Retirement Visa Renewal Rules

[Floridamike]

I am approaching the second renewal of my retirement visa. Last time I had the bank certificate showing that I had 800,000 baht plus for the week before reporting. I had the medical certificate from the local clinic and photcopies of passport, bank account and application with picture.

I have been told there are new rules about length of 800,000 baht in the bank and doctor's certificate (not needed). I can not find a written listing of retirement visa renewal rules and calling Immigration has been a total run a round. Can anyone direct me to the exact written rules. Thanks

[tropicaljohn]

I was in Immigration Office last week

You need 800,000 baht in bank account for 3 months prior to getting visa

You do not need medical any more

[Jingthing]

Florida, do not panic. What immigration office are you using?

There hasn't been even one report here of immigration enforcing the three month in the bank rule on people doing subsequent renewals, as you are doing. If you know of one or it is happened to you, please speak up. There is strong evidence they are indeed enforcing it on first time extensions. This indicates you will be fine and get your extension. Please report back!

Lopburi feels this may start to be enforced in October on subsequent renewals. I strongly question this. Of course, nobody can predict the future.

I keep trying to suggest that everyone doing these extensions based on bank account ask their officer about this, so I do see this as another opportunity to open this can of worms again, but people don't seem to be biting. Funny that.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[lopburi3]

People have reported good results by calling government hotline at 1111 and asking for immigration.

[Jingthing]

People have reported good results by calling government hotline at 1111 and asking for immigration.

And what number to find out which direction the hot wind blows?

Edited July 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[lopburi3]

1182 TMD call center.

[Niloc]

I went to Mae Hong Son two weeks ago, they DID require a medical certificate (4 hours wait at the hospital) but they happily accepted the certificate from the Siam City Bank showing 1Mill in a fixed deposit. They assured me that it will also be OK for next year...

[Jingthing]

No medical needed for Jomtien immigration.

[tropicaljohn]

Sorry if I misled you with the info, as I was applying for a first time Retirement Visa, not a renewal.

[Maestro]

...I can not find a written listing of retirement visa renewal rules and calling Immigration has been a total run a round. Can anyone direct me to the exact written rules...

I have an inkling why you were unable to get the desired information from Immigration. They were probably running around like mad looking for information about “retirement visa renewal” and couldn’t find any. If you had asked about an extension of permission to stay for the reason of retirement, they would no doubt have quoted you from Section 7.21 of Thai Police Order 606/2549:

Case

7.21 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

Basis for Consideration

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM); and

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over; and

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than Baht 800,000 as shown in bank account transactions for the past 3 months; or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

(6) For an alien who entered Thailand before October 21, 1998 and continuously allowed to stay in the Kingdom as a retiree, the following shall apply:

(a) He/she must be 60 years of age or over and has regular income. His/her bank account deposit shall not be less than Baht 200,000 a year and evidence of the account deposit for the previous 3 months must be shown; or he/she has a monthly income of not less than Baht 20,000.

( If he/she is under 60 years of age but not less than 55, the alien shall have regular income with a bank account deposit of not less than Baht 500,000 a year and evidence of the account deposit for the previous 3 months must be shown, or he/she has a monthly income of not less than Baht 50,000.

Documents Required

1. Application form

2. Copy of the applicant's passport

3. Proof of income, e.g., retirement pension, interest earnings or dividends, etc.; and/or

4. Certificate of local bank account deposit together with copies of bank account records

5. Only in the case set out in clause (6), the same documentation as stated in clauses 1-4 above shall be required.

--

Maestro

[Jingthing]

Again, the three month seasoning rule for people applying for subsequent extensions (not the first time) using the bank account as opposed to income, is apparently NOT being enforced. Someone, prove otherwise, I challenge you. We all know what is written and what is happening is not the same thing.

[WilliamIV]

Retirement Visa Renewal Rules

Florida Mike

Since there is no such thing as a "Retirement Visa"

And no such thing as a "Renewal"

It is not very surprising that you could not find any "Rules"

Correct Nomenclature is everything in Immigration

I remember my very first Visit to Soi Suan Phlu eight years ago

A helpful looking Officer behind a Counter offered to help me

But when I mentioned Retirement Visa - he immediately jumped down my Throat !!!

The Visa you had to enter Thailand was a Non Immigrant Visa

It ceased to exist after you entered Thailand and was given

A Permission to Stay Stamp

As Maestro has said you were seeking to EXTEND your Permission to stay

and you will EXTEND not renew in subsequent Years

Apart from my First put down - I have found all Immigration Officers

to be very helpful - but to avoid Language Difficulties

Best results are obtained by using correct Terminology

Bill

[Jingthing]

Yes, but most everyone pretty much understood what Florida was asking, and recently immigration has started to stamp the word RETIREMENT on the passports of people with such extensions, so what exactly does being pedantic prove? We still don't know what is going on with the three month money seasoning rule for subsequent extensions.

