"retirement Visa"

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Attn: Dr. Pat Pong:

I wrote to the consulate in Houston and this is the reply I got. It sounds rather complicated. Does it seem right to you?

In order to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand you must first

obtain the O-A visa here in the states and your documents must be

forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to

Bangkok prior to your application there.  Attached is the information

and the application forms, both of which are required.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have to be resident in the USA to get a Non-Imm O - A visa, and you have to prove funds now. Just apply for a Non-Imm O visa. That will fit the bill for your purposes.

[buadhai]

Attn: Dr. Pat Pong:

I wrote to the consulate in Houston and this is the reply I got. It sounds rather complicated. Does it seem right to you?

In order to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand you must first

obtain the O-A visa here in the states and your documents must be

forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to

Bangkok prior to your application there.  Attached is the information

and the application forms, both of which are required.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have to be resident in the USA to get a Non-Imm O - A visa, and you have to prove funds now. Just apply for a Non-Imm O visa. That will fit the bill for your purposes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Except that I specifically asked about Non-Imm O and that's the answer I got; that I had to apply for an O-A.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Attn: Dr. Pat Pong:

I wrote to the consulate in Houston and this is the reply I got. It sounds rather complicated. Does it seem right to you?

In order to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand you must first

obtain the O-A visa here in the states and your documents must be

forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to

Bangkok prior to your application there.  Attached is the information

and the application forms, both of which are required.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless there has been a very recent alteration, they are wrong. Write back and say thanks but no thanks, I want a multi O. Or go to the RTCG in Portland.

[buadhai]

Attn: Dr. Pat Pong:

I wrote to the consulate in Houston and this is the reply I got. It sounds rather complicated. Does it seem right to you?

In order to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand you must first

obtain the O-A visa here in the states and your documents must be

forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to

Bangkok prior to your application there.  Attached is the information

and the application forms, both of which are required.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless there has been a very recent alteration, they are wrong. Write back and say thanks but no thanks, I want a multi O. Or go to the RTCG in Portland.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have written back. I'll report the results here. Thanks for all your help.

[harpman88]

Udon,I carry a U.S.,passport,my pension begins Feb.1,have plenty assets besides..I happen to live in city that has Thai Consulate,(New Orleans)have seen nothing on the forum about it except for one of my posts. Houston is close too,but Portland sounds better. In any case,no Aussie passport,guess I will have to see what happens here! Thanx for ur reply."Harpy"... P,S. That 15 mos. in LOS without having to transfer funds till OA extension time sounds great in my book.

[lopburi3]

Back to Udon's comment about getting an initial multi"O" and potentially having 15 mos.to decide,transfer funds,etc., Is being 50 yrs.and having sufficient funds and pension

enough in itself to get the multi(understanding, of course one must exit Thailand before each 90 day period expires) as opposed to just getting a single entry"O",if in either case retirement is the eventual purpose??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suspect from a later post that you may misunderstand this 15 month comment. With a multi entry O visa valid for one year (not all are) you could potently enter every 90 days with the last a day or so before expiration of visa so total time one visa could be used would be almost 15 months. But that is not retirement long stay and you would have to exit country every 90 days to obtain a new stay stamp (visa run) and your money will need to be in a back account before you apply for extension of stay.

If slow remittance of money is your desire the O-A gives you 12 months in Thailand with no visa run required and money only has to be in bank here during last month (when you apply for first extension of stay).

[lional6]

http://thaisydney.idx.com.au/NewNonimmigrantOA.html

if this can help the Sydney Royal Thai Consulate info site for New Non Immigrant OA Visa

Applying for Temporary Residents under the 'O-A' Code for foreigners aged 50 years and over

(Non-Immigrant Visa code O-A)

1. Qualifications for the Applicant

1. An alien being 50 years of age and above (on the date of submitting an application)

2. Not being a person prohibited from entering the Kingdom.

3. Having no criminal record against the security of Thailand and the country of his/her nationality, or the country of his/her residence.

4. Not having prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) (Leprosy, Tuberculosis (T.B.), Elephantiasis, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Third step of Syphilis)

5. Having the nationality of or the residence in the country where his/her application is submitted.

6. Not being allowed to work in Thailand

2. Documents for the Applications

1. A passport valid no less than one year and a half

2. Four completed and signed Visa Application Form (attached with one photo for each visa application form).

3. A Personal Data Form

4. A copy of a bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly salary of no less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus monthly income of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.

