Questions re retirement visa Pattaya

[Happy happy]

i will soon need to apply to Pattaya immigration for yearly retirement renewal Previously renewals done at CW (Bangkok).

Note I already have TM30 completed form with my Pattaya address.

Some questions:

1 . Apart from completed TM 7, passport, bank letter and bank book, (800k) lease and passport copies, TM 30, 90 day report, any other document copies needed or forms to be filled in??

2 Does the bank letter need to be dated the same day as i apply to immigration?

3. In Pattaya will I get my passport with new Visa renewal stamp back the same day I apply?

4. Will I need to report back at a later date re the 800k?

5 Anything else I should know re procedures at Pattaya immigration?

 

Many thx in advance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Happy happy said:

2 Does the bank letter need to be dated the same day as i apply to immigration?

No

 

3. Think it's following day at Jomitien.

 

4. Even if immigration give you a return date for check 800k, just ignore it. 

 

Extension report thread

https://aseannow.com/topic/1319982-retirement-extension-jomtien-trip-report/

[Pattaya57]

30 minutes ago, Happy happy said:

1 . Apart from completed TM 7, passport, bank letter and bank book, (800k) lease and passport copies, TM 30, 90 day report, any other document copies needed or forms to be filled in??

2 Does the bank letter need to be dated the same day as i apply to immigration?

3. In Pattaya will I get my passport with new Visa renewal stamp back the same day I apply?

4. Will I need to report back at a later date re the 800k?

5 Anything else I should know re procedures at Pattaya immigration?

 

Many thx in advance!

 

(1) you also need a passport photo. Their info sheet also says bank statement is needed (along with the bank letter and passbook copies)

 

(2) bank letter can be day before

 

(3) I was there Monday and they had a sign saying come back after 2pm on Wednesday for passport pick-up, so appears to be 2 day return for passport now during high season.

 

(4) you will be given an official form saying you must come back at 90 days to show 800k still in bank. I only needed copy of passport bio page, valid to stay stamp page and last 3 months passbook pages with this form so pretty easy (you don't need to queue or get ticket, just go straight to desk 8 and show form, took one minute)

 

Here's the latest info sheet they hand out at Jomtien for non-imm O / Extension

 

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

(4) you will be given an official form saying you must come back at 90 days to show 800k still in bank. I only needed copy of passport bio page, valid to stay stamp page and last 3 months passbook pages with this form so pretty easy (you don't need to queue or get ticket, just go straight to desk 8 and show form, took one minute)

No. "Official form" no it's a junk made up sticker.

Never required.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1261657-jomtien-immigration-anyone-not-bother-to-go-for-the-3-month-800k-check/

[Pattaya57]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No. "Official form" no it's a junk made up sticker.

Never required.

You don't use Jomtien immigration but you continue to tell everyone to just ignore Jomtien Immigration policies?

 

The fact is immigration gives you a form you sign which tells you to come back to immigration 90 days later to prove 800k finances. As I live in Jomtien immigration jurisdiction I decided to follow Jomtien immigration directions (easy to say don't do it when you have no skin in the game). As I said in previous post it took a few passbook copies and 1 minute at desk 8 without having to queue or get ticket. Hardly a huge inconvenience to do what they ask.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Pattaya57 said:

The fact is immigration gives you a form you sign which tells you to come back to immigration 90 days later to prove 800k finances.

Despite numerous threads and posts that your paperwork is thrown in bin along with ZERO consequences of issue with not returning at 3 months.

 

Not everyone dealing with Jomitien is handy to that office.

Not to mention mobility issues.

It's a nonsense rogue request from Jomitien.

No surprise there. 

[Pattaya57]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Despite numerous threads and posts that your paperwork is thrown in bin along with ZERO consequences of issue with not returning at 3 months.

 

Not everyone dealing with Jomitien is handy to that office.

Not to mention mobility issues.

It's a nonsense rogue request from Jomitien.

No surprise there. 