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Neener neener neener

Edited July 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[WilliamIV]

Yes, but most everyone pretty much understood what Florida was asking, and recently immigration has started to stamp the word RETIREMENT on the passports of people with such extensions, so what exactly does being pedantic prove? We still don't know what is going on with the three month money seasoning rule for subsequent extensions.

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Neener neener neener

I have "Retirement" stamped in my Passport for the last few

extensions of permission to stay >> for the reason of retirement.

When I first entered Thailand I had a Non Immigrant Visa

There is No Such Thing as a Retirement Visa

Don't try to confuse people - it is better to help them

Bill

[Maestro]

WilliamIV and Jingthing, there is indeed such a thing as a retirement visa, obtainable from government-staffed consulates. (Since recently, honorary consulates are no longer allowed to issue them, according to some posts on this forum) Officially, it is called an non-immigrant visa category O-A.

Jingthing, upon some further reflection – tell me in two weeks – will you agree that using exactly the same term for two entirely different things, obtainable in two entirely different places, has the potential of causing confusion?

Sometimes, this confusion costs somebody dearly not only in term of frustration, but also in terms of money.

--

Maestro

[JAS21]

Yes, but most everyone pretty much understood what Florida was asking, and recently immigration has started to stamp the word RETIREMENT on the passports of people with such extensions, so what exactly does being pedantic prove? We still don't know what is going on with the three month money seasoning rule for subsequent extensions.

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Retirement Visa

Neener neener neener

I have "Retirement" stamped in my Passport for the last few

extensions of permission to stay >> for the reason of retirement.

When I first entered Thailand I had a Non Immigrant Visa

There is No Such Thing as a Retirement Visa

Don't try to confuse people - it is better to help them

Bill

Mine says retirement also...based on pension..do I have to get a letter, for extension next year, again from the British Embassy confirming pension..can I show my P60...anyone know please

thanks

edit I added for extension next year.........

Edited July 9, 2007 by John45

[Jingthing]

WilliamIV and Jingthing, there is indeed such a thing as a retirement visa, obtainable from government-staffed consulates. (Since recently, honorary consulates are no longer allowed to issue them, according to some posts on this forum) Officially, it is called an non-immigrant visa category O-A.

Jingthing, upon some further reflection – tell me in two weeks – will you agree that using exactly the same term for two entirely different things, obtainable in two entirely different places, has the potential of causing confusion?

Sometimes, this confusion costs somebody dearly not only in term of frustration, but also in terms of money.

--

Maestro

I am flummoxed.

What is the significance of this two week reflection period? Is there some news coming you would like to leak?

You are correct though, the O-A visa is a retirement visa and carries different requirements to obtain initially.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[Maestro]

Correct Nomenclature is everything in Immigration

I remember my very first Visit to Soi Suan Phlu eight years ago

A helpful looking Officer behind a Counter offered to help me

But when I mentioned Retirement Visa - he immediately jumped down my Throat !!!

A personal experience like that makes it stick in your memory, doesn’t it.

The visa and extension rules are truly a labyrinth. It is understandable, therefore, that a poster may not know the precise term for something and instead he uses words as best he can to describe his situation. Over time, as he continues to read this forum, he will slowly get the hang of the specialised terminology and, as often happens, then help others find their way out of the labyrinth.

--

Maestro

[WilliamIV]

Correct Nomenclature is everything in Immigration

I remember my very first Visit to Soi Suan Phlu eight years ago

A helpful looking Officer behind a Counter offered to help me

But when I mentioned Retirement Visa - he immediately jumped down my Throat !!!

A personal experience like that makes it stick in your memory, doesn't it.

The visa and extension rules are truly a labyrinth. It is understandable, therefore, that a poster may not know the precise term for something and instead he uses words as best he can to describe his situation. Over time, as he continues to read this forum, he will slowly get the hang of the specialised terminology and, as often happens, then help others find their way out of the labyrinth.

--

Maestro

I agree - and I was just trying to help Speed up that Process.

A suggestion to the Moderators:

I wonder if it would help matters if George's instructions:

- Pinned at the top of this Forum

and repeated below for ease of Reference ...

If They were ammeded to read something along the lines ...

Also please Indicate which of the Three Ways of entering Thailand were used by you...

1) Visa (and which Type) - That is a Sticker pasted in your Passport by a Thai Embassy or Consulate

2) Visa on Arrival - limited to a list of 20 Countries in List B - (give list)

3) Visa Exemption - Lists A, D & E

The Lists refer to a leaflet I got at Suan Phlu

entitled "To Remind the Travelers"

Bill

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:

When asking visa questions, we ask you to provide the following personal info in your postings:

- Your nationality (different visa rules for certain nationalites)

- Your age (if retirement, 50 years, or nearly retirement)

By providing this info, we can reply and give more precise answers to your questions.

THANKS!

George

Board Admin.

[Maestro]

...instructions...

If I take myself as an example, this can’t work. It was at least three months after I had signed up that I read the pinned topic “PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING !!”

