What Visa Do I Require

[exeter]

I have a pension of £12500 per annum and am 62, what I would like to do is this. I wish to visit Thailand from mid january 2010 until mid May 2010 then return to the UK. I would then like to go back to Thailand in July and stay until May of 2011, repeating this on an annual basis, so 10 months in Thainland and 2 months in the UK. What is the bast way to acheive this? Uk consulate in Hull, just sent me an application form and did not answer any questions. I guess I will need to put about 75000bahts in a Thai bank and that that will be have to be in place when I apply, so that I can show a bank statement from there as I am guessing they will not accept an letter from a british bank? If anyone can give me any guidance to what to apply for, what I will need to provide to process this I would be grateful.

Cheers.

[Lite Beer]

3 Choices.

1. A Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa from Hull. Valid for a year and gives multiple entries of up to 90 days each entry. So would mean a border run every 90 days. No money in the bank or pension needed to apply.

2. A Non Imm O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy London. This would allow you to stay in Thailand for up to a year without leaving. You would need a medical and police report. 800 ,000 Baht in any bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income. Details Here.

3. A Single Entry Non Imm O Visa from Hull. This gives you 90 days. Within the last 30 days you can apply for a 12 Month Extension at Immigration in Thailand. You will need 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income OR a combination of the two. No police report or medical is needed for this.

No.3 may be the best option as long as you time it that so that you are in Thailand every year when it is time to renew. The fee is 1,900 Baht.

While the Multi Non Imm O will cost £100 plus the cost and inconvenience of border runs.

It really is up to you what suits you best.

[thaiphoon]

Hull is actually an easy consulate to deal with. Your pension is not enough alone to qualify you for a retirement visa unless you have other savings. Would suggest you apply to Hull for Non-O multiple entry visa on basis of "visiting friends". The visa will be issued for 12 months. You just need to send in application form, passport, photo and fee. On arrival in BKK you will get 90 day permission to stay stamp at immigration. At 90 days you have to do a border run to stay in the country legally and receive new 90 day permission to stay stamp which takes you past May 2010 when you plan to leave. Come back to Thailand July 2010 and obtain 90 day permission to stay stamp on existing visa taking you through to Oct 2010. Do border run and new permission to stay stamp until Jan 2011. Leave Thailand just before your 12 month visa expires and you will get another 90 day stay taking you through to Apr 2011. That is short of your intended departure date of May 2011, so obtain tourist visa from Vientiane to cover the period until departure, then obtain new 12 month Non-O multiple entry visa from Hull.

EDIT: removed quote

[lopburi3]

The requirement is 800,000 baht or more in a Thai bank account for two months to extend your stay on an annual basis. Or income of 65,000 baht per month as confirmed in an Embassy letter. Or a combination of the two to meet the 800k level for year.

1. You may obtain a one year non immigrant O-A visa from Embassy (not from Hull) that will provide a one year stay on entry. For that you have to have proof of funds in the UK and a police report/medical.

2. You may obtain a one year extension of stay if you arrive on a single entry non immigrant O visa (or a tourist visa with an extran 2,000 baht step) after being here for 60 days. For that you would need to deposit money into account here in early January and then extend two months later.

[lopburi3]

Your pension is not enough alone to qualify you for a retirement visa unless you have other savings

Pension or income of 65k per month as listed in an Embassy letter is all that is required.

[thaiphoon]

Your pension is not enough alone to qualify you for a retirement visa unless you have other savings

Pension or income of 65k per month as listed in an Embassy letter is all that is required.

£12,500 pension per annum /12 months x say 55 exchange rate = THB 57,000 per month, so is short of 65k.

[Lite Beer]

£12,500 pension per annum /12 months x say 55 exchange rate = THB 57,000 per month, so is short of 65k.

With around 96,000 Bht in the bank his pension will be enough.

[lopburi3]

Oops - didn't see he mentioned a pension amount (or forgot it after reading it all - short term memory getting really short).

[thaiphoon]

Oops - didn't see he mentioned a pension amount (or forgot it after reading it all - short term memory getting really short).

Lop: We are all getting older!!

LB: Agree about 96k in the bank as well will do the trick.

[Sophon]

LB: Agree about 96k in the bank as well will do the trick.

OK, then let me disagree

You used the exchange rate of 55 baht to the pound in your post, so that would make his pension worth 687,500 baht. Leaving him short 112,500 not 96,000.

You can not take the shortfall fra his monthly pension and multiple by 12 to determine how much should be put in the bank. When using the combination of income and savings the requirement is not baht 65,000 per month (making 780,000 per year) but baht 800,000 per year.

