Retirement Visa With Funds In Uk Bank

[WeeGB]

Hi, This is my first posting, so please make allowances. I've looked around the site and have not found what I'm looking for, so here goes.

I am married to a Thai lady, and wish to retire here. I'm 53 and got a form from Hull advising me that I do NOT have to transfer funds from a UK bank, but can provide evidence of sufficient funds from the British Embassy. As far as I know, I have everything I need, UK police clearance, 3 sets of my fingerprints, Bank account statements etc., and I'm planning on going to Bangkok this week to try and sort it all out. Has anyone any experiences of retiring this way? I've looked everywhere but haven't found anything that is similar to my position. I got a triplicate set of forms from Hull, and the local headman is going to sign them for me, as a character reference. Any advice information or help gratefully received. Sawadee bee mai to one and all.

[lopburi3]

It appears you are in Thailand so not sure why you are asking Hull. They can not issue a retirement visa in any case. Only the Thai Embassy in London can do that. But if you are in Thailand that is not what you want.

If you want to extend for retirement inside Thailand the money must be in a Thai bank account AFAIK, and have been here for 3 months, (if using the 800k method). If using the 65k monthly income or a combination there would not be the 3 months requirement. There is also no requirement for police check or fingerprints. You must be on a non immigrant visa entry of 90 days and should be in the last 30 days of that entry. If you do not have that you can also convert to a non immigrant visa at an extra cost of 2,000 baht if you have 21 days remaining on a tourist visa or 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

If you use income you will require a letter from your embassy. You should always have a bank passbook and letter from bank of account balance. A 4x6cm current photo and first time should have your wife with you and marriage documents as they may want her to sign that she understands the type of extension you are getting.

[WeeGB]

Hi, I've scanned in the documents I got from Hull before I left the UK, this does seem to be a new way of retiring here. The form is Af(10/10) dated 02 July 2007.

Retirement_certificate_in_word.doc

[Lite Beer]

You do not need the character reference either.

[Lite Beer]

Hi, I've scanned in the documents I got from Hull before I left the UK, this does seem to be a new way of retiring here. The form is Af(10/10) dated 02 July 2007.

That information is wrong.

You need the money in a Thai bank before you apply.

Just follow Lopburi 3 s advice he is 100% correct.

[WeeGB]

It would seem I've been misinformed by Hull Consulate. So for plan B! If I can put 800000, in a Thai bank, must I transfer it in a single amount, or can I do it at, for example ,20,000 Baht a day (cash machines)until I reach the required amount? Also, I understand this has to be in the Thai bank for 3 months, which is no problem - or at least I don't think so (!), I am here on a 12 month Non-imm O visa. When and if the retirement visa is granted, I will need to go back to the UK to sell up there. Will the retirement visa allpw me to do this, or will I need to get anything else? Is there anywhere that gives step by step advice on what to do? Should I apply for Thai police clearance now? I've got the police check from the Uk form, and three sets of fingerprints that they ask for. Thanks again for advice and help.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You need to establish that the funds came from abroad. Can you do that by ATM withdrawals ? You do not need a police clearance if applying for retirement in Thailand.

[JimGant]

WeeGB,

See the following thread that addresses Hull's misinformation about getting an O-A visa in Thailand:

Info on Hull's O-A Misinformation

You've wasted your time and money getting a police report and medical check in Britain. Thai immigration won't ask for these.

[JimGant]

And WeeGb,

It's a little unclear about your financial situation, but you can get a retirement extension if you've 65k monthly retirement income. Officially, then, you *don't* need money in a Thai bank -- although unofficially Immigration likes to see a Thai bank book with at least 65k in it ('tho I've seen where less got by).

And going the income route, Hull gets one thing right -- you need British Embassy certification. And unlike the OZ and Yank embassies, proof of this income is asked for.

[JimGant]

I am here on a 12 month Non-imm O visa. When and if the retirement visa is granted, I will need to go back to the UK to sell up there. Will the retirement visa allpw me to do this, or will I need to get anything else? Is there anywhere that gives step by step advice on what to do? Should I apply for Thai police clearance now?

