Accessing Money For Thai Retirement Visa.

[Mason45]

With the way the global financial situation is at the moment I'm in between a rock and a hard place. I deposited 400,000 baht in my Thai bank account as per one of the requirements for my retirement visa and I must re apply for my new visa on December 9. I need money now for everday expenses but if I transfer money now I'm only getting about 20 baht per Australian dollar which is a drop of 30% plus in the last 6 weeks, so really I don't feel like burning money going down that road. My question is when can I access the 400,000 baht set aside for my visa, can I access the money the day after I make my application or do I have to wait until my visa is approved and handed to me.

[ubonjoe]

Normally retirement extensions are done the same day as application.

As soon a your application is approved you should be able to do what ever you want with the money.

[Jingthing]

In Jomtien, I have so far always had to wait until the next day after the application to retrieve my passport. So, not a long time to know the results.

[Lite Beer]

Yes. You can withdraw after you have your extension.

The Visa is usually given instantly.

[hansnl]

In Jomtien, I have so far always had to wait until the next day after the application to retrieve my passport. So, not a long time to know the results.

Take care:

The Immigration may take maximum 21 days for deciding upon your request!

The passport can be done same day, or maybe you will have to wait for one day.

However, it is to the discretion of the Immigration Officer if he will do everything "tout de suite" or let you stew a little.

The money you can start using after approval.

Meaning your passport stamped and handed back to you.

Next year take care that the 400,000 is back in the account in time.

[Ricardo]

You can apply for your extension, up to about 30 days before the old extension runs out, so long as your funds were there for 90 days before the application-date. So possibly you might apply as soon as about 2 weeks from now, after 9th November ?

[Jingthing]

You can apply for your extension, up to about 30 days before the old extension runs out, so long as your funds were there for 90 days before the application-date. So possibly you might apply as soon as about 2 weeks from now, after 9th November ?

If you are using the combo method (bank account plus income letter) there is no such seasoning requiremet at all. It only applies to people using the bank account only and then again at some offices ONLY the first extension.

[tutone]

You can apply for your extension, up to about 30 days before the old extension runs out, so long as your funds were there for 90 days before the application-date. So possibly you might apply as soon as about 2 weeks from now, after 9th November ?

If you are using the combo method (bank account plus income letter) there is no such seasoning requiremet at all. It only applies to people using the bank account only and then again at some offices ONLY the first extension.

I see the term "seasoning" quite often regarding bank accounts. What exactly do you mean by this? The combo method is what I will be using. Will probably have my account established for 90 days by the end of February. Also how current does the income letter have to be when presented to Thai immigration? Thanks for any information.

[Jingthing]

Seasoning money perhaps is an Americanism (?) meaning leaving money untouched in bank for a defined period of time. 3 months is the time period for those using the bank account only method. As you are using the combo method. your bank account money does not have to be "seasoned." Regarding the embassy letter, the policy on how recent that has to be depends on the specific office you are using. However, I think it can probably be some months old, usually. The letter from the bank for the bank account portion should be done the day before or the same day as your application appointment; much older than that and they may question whether your balance and the letter balance is the same, and they must be the same at the time of application.

[tutone]

Seasoning money perhaps is an Americanism (?) meaning leaving money untouched in bank for a defined period of time. 3 months is the time period for those using the bank account only method. As you are using the combo method. your bank account money does not have to be "seasoned." Regarding the embassy letter, the policy on how recent that has to be depends on the specific office you are using. However, I think it can probably be some months old, usually. The letter from the bank for the bank account portion should be done the day before or the same day as your application appointment; much older than that and they may question whether your balance and the letter balance is the same, and they must be the same at the time of application.

So I can open and account for say 500,000 baht and then one week later go to immigration with an income letter for 300,000 and my bank letter and meet the financial requirements. No 90 day requirement for bank account with an income letter. Have I got this right? Thanks for the quick reply.

