Which Type Of Visa And "home Country"

[Karen51]

My husband and I (both British citizens and over 50) would like to retire to Thailand early next year. For the last 2 years we have been working (and will be working till the end of this year) in Singapore. We own our home in Singapore. We no longer own a home in the UK.

I have a couple of questions. We presume that the non-immigrant O visa is the visa to apply for?

Second question - it is said that you must apply in your "home country". For us, does that mean Singapore or the UK? Our only home is in Singapore and we are tax resident there, though we do not have Permanent Residence status.

[lopburi3]

You apply for a non immigrant O visa to investigate retirement possibilities in Thailand - not for a retirement non immigrant O-A visa (which is done in home country with medical/police check). If Singapore does not wish to issue such a visa you can get by with tourist visa to start the process inside Thailand - but a non immigrant at start is an advantage (especially if you want to use the dependent status for second person).

In Thailand you can retire using 800k bank deposit in account 3 months, or 65k monthly income, or combination of the two. If you both want retirement extensions of stay you will both have to meet the conditions independently. The retirement can be made from a tourist visa entry with an extra step involved to convert visa type. But if you have spouse extend on basis of one retirement party that will require spouse have non immigrant visa to start the extensions. Believe that would require a trip out of Thailand to obtain as is not a normal change of visa category.

[naka]

An application in another country is not an issue.

Note that you will be applying for an 'Non O' visa which will be extended yearly in Thailand.

You are not applying for an O-A which is done in your home country and is somewhat more onerous with respect to the paperwork.

The steps are, in chronological order.

1. Open Thai passbook savings account, you need to come here for a couple of days to do this in person, then return to Singapore.

You can normally open this account with just a few thousand Baht.

2. At some later date deposit sufficient funds, >800k, unless using the pension option.

(at least 3 months prior to applying for the 12 month extension, see 5 below).

Best to do this by a SWIFT transfer as there will be a paper trail and proof of funds from abroad.

3. Apply for 90 day Non O in Singapore at appropriate time. (See Lop's comments on Tourist Visa).

4. Arrive in Thailand.

5. About 3-4 weeks prior to expiry of 90 day O, go to Immigration office in Thailand

and apply for the 12 months extension.

All pretty straightforward.

You can do this as individuals if two 800k's are not an issue, or the wife can be the husbands dependent.

When you apply for the 12 month extension in country you need to take to Immigration.

Passport

Letter from bank stating balance (>800k) bank charges about Bt200.

1 or 2 4x5 passport photo'(s)

Some photocopies of passport pages, but larger Imm. offices have photocopy services available.

Bt 1,900 fee.

Naka.

Edited February 18, 2007 by naka

[Karen51]

Thanks very much for your prompt replies - very much appreciated.

[oooooo]

An application in another country is not an issue.

Note that you will be applying for an 'Non O' visa which will be extended yearly in Thailand.

You are not applying for an O-A which is done in your home country and is somewhat more onerous with respect to the paperwork.

The steps are, in chronological order.

1. Open Thai passbook savings account, you need to come here for a couple of days to do this in person, then return to Singapore.

You can normally open this account with just a few thousand Baht.

2. At some later date deposit sufficient funds, >800k, unless using the pension option.

(at least 3 months prior to applying for the 12 month extension, see 5 below).

Best to do this by a SWIFT transfer as there will be a paper trail and proof of funds from abroad.

3. Apply for 90 day Non O in Singapore at appropriate time. (See Lop's comments on Tourist Visa).

4. Arrive in Thailand.

5. About 3-4 weeks prior to expiry of 90 day O, go to Immigration office in Thailand

and apply for the 12 months extension.

All pretty straightforward.

You can do this as individuals if two 800k's are not an issue, or the wife can be the husbands dependent.

When you apply for the 12 month extension in country you need to take to Immigration.

Passport

Letter from bank stating balance (>800k) bank charges about Bt200.

1 or 2 4x5 passport photo'(s)

Some photocopies of passport pages, but larger Imm. offices have photocopy services available.

Bt 1,900 fee.

Naka.

no non-imm visa required to open a savings account. some branches of major thai banks will do it on any visa. the cost of opening an account is 200 baht, with an additional 500 baht minimum deposit. all savings deposits are government backed and guarranteed.

which government ?????????????????????

[Krub]

An application in another country is not an issue.

Note that you will be applying for an 'Non O' visa which will be extended yearly in Thailand.

You are not applying for an O-A which is done in your home country and is somewhat more onerous with respect to the paperwork.

The steps are, in chronological order.

1. Open Thai passbook savings account, you need to come here for a couple of days to do this in person, then return to Singapore.

You can normally open this account with just a few thousand Baht.

2. At some later date deposit sufficient funds, >800k, unless using the pension option.

(at least 3 months prior to applying for the 12 month extension, see 5 below).

Best to do this by a SWIFT transfer as there will be a paper trail and proof of funds from abroad.

3. Apply for 90 day Non O in Singapore at appropriate time. (See Lop's comments on Tourist Visa).

4. Arrive in Thailand.

5. About 3-4 weeks prior to expiry of 90 day O, go to Immigration office in Thailand

and apply for the 12 months extension.

All pretty straightforward.

You can do this as individuals if two 800k's are not an issue, or the wife can be the husbands dependent.

When you apply for the 12 month extension in country you need to take to Immigration.

Passport

Letter from bank stating balance (>800k) bank charges about Bt200.

1 or 2 4x5 passport photo'(s)

Some photocopies of passport pages, but larger Imm. offices have photocopy services available.

Bt 1,900 fee.

Naka.

no non-imm visa required to open a savings account. some branches of major thai banks will do it on any visa. the cost of opening an account is 200 baht, with an additional 500 baht minimum deposit. all savings deposits are government backed and guarranteed.

which government ?????????????????????

There is no 'fee' to open the account itself.

You pay for a cash card (ATM) if you want one, if not the bank book is 'free'

I opened my account with 20 baht deposit, there is no minimum required