Retirement/spouse Visa Best Choices

[Rob5060]

Hi

I am moving to Thailand from the UK in 3 months. I have a Thai wife and I am over 50

I thought the process was as follows but the Thai Consulate have confused me I would appreciate any comments on the process below

1 Apply for a 3 month non -immigrant visa in th UK - Thai Consulate advise 12 months

2 Apply for retirement/spouse visa in Thaialnd with the cash requirements etc in place

The questions I'm not sure about are

1 If I apply for the extension visa within 3 months will it not give me time to have 800,000Bt in the account for long enough ie if I arrive say Sept 1 and transfer even within 1 week it would not be there for the full 3 monrhs when the extensioon application was due to be made

2 The police requirments would be out of date

I realise that it is poossible to have regular 12 month multi entry visas but I dont want to be committed to coming back to the UK regularly

Finally last point I believe it possible on a retirement/spouse visa to leave Thailabd with a re-entry permit. I assume this is the option to a Non immigrant visa tht means returning to the UK

Any comments greatly appreciated

Cheers

[Lite Beer]

Hi

I am moving to Thailand from the UK in 3 months. I have a Thai wife and I am over 50

I thought the process was as follows but the Thai Consulate have confused me I would appreciate any comments on the process below

1 Apply for a 3 month non -immigrant visa in th UK - Thai Consulate advise 12 months

2 Apply for retirement/spouse visa in Thaialnd with the cash requirements etc in place

The questions I'm not sure about are

1 If I apply for the extension visa within 3 months will it not give me time to have 800,000Bt in the account for long enough ie if I arrive say Sept 1 and transfer even within 1 week it would not be there for the full 3 monrhs when the extensioon application was due to be made

2 The police requirments would be out of date

I realise that it is poossible to have regular 12 month multi entry visas but I dont want to be committed to coming back to the UK regularly

Finally last point I believe it possible on a retirement/spouse visa to leave Thailabd with a re-entry permit. I assume this is the option to a Non immigrant visa tht means returning to the UK

Any comments greatly appreciated

Cheers

The yearly extension based on Marriage requires a monthly income of 40,000 Baht. This can be yours, your Wifes or a combination of both.

For retirement it is 65,000 a month OR 800,000 in the bank OR a combination of both.

There is no requirement for a police report or medical certificate.

You could get a Multi Entry Non O Visa and apply for the years extension 30 days before the end of any of the 90 day stays.

You could even get a single entry Tourist Visa and upgrade that to a Non O Visa in Thailand within 21 days of it expiring for a fee of 2000 Baht . After 2 months you can apply for your years extension . This would give you time to season your 800,000 in the bank.

Yes you can exit Thailand using re entry permits.

[Tafia]

Hi

I am moving to Thailand from the UK in 3 months. I have a Thai wife and I am over 50

I thought the process was as follows but the Thai Consulate have confused me I would appreciate any comments on the process below

1 Apply for a 3 month non -immigrant visa in th UK - Thai Consulate advise 12 months

2 Apply for retirement/spouse visa in Thaialnd with the cash requirements etc in place

The questions I'm not sure about are

1 If I apply for the extension visa within 3 months will it not give me time to have 800,000Bt in the account for long enough ie if I arrive say Sept 1 and transfer even within 1 week it would not be there for the full 3 monrhs when the extensioon application was due to be made

2 The police requirments would be out of date

I realise that it is poossible to have regular 12 month multi entry visas but I dont want to be committed to coming back to the UK regularly

Finally last point I believe it possible on a retirement/spouse visa to leave Thailabd with a re-entry permit. I assume this is the option to a Non immigrant visa tht means returning to the UK

Any comments greatly appreciated

Cheers

Have you thought of getting an O-A from the Royal Thai Embassy in London (not available by post)

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/visa_retirement.html

[lopburi3]

You have time to do this in London with the non immigrant OA visa if you want. That will require the police report/medical but money can still be in your home bank account there. Smaller Consulates can not sell this visa so often seem to fail to provide it as an option. On entry into Thailand you will be stamped in for one year. If you have a multi entry (extra cost) you would not have to have re-entry permit for travel during the year of visa validity and it can provide almost two years stay (get new one year entry near expiration) so is cost effective.