[Jingthing]

So I can open and account for say 500,000 baht and then one week later go to immigration with an income letter for 300,000 and my bank letter and meet the financial requirements. No 90 day requirement for bank account with an income letter. Have I got this right? Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes. But you need an O visa to do that. If you have the money qualifications and for some reason are not holding a current O visa at the time you want the retirement extension, you can convert to an O visa IN THAILAND even from a 30 day stamp entry. In that case it would be a two step process, first convert to an O, second apply for the extension.

[tutone]

So I can open and account for say 500,000 baht and then one week later go to immigration with an income letter for 300,000 and my bank letter and meet the financial requirements. No 90 day requirement for bank account with an income letter. Have I got this right? Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes. But you need an O visa to do that. If you have the money qualifications and for some reason are not holding a current O visa at the time you want the retirement extension, you can convert to an O visa IN THAILAND even from a 30 day stamp entry. In that case it would be a two step process, first convert to an O, second apply for the extension.

Well then how do I go about getting the original O visa in Thailand and what are the basic requirements? I already have a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa, will arrive in Udon on Nov.7, and want to start the process as soon as possible for obtaining a "retirement visa" that will allow me to stay with my fiancee and not have to make visa runs.

[Jingthing]

Well then how do I go about getting the original O visa in Thailand and what are the basic requirements?

If it was me, I would gather my financial proof that I would qualify for the retirement extension and visit an immigration office 30 days before the expiry of my tourist visa. You need at least 21 days remaining on your current visa or 30 day stamp to qualify for the conversion to an O. I think (others can confirm) that if you did this, the second step (getting the extension) would usually occur later (closer to the expiry of the O).

If you happen to be outside Thailand on a local trip to Malaysia or a place like that, you can also get an O visa there if you can show financial qualification for a later retirement extension.

[dotcom]

I would also suggest that the aussie $ isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[tutone]

Well then how do I go about getting the original O visa in Thailand and what are the basic requirements?

If it was me, I would gather my financial proof that I would qualify for the retirement extension and visit an immigration office 30 days before the expiry of my tourist visa. You need at least 21 days remaining on your current visa or 30 day stamp to qualify for the conversion to an O. I think (others can confirm) that if you did this, the second step (getting the extension) would usually occur later (closer to the expiry of the O).

If you happen to be outside Thailand on a local trip to Malaysia or a place like that, you can also get an O visa there if you can show financial qualification for a later retirement extension.

Thanks, Jingthing, for the information. I think I will just make sure that I have the required funds deposited for 90 days prior to my first application. That should take care of any questions or differences that might arise with the immigration folks. I will have to make at least one visa run anyway before the ninety days are up so I can check with immigration about their specific requirements before I apply. Thanks again.

[Jingthing]

Thanks, Jingthing, for the information. I think I will just make sure that I have the required funds deposited for 90 days prior to my first application. That should take care of any questions or differences that might arise with the immigration folks. I will have to make at least one visa run anyway before the ninety days are up so I can check with immigration about their specific requirements before I apply. Thanks again.

Sure thing. But that's not what I meant. You won't need to season your money if using the combo. What I meant was different offices might have different timing/mechanics/specific paperwork requirements for doing the 2 step thing. For example I have heard some offices will do the 2 step at the same time, and others make you wait to do the second step, that sort of thing. Season if you want, you really do not need to.

[ubonjoe]

I think I will just make sure that I have the required funds deposited for 90 days prior to my first application. That should take care of any questions or differences that might arise with the immigration folks. I will have to make at least one visa run anyway before the ninety days are up so I can check with immigration about their specific requirements before I apply. Thanks again.

You can get single entry O visa if you are over 50 at most nearby consulates.

Also it is fairly easy to change from tourist visa to an O at immigration if you have money in bank and/or proof of income letter from your consulate. Consulate letter has to fairly recent. I would reccomend no longer than a week before date of application for extension.

For info go to the following page on immigration website click on box beside change visa and then the white box beside "For retirement in Thailand" and it will give you the requirements. Link: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...hp?page=service#

There is no requirement for the funds to be in bank for three months if using a combination of income and deposit at any immigration office that I know of.

[fishhooks]

I would also suggest that the aussie $ isn't going anywhere anytime soon. From "dotcom"

Well it's just jumped up about 4 cents in the last 12 hours (XE @ 12:00 Midday, Melbourne time) .6436, which is a hel_l of a jump.

