Retirement visa

[Brunus]

Hi

I'm an Italian national, over 50 years of age. I already have a Thai bank account with over 800k in it (I used to live in Thailand). I'd like to apply for a retirement visa. For what I understand reading this forum, I need a medical insurance approved by the government. Can anyone provide a link to a list of approved insurances? Do I have to apply for the visa from abroad or can I enter Thailand with an arrival stamp and ask the retirement visa at an immigration office?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Nick Carter icp]

I do believe that you have to show the money was transferred from abroad to Thailand 

[Upnotover]

You can apply for a single entry non-O e-visa in Italy.  You can show the money in your Thai account to get that.

 

You do not need any insurance of any kind.

 

Arrive in Thailand and get a 90 day entry and at the end of that go for an annual extension.  You will not need to show the money came from outside Thailand.

 

.Or otherwise you can arrive visa exempt and convert to the non-O in Thailand.

 

 

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, Brunus said:

Do I have to apply for the visa from abroad or can I enter Thailand with an arrival stamp and ask the retirement visa at an immigration office?

First up don't use term "retirement visa" some will think you are referring to non O-A multi entry visa.

You don't want that.

Best off with a single entry non O based on retirement.

That can be obtained in pp country or nearby Thai embassies/consulates.

Can also be obtained in Thailand from visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only. My guess not. 

[Upnotover]

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only. My guess not. 

 

22 minutes ago, Brunus said:

I already have a Thai bank account with over 800k in it

 

[Brunus]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

 

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Can also be obtained in Thailand from visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

Great. This is more convenient for me

 

 

 

 

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only. My guess not. 

My Thai bank account is in my name only

 

 

 

[Brunus]

I used to be married to a Thai lady and I have used that bank account to renew my non O based on marriage multiple times

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Brunus said:

Great. This is more convenient for me

Good news re bank account.

So you have two very good options.

Obtain non O outside of Thailand or enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain non O retirement at your local immigration office 

Here is thread that outlines process.

Which immigration office will you use. There is point to that question. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311886-visa-exempt-to-retirement-extension-process-and-cost/

[Brunus]

 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Good news re bank account.

So you have two very good options.

Obtain non O outside of Thailand or enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain non O retirement at your local immigration office 

 

Great, thank you

 

 

26 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

You do not need any insurance of any kind.

 

Are you sure? Reading other posts in this forum I was under the impression that a medical insurance was mandatory. 

[Upnotover]

5 minutes ago, Brunus said:

 

 

Great, thank you

 

 

 

Are you sure? Reading other posts in this forum I was under the impression that a medical insurance was mandatory. 

I am 100% sure.  It is only required for an O-A visa.  You don't want one of those.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Brunus said:

Are you sure? Reading other posts in this forum I was under the impression that a medical insurance was mandatory. 

Not required.

Only required for non O-A. You don't want that visa.

Here is link to thread that outlines "income method" for extension.

Italian embassy provides this option.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1327033-retirement-visa-funds/ 

 

Edit: BTW look at advice regarding onward flight for airline at departure (for the airline) if you decide to fly visa exempt. 

[Brunus]

Fantastic!! Thanks again guys

[KannikaP]

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up don't use term "retirement visa" some will think you are referring to non O-A multi entry visa.

You don't want that.

Best off with a single entry non O based on retirement.

That can be obtained in pp country or nearby Thai embassies/consulates.

Can also be obtained in Thailand from visa exempt or tourist visa entry.

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name only. My guess not. 

 I already have a Thai bank account with over 800k in it (I used to live in Thailand).  From OP.

Edited October 28 by KannikaP

[Brunus]

45 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up don't use term "retirement visa" some will think you are referring to non O-A multi entry visa.

You don't want that.

Best off with a single entry non O based on retirement.

 

 One more question. If I get the single entry non O visa based on retirement, can I apply for the possibility to leave and re-entry the country with the same visa?

[Upnotover]

4 minutes ago, Brunus said:

 

 One more question. If I get the single entry non O visa based on retirement, can I apply for the possibility to leave and re-entry the country with the same visa?

The single non-O give you 90 days.  The expectation is that you would apply for an annual extension in the last 30 or so of those.  But if you want to leave and return in the preceding 60 days or so then yes you can get a re-entry permit.

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, Brunus said:

 

 One more question. If I get the single entry non O visa based on retirement, can I apply for the possibility to leave and re-entry the country with the same visa?

Yes. 

The exit and reenter would require purchase of reentry permit 

Single reentry permit is 1000b.

Can be obtained at immigration or airport on day of departure 

[Brunus]

How long does the visa exempt stamp lasts? Can I immediately apply for the non O or shall I wait until the visa exempt stamp is about to expire?

[Upnotover]

Visa exempt gives you a 60 days entry.  You need to convert to the non-O with at least 15 days of those remaining.  I'd be inclined to do it around 30 days.

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, Brunus said:

How long does the visa exempt stamp lasts? Can I immediately apply for the non O or shall I wait until the visa exempt stamp is about to expire?

Currently visa exempt provides 60 day stamp.

Most offices require min 15 days remaining.

CM require 21. Phuket 15 working days.

Most offices allow you to apply 30 days prior to expiry.

Some eg CM, CW etc 45 days prior

Which immigration office do you deal with.

I asked earlier for a reason 

[Brunus]

I was thinking to go to Samui. Do I need to provide a long term rent contract or is a short term/hotel contract enough until I find a place that I want to rent long term?

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Brunus said:

I was thinking to go to Samui. Do I need to provide a long term rent contract or is a short term/hotel contract enough until I find a place that I want to rent long term?

Only Koh Samui immigration can answer if a TM30 will be sufficient or something more.

Here is Samui specific and not favourable re Samui immigration.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1308581-non-o-extension-retirement-medical-certificate/

[Brunus]

I see. I didn't know that there were different requirements. How about Pattaya? I'm still deciding where to go and Pattaya is my other option

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Brunus said:

I see. I didn't know that there were different requirements. How about Pattaya? I'm still deciding where to go and Pattaya is my other option

The thing with Jomitien is that office requires 2 months seasoning for the 800k to apply for non O retirement.

That is a nonsense rule.

The rule for non O application is 800k on day of application.

Impossible for some.

However seems you can show seasoned funds.

 

[Brunus]

Yes. The money has been for a very long time in a fixed account 

Edited October 28 by Brunus

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Brunus said:

Yes. The money has been for a very long time in a fixed account 

In that case you do not even need to show funds came from abroad.

So yes now fully aware of your details.... entering Thailand visa exempt and applying for non O based on retirement and subsequent 12 month extension is a valid option..

[Brunus]

Fantastic. Thanks again

[OJAS]

11 hours ago, Brunus said:

Fantastic. Thanks again

 

You may wish to be aware of the official Immigration Bureau guidance on obtaining a non-O visa conversion for retirement linked below:

 

https://www.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/9.FOR-RETIREMENT-PURPOSES-50-YEARS-OLD-NON-O.pdf