5. In the case of the bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is to be shown as well.

6. Verification stating that the applicant has no criminal record issued from the country of his/her nationality or residence (the verification shall be valid for no more than 3 months).

7. A Medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Miniterial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) (the certificate shall be valid for no more than 3 months)

8. In the case that the applicant wishes to have his/her spouse stay together in the Kingdom but the spouse is not qualified for the O-A code visa, their marriage certificate shall also be produced as evidence. (The spouse will be considered for the Visa for Temporary Residents under the 'O' Code).

Note:

1) 1) Original documents of No.4 - 7 and No. 8 (if applicable) have to be notorized by a Notary Public.

2) 2) Document No.4 and No.5 must be issued from the same organization and must be issued within 3 months.

3) 3) Additional three copies of documents No.3 – 7 and No. 8 (if applicable)

4) 4) Application fee is AUD$225 for one year visa (Multiple entries)

5) 5) The process will take at least 5 working days.

3. Recommendations for the Alien while staying in the Kingdom

1. When completing the stay of 90 days in the Kingdom, the alien shall report to the competent authority and repeat it every 90 days with the immigration officer in the alien's residence area, or report to the police station in the alien's residence area if there is no immigration control there. In order to report to the competent authority by mail, the alien shall do as follows:

1) 1) The Report form (To Mo 47) together with a copy of the passport pages showing the alien's photo, personal details, and the latest arrival visa stamp as well as a self addressed envelop with postage affixed, shall be forwarded, by 7 days before the due date, by acknowledgement of receipt mail to the Immigration Bureau, Sathon Tai Road, Sathon District, Bangkok 10120.

2) 2) In case of conducting any following reports, the Reply Form for the previous report shall be enclosed as well.

2. At the end of the one-year stay, the alien who wishes to extend his/her stay shall submit a request for the extended period at the Immigration Bureau with the documented evidence of money transfer, or a deposit account in the Kingdom, or an income certificate, at the amount of no less than 800,000 Baht, or an income certificate plus a deposit account at the total amount of no less than 800,000 Baht a year.

3. If the alien's spouse wishes to extend his/her stay as well, the marriage certificate shall be produced.

[udon]

The above is the reason most of us go to BNE & not SYD

[lional6]

I talk too fast for BNE

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Udon,I carry a U.S.,passport,my pension begins Feb.1,have plenty assets besides..I happen to live in city that has Thai Consulate,(New Orleans)have seen nothing on the forum about it except for one of my posts. Houston is close too,but Portland sounds better. In any case,no Aussie passport,guess I will have to see what happens here! Thanx for ur reply."Harpy"... P,S. That 15 mos. in LOS without having to transfer funds till OA extension time sounds great in my book.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why not talk to that Consulate now ? If it sounds positive, tell 'em you'll do it after the ' silly season ' Good luck

[buadhai]

Attn: Dr. Pat Pong:

I wrote to the consulate in Houston and this is the reply I got. It sounds rather complicated. Does it seem right to you?

In order to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand you must first

obtain the O-A visa here in the states and your documents must be

forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to

Bangkok prior to your application there.  Attached is the information

and the application forms, both of which are required.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have to be resident in the USA to get a Non-Imm O - A visa, and you have to prove funds now. Just apply for a Non-Imm O visa. That will fit the bill for your purposes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I told Houston I just wanted to apply for a non-immigrant O and this is their reply:

"I sent you the application forms in my last email. If you want to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand, you will need to preapply for them by submitting the documents for that as well as the regular visa application."

She doesn't sound too friendly or helpful to me.

I also wrote to Portland, but didn't receive a reply.

What now?

[harpman88]

Lop,Dr.P,Thanx for your comments and input. To Lop: I understood the workings of the multi O,except that I thought the 15 mos. came from a

90 day extension at the end of the years validity rather than how you describe. I see now how its done.

I was just figuring that the multi O would be easier to obtain here than the OA and allow me the same amount of time, (visa runs not withstanding)

Dr. P, I Plan on doing just as you describe right after Xmas,trying N.O. 1st.(They once gave me a Non Imm O, when all I applied for was a Tourist Visa!) I dont know if that means anything going forward however!!,lol Thanx again guys,The harpman.