When you get your retirement extension, the same day get a re-entry stamp (they come in single or multiple flavors). This will allow you leave and re-enter Thailand without disturbing the one-year validity of your retirement extension.

You do NOT need any police clearances to extend a Non Imm O visa in Thailand.

[Lite Beer]

And WeeGb,

It's a little unclear about your financial situation, but you can get a retirement extension if you've 65k monthly retirement income. Officially, then, you *don't* need money in a Thai bank -- although unofficially Immigration likes to see a Thai bank book with at least 65k in it ('tho I've seen where less got by).

Actually you can do it with 40,000 Baht a month based on marriage to a Thai National. If you have this income of course.

If not it is 800,000 in the bank for you.

[lopburi3]

1. If using the bank deposit method they money should clearly be shown to come from overseas - the best method is wire transfer (and it need not be for the full amount). If you can not do, or have someone do, I would ask bank if using debit/credit card at counter (not ATM) will show foreign origin for deposit into your account. ATM slips fade fast and in general are not what most officers like to be shown. You should have bank proof of funds transfer in case it is asked for.

2. With your multi entry visa you can wait until the last 30 days of any entry to make your application so you do have time.

3. As said you will need a re-entry permit at 1,000 baht for any trip after getting an extension of stay to keep it alive.

4. For extension you will need passport/copies, arrival card/copies, 4x6cm current photo, bank passbook and bank letter of account balance (within the week and matching), Embassy letter (if using income/pension monthly payments are financial means or partly using), 1st time you may need proof of residence and I would have wife with me with her ID card/marriage certificate and perhaps home register as they may want her to sign a form that she understands you are getting a retirement extension of stay the first time.

[Artisi]

It appears to me that if you are in Thailand already and have sufficient cash available you have two options,

1. transfer 800,000 into a Thai bank account at least 3 monthds prior to applying for your visa.

2. As you are married to a Thai, start transferring Bht 40,000 each month (or a multiple of Bht 40, 000 every few months) - starting now to show income arriving from the UK and then get your letter from the British embassy to confirm your income prior to applying for your visa.

[WeeGB]

Hi one and all, Firstly apologies for my absence since my last posting - the computer went bang! It seems a Jingjuk had got into the power unit at the back of the PC , so here I am complete with new power unit ( and minus 2000 Baht!).

Thanks to everyone for help and advice so far, Ok this is my situation, my monthly pension is approx 23000 Baht amonth, so the 65000 rule is no good, so I will have to transfer the 800000 required from the UK. My bank there tells me I can use a thing called a Swift transfer, I'm going to try that with a small amount first, then the rest. I assume that doing this will provide evidence that the money has come from abroad. I asked at the local Bangkok Bank about using the Visa card over the counter, but they seem unclear as to whether this will show up as from foreign origin (!) I also asked about the required letter, when the funds are here, and they will give me one showing the amount, but they cannot confirm in the letter that the money came from abroad. Is this just my bank or is the onus on me to provide evidence of this? I'm here on an O visa, which is for twelve months, with renewals every 90 days, the first of which I haven't done yet, it's due the last week of January. It would seem from posters comments that I don't need either Thai Police clearance or a character reference to apply for this first retirement visa.

Lopburi, I assume you mean that the bank account book balance and that stated in the Banks letter should have matching amounts, and that these must be dated within seven days of me going to the Immigration office - is that correct? Thanks again to everyone for help, if I've got anything wrong here please let me know. PS I'm thinking of changing my sign in name from WeeGB to "stressed" or is it already taken?

