Retirement Visa From Outside Thailand

[ignis]

Advise needed for a friend, he has no internet or a clue how to use..

He is in his 60’s and British..

For the past 6 years he has gone to BKK to renew his yearly extension stamp, with 800,000 in the Bank route, he has NOT got a Thai wife or any children.

He asks if it is possible to get the Retirement yearly Visa from outside Thailand without having to have the 800k sat in the Bank here? He cannot face the flight back to the UK, also could not on medical grounds, so wondered if and where it is possible closer.

The exchange rate of his pension + his place needs some urgent work, he really needs about 250k of the 800k until things pick up again. His present yearly extension stamp runs out 2^nd April 2009.

Because of his age can he get a yearly “O” or "O-A" visa any closer? Failing that if he goes to Perth is this straight forward, what will he need? Do they need proof of money in a Thai Bank?

If he is able to do this will he need to obtain a “re-entry permit” ?

[ubonjoe]

The 800,000 baht in the bank is not the only option he has.

If he has a pension he can use the combined income and money in the bank method.

If is short 250,000 baht and his annual pension income is that much or more he can show that along with what he has in the bank. He only has to show a total income and money in the bank equal to 800,000 baht.

Getting the OA in Perth might be possible but he would need a health certificate signed by a doctor plus a police report from the UK. He still would need to meet the income requirements.

He could get a non-o multiple entry visa in Perth but he would have to make border runs every 90 days.

[InterestedObserver]

As I read it, the gentleman is already residing in Thailand on a retirement Extension of Stay. That is as good as it gets. No matter what he does he will be faced with meeting the same financial requirements for the so-called retirement visa ("O-A") or retirement extension; i.e., 800K cash in bank, 65K monthly pension or combination of both equal to 800K THB annually. If he is able to do visa runs every 90 days, then a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa would give him relief from the financial requirements for 15 months. At the end of 15 months he would reapply for the retirement Extension of Stay again. He should be able to get a multiplr entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia.

He should obtain a Re-Entry Permit before any travel outside Thailand to keep his current extension alive.

[ignis]

Been reading a lot of newish post but all appear to be married

eg:

Thai consulate in KL got a new 1-year multiple Non-Immigrant "O" visa.

on the list was

Proof of bank account in Thailand (no specification on the required amount of funds in the account)

on another there person had 100k in the Bank and still got the O Visa

He says a trip to the Boarder 4x = 15months on that Visa would not be to bad, as he would again by then have more than the 800k back in the Thai Bank [investments due in late 2010]

[ignis]

As I read it, the gentleman is already residing in Thailand on a retirement Extension of Stay. That is as good as it gets. No matter what he does he will be faced with meeting the same financial requirements for the so-called retirement visa ("O-A") or retirement extension; i.e., 800K cash in bank, 65K monthly pension or combination of both equal to 800K THB annually. If he is able to do visa runs every 90 days, then a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa would give him relief from the financial requirements for 15 months. At the end of 15 months he would reapply for the retirement Extension of Stay again. He should be able to get a multiplr entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia.

He should obtain a Re-Entry Permit before any travel outside Thailand to keep his current extension alive.

Many thanks will pass this on.... will he need to show his Thai Bank details for the multiplr entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia. ?

[InterestedObserver]

As I read it, the gentleman is already residing in Thailand on a retirement Extension of Stay. That is as good as it gets. No matter what he does he will be faced with meeting the same financial requirements for the so-called retirement visa ("O-A") or retirement extension; i.e., 800K cash in bank, 65K monthly pension or combination of both equal to 800K THB annually. If he is able to do visa runs every 90 days, then a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa would give him relief from the financial requirements for 15 months. At the end of 15 months he would reapply for the retirement Extension of Stay again. He should be able to get a multiplr entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia.

He should obtain a Re-Entry Permit before any travel outside Thailand to keep his current extension alive.

Many thanks will pass this on.... will he need to show his Thai Bank details for the multiplr entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia. ?

Each embassy within SE Asia has their own way of doing things. Best to call before going or check some recent posts in this forum.

[InterestedObserver]

As I read it, the gentleman is already residing in Thailand on a retirement Extension of Stay. That is as good as it gets. No matter what he does he will be faced with meeting the same financial requirements for the so-called retirement visa ("O-A") or retirement extension; i.e., 800K cash in bank, 65K monthly pension or combination of both equal to 800K THB annually. If he is able to do visa runs every 90 days, then a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa would give him relief from the financial requirements for 15 months. At the end of 15 months he would reapply for the retirement Extension of Stay again. He should be able to get a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" from a Thai embassy within SE Asia.

He should obtain a Re-Entry Permit before any travel outside Thailand to keep his current extension alive.

P.S. Be sure to confirm with the Thai embassy, before traveling anywhere, that they will in fact issue a multiple entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa to a single man. You may wish to get some support from a reputable passport agent to help with the arrangements. A single entry Non-Immigrant "O" visa will not be much help in these circumstances.

[JimGant]

Re-read Ubonjoe's input again. Staying here on a retirement extension is spades above all the other options. So, coming up with a combo amount should be top priority, as he does, you say, have a pension. Any other cash flow? Already this pension and cash flow reduce the 250k amount you say he needs to withdraw from his bank account. Can he borrow -- or just wait -- until March 2nd, the earliest he can renew his extension?

No, the hassle of trying to get a multiple entry Non Imm O, then, if successful, doing 90 day border runs doesn't sound attractive. And the Non Imm O-A is a nonstarter from a financial standpoint, as already indicated (plus, you normally need to be a citizen or legal resident of the country where you apply for a Non Imm O-A visa).