O Visa V Retirement Visa

[esprit]

Any body's thoughts and experiences and advice are appreciated as 2 recent visits to immigration here in BKK has left me confused so would be grateful for any feedback.

Currently I am here on a multi entry O VISA as I have wife and little child who are Thai living in our Condo we bought 5 years ago from funds remitted from the UK. My idea was to get extension to this ( rather than returning to UK as previously and getting a new one ) as ultimately I wish to have sufficient extensions to apply for residancy. As I still would like multi-entry facility without hassle of getting re-entry permit etc. Immigration yesterday say that for this extension the 400k in Thai bank is no longer accepted for an extension. Must show income of 40k per month. So first questions are:

1) Has anybody had a statement of income notarised at the British Embassy in BKK and what proof is needed ( I am aware the US Embassy only needs a sworn statement of income)

2) Given this proof of income will the extension, if granted, still be multi-entry ?

Alternativly the very nice man (not ) at Suan Plu advised that I should get a Retirement VISA as for this I only need to show 800k in Thai bank OR an income of 65k per month or a combination thereof. He repeated twice that I do not need a medical certificate. So questions here are:-

1) Reading other topics it appears that the monthly income requirement varies with age! i.e. 50 years it needs to be 65k/month - 55 yrs - 50k and for over 60 it is only 20k per month. Anybody advise the facts please especially is this to be net or gross figures paid in UK.

2) Is medical certificate required or not?

3) How easy is it to get re-entry permit and how much and with what hassle ?

4) Money has to be in my Bank or can it be a combination of mine and my wifes bank accounts and her shares in Thai companies?

5) Given a medical certificate is required, anybody suggest best place in BKK for getting this and what does it entail

And finally why is it that the authorities deem that I need 40k per month for O VISA to apparently to live on whereas if I was retired I need 65K ( or perhaps 50 if over 55 ? Do retired people need to spend more on imported Santogen or Viagra perhaps? I guess by 60 they assume what ever it is you are needing or doing you can't remember anyway so over 60's only need 20K per month to pay for the full-time 18 year-old nurse !!!

Dave

Edited January 27, 2007 by daveupson

[Lancelot]

Any body's thoughts and experiences and advice are appreciated as 2 recent visits to immigration here in BKK has left me confused so would be grateful for any feedback.

Currently I am here on a multi entry O VISA as I have wife and little child who are Thai living in our Condo we bought 5 years ago from funds remitted from the UK. My idea was to get extension to this ( rather than returning to UK as previously and getting a new one ) as ultimately I wish to have sufficient extensions to apply for residancy. As I still would like multi-entry facility without hassle of getting re-entry permit etc. Immigration yesterday say that for this extension the 400k in Thai bank is no longer accepted for an extension. Must show income of 40k per month. So first questions are:

1) Has anybody had a statement of income notarised at the British Embassy in BKK and what proof is needed ( I am aware the US Embassy only needs a sworn statement of income)

2) Given this proof of income will the extension, if granted, still be multi-entry ?

Alternativly the very nice man (not ) at Suan Plu advised that I should get a Retirement VISA as for this I only need to show 800k in Thai bank OR an income of 65k per month or a combination thereof. He repeated twice that I do not need a medical certificate. So questions here are:-

1) Reading other topics it appears that the monthly income requirement varies with age! i.e. 50 years it needs to be 65k/month - 55 yrs - 50k and for over 60 it is only 20k per month. Anybody advise the facts please especially is this to be net or gross figures paid in UK.

2) Is medical certificate required or not?

3) How easy is it to get re-entry permit and how much and with what hassle ?

4) Money has to be in my Bank or can it be a combination of mine and my wifes bank accounts and her shares in Thai companies?

5) Given a medical certificate is required, anybody suggest best place in BKK for getting this and what does it entail

And finally why is it that the authorities deem that I need 40k per month for O VISA to apparently to live on whereas if I was retired I need 65K ( or perhaps 50 if over 55 ? Do retired people need to spend more on imported Santogen or Viagra perhaps? I guess by 60 they assume what ever it is you are needing or doing you can't remember anyway so over 60's only need 20K per month to pay for the full-time 18 year-old nurse !!!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I am American and 54.

1) I have always reported a pension =/> 65,000 THB

2) I've never presented or been asked for a medical certificate (or police check for that matter)

3) Re-entry permits are easy to get at Suan Plu, just pay the fee and wait

4) I am single, don't know about combining assets.

