years now, it will be ready to renew in April 2020.

I have the opportunity to work overseas for a contract period of a year and am considering it.

My question to the forum is how difficult is it if I were to let my existing visa lapse, then apply for a new one once I return? Is it as simple as ensure I have the 800k in the bank +60 days before, land and get a visa on arrival and then go thru the motions to re-apply - which I guess would include having to exit the country once and return as part of the process? My existing visa I made in Jomtien, and had to deal with the backroom dragon to get it. On return, I would have a registered address in another province, so I could apply there (much more civilized office) and get out from the Jomtien visa - which would be another big plus if I could anage that.

If it is not overly complex, I am thinking of that as an option as opposed to leaving 800k in the bank here for the period I am away, simply to be able to extend my existing - I do not see the need to leave that $ fallow here if I can easily re-apply once I return (the contract may exceed one year hence the question)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

15 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I may need an important document from the US notarized. The lawyer there said because Thailand is not an apostille treaty country my only choice is to use the US embassy. So the obvious question is is there a local notary that is authorized for US matters?

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I have never needed to notarize anything for the US, so cannot comment.

As per above I tried to call Thai Euro Law today - 038 426 665, but the line was very poor (two attempts) and I could not hear them ???? , but its not far for me so in the next day or so I will go over to see them - I can ask about US notary services.

2 minutes ago, topt said:

Thai Euro law as mentioned still do this.

Topt cheers for that, will look them up this week.

On 3/5/2018 at 2:48 PM, dabhand said:

I used Thai Euro Law a couple of years back. They are opposite the entrance to Big C at the top of South Pattaya road.

 

Only charged Bt500 for a page at that time. Don't know current charge, but might be worth a shot.

Good day

Anyone have a 2019 update on Notaries in Banglamung?

I am need of the service and would prefer not having to go to Bkk - hoping there are registered agents here.

Thanks in advance!

6 hours ago, moana said:

Schwab US stopped accepting (non-US-person) Thai residents around the end of 2017. It started opening such accounts with Schwab Singapore instead.

 

Only Schwab US provides the oh-so-precious debit card and other useful capabilities (e.g. ACH).

 

Schwab Singapore is closing shop now, but it's too early to tell whether Schwab US will change its policy and re-accept Thai residents again.

 

I wouldn't take support's word for it so early in the process (<deleted>, they didn't even know it's happening when you started the call!). There's still hope.

 

You mean alternative broker. It depends on a bunch of factors, but basically, it's hard to go wrong with Interactive Brokers. Make sure to open the account with IB US, and not IB HK. If you are being redirected to IB HK then use a VPN for the account opening process (you don't need to lie about your address or anything, Thai residents are allowed to have IB US accounts).

 

Once you have the account you should be able to ACAT your securities from Schwab Singapore to IB (no charge from IB).

 

I see the opposite really. More and more options are opening up. Organizations, including financial ones, become more global and try to aim at broader audiences. It's a good time to be a global citizen.

Moana

Great poat, thanks.

Schwab Singapore called me thus AM to confirm they are closing and indeed they will not accept Thai residents at Schwab international.

I hear your point about being a global citizen but I think there has to be an aspect of this related to having to insure depositors and they're trying to offload some risk. Other than that why would they want to just disallow the business by not letting people move to Schwab International. I will try interactive brokers and hopefully TD is still operating internationally. I have been with DBS in Singapore and that is an option but their fee structure is not very good.

Cheers

On 9/3/2019 at 12:02 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Schwab has two different types of accounts, domestic U.S. and international. Both can provide the no fee debit card. But the international account typically has a $25,000 or so opening balance requirement, whereas the U.S. account typically has no opening balance requirement.

 

The international account also is restricted from making certain kinds of investment transactions, such as not being able to buy U.S. mutual funds.

 

You typically need some kind of valid U.S. address and a U.S. Social Security # or TIN# in order to open a U.S. account with Schwab.

 

 

You don't need to be a U.S. citizen to open a Schwab international account:

 

 

But the international Schwab accounts come with the same fee-free, ATM fee refunding VISA debit card as the U.S. ones:

 

 

 

TallGuyJohn/all other Schwab clients

I am a Schwab Singapore client. Tonight i received an email saying the bank is closing, we have til YE to find an alternative. I called the international help line, at first they said it must be spam as they had not heard of such a move. Put me on hold and they checked, came back and said yes it is true, and customers from Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia (at a minimum, maybe more countries) would NOT be allowed to join Schwab international, all have to find an alternative bank.

Have others on the forum that bank with Schwab seen this? Does anyone have more info?

Also, does anyone have recommendations for alternative banks? I dont know if this is a canary in the coal mine, and tge shole thing is coming down, or there is agreement that there is hoing to be a squeeze on expat banking, but it has been a shocker!

Not only did tge help line not know about it, the Schwab Singapore website had no obvious notice and is still allowing you to sign up. 