[lopburi3]

Some are saying bank letter should be within 24 hours but have never had a problem and believe most allow up to a week. They are very strict on having the passbook and letter amount match however. Swift is the normal wire transfer system and each entry in passport will have a FTT code that show it is from overseas - if more proof is required Bangkok Bank will have a transfer slip for every transaction that they can copy and provide you - for first application it might be good to have them (also shows you the exact costs involved in the transfer and who got what). As there is a 20k USD withholding law on the books it is best to keep each transaction below that amount to avoid any possible forwarding of 30% to the Bank of Thailand (and then the paperwork to get it back). You can use your pension income to offset the 800k amount. Embassy letter of 23k per month would only require a bank balance of about 525k. All you will need is the money, passbook/letter, embassy letter if pension used, TM.7 with current 4x6cm photo, 1,900 baht fee and copy of passport/arrival card. They may want some proof of you residence on first application. You can do at your leisure if you don't mind the 90 day border runs for new visa entry. Should be done during the last 30 days of an entry.

[WeeGB]

Lopburi3, thanks again for the help - it sounds as though you've done this already. Would you advise transferring Pounds sterling to be converted into Baht here, as the more economical option, I've been getting 66-69 Baht/Pound since I've been here, but the rate in the UK is about 59 baht last time I checked. I've got Scottish blood in me and have a natural instsinct for cost-cutting !

I'll take your advice about the 20k USD withholding law, the Bangkok Branch up here (Phetchabon), don't seem very clued up on all of this at all.

Sorry I don't understand the part about the passport / FTT code. I take it that the TM7 is the immigration form number. Proof of residence is Thai residence? I have a house here, in my wife's name.

Thanks again.

PS, Am I right in saying your calculations on Pension/ Thai Bank deposit are based on for every 1000 baht pension, approx 12000 Baht can be deducted from the 800,000? Sorry it's that Scottish blood again!

[Sophon]

Lopburi3, thanks again for the help - it sounds as though you've done this already. Would you advise transferring Pounds sterling to be converted into Baht here, as the more economical option, I've been getting 66-69 Baht/Pound since I've been here, but the rate in the UK is about 59 baht last time I checked. I've got Scottish blood in me and have a natural instsinct for cost-cutting !

I'll take your advice about the 20k USD withholding law, the Bangkok Branch up here (Phetchabon), don't seem very clued up on all of this at all.

Sorry I don't understand the part about the passport / FTT code. I take it that the TM7 is the immigration form number. Proof of residence is Thai residence? I have a house here, in my wife's name.

Thanks again.

PS, Am I right in saying your calculations on Pension/ Thai Bank deposit are based on for every 1000 baht pension, approx 12000 Baht can be deducted from the 800,000? Sorry it's that Scottish blood again!

You should without a doubt transfer the funds in GBP. Never, ever let your bank back home do the exchange and transfer THB instead. Make absolutely sure that your British Bank understands that they should transfer GBP and not THB.

I believe Lopburi meant to write passbook and not passport. Every entry in the passbook will have a code specifying the type of transaction, and transfers from abroad will have the FTT code. Immigration can see this and identify that the money came from abroad.

And finally, the requirement is pension/income of THB 65,000 per month or a combination of pension/income per year and bank deposit totaling THB 800,000. So with your pension you would require a bank deposit of THB 800,000 - (12 x 23,000) = THB 524,000. So yes, you are right that you can subtract THB 12,000 for each THB 1,000 you have in monthly pension.

Sophon

[Lite Beer]

One small point. You say you are going to make a small Swift transfer to test the system.

Don't make it too small as most UK banks charge around 25 pounds per transfer. Not very cost affective. Especially for a Scot.

[lopburi3]

As said it should have read "passbook" for the money code. The one thing you may have a problem with is that your account (at least for US banks) must have a signed agreement to allow wire transfers (wire transfer agreement) to protect your account and this usually involves personal application and code word obtained in person. Once on file you can than do transfers by whatever methods they allow.

[WeeGB]

The Bank I'm using is a UK Bank and I can download and print the form, sign it and send it off. They then contact me by phone and after I get through their security questions, the money is sent by the SWIFT system. The charge for each transfer with the Bank I'm using is 20 Pounds, and for the information of others who may go through this in future, they will only transfer in either GB Pounds or US Dollars. Also, and this is only for money sent to Thailand, a reason has to be stated on the form, as to why the money is being transferred. I'm going to put something along the lines of " to establish funds for a retirement visa". Thanks again, to all who've given advice, hope what I've written here is helpful to someone else in the future.

