In uk, wanting to retire in Thailand

[Grecian]

Hi everyone.

I'm 53, live in the uk. Been to Thailand many times as a tourist. 

would like to live there with a retirement visa but I know little about visas. Covid complicates things too.

I have 800k needed. That's about as far as my knowledge goes.

Can someone please explain the most efficient way to go? 

I'm hoping for a September move.

Thanks.

[WineOh]

As long as you have a decent pension you should be fine.

However, I would like to know what are your reasons for wanting to retire in Thailand?

 

Living here permanently and visiting as a tourist are two completely different things.

 

Just make sure you give it plenty of thought before making the move.

 

Good luck! 

[hotandsticky]

9 minutes ago, WineOh said:

As long as you have a decent pension you should be fine.

However, I would like to know what are your reasons for wanting to retire in Thailand?

 

Living here permanently and visiting as a tourist are two completely different things.

 

Just make sure you give it plenty of thought before making the move.

 

Good luck! 

 

 

Agree 100%.

 

Don't burn any bridges just yet. Come and 'stay' for 3-6 months. By that I mean come and live a normal life here rather than as a tourist. 

 

Will you live here alone, or do you have a partner that you will join over here.

 

 

Ignoring all that, your question was specifically about what to do..................... take a look at the Thai Embassy website, that will guide you on the mechanics of how to get here. You may find (although a bit early to say) that October would be a better time to come from a quarantine point of view.

 

Do some research on this forum for how to extend your stay for 12 months, based on retirement. That will include getting 800k into a Thai bank account for 2 months before applying to extend.

[BritTim]

I recommend:

1. Enter Thailand visa exempt. Currently, this gives you a 45-day permission to stay, but the first part of that will almost certainly be taken up with a mandatory quarantine of 7-14 days.
2. On exit from quarantine, if you do not already have a Thai bank account, your first task is to open one. This is not always easy, but an agent can help you if you are unable to do it yourself.
3. Transfer an amount greater than 800,000 baht into the Thai bank account using a method that will allow you to get a transaction slip from the Thai bank confirming the money came from abroad. I suggest you plan to leave this as dead money in the account for the long term. Doing so avoids potential complications in the future.
4. Go to Thai immigration and apply for a "conversion" Non O visa based on the intention to retire in Thailand. This will give you a 90-day permission to stay.
5. Towards the end of the 90-day stay, apply for a one-year extension of your permission to stay, and repeat this each year thereafter.

Obviously, there are a lot of details in the above steps that I have not enumerated, but I think you just need to be aware of the simplest basic procedure for your planning at this stage.

[Peterw42]

The OP is asking how to retire in Thailand, he isn't asking fi he should.

[fishtank]

Enter Visa exempt and apply for a non imm visa at Immigration.

Then apply for a 12 month extension.

Visit Immigration and they will help you along the way.

[CharlieH]

Off topic tangential posts removed and responses to them.

 

Stay on topic please !

[OJAS]

In addition to the suggestions made above, there is also the option of obtaining a non-OA visa from the Thai Embassy in London. This will be valid for a year from its issue, and you can use it to enter Thailand for up to 12 months each time until its expiry - meaning that, if you were to do a border run just before its expiry (not possible at the present time, though, because of COVID restrictions) you would then get a further 12 months permission to stay, meaning that, in practice, you could get up to 2 years out of the visa before you needed to start applying for annual extensions at your local immigration office here in Thailand.

 

Further info is on the Embassy's website:-

 

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84508-non-immigrant-visas

 

There are, however, specific insurance requirements relating to this particular visa type, which might deter you from pursuing this course of action (as well as, of course, current uncertainties relating to the possibility of a border run to obtain a further 12 months out of the visa before it expires). But IMHO you should at least be aware that this option does exist, for better or worse.

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by OJAS

[northsouthdevide]

Your question was answered in the first couple of replies, but can I just add, make sure you've got plenty of spare pages in your passport when you arrive.

Preferably a new passport with extra pages.

 

[OJAS]

13 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

The OP is asking how to retire in Thailand, he isn't asking fi he should.

 

There is a world of difference between taking holidays in Thailand and living here on retirement, as I can vouch for on the basis of personal experience!

 

33 minutes ago, northsouthdevide said:

Preferably a new passport with extra pages.

 

Agreed - renewing British passports from Thailand is IMHO a right PITA.

[DrJack54]

OP, The post earlier by @BritTim is perfect advice.

Added note to what he already mentioned. It's not always easy to open bank account and has become more difficult. Another poster some time ago basically did BritTim road map. That guy used an agent (think Siam legal) to arrange bank account and reported that it was simple straightforward process.

Be aware that you need to show that money (800k) came from o/s on the day you apply for your non o retirement at immigration

Edited May 8, 2021 by DrJack54

[JTXR]

All the information you need to guide you through the process of getting an Non-Imm OA visa can be found on the Thai Embassy website.  Or, if you decide a Thai Elite visa is a better way to go, their website can guide you. 