5) Not required

Hope this helps,

Lance

[astral]

1. Medical cert. You will need this for a retirement visa , but not for marriage.

It is easily obtained from a local hospital, cost around 100 baht.

2. Married requires a family income of 40K, money in the bank no longer acceptable.

3. Retirement requires YOU to have an income of 65K a month or 800K in the bank.

Your wife does not come into it.

4. Yes, married life is cheaper than retirement.

5. Once you have the one year extension you will also need a re-entry permit if you wish to travel.

This can be multi-entry.

If you forget this and leave the country you visa will expire and you will have to start all over again.

Sorry cannot comment on what the British Embassy wants to see.

Give them a call Tel: +66 (0) 2 305 8333

[esprit]

Any body's thoughts and experiences and advice are appreciated as 2 recent visits to immigration here in BKK has left me confused so would be grateful for any feedback.

Currently I am here on a multi entry O VISA as I have wife and little child who are Thai living in our Condo we bought 5 years ago from funds remitted from the UK. My idea was to get extension to this ( rather than returning to UK as previously and getting a new one ) as ultimately I wish to have sufficient extensions to apply for residancy. As I still would like multi-entry facility without hassle of getting re-entry permit etc. Immigration yesterday say that for this extension the 400k in Thai bank is no longer accepted for an extension. Must show income of 40k per month. So first questions are:

1) Has anybody had a statement of income notarised at the British Embassy in BKK and what proof is needed ( I am aware the US Embassy only needs a sworn statement of income)

2) Given this proof of income will the extension, if granted, still be multi-entry ?

Alternativly the very nice man (not ) at Suan Plu advised that I should get a Retirement VISA as for this I only need to show 800k in Thai bank OR an income of 65k per month or a combination thereof. He repeated twice that I do not need a medical certificate. So questions here are:-

1) Reading other topics it appears that the monthly income requirement varies with age! i.e. 50 years it needs to be 65k/month - 55 yrs - 50k and for over 60 it is only 20k per month. Anybody advise the facts please especially is this to be net or gross figures paid in UK.

2) Is medical certificate required or not?

3) How easy is it to get re-entry permit and how much and with what hassle ?

4) Money has to be in my Bank or can it be a combination of mine and my wifes bank accounts and her shares in Thai companies?

5) Given a medical certificate is required, anybody suggest best place in BKK for getting this and what does it entail

And finally why is it that the authorities deem that I need 40k per month for O VISA to apparently to live on whereas if I was retired I need 65K ( or perhaps 50 if over 55 ? Do retired people need to spend more on imported Santogen or Viagra perhaps? I guess by 60 they assume what ever it is you are needing or doing you can't remember anyway so over 60's only need 20K per month to pay for the full-time 18 year-old nurse !!!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I am American and 54.

1) I have always reported a pension =/> 65,000 THB

2) I've never presented or been asked for a medical certificate (or police check for that matter)

3) Re-entry permits are easy to get at Suan Plu, just pay the fee and wait

4) I am single, don't know about combining assets.

5) Not required

Hope this helps,

Lance

[esprit]

Any body's thoughts and experiences and advice are appreciated as 2 recent visits to immigration here in BKK has left me confused so would be grateful for any feedback.

Currently I am here on a multi entry O VISA as I have wife and little child who are Thai living in our Condo we bought 5 years ago from funds remitted from the UK. My idea was to get extension to this ( rather than returning to UK as previously and getting a new one ) as ultimately I wish to have sufficient extensions to apply for residancy. As I still would like multi-entry facility without hassle of getting re-entry permit etc. Immigration yesterday say that for this extension the 400k in Thai bank is no longer accepted for an extension. Must show income of 40k per month. So first questions are:

1) Has anybody had a statement of income notarised at the British Embassy in BKK and what proof is needed ( I am aware the US Embassy only needs a sworn statement of income)

2) Given this proof of income will the extension, if granted, still be multi-entry ?

Alternativly the very nice man (not ) at Suan Plu advised that I should get a Retirement VISA as for this I only need to show 800k in Thai bank OR an income of 65k per month or a combination thereof. He repeated twice that I do not need a medical certificate. So questions here are:-

1) Reading other topics it appears that the monthly income requirement varies with age! i.e. 50 years it needs to be 65k/month - 55 yrs - 50k and for over 60 it is only 20k per month. Anybody advise the facts please especially is this to be net or gross figures paid in UK.

