Retirement Visa

[Larryst]

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Edited June 22, 2007 by Larryst

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Larry

I "build" up my SCB savings account to the required amount by monthly personal checks drawn on my U.S. bank, then after getting the next one-year extension on the Non-O visa, draw down the SCB account with my ATM card.  Then as the cycle progresses, build it back up again....

Mac

[astral]

You do have some choices here.

If your income is equal to or over 65K a month you do not need the 800K in the bank.

It can also be pro-rated.

Income of 40K and 400K in the bank.

I believe that the deciding factor is that the total for the year, income and money in the bank, must be 800K or more.

[whatchamacallit]

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Hi, I am copying the following comment from another Forum. It is only valid if you are an American Citizen:

((Comment removed - please do not post from other forums without obtaining approval - you did not mention doing so))

((The information is that you can use 65k per month income/pension as certified by your Embassy rather than 800k bank deposit - nothing new and falsely claimed only Americans could use this method.))

Hope it helps.

[whatchamacallit]

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Hi, I am copying the following comment from another Forum. It is only valid if you are an American Citizen:

((Comment removed - please do not post from other forums without obtaining approval - you did not mention doing so))

Sorry for cut-and-paste other forum without their permission! You certainly quick to delete it. What I mean by only "for American" is Obtaining the Letter from the American Embassy stating that you have an income of 65K baht/month of more. The American Embassy will give this to you by swearing out that you do have an income of 65K baht per month or more - and you don't need to prove anything!. I'm not sure if the British or Australian Embassy will give you such Certified letter without you proving that you do have monthly income of 65K baht/month?? I hope you read the whole thing before you accuse me of giving false info!

((The information is that you can use 65k per month income/pension as certified by your Embassy rather than 800k bank deposit - nothing new and falsely claimed only Americans could use this method.))

Hope it helps.

Edited June 22, 2007 by whatchamacallit

[ataloss]

Re: The information is that you can use 65k per month income/pension as certified by your Embassy rather than 800k bank deposit....

Is the certification of at least 65k per month enough; or in addition, must you actually bring in 65000 baht each month. Thks

[lopburi3]

The requirement is 65k pension/income. There is no requirement that any set amount be transferred.

[Larryst]

The letter I currently have from the U.S. Embassy is dated 3 February 2006. When I used it before, thai immigration only wanted a copy. But, wanted to see the original. Will this letter from the embassy be able to use each year and use permanently? Or do I have to get a new one every year?

[lopburi3]

It appears to be the luck of the draw. If you have original you should be able to use that as long as the passport number remains the same. But sometimes they will want to keep the original and other times/officers/places will be happy with a copy. I have made a new one each year and presented both original and copy this year - both were kept. As my pension does change a bit each year feel better about presenting the current correct information in any case.