[OJAS]

On entry into Thailand you will be stamped in for one year. If you have a multi entry (extra cost) you would not have to have re-entry permit for travel during the year of visa validity and it can provide almost two years stay (get new one year entry near expiration) so is cost effective.

I, too, am considering applying for a 1-year multi-entry O-A long-stay visa for retirement purposes (being over 50, etc) from the Royal Thai Embassy in London. However, I would be grateful for clarification of the 1-year period for which I will be stamped in ("admitted until") upon entry into Thailand with such a visa. Is it 1 year from the date of visa issue, or 1 year from the date of entry into Thailand?

If it is 1 year from the date of entry into Thailand, will the visa itself still expire 1 year after its issue regardless? If so, that will presumably mean that I would only be able to exit (without a re-entry permit) and return to Thailand within a period of visa issue + 1 year if I wanted my passport to be stamped in for a further year. In other words, I would presumably still need a re-entry permit were I not to return to Thailand until after the visa had expired (even if still before the previous "admitted until" date), would I not?

On a related point, is there a maximum period within which a multi-entry O-A long-stay visa must be activated following its issue by its holder's entry into Thailand? I have heard 3 months being bandied about, but is there any truth in this? In theory, would be be possible to enter Thailand on Day 364 of the visa and still get an "admitted to" date of entry + 1 year in one's passport (although in such a situation one would presumably need to apply for a re-entry permit virtually from the outset were one minded to leave and return to Thailand within this period)?

[Maestro]

I, too, am considering applying for a 1-year multi-entry O-A long-stay visa for retirement purposes (being over 50, etc) from the Royal Thai Embassy in London. However, I would be grateful for clarification of the 1-year period for which I will be stamped in ("admitted until") upon entry into Thailand with such a visa. Is it 1 year from the date of visa issue, or 1 year from the date of entry into Thailand?

One year from the date of entry into Thailand.

If it is 1 year from the date of entry into Thailand, will the visa itself still expire 1 year after its issue regardless?

Yes.

If so, that will presumably mean that I would only be able to exit (without a re-entry permit) and return to Thailand within a period of visa issue + 1 year if I wanted my passport to be stamped in for a further year.

Yes.

In other words, I would presumably still need a re-entry permit were I not to return to Thailand until after the visa had expired (even if still before the previous "admitted until" date), would I not?

Yes, you would.

On a related point, is there a maximum period within which a multi-entry O-A long-stay visa must be activated following its issue by its holder's entry into Thailand?

Yes. You must enter not later than one day before the date stamped on your visa after the texte “this visa must be utilized before...”

I have heard 3 months being bandied about, but is there any truth in this?

This is only true for other types of visas that are valid for three months.

In theory, would be be possible to enter Thailand on Day 364 of the visa and still get an "admitted to" date of entry + 1 year in one's passport (although in such a situation one would presumably need to apply for a re-entry permit virtually from the outset were one minded to leave and return to Thailand within this period)?

Yes.

--

Maestro

[lopburi3]

If you obtain the single entry non immigrant OA visa it will have a validity of three months for use so in that case you would have to enter during those three months to obtain your one year permitted to stay stamp.

[OJAS]

Maestro & lopburi3 - many thanks for your clear and authoritative advice. May I trouble you further, please, for your considered views on a couple of other points:-

(1) Are Thai embassies able to determine OA visa applications off their own bat (in which case we are presumably talking about a processing period of a few working days)? Or do these all have to be referred for decision to the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok (in which case we are presumably talking several weeks)?

(2) What does the reference/guarantee letter which I need to obtain from my UK bank need to say? Merely that my balance on such-&-such a date was such-&-such an amount (=>800k THB) in confirmation of my bank statements? Or something else as well/instead (and, if so, what)?

Rob5060 - I also have 3 points (not queries) for you:-

(1) You will note from the London Embassy website that copies of bank statements, bank reference/guarantee letters, criminal record checks & medical certificates accompanying OA visa applications need to be certified by a Notary Public. I have found general info on notaries public on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public) and specific UK-related info on the Notaries Sociey website (http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/) which may be useful to you (and perhaps also to you, Maestro & lopburi3, in view of previous threads which I have seen on this point?). Indeed, my local Yellow Pages directory includes a specific section on Notaries (including details of several notaries public in my general area).