2) Is medical certificate required or not?

3) How easy is it to get re-entry permit and how much and with what hassle ?

4) Money has to be in my Bank or can it be a combination of mine and my wifes bank accounts and her shares in Thai companies?

5) Given a medical certificate is required, anybody suggest best place in BKK for getting this and what does it entail

And finally why is it that the authorities deem that I need 40k per month for O VISA to apparently to live on whereas if I was retired I need 65K ( or perhaps 50 if over 55 ? Do retired people need to spend more on imported Santogen or Viagra perhaps? I guess by 60 they assume what ever it is you are needing or doing you can't remember anyway so over 60's only need 20K per month to pay for the full-time 18 year-old nurse !!!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I am American and 54.

1) I have always reported a pension =/> 65,000 THB

2) I've never presented or been asked for a medical certificate (or police check for that matter)

3) Re-entry permits are easy to get at Suan Plu, just pay the fee and wait

4) I am single, don't know about combining assets.

5) Not required

Hope this helps,

Lance

Thanks Lance, Dave

[lopburi3]

First of all you are not going to obtain PR on a retirement extension of stay so if that is your goal it is not what you want. But without tax payments in Thailand it is highly unlikely you would qualify in any case so perhaps it will not be the deciding factor.

1. The Embassy will require supporting paperwork - you will need to ask them for your specific circumstances.

2. All extensions of stay are invalid if you leave the country - you must obtain a re-entry permit prior to travel.

1. Income requirement is 65k for everyone - the other figures were people grandfathered under old systems.

2. No medical certificate is required for application done in Thailand.

3. Re-entry permit is single page form with 4x6cm photo and takes a few minutes to several hours - you can buy single at 1,000 baht or multi (unlimited) at 3,800 baht. They are valid for the current permitted to stay stamp time.

4. Money must be yours alone and in bank account.

5. N/A

[esprit]

1. Medical cert. You will need this for a retirement visa , but not for marriage.

It is easily obtained from a local hospital, cost around 100 baht.

2. Married requires a family income of 40K, money in the bank no longer acceptable.

3. Retirement requires YOU to have an income of 65K a month or 800K in the bank.

Your wife does not come into it.

4. Yes, married life is cheaper than retirement.

5. Once you have the one year extension you will also need a re-entry permit if you wish to travel.

This can be multi-entry.

If you forget this and leave the country you visa will expire and you will have to start all over again.

Sorry cannot comment on what the British Embassy wants to see.

Give them a call Tel: +66 (0) 2 305 8333

[esprit]

1. Medical cert. You will need this for a retirement visa , but not for marriage.

It is easily obtained from a local hospital, cost around 100 baht.

2. Married requires a family income of 40K, money in the bank no longer acceptable.

3. Retirement requires YOU to have an income of 65K a month or 800K in the bank.

Your wife does not come into it.

4. Yes, married life is cheaper than retirement.

5. Once you have the one year extension you will also need a re-entry permit if you wish to travel.

This can be multi-entry.

If you forget this and leave the country you visa will expire and you will have to start all over again.

Sorry cannot comment on what the British Embassy wants to see.

Give them a call Tel: +66 (0) 2 305 8333

Thanks,

Dave

[esprit]

First of all you are not going to obtain PR on a retirement extension of stay so if that is your goal it is not what you want. But without tax payments in Thailand it is highly unlikely you would qualify in any case so perhaps it will not be the deciding factor.

1. The Embassy will require supporting paperwork - you will need to ask them for your specific circumstances.

2. All extensions of stay are invalid if you leave the country - you must obtain a re-entry permit prior to travel.

1. Income requirement is 65k for everyone - the other figures were people grandfathered under old systems.

2. No medical certificate is required for application done in Thailand.

3. Re-entry permit is single page form with 4x6cm photo and takes a few minutes to several hours - you can buy single at 1,000 baht or multi (unlimited) at 3,800 baht. They are valid for the current permitted to stay stamp time.

4. Money must be yours alone and in bank account.

5. N/A

Appreciate info,

regards,

Dave

[esprit]

Apologies to all on such a well thrashed subject but I am still confused after reading through all the relevent threads, recent replies to this post as well as a further visit to Suan Plu.

