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Posted (edited)

I am an American citizen who will be turning 50 in the not too distant future. i am investigating the pension/income option for an O retirment visa. I would appreciate if anyone could provide info on the current situation.

Am I correct in understanding that this income can remain in a bank outside Thailand (accessing via ATM or wire)?

I need to have the income verified by the embassy in Bangkok(?), they in turn will issue me some sort of paper work which I take to (??) Thai Immigration or a Thai emb/consulate which procures an O visa (?).

Do any Americans know what is required by the US embassy? Will the following or combination thereof suffice:

Notarized paper on bank stationary of # shares held of said bank and divided paid out (as well as the current value of shares)

Notarized paper on insurance company stationary of annuity and income generated

Online generated statement showing consistant income deposited into account over ______ period of time.

2-3 cash accounts under one brokerage in addition to above

>> Additional petty cash account linked to ATM card with Bank name and my name printed on the card (with a few # scrateched out) <---for Pattaya Immigration

Need I supply all this paperwork every year from the same institutions???

Finally, after I get all this together what other documents are needed (is there a link?) such as medical, HIV, etc...

Where is best to have this processed? Washington DC, Bankgok or Penang

Have I missed anything?

Thank you very much

Edited by luumak
Posted
I am an American citizen who will be turning 50 in the not too distant future. i am investigating the pension/income option for an O retirment visa. I would appreciate if anyone could provide info on the current situation.

Am I correct in understanding that this income can remain in a bank outside Thailand (accessing via ATM or wire)?

I need to have the income verified by the embassy in Bangkok(?), they in turn will issue me some sort of paper work which I take to (??) Thai Immigration or a Thai emb/consulate which procures an O visa (?).

Do any Americans know what is required by the US embassy? Will the following or combination thereof suffice:

Notarized paper on bank stationary of # shares held of said bank and divided paid out (as well as the current value of shares)

Notarized paper on insurance company stationary of annuity and income generated

Online generated statement showing consistant income deposited into account over ______ period of time.

2-3 cash accounts under one brokerage in addition to above

>> Additional petty cash account linked to ATM card with Bank name and my name printed on the card (with a few # scrateched out) <---for Pattaya Immigration

Need I supply all this paperwork every year from the same institutions???

Finally, after I get all this together what other documents are needed (is there a link?) such as medical, HIV, etc...

Where is best to have this processed? Washington DC, Bankgok or Penang

Have I missed anything?

Thank you very much

If you want to apply for a retirement (Non-Im OA) visa BEFORE coming to Thailand, you will need to provide a Thai Embassy in your country some papers.

These will include a medical certificate, a certificate of no criminal records, a balance of at least the equivalent of 800k baht (can be in the US).

Some documents are specific to specific Embassies so please makesure you enauire at the EMbassy you intend to apply for the latest on their requirements.

The US Embassy in Bangkok only comes into play when you will want to extend/renew your period of stay once in Thailand.

Good luck

Posted (edited)

As an American you sign an affidavit. They will then supply you with a letter confirming your income. This will suffice. Take the proof with you. They will probably not check it. However as US citizens we know what the penalty telling “fibs” on the affidavit is…… :o

Send an email to the ACS in Bangkok they will explain the requirements to you or the Washington Embassy. It can be obtained from their website.

Do the visa in the US and then the rest in Thailand when you do your extension to stay for the year. I hope this helps.

Edited by maprao
Posted (edited)

Hi Thanks. It all seems bizarre and much more easily handled here, but anyway, thanks.

Medical Cert - so much cheaper here

Criminal records - state, fed? &lt;deleted&gt;.

Balance of 800k - you are saying for first year (thereafter???) I need only show accounts with cash 800k outside teh country is ok Krub???? that would be fine but thereafter I would like to do the income thing (I want to leave my money in the USA where its earning 'real money' ;-)) .

What will serve as proof to show (US embassy/Thai Immigration) of 800k year in "pension" fund, I do not have a pension but income from annuity, divided and simple interest. CAn I even do this?

Sorry for these questions, I just want to have my act together when I contact everyone involved.

Edited by luumak
Posted
Hi Thanks. It all seems bizarre and much more easily handled here, but anyway, thanks.

Medical Cert - so much cheaper here

Criminal records - state, fed? &lt;deleted&gt;.

Balance of 800k - you are saying for first year (thereafter???) I need only show accounts with cash 800k outside teh country is ok Krub???? that would be fine but thereafter I would like to do the income thing (I want to leave my money in the USA where its earning 'real money' ;-)) .

What will serve as proof to show (US embassy/Thai Immigration) of 800k year in "pension" fund, I do not have a pension but income from annuity, divided and simple interest. CAn I even do this?

Sorry for these questions, I just want to have my act together when I contact everyone involved.

oK here goes, If you are getting the OA in America at a Thai counsel ect all you need is; tax document, health cert., police check. Now tax document can be your copy of 1040z ect., police check can be local police as all they are saying is no wants or warrants, health cert.; va did mine with a copy of thai health cert. free; money in the bank did not even come into play asking for pension income of 65k thai baht....hope this helps

Posted

To obtain extension in Thailand requires money in Thailand for the previous 3 months when using bank deposit. If you use Embassy letter requirements will be your Embassy - for US you sign under oath that your income is such and such and if immigration asks for supporting documents your tax returns should be acceptable.