But I agree with you're sentiments, our little OZ$ is not to be trusted at any time.

A friend recently criticized me for converting some A$ to Baht when the rate was above 30, said I was jumping too quickly.

Wonder if he will eat his words?

[Mario2008]

I think I will just make sure that I have the required funds deposited for 90 days prior to my first application. That should take care of any questions or differences that might arise with the immigration folks. I will have to make at least one visa run anyway before the ninety days are up so I can check with immigration about their specific requirements before I apply. Thanks again.

You can get single entry O visa if you are over 50 at most nearby consulates.

Also it is fairly easy to change from tourist visa to an O at immigration if you have money in bank and/or proof of income letter from your consulate. Consulate letter has to fairly recent. I would reccomend no longer than a week before date of application for extension.

For info go to the following page on immigration website click on box beside change visa and then the white box beside "For retirement in Thailand" and it will give you the requirements. Link: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...hp?page=service#

There is no requirement for the funds to be in bank for three months if using a combination of income and deposit at any immigration office that I know of.

Note that there are several reports in the last month of people being told that they had to convert to a non-immigrant visa in Bangkok and Bangkok only. Other offices direct people now to bangkok to apply there in person, making conversion in many cases not a good option.

[wpcoe]

Sure thing. But that's not what I meant. You won't need to season your money if using the combo. What I meant was different offices might have different timing/mechanics/specific paperwork requirements for doing the 2 step thing. For example I have heard some offices will do the 2 step at the same time, and others make you wait to do the second step, that sort of thing. Season if you want, you really do not need to.

Apparently even Jomtien will not do the 2-step process at the same time any more. A friend went on Monday to convert a visa-exempt entry stamp to a Non-Immigrant O visa with the intent to get a retirement extension, and they issued him a 90-day visa and told him to return in the last 21 days to apply for the retirement extension.

That is different than what I did in 2006, where the entire process: visa-exempt entry stamp > Non-Immigrant O visa > retirement extension was done in the same visit.

[ubonjoe]

Note that there are several reports in the last month of people being told that they had to convert to a non-immigrant visa in Bangkok and Bangkok only. Other offices direct people now to bangkok to apply there in person, making conversion in many cases not a good option.

Most reports that I can remember have been Bangkok and Nong Kai turning away people and telling them to go to a local office.

It seems odd that you would have a local office telling people to go to Bangkok when there is a push on for people to use the local offices.

[ubonjoe]

Apparently even Jomtien will not do the 2-step process at the same time any more. A friend went on Monday to convert a visa-exempt entry stamp to a Non-Immigrant O visa with the intent to get a retirement extension, and they issued him a 90-day visa and told him to return in the last 21 days to apply for the retirement extension.

Even having to go back later would still be better than making a visa run just to get a non immigrant visa.

Also with a new non immigrant you might still have to wait until the last 30 days to apply for the extension.

[Mario2008]

Note that there are several reports in the last month of people being told that they had to convert to a non-immigrant visa in Bangkok and Bangkok only. Other offices direct people now to bangkok to apply there in person, making conversion in many cases not a good option.

Most reports that I can remember have been Bangkok and Nong Kai turning away people and telling them to go to a local office.

It seems odd that you would have a local office telling people to go to Bangkok when there is a push on for people to use the local offices.

That is for any extension that they tell people to apply at their local immirgation office. I'm talking about that it seems that since recently you can only apply for a conversion at Bangkok. Mae Sai and other immigration office will tell you to go and apply in Bangkok, wheter you live in bangkok or Yala or Chiang Rai. Apperently you can only do it in Bangkok now.

See for example:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Change-Touri...er-t217869.html

[ubonjoe]

The topic referenced is not exactly a great example.

With topic title of: Change Tourist Visa To Volunteer, Bad experience

Three posts before this one reports a change from a visa exempt entry that was done in Jomtien recently so it is not all offices doing it.

I would suggest that anybody considering a visa run to at least check with the local office and see what they say.