(2) I don't know where you currently live in the UK, but please note that the London Embassy only accepts visa applications in person and not by post. Since the Embassy is only c.45 mins away from chez moi (in Surbiton) by train & tube, I would be more than happy to assist you with accommodation (to save you expensive hotel bills) should you live a long way from London.

(3) In case you are not already aware, your criminal record check will take the form of a police "subject access request" which you will need to obtain from your local constabulary. Please note, however, that this could take up to 40 days.

[Rob5060]

I hope this is an obvious question but if the Retirement visa is obtained in London it can presumably be renewed in Thiland and not mean a journey back yo the UK

Also I am probably thick but Im not sure what this means:-

' If you have a multi entry (extra cost) you would not have to have a re-entry permit for travel during the year of visa validity and it can provide almost two years stay (get new one year entry near expiration) so is cost effective.'

I assume the visa needs renewing after 12 months after the first entry to Thailand

Cheers

[Lite Beer]

I hope this is an obvious question but if the Retirement visa is obtained in London it can presumably be renewed in Thiland and not mean a journey back yo the UK

You will get yearly extensions in Thailand with your money in a Thai bank OR the monthly income route.

Police reports and medicals will not be needed.

The fee at the moment is 1,900 Baht.

[lopburi3]

1. The visa does not need renewing - you need to extend your stay. If you have the multi entry that can be delayed an extra year by making an exit/entry just prior to expiration (because each entry gets a one year permitted to stay stamp). After your visa expires you need re-entry permit prior to any travel to maintain your permitted to stay stamp.

2. You obtain extension of stay from Immigration inside Thailand on a yearly basis.

For OJAS: Approval was originally at Bangkok level but last few years seems to have been delegated to Embassy level and is quite fast in most countries. Having not done the process can not say exactly what is required for bank letter - you should check with Embassy to be sure everything is done to there requirements as it does vary from place to place.

[OJAS]

I hope this is an obvious question but if the Retirement visa is obtained in London it can presumably be renewed in Thiland and not mean a journey back yo the UK

Also I am probably thick but Im not sure what this means:-

' If you have a multi entry (extra cost) you would not have to have a re-entry permit for travel during the year of visa validity and it can provide almost two years stay (get new one year entry near expiration) so is cost effective.'

I assume the visa needs renewing after 12 months after the first entry to Thailand

Cheers

I am happy to defer to Maestro's and lopburi3's considerably greater knowledge and wisdom as regards this whole minefield (which I, too, am finding extremely mind-boggling, to say the least), but my understanding of the position is that, were I to exit Thailand some time before my OA visa expiry date, I would be automatically stamped in for a further year without any ado provided that I re-entered the country by no later than 1 day before the visa expiry date. And, if my understanding is correct, this would not necessarily mean a return trip to the UK - you could presumably obtain an automatic extension of this nature merely as a result of a day's "border run" to an adjacent country (Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, etc).

To achieve this, however, you would need to apply for a multi-entry (as distinct from single entry) OA visa from the London Embassy. In that way (although I stand to be corrected by Maestro and lopburi3), you should then be able to come and go from Thailand as you please during the initial year of your visa without the need for a re-entry permit from the Immigration Bureau (or your local Immigration Office). However, you would need such a permit before being able to exit and re-enter Thailand during the second year of your visa, should you be so minded.

Come the end of your second year, however, you will need then to start applying for extensions of stay on a yearly basis - as a part of which you would need to demonstrate that you have had >800k THB in a Thai bank account for at least the preceding 3 months. Unfortunately, yearly auto-extensions of OA visas ad infinitum would appear to be completely out of the question!

Hope the mud is now a little bit clearer!

[Jchr10]

What exactly do I need to bring to apply for the extension other than my passport, letter of income from my embassy, and 1900 baht?