[udon]

Harpie, you are correct, the Multi "O" should be easy to get.

[buadhai]

This whole thing remains very confusing to me. The LA Consulate Web Site says:

"the Consulate is no longer required to forward the required documentation to Thailand for approval before issuing the visa"

But, in an e-mail message, the Houston Consulate told me:

"your documents must be forwarded by the Consulate to Washington Embassy to be forwarded to Bangkok prior to your application there"

Which is correct?

[udon]

Mike

What are you referring to?

A Type "O" Multi entry or

a type O-A retirement visa?

cheers

[buadhai]

Mike

What are you referring to?

A Type "O" Multi entry or

a type O-A retirement visa?

cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess I don't know the difference. When I sent my inquiry to Houston I asked about a single entry non-Immigrant retirement visa. The LA consulate web site refers to O-A.

[udon]

Ok, just concentrate on getting the 'type O multiple entry visa' for now and apply at your leisure for the O-A once you are in LoS.

----------------------------------------------

I did it the other way 'round in 2002.

I had a O-A and changed it to a multi entry O when funds ran low.

The O-A was so easy to get, I'll even take you to Suan Phlu for a few Heineys

It's no big deal to get the O-A.

Edited December 14, 2004 by udon

[buadhai]

OK. Please have a look at this page from the LA consulate regarding one year multiple entry visas. Am I going to apply under Section VII ("purpose of retirement")?

In that case I do need proof of income or assets, along with a police clearance and health certificate. And, according to the Houston Consulate, the documents will have to be submitted to Bangkok for approval.

At which consulate do you suggest I apply?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

OK. Please have a look at this page from the LA consulate regarding one year multiple entry visas. Am I going to apply under Section VII ("purpose of retirement")?

In that case I do need proof of income or assets, along with a police clearance and health certificate. And, according to the Houston Consulate, the documents will have to be submitted to Bangkok for approval.

At which consulate do you suggest I apply?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think they'll give you an O-A because you are not in the USA.

[buadhai]

OK. Please have a look at this page from the LA consulate regarding one year multiple entry visas. Am I going to apply under Section VII ("purpose of retirement")?

In that case I do need proof of income or assets, along with a police clearance and health certificate. And, according to the Houston Consulate, the documents will have to be submitted to Bangkok for approval.

At which consulate do you suggest I apply?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think they'll give you an O-A because you are not in the USA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I am in a US Territory. Maybe they don't consider that a part of the USA?

I have before me the the visa application sent to me by the Houston consulate:

1 - I should apply for a "Non-Immigrant Visa", right?

2 - Should I request more than one entry?

3 - I should put "Retirement" as the purpose for the visit, right?

4 - What should I put for "Length of stay", 90 days?

Thank-you.

[lopburi3]

Well, I am in a US Territory. Maybe they don't consider that a part of the USA?

I have before me the the visa application sent to me by the Houston consulate:

1 - I should apply for a "Non-Immigrant Visa", right?

2 - Should I request more than one entry?

3 - I should put "Retirement" as the purpose for the visit, right?

4 - What should I put for "Length of stay", 90 days?

Thank-you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Yes.

2. Multi entry (if that is what you want).

3. Visit friends. (Try not to use the retirement word as that gets them thinking O-A)

4. Believe I used to put 90 days here but not sure of current thinking.

[buadhai]

Well, I am in a US Territory. Maybe they don't consider that a part of the USA?

I have before me the the visa application sent to me by the Houston consulate:

1 - I should apply for a "Non-Immigrant Visa", right?

2 - Should I request more than one entry?

3 - I should put "Retirement" as the purpose for the visit, right?

4 - What should I put for "Length of stay", 90 days?

Thank-you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Yes.

2. Multi entry (if that is what you want).

3. Visit friends. (Try not to use the retirement word as that gets them thinking O-A)

4. Believe I used to put 90 days here but not sure of current thinking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks lopburi3.

So, if I answer like this I'll get a tourist visa?

[lopburi3]

Well, I am in a US Territory. Maybe they don't consider that a part of the USA?

I have before me the the visa application sent to me by the Houston consulate:

1 - I should apply for a "Non-Immigrant Visa", right?