From some of the threads it appears that to get an extension to my curent Non - O ( my wife is Thai and child Thai/Brit ) if you are under 50 they require proof of income. Whereas if you are over 50 no proof of income is required.

However at immigration they said proof of income was required irrespective of age. Also that proof of income must be verified by your embassy again irrespective of whether is is from non Thai work, pension, investment or whatever. My income is derived from consultancy work for a UK company for only 30-45 days per year.

I am do to leave for my "90 day vacation" before 6th March so I assume that when I return I will get another 90 day stamp although my VISA does not expire until 14th April so hence I really need to get it sorted soon.

My question therefore is a) to gain an extension to my non-o what documents and proof of income (if any) do I actually require and does any proof of income have to be verified by my embassy even though I have a consultancy contract which I am able to produce? I would appreciate an unabiguous response please to assist and clearing up of the confusion ( mine)

[Krub]

Apologies to all on such a well thrashed subject but I am still confused after reading through all the relevent threads, recent replies to this post as well as a further visit to Suan Plu.

From some of the threads it appears that to get an extension to my curent Non - O ( my wife is Thai and child Thai/Brit ) if you are under 50 they require proof of income. Whereas if you are over 50 no proof of income is required.

However at immigration they said proof of income was required irrespective of age. Also that proof of income must be verified by your embassy again irrespective of whether is is from non Thai work, pension, investment or whatever. My income is derived from consultancy work for a UK company for only 30-45 days per year.

I am do to leave for my "90 day vacation" before 6th March so I assume that when I return I will get another 90 day stamp although my VISA does not expire until 14th April so hence I really need to get it sorted soon.

My question therefore is a) to gain an extension to my non-o what documents and proof of income (if any) do I actually require and does any proof of income have to be verified by my embassy even though I have a consultancy contract which I am able to produce? I would appreciate an unabiguous response please to assist and clearing up of the confusion ( mine)

You have 2 options to extend your period of stay by a year.

Either retirement or support of Thai wife

For retirement you must be over 50 and have in your name a total of 800k in a Thai bank or a combination of fund in a Thai bank and an income (pension/other) to make 800k per year.

For the support of Thai wife you need to show an income of 40k per month (or I suppose 480k per year) alone or between you and your wife.

For both income situation you need to ask your Embassy to produce a letter stating that you have that income. They will need to see supporting documents (for the UK Embassy). You apply day 1 and pick-up day 2

No medical certifictae is required if you apply in Bangkok (can be different up country)

Wether you choose Support or retirement depends on you but it is generaly agreed that (if you meet the condition, over 50 and total of 800k per year) a one year extension on the basis of retirement is less hassle.

In both cases you will need a re-entry permit (easy to obtain at same time of extension) to keep your extension of stay alive

[esprit]

Apologies to all on such a well thrashed subject but I am still confused after reading through all the relevent threads, recent replies to this post as well as a further visit to Suan Plu.

From some of the threads it appears that to get an extension to my curent Non - O ( my wife is Thai and child Thai/Brit ) if you are under 50 they require proof of income. Whereas if you are over 50 no proof of income is required.

However at immigration they said proof of income was required irrespective of age. Also that proof of income must be verified by your embassy again irrespective of whether is is from non Thai work, pension, investment or whatever. My income is derived from consultancy work for a UK company for only 30-45 days per year.

I am do to leave for my "90 day vacation" before 6th March so I assume that when I return I will get another 90 day stamp although my VISA does not expire until 14th April so hence I really need to get it sorted soon.

My question therefore is a) to gain an extension to my non-o what documents and proof of income (if any) do I actually require and does any proof of income have to be verified by my embassy even though I have a consultancy contract which I am able to produce? I would appreciate an unabiguous response please to assist and clearing up of the confusion ( mine)

You have 2 options to extend your period of stay by a year.

Either retirement or support of Thai wife

For retirement you must be over 50 and have in your name a total of 800k in a Thai bank or a combination of fund in a Thai bank and an income (pension/other) to make 800k per year.

For the support of Thai wife you need to show an income of 40k per month (or I suppose 480k per year) alone or between you and your wife.

For both income situation you need to ask your Embassy to produce a letter stating that you have that income. They will need to see supporting documents (for the UK Embassy). You apply day 1 and pick-up day 2

No medical certifictae is required if you apply in Bangkok (can be different up country)

Wether you choose Support or retirement depends on you but it is generaly agreed that (if you meet the condition, over 50 and total of 800k per year) a one year extension on the basis of retirement is less hassle.