Cheers

6 hours ago, Shoban said:

Pretty crazy list, seeing that retirement is more about stretching your money yet still affording some luxuries that can come with that? Here is a list that came in some email marketing i received last week. Takes the top 3 countries you can stretch your USD $300k

 

No.3 Malaysia

How many years $300K will last for renters: 40.52 Annual cost of rent: $4,725 Annual grocery cost: $2,141.16 Annual utilities cost: $537.48   Malaysia has the third-lowest annual utilities cost of all of the countries on this list. The country also has the third-lowest annual grocery cost. Via the country’s Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme, foreigners can qualify to stay in the country on a multiple-entry social visit pass, which is initially issued for 10 years. English is commonly spoken in this country. In general, Malaysians have a laid-back and relaxed attitude. All-year-round tropical weather, modern infrastructure and a vibrant night life makes Malaysia a haven for retirees and tourists alike.  Link to programme www.movetomalaysia.co.uk   No.2 Mexico   How many years $300K will last for renters: 42.60 Annual cost of rent: $4,783.11 Annual grocery cost: $1,829.76 Annual utilities cost: $429   Choosing Mexico as your retirement destination can help you stretch a $300,000 nest egg over decades. Mexico has the lowest annual utilities cost of all of the countries on the list and the lowest annual grocery cost. A bank balance of at least $80,000 — can help retirees qualify for permanent residency. Although Mexico’s Constitution states that the country is multilingual — due to the different indigenous languages spoken there — Spanish is the most widely spoken.   No.1 Sri Lanka   How many years $300K will last for renters: 55.01 Annual cost of rent: $3,056.97 Annual grocery cost: $1,943.40 Annual utilities cost: $453.24   Sri Lanka has the second-lowest annual utilities cost of all of the countries on this list. The country also has the second-lowest annual grocery cost. Foreign nationals who are at least 55 years old and have a monthly income of at least $15,000 are eligible for Sri Lanka’s two-year renewable “dream home” visa. The two official languages of the country are Sinhalese and Tamil. Only around 10% of the country speaks English, which is primarily used for business purposes, but the people have a reputation for being warm and friendly.

Sri Lanka wants a monthly income of $15,000 to qualify! Nope. Also spent enough time in south India, not nice at all, if SL is similar. NTY

Malaysia, nice country I hear (only transited KL), but long term compatibility with majority religion would concern me.

Mexico, just violent. Most of central and South America seems to suffer from this. Used to have a winter home in the Rio Grande, on the Texas side, - and 30 years ago was ok (Matamorros, Progresso, etc). Now no thanks. Pockets of Mexico are of course safe but no flexibility to get up and go, you have to plan any tripping around there carefully I imagine - just my thought.

23 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Look on the bright side - it'll be a day out !

Exactly - perhaps best to not fight it, go for a look around somewhere that suits you and come back

"The Canadian dollar, or loonie, is worth about 75 U.S. cents, offering an instant 25% savings on many expenses."

Obviously economics is not a strong part of this writers background.

12 hours ago, RoadWarrior371 said:

If the lost interest income on ~25k USD is going to change your lifestyle, you probably should not be retired anyway. 

 

 

 

If one gets a month of living off the proceeds of investing $25k then that is an 8.3% hit on income.

That, coupled with ongoing inflation, can be a significant hit for many.

Indeed likely more than 50% of people in NA could not retire now, here or anywhere.

So yes I think there would be a lot of people just on the bubble for whom an 8% hit to fixed income could be an issue - perhaps not fatal but again with inflation also eating at PP this would be yet another hit to absorb.

For those who had the discipline/foresight/luck etc to arrange for a comfortably funded retirement, kudos. But we are not in the majority to be sure.

On 7/31/2019 at 1:02 PM, CMNightRider said:

The last time I checked, the air quality problem during the burning season has been here for decades.  As I previously mentioned, the loonie idea of depositing 800,000 baht into a Thai bank rather than having the flexibility to keep your money in western banks or brokerage firms was the last straw for many expats.

 

The TM form idea has increased the 20% of foreigners who are leaving. ???? 

I miss the investing and compounding of the 800k but as I have set it up it is 800k one time, then I will top up at visa - 90 days. I live for the year off that 800k so only a portion is long term tied up, about 400-500k. I have had work visas then moved to a retirement visa here. I never did use the income letter system so I do not feel the sting as much as those who did. My one close friend that did was not bothered, he just deposited 800K and is done with it. The Thai perspective,  requiring short term residents to have adequate proven resources to manage a major health issue / requirement to repatriate, etc. - I can understand. But I also see the visa holders angst, 800k with a 6% return, for many that is at least a months day to day money so that loss of income generation can sting. Air quality would be the show stopper for me, so I am located where it is not an issue - if that were to change, then I would likely leave,

On 7/28/2019 at 4:06 AM, blowin said:

Will be building a new home in Chan next year the secret is out lol.

SSSssshhhhHH!!

4 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

i thought i was the only one who wears sport socks around the house.

Slippery as hell, for sure no good for pursuing night crawlers...

Is this story real? That is a level of situational awareness that I can hardly imagine - who would be so careless, hey is it April 1?

On 6/22/2019 at 5:31 PM, khunano said:

Mouthwatering..... I have very fond memories of Chanthaburi, one of my favourite provinces in Thailand

Dont tell anyone about your positive experiences in Chan, everyone stay away - killer mosquitos, deadly elephants, no bars, go the other way.....TY

22 hours ago, pt1001 said:

So i can stay maximum 6 months?

It was mentioned you can get an "elite" visa for 100k THB / year - or about $3200 USD, likely the cost of one trip here, if coming for a week from Spain and not going overboard.

So there is that legitimate option. If working FT and making a $, it could be the best alternative, there are other benefits that come with it - not sure what they are (insurance, VIP type privileges etc), but they be of value to you if working FT and traveling frequently.

Thailand also has programs for specific people with skills under the Thailand 4.0 and the EEC incentive programs. Depending "what you do for who how" there may be a way to qualify for one of those visas - you would have to check the websites to see if there is a fit.

So many places to stay in Thailand - exponentially more if you plan to learn the language. Rent for sure, and I would start with short term as there are so many surprises that you only discover once settled (good and bad). So no rush to pick a long term place, plenty available.

You can get a 90 day visa to start and then take time to decide if it works for you, what other visa options there are and the like.

Have fun, good luck.