Okay you've convinced me. I'm done giving "my actual experience" advice about Jomtien immigration in the visa forum as every time you say something I said is wrong

[david555]

I can confirm that I have always followed that Jomtien immigration guideline, but during the covid period I still had to queue outside in a crowd for 45 minutes, unlike normal, just walk in, hand in the doc. and go back outside without waiting, regardless of whether others were being treated!

 

That is why I literally asked the I.O. ( that friendly Indian Thai I.O) what the punishment / consequence / fine would be if I had not done that ......

 

Clearly surprised and bored he admitted that there was no fine or punishment or consequence regarding this, but that it is meant to help us that we would not act unwisely or forget to keep the obligation to keep the 400,000 in full ..... friendly explanation but a bit of a weak defense, because of course 3 months you have to have 800,000 Baht back in full on the account for the new extension later

So DR jack54 is right  .... no forced to do in real 

 

The final controle is by your new extention later if the 800 000 rule was  followed in full

[Pattaya57]

27 minutes ago, david555 said:

So DR jack54 is right  .... no forced to do in real 

 

The final controle is by your new extention later if the 800 000 rule was  followed in full

I never said you have to do it, each person can make their own decision.

 

I chose to do it because my visa is under Jomtien and they told me to do it. It's on their application info sheet that we must do it, it's on a form they make us sign that we will do it, it took one minute at immigration. For someone not using Jomtien immigration to say it's not required and just ignore it as a rogue office is what grinds my gears as they are not the one's disregarding an immigration instruction on their visa, so too easy to say when it doesn't apply to them

[david555]

15 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

I never said you have to do it, each person can make their own decision.

 

I chose to do it because my visa is under Jomtien and they told me to do it. It's on their application info sheet that we must do it, it's on a form they make us sign that we will do it, it took one minute at immigration. For someone not using Jomtien immigration to say it's not required and just ignore it as a rogue office is what grinds my gears as they are not the one's disregarding an immigration instruction on their visa so too easy to say.

you are ok , as i also would  do it as it is a short walk to the beach for me , that time however they let me que in full covid 45 minutes , that is why i asked it and why i iknow it is not strict punishable

Every body can  do what he like with it

 

I was surprised the I.O. admitted that it was not real enforced

[JDMCanuck]

I am confused, again as I try and understand how to obtain retirement status in Thailand. As I understand it, there is no retirement visa, it is an extension of your permission to stay based on retirement. Anyone , yes  , no please? and then please correct me if my understanding is wrong.  

I plan to use a reputable agent/lawyer in Pattaya, but so far have not received confirmation of the process I am to follow. I am over 50 have the required funds in a Canadian bank , no criminal record, I have no Thai bank account.

1. I apply for a 3 month single entry visa on the Evisa website. The evisa website lists it as a TOURIST VISA (TR).

2. While in Thailand my agent will arrange a bank account for me , into which I transfer 800000B .

3. I fill out the forms for the extension of my visa for retirement purposes, give the agent photographs and my passport. 

4. Approximately 1-2 weeks later I receive my passport back with a permission to stay stamp extended by a year.

5. I could actually do this at any time while I am on my 3 month single entry Tourist Visa.

6. Anytime I am leaving Thailand , I go to immigration a few days before departure fill out a TM8 form and get a Permit to leave. then when I come back (as I plan to travel in and out of Thailand during my retirement years) immigration will let me in on my Extension based on retirement. 

7. One agent I contacted said I could actually also do this just on a 60 day visa exempt entry, forgoing the application for a Tourist visa on the Evisa website, however I was sceptical of that as when you enter on a 60 day Visa exempt, you have no Visa to actually extend?? 

 

Does the above sound correct? I just want to do it totally legal and right, with no questionable shortcuts.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks so much!

[DrJack54]

6 hours ago, JDMCanuck said:

. I apply for a 3 month single entry visa on the Evisa website. The evisa website lists it as a TOURIST VISA (TR).

It's a Non immigrant visa. 

 

6 hours ago, JDMCanuck said:

6. Anytime I am leaving Thailand , I go to immigration a few days before departure fill out a TM8 form and get a Permit to leave.

Best to obtain a multiple reentry permit. 3800b 

Can be obtained at immigration or airport on day of departure.