[Dave the Dude]

The Bank I'm using is a UK Bank and I can download and print the form, sign it and send it off. They then contact me by phone and after I get through their security questions, the money is sent by the SWIFT system. The charge for each transfer with the Bank I'm using is 20 Pounds, and for the information of others who may go through this in future, they will only transfer in either GB Pounds or US Dollars. Also, and this is only for money sent to Thailand, a reason has to be stated on the form, as to why the money is being transferred. I'm going to put something along the lines of " to establish funds for a retirement visa". Thanks again, to all who've given advice, hope what I've written here is helpful to someone else in the future.

Hi WeeGB

Sounds like the same arrangements as I used with Nationwide Building Society. I usually use 'car purchase/House purchase/medical expenses' as reason as they are the most commonly used reason. I always ere for the easy route and I dont think it will be investigated anyways. I agree with previous sentiments re sending GPB & not Thai Baht

Good Luck and a Happy retirement/new year

Dave (ex Bank Manager)

[WeeGB]

Dave The Dude, Are you saying I should NOT put the true reason for the SWIFT Transfer on the form?Who would investigate it, Thai or Uk authorities? I'm trying to do this all as correctly as possible, I've had more than enough problems so far. Thanks for your good wishes and a "Sawadee Be Mai" to you and yours.

[lopburi3]

Just put "personal expenses" or some such thing - the only concern is that it is not an investment transfer. The only time it is important to put the exact reason is when for purchase of a condo as you need special paperwork showing money was remitted for that reason.

[marshbags]

The Bank I'm using is a UK Bank and I can download and print the form, sign it and send it off. They then contact me by phone and after I get through their security questions, the money is sent by the SWIFT system. The charge for each transfer with the Bank I'm using is 20 Pounds, and for the information of others who may go through this in future, they will only transfer in either GB Pounds or US Dollars. Also, and this is only for money sent to Thailand, a reason has to be stated on the form, as to why the money is being transferred. I'm going to put something along the lines of " to establish funds for a retirement visa". Thanks again, to all who've given advice, hope what I've written here is helpful to someone else in the future.

Hi WeeGB

Sounds like the same arrangements as I used with Nationwide Building Society. I usually use 'car purchase/House purchase/medical expenses' as reason as they are the most commonly used reason. I always ere for the easy route and I dont think it will be investigated anyways. I agree with previous sentiments re sending GPB & not Thai Baht

Good Luck and a Happy retirement/new year

Dave (ex Bank Manager)

Just to add additional confidence, i reached the same conclusions as Dave as i also use Nationwide.

I usually put for Family Funds / personal expenses ( as Lopburi suggests by the way )

Never had a problem and it usually gets transferred in a couple of days of getting your printed / signed copy back up to the U.K. address as stipulated.

I always send it via a Receipt of International " Letter-post Item ( 212 ) " and send it Registered tick box and Air tick box posting method.

It,s a small white slip similar in size to the EMS slip.

Cost me about 140 baht i think last time, the post office told me it is more secure and effficient than EMS, some time ago.

Make sure you put the exact and up to date SWIFT code of your bank, along with relevant info.

Information just in case you aren,t aware of it,

marshbags

I,m about to do a transfer but have a couple of months flexability on time and waiting hopefully for the ex. rate to improve again, taking the present situation into account, political and economical. GB pounds the way to go by the way

IMHO as always.

[Tafia]

2. As you are married to a Thai, start transferring Bht 40,000 each month (or a multiple of Bht 40, 000 every few months) - starting now to show income arriving from the UK and then get your letter from the British embassy to confirm your income prior to applying for your visa.

Is it correct then - that if I am married to a Thai and retired I can show a multiple of 40k coming in from the UK (40k per month) by swift or depositing cheques and there is no requirement for any tax papers and this will be acceptable along with a letter from the embassy for an extension based on marriage?

