Retirement Visa - Cannot Exit And Re-enter?

[roog]

I read the info from the Consulate Hull website about the retirement visa. Does it mean what it seems to say? With retirement visa I cannot exit and re-enter the Kingdom of Thailand on that visa alone - I have to get a non-O multiple entry too? If so, I wonder what is the point of tying up 800K ?

[Lite Beer]

I read the info from the Consulate Hull website about the retirement visa. Does it mean what it seems to say? With retirement visa I cannot exit and re-enter the Kingdom of Thailand on that visa alone - I have to get a non-O multiple entry too? If so, I wonder what is the point of tying up 800K ?

You can exit and re enter but you will need to get a re entry permit.

Costs 1,000 Baht for a single and 3,000 plus (not sure) for a multipul.

[Crossy]

I read the info from the Consulate Hull website about the retirement visa. Does it mean what it seems to say? With retirement visa I cannot exit and re-enter the Kingdom of Thailand on that visa alone - I have to get a non-O multiple entry too? If so, I wonder what is the point of tying up 800K ?

I think you are mis-reading the information. It says that they ADVISE you getting a non o-multi instead of a non o-a so that you don't need to get a re-entry permit at extra cost.

I find the information re retirement as presented by the consulate data confusing (and I know how it works).

IMHO you should:-

1. Get a non-o multi from Hull on the grounds of 'investigating retirement options'
   
2. Do 90 day border hops for the 1st year, gives you plenty of time to sort the other requirements out
   
3. On your last entry go for the extension in Thailand, needs 800k in the bank for 3 months or an income of 65k / month (and that you're over 50)
   
4. Get a re-entry permit to protect your extension if you leave the country
   

Edited June 27, 2007 by Crossy

[RalphUK]

I find the information re retirement as presented by the consulate data confusing

You are not alone. Some of the info is out of date or just plain wrong. I was tempted to join here some time ago when people were singing Hull's praises but I feared I would be inciting a riot if I took Hull to task in my first post.

One example: it refers to obtaining an O-A in Bangkok!

There was a report some time ago of someone jumping through the hoops recommended by Hull. What happens? He had the income documentation certified by Hull rejected at Suan Phlu. It makes no mention of being able to obtain that visa in London - probably doesn't want to lose the revenue to London.

[roog]

This is what Hull says:

"Having made the decision to retire in Thailand and having obtained/completed all the necessary documents,

it is necessary to apply to the Royal Thai Consulate for a Non-Immigrant Category “O” Visa – see pages 3/10

to 6/10. This visa will enable the person to gain entry to Thailand so they can go through the process of

applying for the retirement status. Furthermore, because the “O-A” Retirement Visa allows a continuous

stay of up to twelve months but does not allow that person to (having exited) re-enter Thailand we advise

obtaining the Non-Immigrant Category “O” Multiple Entry Visa. This visa entitles the holder to exit and

re-enter Thailand at will, incurring no extra fees."

I understand the point to get the non-O for the purposes of applying for the retirement visa within Thailand. But it then does go on to suggest that a non-O is recommended for the purposes of re-entering, having obtained the retirement visa. The locally obtained re-entry permit would appear to be the better and cheaper option, as suggested by Lite Beer.

Crossy's 4 point plan is where I am. In fact I'm 3 months away from my valid-until date (late September) on my 1 year non-O visa, obtained from Hull. Because I wont have the 800K for another 6 weeks or so, it's looking like I'll be relying upon a hoped-for (?) 3 month extension on the non-O, by exiting and re-entering Thailand in mid September, to give me the space to apply for the retirement visa.

[Lite Beer]

This is what Hull says:

"Having made the decision to retire in Thailand and having obtained/completed all the necessary documents,

it is necessary to apply to the Royal Thai Consulate for a Non-Immigrant Category “O” Visa – see pages 3/10

to 6/10. This visa will enable the person to gain entry to Thailand so they can go through the process of

applying for the retirement status. Furthermore, because the “O-A” Retirement Visa allows a continuous

stay of up to twelve months but does not allow that person to (having exited) re-enter Thailand we advise

obtaining the Non-Immigrant Category “O” Multiple Entry Visa. This visa entitles the holder to exit and

re-enter Thailand at will, incurring no extra fees."

I understand the point to get the non-O for the purposes of applying for the retirement visa within Thailand. But it then does go on to suggest that a non-O is recommended for the purposes of re-entering, having obtained the retirement visa. The locally obtained re-entry permit would appear to be the better and cheaper option, as suggested by Lite Beer.

Crossy's 4 point plan is where I am. In fact I'm 3 months away from my valid-until date (late September) on my 1 year non-O visa, obtained from Hull. Because I wont have the 800K for another 6 weeks or so, it's looking like I'll be relying upon a hoped-for (?) 3 month extension on the non-O, by exiting and re-entering Thailand in mid September, to give me the space to apply for the retirement visa.

You should have no problem getting another 90 days in september.

[lopburi3]

1. You can obtain a retirement extension of stay from Immigration inside Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt or tourist visa arrival; but it will require an extra step to obtain the non immigrant visa at 2,000 baht. You are not required to arrive with a non immigrant O visa but it will save a step later.

2. You can not use a multi entry visa to enter/exit Thailand after you receive an extension of stay (if you want to keep it). You must have a re-entry permit to keep an extension of stay alive. So if you are using a multi entry non immigrant O visa you will have to make border runs every 90 days, or until you extend at Immigration.

3. Retirement O-A visas are issued in multi entry versions but not sure if UK Embassy does so. They are not issued in Thailand. In fact a multi entry non immigrant O-A visa allows access for up to two years with no requirement for money in a Thai bank account so is definitely a good choice in countries that issue them if you don't mind the extra paperwork of police report.

4. A single entry O-A would allow stay of one year and you could use normal re-entry permits to keep it alive if you wanted to travel.

[Sophon]

IMHO you should:-

1. Get a non-o multi from Hull on the grounds of 'investigating retirement options'
   
2. Do 90 day border hops for the 1st year, gives you plenty of time to sort the other requirements out
   
3. On your last entry go for the extension in Thailand, needs 800k in the bank for 3 months or an income of 65k / month (and that you're over 50)
   
4. Get a re-entry permit to protect your extension if you leave the country
   

I don't disagree with anything you have said, but personally I would extend as soon as possible and not wait for a year. I would worry about changing regulations (particularly about them axing the "cash in bank account" option), and would want to be (hopefully) grandfathered at the existing rules should that happen.

Sophon