That said, I very much agree with advice above to not burn any bridges back to the UK, just in case long-term life in Thailand turns out to be not as wonderful as you expected.  For example, if you own a house you might consider renting it out rather than selling it, at least for the first few years you're in Thailand.

 

As for a September move, if it were me, I'd hold off until next year, or at least until the COVID-19 vaccination situation in Thailand is much more advanced.

[rickudon]

Also you could consider getting a non-immigrant 'O' 3 month retirement visa in the UK. Maybe a bit more onerous to get than a visa exempt, but would skip the conversion process in Thailand. That would get you 3 months to arrange bank account, transfer money in (has to be 2 months before applying for your 12 month extension). 

Be aware that the area you wish to stay may have slight variations on how rules are applied - someone may enlighten you on local issues.

 

Bank accounts - in my experience branches in shopping malls are the most irrational at applying rules on opening accounts and also over the counter services.

[Grecian]

Thanks all. I will follow BritTim's words.

Very helpful.

[Robin]

Been in Thailand for over 6yrs as a retiree with Thai wife.  Most difficult thing is communicating with Thai officialdom.  If you are not fluent in Thai, then you will need a trusted Thai companion to help you.

Think about the rules for owning, or not owning property and goods in Thailand.  My experience is that the housing market, such as it is, is far from liquid.  If you suddenly decide that you want out, then it might not be possible to sell your assets and leave.  A sensible attitude is that what you have in Thailand will have to stay in Thailand.

If you can afford to do so, keep an escape route in UK.  Do not sell your UK property but only rent it out.  At least you will have somewhere to go if you have to leave Thailand.

My experience of Thai officialdom is that if you obey the rules, you should not have any problems.  

Medical care in Thailand is not cheap but far superior to that offered by NHS

[2 is 1]

If you havent visit any other asian country do so! watch what other country's have to offer! Many expat's want to chance to some other location than Thailand. Every place have down sides. Thailand is not paradise but one of most safe country in asia! All come to that what you are looking for!

Edited May 8, 2021 by 2 is 1

[DefaultName]

I would advise the "test trip".  2-3 months minimum; book the sort of accommodation you would like to retire to, live as close to the lifestyle you want as you can.  Keep records of every Baht spent, adjusting for when short term cost's more (like renting, not buying, PAYG for internet, not contract, etc.).

Then, once you're back home for a few weeks and can think objectively, is this what you want?  Can you live like that?  Can you afford it long-term?

 

This is what I did pre-covid.  I moved here, no regrets so far.

 

Of course, Covid is the kicker right now, if you can, maybe wait until things stabilise.

[Bangkok Barry]

26 minutes ago, Robin said:

Medical care in Thailand is not cheap but far superior to that offered by NHS

 

That is a very sweeping statement which is completely inaccurate and not backed up with any facts. I, however, could tell you of a friend who had a heart attack which was diagnosed by a Thai hospital as indigestion (he was correctly diagnosed at another hospital and his life was saved). And I could tell you of another case, me, who came within two days of dying when my acute food poisoning was diagnosed as bronchitis. Even then, after being taken to a private hospital in search of proper medical care, my troubles weren't over. I wrote of the experience on Stickman and it was published too in the Expat page of the Daily Telegraph.
http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/ReadersSubmissions2011/reader6954.htm

So please don't make nonsense statements.

[worgeordie]

If you have plenty of money and are not stupid with it,

just come on over, but if you are just going to sit in a bar

all the time,like you might have done on your holidays,

better stay in UK.

 

I arrived here 33 years ago ,got rid of my businesses and

the wife !....by giving her half ,it was all amicial ,still friends,

I had a small bag with 2 pairs trousers,underpants,socks

and a couple of shirts,shortwave radio.always traveled

light, I did not even plan on staying here, I was on my way,

to Costa Rica, the long way around, last time there I had

seen a small finca for sale , backing on to rainforest with

a waterfall ,i think it was something like 10,000 quid.

 

Anyway, I got in contact with a girl who worked at

a company i did business with in Bangkok,after

business I used to take a weeks holiday here,and her boss

would let her be my companion/translator for the week.

 

So I never got to Costa Rica, and she has been with me since,

maybe just luck,after reading some stories on here, but she is

honest as the day is long,never lies,won't even lie for me...is

a saver not a spender, looks after me ,our daughter and the

house, Thailand has been very good to me. so go on just

do it, better than staying in UK  I think reading reports from

over there.

 

Good luck  Worgeordie

 

 

 

[khunPer]

20 hours ago, Grecian said:

I have 800k needed. That's about as far as my knowledge goes.

Can someone please explain the most efficient way to go? 

I'm hoping for a September move.

@BritTimhas given an excellent advice, plus the other advice about getting fresh 10-year validity passport before your move...????

 

The one year so called "retirement visa" non-immigrant O-A is little more difficult than the more often used non-immigrant O-visa, suggest by BritTim, as O-A requires a mandatory 400k+40k baht health insurance. Health insurance is a good thing to have, but you have more freedom with an O-visa and just doing the annual extensions of stay. The major benefit with the O-A visa is that you don't need a deposit in a Thai bank.

