garyk

Just now, Nyezhov said:

No its different:

"I, state your name, hereby swear that the attached certified Social Security Staement is a true and exact copy of the SS Statement sent to me by the US Government SS Admin and that the amounts reflected therein are the amounts I receive from the US SS Admin, blah blah blah."

 

You can get certified copies from SS. 

Yes, SS will let you get a copy of your benefits. All the country's I have looked into getting a retirement visa from,  require this.

If the Thai immigration only wants money in the bank. Then it is pretty clear where this is coming from. 

Over 100 billion baht just dropped into the laps of the Thai banking system.

Pretty good payday IMO.

9 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

For all those who say nothing has changed. True, except for one thing.

Why did Thai immigration hold a meeting for embassy representatives in the first place? What's the reason?

Why did they ask the British embassy to verify more thoroughly the income that is covered by the embassy letters?

Could it be that they are starting to realise that the letters from the embassys verify nothing?

Things are definitely going to change, what it means no one knows. 

Looks like a lot of folks are sweating bullets!

Everyone will know soon enough.

And you are married! So the amount drops in half, you are in high cotton.

With that much money coming into a Thai bank, you have no worries what so ever. Have a cold one and enjoy.

3 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

I have no problem proving my income, i can walk right over to JUSMAG and get my proof of income, in fact i am sure i can get someone over there to send it directly to the ACS if need be.  I just called a friend at JUSMAG, he called over there to the ACS to people he knows, they basically told him, Thai visa does not make the rules and I should go drink a beer and relax.

If you can prove it no problems, why even post. You have no worries.

People that do not have 26K dollars to plop down or do not have the 65K coming into a Thai bank need to get their ducks in a row IMO.

As far as nothing changing with the American Embassy? I agree, nothing will change in their way of doing business.

This is what I think is going on.

First the U.S. Embassy does not want to loose it's cash cow! 50 bucks per head for the notarized letter. 

Second, after the BE stopped issuing letters because of pressure by Thai Immigration. I would imagine all expats wanting to re-new the 1 year extension will have to back up all claims.

So nothing has changed for the U.S. embassy what so ever. They will keep collecting the 50 bucks / head for the letter as long as they can.

Only a couple of months away! By Jan. 1st, and beyond all will know. Mine is due in March so not far off. 

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It will have to be a change to a police order order at the least. To take anything other than proof from an embassy will require rescinding a decades old order of some kind. Certainly not something that can be determined at the local immigration office.

After dealing with immigration over the years it wouldn't take much for the immigration dept. to make life miserable for  folks. A simple letter to the immigration dept. from higher ups could be enough. Way before the laws are changed legally. My opinion anyway.

23 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

People who invested heavily bought homes will have to put up with new rules?  What new rules?  Eliminating those unable to put a pittance in the bank will surely not effect anyone able to invest or buy homes.  What new rules are you talking about?

Sure, it sounds like instead of being able to prove you have the 65K monthly income in your home country you will have to put the funds in a Thai bank. If these are the new rules? As of today all you have to prove is you have 65K pension.

That is what I said if you read my post? If you have invested in Thailand you should be able to post 800K in a Thai bank. 

English must not be your first language.

8 minutes ago, watgate said:

You would think with all the problems the thai government is having with the lessening of chinese tourists to Thailand, they would not even consider creating onerous new regulations for long stays in Thailand. I get a pension and social security from the US and would have no problem whatsoever furnishing documentation to immigration at my annual retirement extension to show I meet the income limits for my retirement extension. In fact I always questioned how I could get an income affiidavit from the US Consulate without verifying my income but, nevertheless that was how it was done so I followed the rules. What I would have a big problem with is if I have to now transfer 65k each month into Thailand. This would be expensive and quite cumbersome and would not like to have to do this. I have funds at my disposal which I can access on an as needed basis and my documentation showing my income should be sufficient to comply with the income limits. Also seeing as how I do not reside in Thailand full-time ( I usually stay between 8- 10 months each year) and then go back to the US i would not want to deposit 800k in a thai bank acct. What if I decided, at some point, to stop coming to Thailand each year. Would I have difficulty in withdrawing the funds to take back to the US? Would I be able to convert the thai baht back to US dollars or be able to wire the funds back to the US or would the thai bank give me a hard time? Also, if you put 800k in a thai bank it has to season for x number of months so you would be forced to bring or use more money to live here since you couldn't access your bank acct funds while it was seasoning. I also don't want to have to  be concerned about FATCA reporting requirements by having more then 10k usd in a foreign bank acct. While coming here these past 9 years I have helped my g/f and her daughter a great deal but if these onerous changes are implemented then I will either have to try and start obtaining tourist visas and see how that plays out or just stop coming here and go to another country that is more friendlier to retirees and does not place more burdensome restrictions and onerous new policies on retirees.