JC

[lopburi3]

1,900 baht, 4x6cm current photo, TM.7 form, copies of passport data page and visas, copy of departure card, Embassy letter, pen.

[Jchr10]

Thank you

JC

1,900 baht, 4x6cm current photo, TM.7 form, copies of passport data page and visas, copy of departure card, Embassy letter, pen.

[OJAS]

Having not done the process can not say exactly what is required for bank letter - you should check with Embassy to be sure everything is done to there requirements as it does vary from place to place.

Grateful to hear from anyone out there who has successfully submitted a bank guarantee/reference letter as part of an OA visa application to the Thai Embassy in London. In my experience, they studiouly ignore all emails and phone calls!

[Rob5060]

Thanks for all the great advice so far

Thank goodness for Thaivisa

One more question from you guys who know

What is considered the easiset /best way to get the the visa ie obtain it in London or get a 3 month visa and then the retirement visa in Thailand

Cheers

[lopburi3]

Will you have time? Bank deposit requires it be in account 3 months prior to application. Easy is doing it in Thailand (that is an extension of stay). No need for police report or medical. But you do need money in Thailand or Embassy letter of income.

[OJAS]

Thanks for all the great advice so far

Thank goodness for Thaivisa

One more question from you guys who know

What is considered the easiset /best way to get the the visa ie obtain it in London or get a 3 month visa and then the retirement visa in Thailand

Cheers

This is, I think, a moot choice and dependent on your personal situation/circumstances. The pro's & con's of each are, as I (as a rookie) understand the position, as follows:-

MULTI-ENTRY 1- YEAR OA VISA IN UK - ADVANTAGES

* Little hassle in Thailand (apart from quarterly address reporting to Thai Immigration Bureau or local Immigration Office) until need to seek yearly extensions.

* Can effectively be extended for further year by exiting and re-entering Thailand before visa expiry date(a personal plus for me since I am, in any event, planning a trip back to the UK this time next year to introduce my Thai beloved to my native country and my family & friends).

* Visa holder can exit and re-enter Thailand at will without need for re-entry permit during first year.

MULTI-ENTRY 1- YEAR OA VISA IN UK - DISADVANTAGES

* Can only be obtained from London Embassy, not consulates elsewhere in UK

* London Embassy don't permit submission of applications by post, only in person

* Applications need to be accompanied by bank balance/income reference letters and subject police check

90-DAY "O" VISA IN UK & SUBSEQUENT UPGRADING/EXTENSION TO 1 YEAR IN THAILAND - ADVANTAGES

* Can be obtained from Thai consulates throughout UK

* Postal applications OK

* No need for bank/income reference letters or subject police check (if I have understood the latest advice on this website correctly)

90-DAY "O" VISA IN UK & SUBSEQUENT UPGRADING/EXTENSION TO 1 YEAR IN THAILAND - DISADVANTAGES

* No cast-iron guarantee of successful upgrading/extension in Thailand (particularly if Immigration official with whom you are dealing has got out of bed the wrong side that morning), meaning that you could need to exit Thailand at very short notice

* Possible language barriers in dealing with upgrading/extension process in Thailand, with resultant stress & hassle

* Guarantee of current bank balance and/or income required from British Embassy in Bangkok, who will charge you for providing this (unless you will be living in the Bangkok area, as I won't be, this is, I think, a material consideration)

* No scope for effective auto-extension (as in the case of the OA visa)

* Need to apply for re-entry visa every time you wish to exit and re-enter Thailand from the outset

There you are! Yer pays yer money and yer makes yer choice!!

[Lite Beer]

90-DAY "O" VISA IN UK & SUBSEQUENT UPGRADING/EXTENSION TO 1 YEAR IN THAILAND - DISADVANTAGES

* No cast-iron guarantee of successful upgrading/extension in Thailand (particularly if Immigration official with whom you are dealing has got out of bed the wrong side that morning), meaning that you could need to exit Thailand at very short notice

* Possible language barriers in dealing with upgrading/extension process in Thailand, with resultant stress & hassle

It really is simple to go this way if you want.

Immigration deal with these applications all day long and they know what they are doing.

These extensions are the easiest for them to process (as against Marriage etc) so they go out of their way to help.