 

I've been living here since 2005, annual extensions since my 2006 O-visa, and I just keep 800k baht permanent in a separate fixed bank-account. If you can afford that, it's easy to extend permission to stay; just withdraw the annual interest but always keep a balance of the 800, you shall anyway have minimum 400k in the account up to 7 month of the year.

 

Covid-situation might make travelling a bit more complicated with documents and extra Covid-insurance, but you could consider to enter via Phuket if you are vaccinated.

 

Welcome to Land-of-Smiles...????

[SheungWan]

I don't know when the OP was last in Thailand or where in Thailand he is considering moving to, but things have changed substantially since the pandemic started. Moving to Thailand on a more permanent basis might be postponed to the visit after next. Outside of Bangkok its all quite different.

Edited May 8, 2021 by SheungWan

[KhaoYai]

6 hours ago, Robin said:

If you can afford to do so, keep an escape route in UK.  Do not sell your UK property but only rent it out.  At least you will have somewhere to go if you have to leave Thailand.

Not arguing with the above - just a different take on it from a landlord in the UK. I haven't made the move yet, despite trying since 2008 but when I do, it will be after I've sold all my properties in the UK.  In normal times (pre-covid), I spend quite a lot of time in Thailand and it always seesm to be the case that some kind of problem occurs whilst I'm away.

 

The last thing I'd want if I'd retired into the sunset is a tenant calling me to tell me their boiler's brokem down. Yes you can use an agent but you'll pay for the priviledge and for sure, tradesmen will rip you off knowing you're out of the country.

 

By all means leave some form of investment in the UK but for me, owning property is out.

 

Having said that, if you have a close relative or friend that will take care of things for you, property may work.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been reported and removed. 

[madmen]

16 hours ago, Robin said:

Been in Thailand for over 6yrs as a retiree with Thai wife.  Most difficult thing is communicating with Thai officialdom.  If you are not fluent in Thai, then you will need a trusted Thai companion to help you.

Think about the rules for owning, or not owning property and goods in Thailand.  My experience is that the housing market, such as it is, is far from liquid.  If you suddenly decide that you want out, then it might not be possible to sell your assets and leave.  A sensible attitude is that what you have in Thailand will have to stay in Thailand.

If you can afford to do so, keep an escape route in UK.  Do not sell your UK property but only rent it out.  At least you will have somewhere to go if you have to leave Thailand.

My experience of Thai officialdom is that if you obey the rules, you should not have any problems.  

Medical care in Thailand is not cheap but far superior to that offered by NHS

He is asking about visas not escape plans. 

[newnative]

12 hours ago, SheungWan said:

I don't know when the OP was last in Thailand or where in Thailand he is considering moving to, but things have changed substantially since the pandemic started. Moving to Thailand on a more permanent basis might be postponed to the visit after next. Outside of Bangkok its all quite different.

     I disagree.  I would not say things have changed 'substantially' with the lifestyle in Thailand of my partner and me.  Other than international travel, the things we did before covid, we still do.  The life we lived before covid, we still live.  Covid has meant some changes, of course, but that would be true in most places around the World.  

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, newnative said:

the things we did before covid, we still do. 

I used to go swimming with my family every week ........ swimming pool closed.

I used to go to the lakeside restaurant for lunch .......... all restaurants closed.

 

I guess if you never leave your home, nothing much has changed.

But being retired in Thailand is still better than being retired in the UK.

Edited May 9, 2021 by BritManToo

[newnative]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I used to go swimming with my family every week ........ swimming pool closed.

I used to go to the lakeside restaurant for lunch .......... all restaurants closed.

 

I guess if you never leave your home, nothing much has changed.

But being retired in Thailand is still better than being retired in the UK.

      Yes, things are closed at the moment.  My swimming pool is closed, too.  As are my favorite restaurants.  That doesn't mean they will be closed forever.  They also closed last year, then they opened again--and I was back to swimming every day and going to restaurants, and so on.  I look forward to the lockdown being over--and it eventually will be.  Being retired in Thailand is better than being retired in the US, for me.

[Road Warrior]

as hotandsticky says  but done live here alone you need a thai to translate or your in trouble with the communication ! 

[ryanqqq]

Sorry to leach on this thread. 
Question on non O-A possibility of getting almost 2 years of it. 
I understand if it is timed properly, re-entering before the expiry date gets another year. Does this require that the insurance also gets renewed? 
Also, if you did get in with a year of ‘bonus’. Can one still leave and return using the re-entry permit or if you leave, you’d lose the visa and have to start all over again?

My plan of doing this would not be earlier than June 2022, so hopefully, coming and going would be easier by then.

 

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, ryanqqq said:

I understand if it is timed properly, re-entering before the expiry date gets another year. Does this require that the insurance also gets renewed? 

You need the medical insurance for every entry allowed by the OA via.

 

7 minutes ago, ryanqqq said:

Also, if you did get in with a year of ‘bonus’. Can one still leave and return using the re-entry permit or if you leave, you’d lose the visa and have to start all over again?

You need a re-entry permit to keep the extra year valid when you enter the country.