[WeeGB]

Hi Everybody, This posting is again to try and help other people having difficulties with getting retirement funding over to LOS. I spoke to the Nationwide BS SWIFT team after calling them on the number on their website, as I was concerned my trial payment transfer would arrive with them after the date I'd put on it. (Example form dated 23 Jan arrives 25th), due to postal delays from LOS. I was assured that provided I pass their security checks on the 'phone they will still process it. I was also told that the 20 Pounds fee for the transfer comes out of my bank balance, not the amount transferred.

Thanks again for all advice given.

When all of this is completed, hopefully by mid February, I will be happy to submit details of the procedure I used for other members, so anyone in future can see the way it works. Any advice on which Moderator/Snr Administrator to send this to ?

Gee it's tough being a newbie - I'm off for an hour's early morning sunshine.

[Dave the Dude]

Hi Everybody, This posting is again to try and help other people having difficulties with getting retirement funding over to LOS. I spoke to the Nationwide BS SWIFT team after calling them on the number on their website, as I was concerned my trial payment transfer would arrive with them after the date I'd put on it. (Example form dated 23 Jan arrives 25th), due to postal delays from LOS. I was assured that provided I pass their security checks on the 'phone they will still process it. I was also told that the 20 Pounds fee for the transfer comes out of my bank balance, not the amount transferred.

Thanks again for all advice given.

When all of this is completed, hopefully by mid February, I will be happy to submit details of the procedure I used for other members, so anyone in future can see the way it works. Any advice on which Moderator/Snr Administrator to send this to ?

Gee it's tough being a newbie - I'm off for an hour's early morning sunshine.

Hi WeeGB

I phoned the swift team when my UK funds were available BEFORE the date I put on the swift form.After 'passing' the phone ID test, they sent my transfer immediatly.

Just thought I'd mention it incase there is an urgency.

Tafia

Please note that the UK embassy require EVIDENCE OF INCOME (& an unfairly large fee) unlike many other embassies.

DAVE

[lopburi3]

Hi Everybody, This posting is again to try and help other people having difficulties with getting retirement funding over to LOS. I spoke to the Nationwide BS SWIFT team after calling them on the number on their website, as I was concerned my trial payment transfer would arrive with them after the date I'd put on it. (Example form dated 23 Jan arrives 25th), due to postal delays from LOS. I was assured that provided I pass their security checks on the 'phone they will still process it. I was also told that the 20 Pounds fee for the transfer comes out of my bank balance, not the amount transferred.

Thanks again for all advice given.

When all of this is completed, hopefully by mid February, I will be happy to submit details of the procedure I used for other members, so anyone in future can see the way it works. Any advice on which Moderator/Snr Administrator to send this to ?

Gee it's tough being a newbie - I'm off for an hour's early morning sunshine.

Just make a normal post with a subject line like "Nationwide swift transfer procedure". If you add visa it will probably stay here - otherwise the jobs/banking forum is the normal place for such information.

[Tafia]

Tafia

Please note that the UK embassy require EVIDENCE OF INCOME (& an unfairly large fee) unlike many other embassies.

DAVE

I understand that bit Dave,(any idea how much & is that fee required annually??) its just I see so many posts regarding extension on Marriage that say we need tax papers (proof of payment of tax in LOS). My pension is paid in the UK and taxed there so I will not be taxed in LOS. I take it then that as long as I have evidence and a letter supporting the proof of income, tax papers will not be required for an extension based on marriage??

[begsaresponse]

Hi WeeGB.

It is a shame you have had conflicting information but those of us who have retired here we are used to this. Hull Consulate ,whilst generally good ,do have a different perspective on what you need, what hoops you have to jump through to get a retirement visa here. Such as the finger prints and the police clerance check these are not required here as other posters have alluded to.

As a Scot and in relation to future transfers of money from the UK to your bank account here you can save by writting a cheque from your UK account and pay it into your bank here. This costs 350 baht. Instead of £25. However the transfer can take 45 days! But if you can project what you need 6 weeks before your last baht expires pay the cheque into your account here. Thats what we do and it meets our needs.

Wish you all the best.

begsaresponse