Posted

I got my first retirement last year and a renewal this year (40 days ago). I'd say just get the longest initial visa you can get from the US, ie ask them what they want. Stay here for at least three months, so you can establish a Thai bank account. Pop in at least 65000 baht a month for three months.

Here's what worked for me

  • A Thai bankbook showing three months of consistent 65000 income (source was never questioned)
  • A letter from your Thai bank that verifies your passbook info
  • A form letter from the US embassy that you sign and swear to the above income (no proof asked)
  • Two 4cmx6cm pics
  • the application

And that's it

Definitely, no medical or criminal absolutions

Posted (edited)

Thought it was strange, talk of a medical. This would surely only be relevant in a case where it was thought you may become a burden on the national health service. But seeing as there is no such thing in Thailand that farang can avail themselves of, why would it matter?

(now why didn't England think of this "must pass medical" idea???) :o

Edited by Lancashirelad
Posted

Hi, most of the info you've received should help. There is also info on the Thai Embassy web site. Try to get a non-retirement O-A, multiple entry, long-stay visa from the Thai Embassy before you come. I was very lucky with the Thai Embassy in NYC. You don't have to leave Thailand every 3 months, just report your address to Thai Immigration every 3 months. It's valid for 1 year and can be renewed at the end of the year. The man at the embassy actually wrote long-stay on the visa. It's like being a VIP.

Posted

Actually near the valid until date of the visa you can exit/return and receive a one year permitted to stay stamp from that date. So it serves almost two full years before you have to show income/money to Immigration for an extension of stay. The only thing you have to watch is once the original visa expires you will need a re-entry permit prior to any further travel to keep your current permitted to stay until stamp alive.

Posted

Been reading the post and found very informative. The only thing I am not sure of is the 65000Bt a month pension. Do you have to deposit this in a Thai bank every month or deposit as required? I would have no trouble showing a pension of 65000Bt +

Posted
Been reading the post and found very informative. The only thing I am not sure of is the 65000Bt a month pension. Do you have to deposit this in a Thai bank every month or deposit as required? I would have no trouble showing a pension of 65000Bt +

If you apply for an extension based on 65k + income, there is no need to actually deposit this amount in a Thai bank account. You willneed to get a letter from your Embassy that declares that you have shown them evidence of that income.

Immigration however generaly likes to see a bank book (Thai) and some movement of funds although this varies from immigration offices to offices.

My last one year extension (early Sep 07) was made solely with a copy of the Embassy letter stating my yearly income (no bank book copies required)

Posted (edited)

Regarding the Proof of Income letters from the embassy, do these need to be translated into Thai or will the originals from the embassy do the job?

Edited by GuyDow
Posted

I use the pension income method for my retirement visa extensions. I show the letter from the US embassy and have ready copies of my US bank account that shows withdrawals in Thailand, throughout the year. They kept the copies of the US bank acct. in 2006, and they insisted on the Thai bank certification that I had about 60K in it. However, not so when I renewed it this year in October.

Posted

Yes Peaceblondie I believe unless they changed anything the number is 60,000 baht in the bank with a letter of confirmation of funds from your bank. I use the statement of earnings & that can be reused for future years unless your income or pension changes or They change the law which is entirely possible in LOS. I believe it has been this way for a while now.

Not trying to drift off topic but you might want to make sure you bring any U.S. meds you need as things are different here. If you have meds you take check on the health forum to find out what isn't available here.

Beardog

Good luck & welcome to Thailand.

Posted

1. Statement of earnings can not longer be re-used - a new copy each year is the present policy.

2. Peaceblondie may require medications; :o but he has been in Thailand for a number of years.

Posted

I'm surprised at the statement that a medical is not needed initially as it was certainly needed to get a non-immigrant B before we came here, so why would it be different for a retirement visa, considering a retired person is even more likely to be a burden on the health system? I suggest you double check that one at your end as it may vary from place to place.

Posted
I'm surprised at the statement that a medical is not needed initially as it was certainly needed to get a non-immigrant B before we came here, so why would it be different for a retirement visa, considering a retired person is even more likely to be a burden on the health system? I suggest you double check that one at your end as it may vary from place to place.

Medical certificate not needed when applying in Thailand for a years extension based on retirement.

Posted

It strikes me a bit odd that the O-A, obtained outside of Thailand at the embassies, requires a physical and a police clearance (apparently). At least for renewals of O retirement visas inside Thailand, they're not required.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about two separate things. The monthly pension requirement for retirement is 65,000 baht. Once I proved that, they didn't really care how much I had in a Thai bank, although they like to see something. Of course, each consulate and each Immigration Police office is entitled to make their own requirements at the insistence of the officer.

Posted (edited)
So maybe they're required initially but not for renewals? Who knows...TIT!

Medical certificates are not required for the initial Non O Visa obtainable in your home country. Neither are they required for the annual extension within Thailand.

They are required for the 0-A Visa obtainable in your home country. As is a police report.

Edited by Lite Beer
Posted

Medical is not a general medical condition statement but only an addiction/contagious list (five or six items) as, I believe, is normal for employment.

Posted

The is no HIV/aids question, although Alcoholism has been a 6th question.

1. LEPROSY

2. TUBERCULOSIS (T.B.)

3. ELEPHANTIASIS

4. DRUG ADDICTION

5. 3 THIRD STEP OF SYPHILIS

Posted

The list of tests I had to have done for a Non Imm B while in Aus. before I came to LOS definitely required HIV/AIDS. Fortunately, I don't have it.

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