2 - Should I request more than one entry?

3 - I should put "Retirement" as the purpose for the visit, right?

4 - What should I put for "Length of stay", 90 days?

Thank-you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Yes.

2. Multi entry (if that is what you want).

3. Visit friends. (Try not to use the retirement word as that gets them thinking O-A)

4. Believe I used to put 90 days here but not sure of current thinking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks lopburi3.

So, if I answer like this I'll get a tourist visa?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You apply for a non-immigrant O visa. Not a tourist visa.

[buadhai]

Well, I am in a US Territory. Maybe they don't consider that a part of the USA?

I have before me the the visa application sent to me by the Houston consulate:

1 - I should apply for a "Non-Immigrant Visa", right?

2 - Should I request more than one entry?

3 - I should put "Retirement" as the purpose for the visit, right?

4 - What should I put for "Length of stay", 90 days?

Thank-you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1. Yes.

2. Multi entry (if that is what you want).

3. Visit friends. (Try not to use the retirement word as that gets them thinking O-A)

4. Believe I used to put 90 days here but not sure of current thinking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks lopburi3.

So, if I answer like this I'll get a tourist visa?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You apply for a non-immigrant O visa. Not a tourist visa.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then what's the basis on which the non-immigrant O is issued? The LA Consulate Web Site lists eight purposes for which a non-immigrant visa will be issued:

1 - Business

2 - Employment

3 - Studying and Teaching

4 - Research

5 - Religious Purposes

6 - Visiting Family

7 - Retirement

8 - Official Purposes

None of these, except retirement, apply to me.

[lopburi3]

You are not dealing with LA Consulate.

[buadhai]

I guess I'm just clueless, or stupid or been a bureaucrat too long to make sense of any of this.

Since I have proof of sufficient income and all the other stuff that I need, I think I'm just going to apply for a O-A retirement visa right from the start. That seems to be the most straightforward and above-board way to go.

Thanks to all those who tried to make me understand. Sorry I couldn't figure it out.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I guess I'm just clueless, or stupid or been a bureaucrat too long to make sense of any of this.

Since I have proof of sufficient income and all the other stuff that I need, I think I'm just going to apply for a O-A retirement visa right from the start. That seems to be the most straightforward and above-board way to go.

Thanks to all those who tried to make me understand. Sorry I couldn't figure it out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Apply for the multiple entry visa. A single will expire before you get there.

[udon]

Doc, Should Mike go for a multiple entry type "O" or a multi entry tourist visa?

reason for type O...... visiting family !

reason for multiple entry tourist visa...... travel !

---------------------

Mike, these 2 visas and O-A are all "above board"

That LA site is a nightmare, I can see why you're confused.

Change nationality and we'll teach you some strine

[buadhai]

Doc, Should  Mike go for a multiple entry type "O" or a multi entry tourist visa?

reason for type O...... visiting family !

reason for multiple entry tourist visa...... travel !

---------------------

Mike, these 2 visas and O-A are all "above board"

That LA site is a nightmare, I can see why you're confused.

Change nationality and we'll teach you some strine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ha! Oddly, one of the reasons I'm gun shy here is that I once applied for immigration to Australia. I was turned down and ever since then I've had trouble getting even tourist visas. Last time I was there I was taken aside by Immigration authorities who asked me, "Mr. Newman, when was the last time you were in Saudi Arabia!"

I definitely don't want to get on some Thai government shit list because I apply for a visa with fraudulent intent. I want to be absolutely above board.

Since I don't have family to visit, I guess I'll apply for a multiple entry tourist visa. After all, when my girlfriend called Thai Immigration when we were there last October that's what the official told her I should do. He said it would be no problem to convert the tourist visa to a retirement visa.

Go figure....

[udon]

Australian Immi was correct.

You cannot get in unless you have a criminal record, are a reffo, or arrived in an unseaworthy vessel.

Go figure

Since I don't have family to visit, I guess I'll apply for a multiple entry tourist visa. After all, when my girlfriend called Thai Immigration when we were there last October that's what the official told her I should do. He said it would be no problem to convert the tourist visa to a retirement visa.

So, go for the multiple entry tourist visa!

End of problem,

don't forget to bring yr criminal records with you for your 1st interview at room 416