Changing To Retirement Visa

[midas]

I have been staying in Thailand using my Australian passport ( I also have a British passport )

together with an APEC Business Travel Card. This has just meant I had to do 90 day Visa runs.

I didn't mind so much because it has given me an opportunity to explore all the

neighboring countries-but now quite frankly the novelty has worn off !!!

I would now like a retirement visa. I topped up my bank account to over the 800,000 baht requirement

on the 29th September so I assume the bank deposit issue will be will be resolved on

29th December after the required three months ?

I am intending to use my British passport for the retirement Visa because until my application

is submitted I will be continuing to stay here using my APEC entry with my Australian passport.

My question is, when it comes time to submit my retirement Visa application,

do I simply exit Thailand and then re-enter with my British passport on a 30 day stamp

and then immediately submit the papers for a Non Imm. Visa ? In my case, at that time

the 800,000 baht will have already been on deposit in Thailand.

Would I also require any other documents such as a medical certificate, a letter from the

British Embassy or documentary proof of the SWIFT transfer ?

[Krub]

I have been staying in Thailand using my Australian passport ( I also have a British passport )

together with an APEC Business Travel Card. This has just meant I had to do 90 day Visa runs.

I didn't mind so much because it has given me an opportunity to explore all the

neighboring countries-but now quite frankly the novelty has worn off !!!

I would now like a retirement visa. I topped up my bank account to over the 800,000 baht requirement

on the 29th September so I assume the bank deposit issue will be will be resolved on

29th December after the required three months ?

I am intending to use my British passport for the retirement Visa because until my application

is submitted I will be continuing to stay here using my APEC entry with my Australian passport.

My question is, when it comes time to submit my retirement Visa application,

do I simply exit Thailand and then re-enter with my British passport on a 30 day stamp

and then immediately submit the papers for a Non Imm. Visa ? In my case, at that time

the 800,000 baht will have already been on deposit in Thailand.

Would I also require any other documents such as a medical certificate, a letter from the

British Embassy or documentary proof of the SWIFT transfer ?

Re-enter on your UK passport can be done but not at a land border

With more than 21 days remaining on your 30 days stamp apply for a change of status and an extension on the basis of retirement

You will need the 800k in the bank for the last 3 months (bring the original bank book, signed copies and an original balance statement from your bank)

No letter from Embassy is required unless they want you to prove your address (some up country immigration offices ask for this)

No medical certificate required (unless you apply up country to one that requires it)

I believe you will need 2 application forms (one to change the status and one for the extension)

Once you get the 1 year extension, to keep it alive when travelling abroad you will need to apply beforehand for a re-entry permit, they come in single and multi entries, you can do that right after having received the 1 year extension

Good luck

[Lite Beer]

I have been staying in Thailand using my Australian passport ( I also have a British passport )

together with an APEC Business Travel Card. This has just meant I had to do 90 day Visa runs.

I didn't mind so much because it has given me an opportunity to explore all the

neighboring countries-but now quite frankly the novelty has worn off !!!

I would now like a retirement visa. I topped up my bank account to over the 800,000 baht requirement

on the 29th September so I assume the bank deposit issue will be will be resolved on

29th December after the required three months ?

I am intending to use my British passport for the retirement Visa because until my application

is submitted I will be continuing to stay here using my APEC entry with my Australian passport.

My question is, when it comes time to submit my retirement Visa application,

do I simply exit Thailand and then re-enter with my British passport on a 30 day stamp

and then immediately submit the papers for a Non Imm. Visa ? In my case, at that time

the 800,000 baht will have already been on deposit in Thailand.

Would I also require any other documents such as a medical certificate, a letter from the

British Embassy or documentary proof of the SWIFT transfer ?

Enter with a 30 day stamp. Within 7 days you must go to Immigration to change to a Non Imm Visa. (2,000 Baht)

Within the final month of the Non O Visa stay you can apply for the retirement extension. (1,900 Baht)

You will not need a medical certificate or anything from the Embassy.

You will need a letter from the bank verifying the bank balance and your bank book updated on the same day as the bank letter and showing the same balance.

[midas]

Thanks Lite Beer and Krub !

sounds straightforward enough !

[ubonjoe]

As krub said it might be a little trickey to do the passport swap at a border crossing. Also there was a recent report of a immigration office not doing the change on a visa exempt entry.

To avoid a problem with immigration and to avoid doing it all twice and paying an extra 2000 baht you might consider a visa run to Vientiane (or any other nearby conulate) and get a single entry non-o. That way you would have plenty of time for your bank deposit to be in bank for 3 months after you enter and then go straight to a 1 year extension.

If you go to to Vientiane for visa leave Thailand on OZ passport and get the Laos visa on arrival on your British passport. Doing this at the bridge shouldn't be a problem.

[midas]

As krub said it might be a little trickey to do the passport swap at a border crossing. Also there was a recent report of a immigration office not doing the change on a visa exempt entry.