Damn you sound like my double.. Lol

Exactly the same here brother. 

IMO they do not want the documentation what so ever, they want the money. This is Thailand... haha

6 minutes ago, quandow said:

I contacted the U.S. embassy about this. Their paraphrased response "Don't know, don't care. Not our job."

I believe it.

I was traveling to India a few years ago and my retirement visa had to be re-newed. I went to the embassy and gave them my visa. They said it needed to be replaced????? I told them and showed them I had a visa for India and plane tickets. They did not care and took it and would not give it back. I had to expedite a new visa, it was expensive and very stressful. 

They did not care in the least!

2 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Not all countries in Asia offer "Retirement" visas but I would say most that do (Indonesia being the only one I can think of that doesn't except the > $3,600pa rent) have financial limits... 2 in Asia spring to mind... 

• Philippines (SRRV) - $20,000 US
• Malaysia (MM2H)  3.5Million MYR or 150,000 MYR + 10,000 MYR monthly income) 

Name me places that don't need to show money in the bank.

 

Sure,

Mexico is one. Actually if an American you don't even need a visa. You can drive your own car across the border and stay 180 days with no problems, turn around come back across the border then go back for another 180 days. I head down to the Yucatan and have never had any problems. Show about 1600 dollars a month SS check and get up to four years and at the end of four years you automatically qualify for residency. 

Colombia, only show prof of income from SS. If you can handle the bland food, and like the women there? 

Peru, another one.

Actually Thailand is another one at the moment. Sounds like it will change? But, at the moment all you have to do is have a pension of 65K or more and you can stay here.

I am sure there are many more. Those three I have looked into personally. Actually I have been traveling a lot south of the border as I get older. Much closer for me to get home, no jet lag. Just a much more pleasant experience as i get older.

The problem is I have developed some ties in Thailand that will be difficult for me to break. But, I am one of the people that do not invest here what so ever, other than having an old pickup I bought 10 years ago. So loosing money is not a concern for me.

The people that sold out in America and came here to retire, bought homes and invested heavily here are the people that will have to put up with the new rules. But, I am sure they have the funds and can stay without any problems.

Regards

2 minutes ago, blackhorse said:

Gee the subprime crisis smashed the real estate sector pretty bad. And people keep saying don't buy in Thailand lol.

May need to look into this a bit deeper. Can foreigners purchase in the USA on tourist visa?

Mine has more than doubled in value the last 15 years! A good solid investment to say the least. It has gone up over 20% in the last two years. I live in a hot spot in Texas though. 

It is predicted to go up another 11% next year. ????

4 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

I agree. I have also kept a small house (around 50K in a rural university town) in the US. Like my summer home but unfortunately I end up there during the snow season ????. If you're 65, medicare will take care of you on US soil. You need emergency fund (as you said) to cover you here in Thailand till you're able to move to the USA.

 

Single people come to Thailand for warm weather, friendly people, good foods, and, of course, if you're lonely with a hope to find a partner. 

Yep, a safety blanket. Kinda makes me feel safe no matter where I am and what is going on around me.  ????

1 hour ago, blackhorse said:

 

Gave you a thumbs up. Keep spreading the word. The more renters out there wealth creating for us land lords the better

Haha, you are welcome. But honestly I put landlords one stop above lawyers... ???? 

3 minutes ago, david555 said:

not all for sure , but some chose to put some money in a condo which they are now short of because the affidavit change , and those are even not in worst position, the real risky are the party bell ringers , every is in a different position , for me no problem unless I just would make that step in the year before my next ret. ext. in next august.... just avoiding myself in an edge situation , it was tempting 

Save yourself the hassle. Rent.

Places here are a dime a dozen. And cheap.

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Hello. Here be someone.

Yes -- PERU requires this and although I'm too lazy to do the research right now I'm pretty sure some other Latin American nations do as well for their RETIROGRANT visa programs. Cheers.