According to todays exchange rates here on Thaivisa the pound is very close to 56, which would mean that the OP would need just over baht 100,000 in an account in Thailand if the exchange rate doesn't change.

I know I'm nit-picking here, but it could make the difference between the OP being granted his extension and him being refused.

Sophon

[Lite Beer]

Seeing as he is not coming until next year. We will all be wrong. It gives him an idea anyway.

[thaiphoon]

You have missed the key word which was “about” 96k. Yes your calculation is correct, but what will the exchange rate be in Jan 2010 when the OP plans to come to Thailand? Maybe 64 baht to the pound (800k) and problem solved …

[benton]

The requirement is 800,000 baht or more in a Thai bank account for two months to extend your stay on an annual basis. Or income of 65,000 baht per month as confirmed in an Embassy letter. Or a combination of the two to meet the 800k level for year.

1. You may obtain a one year non immigrant O-A visa from Embassy (not from Hull) that will provide a one year stay on entry. For that you have to have proof of funds in the UK and a police report/medical.

2. You may obtain a one year extension of stay if you arrive on a single entry non immigrant O visa (or a tourist visa with an extran 2,000 baht step) after being here for 60 days. For that you would need to deposit money into account here in early January and then extend two months later.

Also a point to remember..most Thai Banks will not open an account in a foreigner's name unless they provide proof they are here on a 1 year visa. You maybe lucky and find a bank who will oblige, but this is the general rule particularly in CNX.

[Mario2008]

Going to a bank with a Thai friend who recommends you is always helpful.

[lopburi3]

That is not a general rule anywhere. Bangkok Bank official policy is stated on there website, and you can use a tourist visa. K-Bank often asks for nothing. If you have a no at one office you go to the next (even same bank) and it may change to a yes.

[exeter]

3 Choices.

1. A Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa from Hull. Valid for a year and gives multiple entries of up to 90 days each entry. So would mean a border run every 90 days. No money in the bank or pension needed to apply.

2. A Non Imm O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy London. This would allow you to stay in Thailand for up to a year without leaving. You would need a medical and police report. 800 ,000 Baht in any bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income. Details Here.

3. A Single Entry Non Imm O Visa from Hull. This gives you 90 days. Within the last 30 days you can apply for a 12 Month Extension at Immigration in Thailand. You will need 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income OR a combination of the two. No police report or medical is needed for this.

No.3 may be the best option as long as you time it that so that you are in Thailand every year when it is time to renew. The fee is 1,900 Baht.

While the Multi Non Imm O will cost £100 plus the cost and inconvenience of border runs.

It really is up to you what suits you best.

Thank you for the answers, a lot to think about, which of course brings other questions, I will have to find a list of immigration offices in Thailand, to see if I can find a local one in Nakhon Sawan and se about contacting a bank there to set things up. Thanks again

[Lite Beer]

Here is the list. You will be going to Tak.

According to Google Maps 305 K from Nakhon Sawan

For directions look here. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp...amp;t=h&z=6

[exeter]

Thank you all for the disscussion on my topic of what visa I require, lots to think about, especially the one about what I need to deposit in a thai bank, if my pension is £12500 it is short of requirement, I understand but is it short of pension of £14000 or short of 800,000 baht?

If it is short of £14000, then I assume 50 baht to £ to be on the safe side, then I think £1500 x 50 = 75000 baht or do take 800,000 baht which would equal £16000, it would hen be a difference of £3500 which would mean 3500 x 50=175,000 baht. All the calaculations shown do not match mine, so can someone explain where I am missing the point?

I am also thinking about opening an account on my next visit, October, one a multi entry visa am I correct in thinking I would need to have the required combinations of £14000 or 800,000baht in place at that time, but would need to be in place 2 months before I apply for a 12 month visa?

Thanks for your patience.

[Lite Beer]

I am also thinking about opening an account on my next visit, October, one a multi entry visa am I correct in thinking I would need to have the required combinations of £14000 or 800,000baht in place at that time, but would need to be in place 2 months before I apply for a 12 month visa?

Thanks for your patience.

If using the combination method the money does not have to be in the bank 2 months before application.

[thaiphoon]

The 800k figure can be either in cash in a thai bank, or pension/income equalling 800k a year or a combination of both. So, in your example, 800k - £12500 x exchange rate of 50 (THB 625,000) would mean you need 175,000 in the bank if you use your pension as part of the calculation. Bank balance does not have a "fixed" duration timescale if using the combination method.

[Lite Beer]

Using my maths and a rate of 55 Baht to the Pound I make it that you would need a bank deposit of 92500 Baht which is £1,681.

All depends on the rate on the day you apply.

[lopburi3]

800k is the figure you must meet with the combination method.