I see a new member mostly as a person who never had a care in the world about Thai visa and extension matters. Then suddenly he is faced with a problem, in desperation searches the Internet, chances upon Thaivisa, registers, and asks his question. I am not complaining; I see it as natural. What we old-timers can do to help is try to use always correct terminology and gradually newer members will catch on. Some gentle prodding once in a while, as your post was, can’t do any harm either. It is a subliminal process, and I am grateful for your contribution and the contribution of all other members in this respect.

--

Maestro

[Rooo]

Again, the three month seasoning rule for people applying for subsequent extensions (not the first time) using the bank account as opposed to income, is apparently NOT being enforced. Someone, prove otherwise, I challenge you. We all know what is written and what is happening is not the same thing.

Jingthing,

My wife went to Samui immigration,did not have 800,000 for 3 months.Had a real hard time,even reasoning that money is coming in but used in building of house.

End result ? Got her visa,but told to show bank book again at 3 months reporting & that next year she has to maintain around that amount for a fair period of time.When I asked what amount?He indicated that the 800,000 should be topped up during the year as the money is used.Now when I asked about the 3 months he kept on going back to what he said.So what he wants to see , is the money in, not being drawn out after granting of visa & topped up at regular intervals.

[Lite Beer]

Again, the three month seasoning rule for people applying for subsequent extensions (not the first time) using the bank account as opposed to income, is apparently NOT being enforced. Someone, prove otherwise, I challenge you. We all know what is written and what is happening is not the same thing.

Jingthing,

My wife went to Samui immigration,did not have 800,000 for 3 months.Had a real hard time,even reasoning that money is coming in but used in building of house.

End result ? Got her visa,but told to show bank book again at 3 months reporting & that next year she has to maintain around that amount for a fair period of time.When I asked what amount?He indicated that the 800,000 should be topped up during the year as the money is used.Now when I asked about the 3 months he kept on going back to what he said.So what he wants to see , is the money in, not being drawn out after granting of visa & topped up at regular intervals.

Don`t you just love Samui Imigration?

[tropicaljohn]

Looking in my passport, have the word 'retirement' stamped on visa, and this dated 5th Sept 2005

Havent been able to afford a retirement visa since then, so not sure if they are still stamping retirement on the visa

[lopburi3]

I suspect you have retirement stamped as the reason for your extension of stay rather than on your visa. Was it done in Thailand? If so it is an extension of stay stamp.

[Jingthing]

Again, the three month seasoning rule for people applying for subsequent extensions (not the first time) using the bank account as opposed to income, is apparently NOT being enforced. Someone, prove otherwise, I challenge you. We all know what is written and what is happening is not the same thing.

Jingthing,

My wife went to Samui immigration,did not have 800,000 for 3 months.Had a real hard time,even reasoning that money is coming in but used in building of house.

End result ? Got her visa,but told to show bank book again at 3 months reporting & that next year she has to maintain around that amount for a fair period of time.When I asked what amount?He indicated that the 800,000 should be topped up during the year as the money is used.Now when I asked about the 3 months he kept on going back to what he said.So what he wants to see , is the money in, not being drawn out after granting of visa & topped up at regular intervals.

Without looking at your bank book, I think you point out an interesting issue. Yes, immigration people look at bank books for things that look suspicious. For example, say you did meet the 3 month rule but then the day after the balance went to 1000 baht. And then got topped up the day before the next meeting. That would look suspicious. Alternatively, if you clearly don't drain the account, show steady spending, and do top it off, that is what they want to see. Note you still were not denied the extension. Not one person yet that I am aware of has reported denial extension based on the 3 month seasoning rule (except for FIRST TIME extenders). So, again, prove me wrong somebody ...

[stickyb]

[

Case

7.21 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

Basis for Consideration

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM); and

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over; and

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than Baht 800,000 as shown in bank account transactions for the past 3 months; or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

in the above regulation, it seems very specific that case 4 specifies the 3 month period, but case 5 specifies "on the date of filing the application", not for the 3 mopnths previous

[Jingthing]

Yes, we are talking about case 4.

No, referring to a written regulation is not the same thing as what is actually happening at immigration offices. I have heard a credible report on another board of a retiree being directly told by Jomtien immigration that the 3 month money seasoning rule does not apply to people getting subsequent extensions. Additionally, not one person has yet said they have been denied based on this "rule", again for subsequent extensions, not first time ones.

[Mosha]

[

Case

7.21 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

Basis for Consideration

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM); and

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over; and

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than Baht 800,000 as shown in bank account transactions for the past 3 months; or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

in the above regulation, it seems very specific that case 4 specifies the 3 month period, but case 5 specifies "on the date of filing the application", not for the 3 mopnths previous

I seem to remember these fogures being for a single person. I'm sure I read at TV last year that the figures for someone married to a Thai was less. Or again is that no longer the case?

[lopburi3]

If you extend on the basis of retirement it is 65k/800k regardless. But if you are married to a Thai there would be another option to extend on that basis with 40k family income required. But it would not be retirement and different paperwork would be required.

[pauleddy]

Can the Ret Visa (extension to O/A, rather) be reversed?

What happens if u get bored, and want to go back to work here (not moonlighting, I mean a gvmt job etc)?

P