To avoid a problem with immigration and to avoid doing it all twice and paying an extra 2000 baht you might consider a visa run to Vientiane (or any other nearby conulate) and get a single entry non-o. That way you would have plenty of time for your bank deposit to be in bank for 3 months after you enter and then go straight to a 1 year extension.

If you go to to Vientiane for visa leave Thailand on OZ passport and get the Laos visa on arrival on your British passport. Doing this at the bridge shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks ubonjoe ! But please bear in mind I don't intend to do all this until after

29th December on which date the 800,000 baht would have already been

in the account for three months?

I was actually thinking of going to Penang do this ? Does anyone have any

experience as to whether they are easy or not so easy to deal with

in this regard ?

[ubonjoe]

Penang should not be a problem. Most reports are from members using an agent. The following is a link to a guest house that handles visas also and responds to emails quickley.

http://www.banananewguesthouse.com/

[midas]

Penang should not be a problem. Most reports are from members using an agent. The following is a link to a guest house that handles visas also and responds to emails quickley.

http://www.banananewguesthouse.com/

why would I need to use an agent in Penang for a retirement visa ?

I can understand if you're trying to get a Non B in preparation for a work permit

but surely my situation should be straightforward enough to do it on my own ?

[ubonjoe]

You can.

It was just a suggestion and also one made by many in their reports for any kind of visa.

[tracer]

Agent in Penang:

If you use one, your choice obviously, keep in mind it kind of frees time up, you can go shopping and you leave the office of your choice do the work. Make sure to take enough photocopies, passport photo's or whatever you need. I am not going to tell you were they are as its almost impossible not to stumble over agents! Make sure they have an office you can find back!! Personally I got fed up doing my visum trip.. And considering that like many farangs you get damage in Thailand from Motorbikes driver by Thais you will probably go and do the the same as I do, just stay at home!!

While I have many friends in Penang, at present I prefer them to visit me.

[Lite Beer]

Penang should not be a problem. Most reports are from members using an agent. The following is a link to a guest house that handles visas also and responds to emails quickley.

http://www.banananewguesthouse.com/

why would I need to use an agent in Penang for a retirement visa ?

I can understand if you're trying to get a Non B in preparation for a work permit

but surely my situation should be straightforward enough to do it on my own ?

It is straight forward. Some people just prefer getting someone to do it for them as the fee is the same as the Taxi fare if you went your self.

Personally I used to do it my self. Any problems , you are there to sort it out.

[midas]

I have been staying in Thailand using my Australian passport ( I also have a British passport )

together with an APEC Business Travel Card. This has just meant I had to do 90 day Visa runs.

I didn't mind so much because it has given me an opportunity to explore all the

neighboring countries-but now quite frankly the novelty has worn off !!!

I would now like a retirement visa. I topped up my bank account to over the 800,000 baht requirement

on the 29th September so I assume the bank deposit issue will be will be resolved on

29th December after the required three months ?

I am intending to use my British passport for the retirement Visa because until my application

is submitted I will be continuing to stay here using my APEC entry with my Australian passport.

My question is, when it comes time to submit my retirement Visa application,

do I simply exit Thailand and then re-enter with my British passport on a 30 day stamp

and then immediately submit the papers for a Non Imm. Visa ? In my case, at that time

the 800,000 baht will have already been on deposit in Thailand.

Would I also require any other documents such as a medical certificate, a letter from the

British Embassy or documentary proof of the SWIFT transfer ?

Enter with a 30 day stamp. Within 7 days you must go to Immigration to change to a Non Imm Visa. (2,000 Baht)

Within the final month of the Non O Visa stay you can apply for the retirement extension. (1,900 Baht)

You will not need a medical certificate or anything from the Embassy.

You will need a letter from the bank verifying the bank balance and your bank book updated on the same day as the bank letter and showing the same balance.

What confuses me is that another TV member ( jingthing ) who lives in Pattaya

says you can change from a 30 day stamp to a Non Imm Visa so why do I need

to visit Penang or anywhere else ? This is why I liked using my APEC

card because you pay your money to Australian immigration every three years ( not Thai )

and that's the end of everything !! No need to deal with all these different

permutations and endless rules and regulations !

[Lite Beer]

What confuses me is that another TV member ( jingthing ) who lives in Pattaya

says you can change from a 30 day stamp to a Non Imm Visa so why do I need

to visit Penang or anywhere else ?

He is right . You can. But it means you have to arrange everything within the first 7 days of arrival.

If you enter with a Non Imm O Visa it cuts out the need to convert from the entry stamp, and gives you a bit more time.

[midas]

What confuses me is that another TV member ( jingthing ) who lives in Pattaya

says you can change from a 30 day stamp to a Non Imm Visa so why do I need

to visit Penang or anywhere else ?

He is right . You can. But it means you have to arrange everything within the first 7 days of arrival.

If you enter with a Non Imm O Visa it cuts out the need to convert from the entry stamp, and gives you a bit more time.

Ok -thanks and I forgot about the possibilty the airline will not accept you

without a visa ................