[thaiphoon]

Using my maths and a rate of 55 Baht to the Pound I make it that you would need a bank deposit of 92500 Baht which is £1,681.

12500 x 55 = 687,500 = 112,500 short of 800k?

[Lite Beer]

Using my maths and a rate of 55 Baht to the Pound I make it that you would need a bank deposit of 92500 Baht which is £1,681.

12500 x 55 = 687,500 = 112,500 short of 800k?

I always did hate maths. It must be Leo time.

[thaiphoon]

Using my maths and a rate of 55 Baht to the Pound I make it that you would need a bank deposit of 92500 Baht which is £1,681.

12500 x 55 = 687,500 = 112,500 short of 800k?

I always did hate maths. It must be Leo time.

Yeah, so I gathered!! Oh no, not more Leo again

[exeter]

3 Choices.

1. A Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa from Hull. Valid for a year and gives multiple entries of up to 90 days each entry. So would mean a border run every 90 days. No money in the bank or pension needed to apply.

2. A Non Imm O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy London. This would allow you to stay in Thailand for up to a year without leaving. You would need a medical and police report. 800 ,000 Baht in any bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income. Details Here.

3. A Single Entry Non Imm O Visa from Hull. This gives you 90 days. Within the last 30 days you can apply for a 12 Month Extension at Immigration in Thailand. You will need 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income OR a combination of the two. No police report or medical is needed for this.

No.3 may be the best option as long as you time it that so that you are in Thailand every year when it is time to renew. The fee is 1,900 Baht.

While the Multi Non Imm O will cost £100 plus the cost and inconvenience of border runs.

It really is up to you what suits you best.

Thank you all for input, it gives me a lot to think about and also raises another question!!! If I go to Thailand in January with a single entry non immigrant O visa I will get 90 days which will not take me to May unless in the last days of the 90 I apply at the Tak office to stay for a year, which would then mean I could return in May on the return flight I would have booked. As I understand it I would have to take with me, Passport and proof of funds in a Thai bank and the office would supply with the application form. The question is this "How can I be sure my application will be successful?" If it is not I will be stumped. If I took out a multiple entry O would that hedge my bets?

Would a letter supporting me application from a local official of some standing be useful?

Regards

Exeter

[lopburi3]

Retirement extension of stay does not require any letters of sponsorship - if you meet the 800k or 65k requirments it is always approved - on the day you make application (or overnight in Pattaya).

For the 800k in bank you need bank passbook/copies showing money in account for two months and a letter from bank of account balance (current to match passbook). You can download and preprint TM.7 or obtain from office and fill out there. You must have 4x6cm photos less than six months old and 1,900 baht. If you want to travel you should also get a re-entry permit as soon as extension made at 1,000 single or 3,800 multi. A map to you residence might have to be drawn and some want some proof such as receipt/lease but that is not at all. As you do this several weeks before your stay ends you have plently of time of supply anything missing.

[exeter]

Retirement extension of stay does not require any letters of sponsorship - if you meet the 800k or 65k requirments it is always approved - on the day you make application (or overnight in Pattaya).

For the 800k in bank you need bank passbook/copies showing money in account for two months and a letter from bank of account balance (current to match passbook). You can download and preprint TM.7 or obtain from office and fill out there. You must have 4x6cm photos less than six months old and 1,900 baht. If you want to travel you should also get a re-entry permit as soon as extension made at 1,000 single or 3,800 multi. A map to you residence might have to be drawn and some want some proof such as receipt/lease but that is not at all. As you do this several weeks before your stay ends you have plently of time of supply anything missing.

Thank you for your reply, I have spoken today to Hull, They say get a multi entry visa, soon after arrival, go to Tak and ask what they require for a retirement visa which I can only get there, retrun there with paperwork before 90 days expire. I will require £3500 converted to thai bahts in my bank account for 2 months before application. So, thanks everyone, I can now return in October and get things on the move. K bank have been in touch,TMB are not so easy to get in touch with and have not replied.

Reagards

Exeter

[Lite Beer]

Thank you for your reply, I have spoken today to Hull, They say get a multi entry visa, soon after arrival, go to Tak and ask what they require for a retirement visa which I can only get there, retrun there with paperwork before 90 days expire. I will require £3500 converted to thai bahts in my bank account for 2 months before application. So, thanks everyone, I can now return in October and get things on the move. K bank have been in touch,TMB are not so easy to get in touch with and have not replied.

Reagards

Exeter

There is no requirement for the money to be in the bank for 2 months before application.

[thaiphoon]

There is no requirement for the money to be in the bank for 2 months before application.

Agree with LB. The 2 month rule does not apply because you ate using the combination method of pension/savings to get to 800k.