My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

based on present rules you'd need 800,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or an income of 65,000 baht a month or a combination of savings and income. Your wife will be your dependant, and just your finances will suffice.

My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

based on present rules you'd need 800,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or an income of 65,000 baht a month or a combination of savings and income. Your wife will be your dependant, and just your finances will suffice.

Sorry Dr Pat Pong, but I'm a Visa-bete (knowing nothing about visa ) but is that 800K in a Thai bank, per year, or a one-time amount which 'sits' there ?

And, what type of Visa counts for a 50+ man with his non-Thai wife ?

No Visa-runs for both required ?

Sorry for so many questions.

LaoPo

My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

based on present rules you'd need 800,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or an income of 65,000 baht a month or a combination of savings and income. Your wife will be your dependant, and just your finances will suffice.

Sorry Dr Pat Pong, but I'm a Visa-bete (knowing nothing about visa ) but is that 800K in a Thai bank, per year, or a one-time amount which 'sits' there ?

And, what type of Visa counts for a 50+ man with his non-Thai wife ?

No Visa-runs for both required ?

Sorry for so many questions.

LaoPo

My understanding that it would be an annually renewable Retirement Visa. You would need to show that the funds have been in a Thai bank for atleast 3 months prior to each annual renewal.

I believe the Retirement Visa is good for 12 months at a time. No visa runs would be required for either me or my wife.

I'm no expert either so I'll let the experienced guys clarify.

My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

based on present rules you'd need 800,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or an income of 65,000 baht a month or a combination of savings and income. Your wife will be your dependant, and just your finances will suffice.

Sorry Dr Pat Pong, but I'm a Visa-bete (knowing nothing about visa ) but is that 800K in a Thai bank, per year, or a one-time amount which 'sits' there ?

And, what type of Visa counts for a 50+ man with his non-Thai wife ?

No Visa-runs for both required ?

Sorry for so many questions.

LaoPo

Only one of you needs to be over 50 to qualify for a retirement visa,.

My wife is not Thai but from Philippines. We are looking to retire in either Phils or Thailand in 5 years. We'd prefer retiring in Thailand, however we have a question on the retirement visa.

Our biggest concern is my wife's age. Will they grant BOTH of us retirement visas if ONE of us is 50 years old? If so, how much money do we need to pop into a Thai passbook savings account ie is the 800k per person or per family?

Thanks for the replies!

based on present rules you'd need 800,000 baht in a bank in Thailand, or an income of 65,000 baht a month or a combination of savings and income. Your wife will be your dependant, and just your finances will suffice.

Sorry Dr Pat Pong, but I'm a Visa-bete (knowing nothing about visa ) but is that 800K in a Thai bank, per year, or a one-time amount which 'sits' there ?

And, what type of Visa counts for a 50+ man with his non-Thai wife ?

No Visa-runs for both required ?

Sorry for so many questions.

LaoPo

The 800k in a Thai bank must be in the account three months before application for the extension.

It then can be used or left in the account as pleased.

At the next extension application again a bank account with at least 800k for 3 months must be produced 8it can be the same or another one)

As said the requirement for one retirement extension of stay is 800k baht in a Thai located bank account for a period of 3 months prior to application, or 65k per month retirement as certified by Embassy letter or a combination of the two. There is no requirement that the money must be used and normally a fixed deposit account is acceptable if you wish more interest.

The younger wife will not qualify for a retirement extension of stay but as the wife of someone on such an extension of stay can obtain a non immigrant O visa and receive corresponding one year extensions.

I would urge you to think this over closely as wife will look Thai but not speak the language or know the customs. She might well feel more comfortable returning to the PI unless she is happy to spend most of her time in the limited expat community.

As said the requirement for one retirement extension of stay is 800k baht in a Thai located bank account for a period of 3 months prior to application, or 65k per month retirement as certified by Embassy letter or a combination of the two. There is no requirement that the money must be used and normally a fixed deposit account is acceptable if you wish more interest.

The younger wife will not qualify for a retirement extension of stay but as the wife of someone on such an extension of stay can obtain a non immigrant O visa and receive corresponding one year extensions.

I would urge you to think this over closely as wife will look Thai but not speak the language or know the customs. She might well feel more comfortable returning to the PI unless she is happy to spend most of her time in the limited expat community.

Thank you Lopburi3 & Gents, for clearing up some of the details.

One more question if you don't mind, please?

I suppose the Retiree and his younger wife will -both- apply for a Visa at the same time:

He: a Retirement Visa with 800K in a Thai Bank, and,

She: a non-Immigrant 'O' Visa at the same time, based upon 'His' Retirement Visa......

and the 800K (located in a Thai bank, 3 months prior to/for) an eventual renewal/extension of both Visas (apart from the eventual needed 65K/Month rule)

Is that correct ?

LaoPo

Yes but details will probably not be valid five years from now. Currently you can go from two directions - one obtain first one year stay in home country - two obtain in Thailand as extension of stay. The 65k monthly pension is currently not a requirement but an option.

Yes but details will probably not be valid five years from now. Currently you can go from two directions - one obtain first one year stay in home country - two obtain in Thailand as extension of stay. The 65k monthly pension is currently not a requirement but an option.

Thank you Lopburi3; most informative!

LaoPo