The permit protects your current permission of stay and you can exit and reenter as often as you wish. 

6 hours ago, JDMCanuck said:

One agent I contacted said I could actually also do this just on a 60 day visa exempt entry, forgoing the application for a Tourist visa on the Evisa website, however I was sceptical of that as when you enter on a 60 day Visa exempt, you have no Visa to actually extend?? 

That's correct and in fact most agents would want to do the whole process. 

1. Open bank account 

2. Obtain Non O 

3 . Obtain 12 month extension.

Frankly I don't see why you are bothering with an agent.

You have the funds and the application is not difficult.

As they say here "up to you" 

 

6 hours ago, JDMCanuck said:

Does the above sound correct? I

Most of your points are spot on.

In Pattaya there are many good agents. 

They will assist and have you use own financials however they don't discount a lot for you having the 800k in the bank . 

 

So you are paying a lot for hand holding.

DIY non O 2000b 

12 month extension 1900b 

So it's 3900b  total.

 

With an agent even with you providing all the financial requirements cost perhaps 20k

[PHJones]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

No. "Official form" no it's a junk made up sticker.

Never required.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1261657-jomtien-immigration-anyone-not-bother-to-go-for-the-3-month-800k-check/

They used to have this in Pathum Thani. They changed.

No need to report any more for the 800k and 400k.

 

Now you get following paper attached to your passport next to RETIREMENT extension:

"The alien must have the remaining balance in the bank account of no less than 800.000 baht until

Date: STAMPED DATE HERE.

Then, an alien can withdraw the deposit and must have the remaining balance of no less than 400.000 baht."

Followed by same text in Thai.

 

This means only once a year go to immigration office for the yearly extension.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, PHJones said:

This means only once a year go to immigration office for the yearly extension.

And that's how it works.

Nice courtesy that your imm office does.

Mine (CW) does not.

However in my Google calendar I have a notice on Feb 4 "can withdraw" 

That date is 3 months after my extension.

Like most I will just leave the funds in the account.

Nice to have instant access to 400k for emergency. 

 

Off topic: Bit of warning to travellers even those that have insurance.

Friend of mine (tourist) had a turn and went to hospital for a night for observation etc.

The private hospital (Pattaya) wanted 100k as "security deposit" 

 

[JDMCanuck]

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

It's a Non immigrant visa. 

 

Best to obtain a multiple reentry permit. 3800b 

Can be obtained at immigration or airport on day of departure.

The permit protects your current permission of stay and you can exit and reenter as often as you wish. 

That's correct and in fact most agents would want to do the whole process. 

1. Open bank account 

2. Obtain Non O 

3 . Obtain 12 month extension.

Frankly I don't see why you are bothering with an agent.

You have the funds and the application is not difficult.

As they say here "up to you" 

 

Most of your points are spot on.

In Pattaya there are many good agents. 

They will assist and have you use own financials however they don't discount a lot for you having the 800k in the bank . 

 

So you are paying a lot for hand holding.

DIY non O 2000b 

12 month extension 1900b 

So it's 3900b  total.

 

With an agent even with you providing all the financial requirements cost perhaps 20k

Thank you Dr J. !!!

I actually just went and started the process at Evisa and am not sure how that will work out. I think perhaps the other times I tried and failed was because the Evisa site takes a long time for the website to respond, and  I gave up thinking it didn't work. This time even though there was no response at all for at least 2 minutes , I just waited and after close to 3 minutes it actually saved my data. So I

guess my only question at this point is ......can I apply for this visa without a Thai Bank account as that was always one of the most confusing parts that evoked so many different answers.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, JDMCanuck said:

can I apply for this visa without a Thai Bank account as that was always one of the most confusing parts that evoked so many different answers.

Applying for an eVisa does not require money in a Thai bank.

It can for example be in a bank of passport country. 

 

For those that opt to obtain the Non O visa inside of Thailand then the funds need to be in a Thai bank account in your name only.

That can be an issue for those without a Thai bank account. 

In that situation those folk sometimes use agent to assist with bank account. 

[JDMCanuck]

Again thank you DrJack!! that now makes sense.