 

I have mentioned this before on many threads. That a feature of the Thai RETIROGRANT scheme is that there is no requirement to IMPORT all the claimed income as opposed to some countries that do require that. A change to requiring full annual IMPORT (on the income type of application anyway, hopefully never happens with the bank method) indeed represents a MAJOR DOWNGRADE in the attractiveness of the Thai RETIROGRANT program. 

 

http://www.rgbavocats.com/es/obtaining-rentista-visa-peru/

 

BTW, PERU is on my radar, specifically Arequipa. Yes they require the import but they give something HUGE in return. Permanent residence and no need for annual renewals! 

 

 

Been to Peru but once years ago. 

Was in Colombia about a year ago now and it was ok. 

Visa very easy to get there it looks like.

Didn't like the women though. Not my cup of tea. hummm

But, will have to admit. After living here for the last few years the visa rules and perks you get are looking very good to me. Especially as i get older now.

23 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

Add Typhoons and Earthquakes. Yes, I lived there (Baguio) and it is a serious downgrade but it is for me with a weakening dollar, in some ways it is cheaper than here and English is much better.

It cannot be any worst than the air quality here every year! I have driven threw Malaysia and southern Thailand several times and was chocking to death. 

I've got to check that place out.

32 minutes ago, Longcut said:

The Philippines is starting to look pretty good right about now. Easier retirement visa and yes, it is actually called a retirement visa. If you have a pension of at least $800.00 a month if single or $1,000.00 a month if accompanied by a spouse and deposit $10,000.00 that may be invested, you get a multi entry visa that is permanent. There may be a rule that you have to leave the country for at least a day every year. That's unclear. Import up to $7,000.00 household goods customs and tax free. 

  Best thing is they speak English and its only 3 1/2 hours from Thailand. They also have a VA hospital if you are a veteran. Tricare is also accepted. If you live there.

 I have until Sept. If the shit hits the fan.

All these years in Asia and I have never been to the Philippines? I am going to have to check it out. Thanks

3 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

You have a good point- I have a few friends who have retirted in Mexico and after a  certain period- they have been allowed to buy into the Mexican Social Security scheme which provides full health care.  Thailand should really allow this as it puts much needed income into the system

Yea, Thailand is a great place. But, as a retirement destination?

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The thing is, most of the people saying they do not need 65K a month/800K a year  to live here have no health insurance nor the necessary savings to pay for a major health care expense, and when asked about it say they can't afford health insurance.

 

Add in the cost of health insurance or true self-insuring (minimum 1 million readily accessible if using government hospitals only, 3-5 if using private, and able to replenish these amounts when/as used) and most people will find they do in fact need not much less than 65K/month.

 

I think what we actually have is people trying to retro fit the amount of money they have into living here and doing so by omitting any provision for health care. With often catastrophic results sooner or later.

The problem with this is when you get older it is difficult to get good insurance that will cover your conditions. I looked into it. 

And yes I agree 65K is a minimum if you include insurance. 

After I looked into it, it made more sense for me keep a small place in America for emergencies. And keep an extra amount for emergencies, here in Thailand, or where ever I travel.  It has served me very well I might add. I have had to have surgery in Colombia, and many small emergencies here in Thailand. After the emergencies I head back home to get the bulk of my medical done.

I hate to say this, I have been here most of 10 years now,  but Thailand is a really bad place to retire IMO. Many other countries offer you their health system coverage after a few years on retirement. At a cost, but never the less it is there.

Thailand is a rather poor place to come for long term retirement for the average joe, like me. 

13 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Well, we have to wait to see how this shakes out. You want a ripoff? Think about having to provide the bank documentation of having the funds ... and still having to provide a letter from the Embassy at a cost of $50.00. Why the need to pay for a letter supporting the Thai bank documentation?

Hopefully the Thai government will step in, and stop this act of piracy. If the Thai government lets this go to the extreme. Then I think we all can assume it will eventually be the case for all expats in Thailand.

Interesting to see how this plays out?

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Seems like a coordinated and highly opportunistic immigration scam to enable banks get the foreign exchange with the 800k bank account requirement.

Agree, the ATM fees here are already crazy high. If it were up to the banks all money would need to be seeded in their banks before a visa was issued.

I am thinking of getting a retirement visa for Colombia next year and the requirements are very easy. Proof of SS income and a private pensions is all that is needed. You can get a letter from SS directly. Or your pension plan directly.

This new 800K bank seeding is a scam IMO.