In both cases you will need a re-entry permit (easy to obtain at same time of extension) to keep your extension of stay alive

Why should a retirement visa be less hassle? the reason I prefer a non-o to support wife is that the consultancy work that I currently undertake in the UK I may eventually be able to undertake that work here. That being the case, then should I have already obtained a retirement visa and then at a later stage work here, albeit at home/office, I would then presumably then need to get a work permit. Would this seem strange to them if I should already have a retirement visa do you think?

[Krub]

Apologies to all on such a well thrashed subject but I am still confused after reading through all the relevent threads, recent replies to this post as well as a further visit to Suan Plu.

From some of the threads it appears that to get an extension to my curent Non - O ( my wife is Thai and child Thai/Brit ) if you are under 50 they require proof of income. Whereas if you are over 50 no proof of income is required.

However at immigration they said proof of income was required irrespective of age. Also that proof of income must be verified by your embassy again irrespective of whether is is from non Thai work, pension, investment or whatever. My income is derived from consultancy work for a UK company for only 30-45 days per year.

I am do to leave for my "90 day vacation" before 6th March so I assume that when I return I will get another 90 day stamp although my VISA does not expire until 14th April so hence I really need to get it sorted soon.

My question therefore is a) to gain an extension to my non-o what documents and proof of income (if any) do I actually require and does any proof of income have to be verified by my embassy even though I have a consultancy contract which I am able to produce? I would appreciate an unabiguous response please to assist and clearing up of the confusion ( mine)

You have 2 options to extend your period of stay by a year.

Either retirement or support of Thai wife

For retirement you must be over 50 and have in your name a total of 800k in a Thai bank or a combination of fund in a Thai bank and an income (pension/other) to make 800k per year.

For the support of Thai wife you need to show an income of 40k per month (or I suppose 480k per year) alone or between you and your wife.

For both income situation you need to ask your Embassy to produce a letter stating that you have that income. They will need to see supporting documents (for the UK Embassy). You apply day 1 and pick-up day 2

No medical certifictae is required if you apply in Bangkok (can be different up country)

Wether you choose Support or retirement depends on you but it is generaly agreed that (if you meet the condition, over 50 and total of 800k per year) a one year extension on the basis of retirement is less hassle.

In both cases you will need a re-entry permit (easy to obtain at same time of extension) to keep your extension of stay alive

Why should a retirement visa be less hassle? the reason I prefer a non-o to support wife is that the consultancy work that I currently undertake in the UK I may eventually be able to undertake that work here. That being the case, then should I have already obtained a retirement visa and then at a later stage work here, albeit at home/office, I would then presumably then need to get a work permit. Would this seem strange to them if I should already have a retirement visa do you think?

It is less hassle because you are on your own (no need to produce papers for the wife, proof you live together, etc.

For retirement basically you just show you are over 50 and you have 800k in the bank and you get a one year extension (whatever your marital status is) but you cannot work legaly with such an etxension at least not in Thailand.

Also if you want to go the PR way retirement extensions will not count.

With a support extension you may work but believe you need a work permit and pay tax on your income (I am not an expert on that side at all).

Edited February 21, 2007 by Krub

[Lite Beer]

As Krub said, an extension based on a Thai wife takes about 3 months to be approved , you and your wife will be grilled by immigration. They will probably visit your home to check that you live together. They will talk to neighbours. All sorts of paperwork. All this every year.

An extension based on retirement takes about 30 minutes and is easy.

Up to you.

[Lite Beer]

You say you have a Thai child.

If you are over 50 and your name is on the childs birth certificate, Sunbelt Asia, the main sponsors of this forum have obtained for their clients One year extensions based on living with your Thai child. NO proof of income needed.

If I have read your post corectly. Get in touch with them.

[Maestro]

You say you have a Thai child. If you are over 50 and your name is on the childs birth certificate, Sunbelt Asia, the main sponsors of this forum have obtained for their clients One year extensions based on living with your Thai child. NO proof of income needed.

Correct about no income needed, but Immigration have decided to create a little more work for themselves and now require a stack of documents. You also need to bring your wife and child along for grilling. There was a recent post of Sunbelt’s here recently giving the full list, and a member posted his experience of his wife being lambasted by Immigration for agreeing to this type of extension.

--------------

Maestro

[esprit]

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated