Inaccurate Retirement Visa Info On U.s. Consulate-bkk Web Site?

[jfchandler]

I was going online today to make an appointment at the U.S. Consulate in Bangkok, and while on their web site, happened across their section on Thai visas (specifically retirement visas) for Americans...

To the best of my knowledge and understanding, there are a number of real factual errors in their information... I'll quote it below from their web site.... Wonder if anyone has any suggestions on how to go about encouraging them to update their web site with accurate info...

Retirement Visas

Retirement visas are available to foreigners 55 years of age or older [it's 50 or older, right?]. These visas are valid for only one year and according to Thai immigration, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

* Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand;

* Applicant must not be working in Thailand;

* Applicant must be able to provide proof of a pension or other regular income from a source outside of Thailand;

* Applicant’s pension [and/or other income] must be no less than the equivalent of 65,000 Baht per month;

* It is also recommended that applicants have a local Thai bank account with a minimum amount of 800,000 Baht. (Applicants will need to show that they have 800,000 Baht in savings each year when they renew their visa [not if you use the alternate method of only showing 65,000 in monthly income or some combination of income and savings].)

* Any applicant with a Thai spouse must show 800,000 Baht in bank deposits and a 65,000 Baht monthly income to prove that he/she can provide adequate support [isn't it 40,000 per month or 400,000 in savings???].

Please correct me if my corrections are wrong... But I'm pretty sure, the U.S. Consulate web site is REALLY wrong.

[lopburi3]

Yes it is totally wrong - and not just for visas - needs complete update. Report to Webmaster at below:

Webmaster

This page is produced and maintained by the Public Affairs Section at the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand.

Please use the email below to report site navigation issues, bad links, and typographical errors or to suggest additional features for the U.S. Embassy Web Site.

We do not reply to or forward emails about visa inquiries. For questions about visas, please send an email to [email protected].

For all other questions, please see our contact page.

Address: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

E-mail: [email protected]

Home Page: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov

[jfchandler]

Lop... can you confirm/verify and/or fix the corrections I mentioned above... and add any others I may have missed.

And then, if you like, I'll forward that onward to the web master...

I'd just want whatever we send along to be 100% accurate, not partly right based on my marginal knowledge of these things...

Your help, much appreciated.

[lopburi3]

It can not be corrected - it is totally false. They need to completely make a new item. They are talking about an extension of stay - not a visa. There is a visa but that is not for "residents". The financial information is wrong. The age is wrong (changed a decade ago). The same requirements apply married or not and there is nothing about supporting wife if you apply for retirement.

And my tax money is paying for this???!!!

[astral]

And my tax money is paying for this???!!!

Amongst several billion other things...........

[lopburi3]

Below would be my re-write of Embassy page.

Services

Thai Visas for American Citizens

Visa on Arrival

US Citizens carrying a diplomatic, official or tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand. Upon entry, Thai immigration officials will place an immigration stamp in the passport permitting a 30-day stay in Thailand. This airport permit may be extended for an additional 7 days with the permission of the Thai Immigration Bureau.

Tourist Visas

If an individual wishes to remain in country for more than 30 days, he/she may wish to obtain a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in the United States, prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa is valid for 90 days from date of issue and allows a stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa may be extended for 30 days On the first occasion, immigration officials may extend the visa for an additional 30 days. There is a 1,900 Baht fee for each extension. Interested Americans should contact the Thai Immigration Bureau located at 507 Soi Suan Plu, South Sathon Road in Bangkok. The phone number is (66) (2) 287-3111 1111. Thai immigration offices are also located in most major tourist cities around the country.

American citizens who wish to remain in Thailand for longer than 90 days during any six-month period will be required to obtain a valid Thai visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate that is authorized to issue visas. The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens who wish to obtain a Thai visa to contact the Thai Immigration Bureau for exact visa requirements and regulations. Persons who do not comply with the new visa regulations risk being denied reentry to Thailand at the border.

Work Visas

All foreigners interested in obtaining a work visa working in Thailand must first obtain a work permit. In order to receive a work permit, a company, foreign government, or organization in Thailand must file an application on the behalf of the work visa applicant. A non immigrant visa allowing work will be required for actual issue of the work permit. This may be obtain before work permit (with company paperwork) or after application for work permit.

Retirement Visas

Retirement visas are available to foreigners 50 years of age or older. These visas are valid for only one year and obtained in home country. For information consulate web site of Royal Thai Embassy, Washington.

Retirement extnsions of stay of one year at a time may be obtained by those over age 50 and holding a non immigrant visa (or by converting to such a visa) at immigration offices in Thailand.[/color] and according to Thai immigration, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

* Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand;

* Applicant must not be working in Thailand;

* Applicant must be able to provide proof of a pension or other regular income from a source outside of Thailand;

* Applicant’s pension must be no less than the equivalent of 65,000 Baht per month;

*It is also recommended that applicants have a local Thai bank account with a minimum or the amount of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account for two months; or a combination to equal 800,000 baht per year]. (Applicants will need to show that they have income or 800,000 Baht in savings, in bank for three months, each year when they renew their visa.)

* Any applicant with a Thai spouse must show 800,000 Baht in bank deposits and a 65,000 Baht monthly income to prove that he/she can provide adequate support. has the option to extend on that basis rather than retirement with savingins of 400,000 in Thai bank or income of 40,000 baht per month.

Visa Overstays

If an individual does not depart Thailand prior to expiration of his/her airport permit or visa, the individual is in the country illegally. In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 Baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht. The fine is payable to the Immigration Bureau, the Don Muang Airport Immigration office, or other departure point.

Thai police have been known to sweep areas frequented by low-budget travelers and arrest those who have overstayed their visas. Arrestees may be held in the Immigration Detention Center until they can pay for their fines and pay for tickets out of Thailand. Those who overstay their visas for more than 200 days may be required to serve time in the Immigration Detention Center before they are deported. It is highly advisable to avoid visa overstays.

Expired short-term visas can be extended after paying a fine, but the number of days elapsed since expiration is subtracted from the extension period. Application for extension must be made by the next working day after visa expiration to avoid a fine.

Please note: applications for extension cannot be made on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thai holidays.

[stgrhe]

US Citizens do not get 'Visa on Arrival' in Thailand, they get to stay in Thailand 30 days (arrival by air) or 15 days (arrival over land) based on 'Visa Exempt', which can be extended at the immigration for another 7 days by paying 1,900 baht.

[TerryLH]

"And my tax money is paying for this???!!!"

You pay US state or federal taxes?

[lopburi3]

US Citizens do not get 'Visa on Arrival' in Thailand, they get to stay in Thailand 30 days (arrival by air) or 15 days (arrival over land) based on 'Visa Exempt', which can be extended at the immigration for another 7 days by paying 1,900 baht.

Correct that also should be changed.

[lopburi3]

"And my tax money is paying for this???!!!"

You pay US state or federal taxes?

Federal. From Florida so no state tax.

[Jingthing]

What is on a US website about THAI visas is a non-issue. I remember when they changed the retirement visa/extension age from 55 to 50, it took YEARS for some THAI consulates to change their websites to update the change.

[lopburi3]

It is not a non-issue to those being misled by false information from what should be considered an official and accurate source. If they post it - it should be right!

[Jingthing]

It is not a non-issue to those being misled by false information from what should be considered an official and accurate source. If they post it - it should be right!

Yes, I understand. However, as information consumers we must always make value judgments about the SOURCES of our info. Obviously a Thai government source speaking about Thai government policies would normally be considered more reliable and timely than a report from a foreign government. I wouldn't be checking the Thai embassy Washington DC website for information about my USA income tax filings, now would I? So I am saying basically, wise people should know better about where they are looking for credible info.

[thaiphoon]

I wouldn't be checking the Thai embassy Washington DC website for information about my USA income tax filings, now would I?

I would hope not! But it is not unreasonable that someone wanting visa/other information would logically go to the website of the consulate in the country they are in. And therefore I would concur with Lopburi - the website should display correct information, and Thai consulates report to MFA so should reflect current immigration requirements.

[jfchandler]

Jing, I understand your idea, but I really think, the U.S. Consulate in BKK ought to be able to get it right... Particulary because they are not disconnected from the issue at hand. They have info on their web site re Thai retirement visas/extensions, and they are in fact part of the official process that many of us have to use to get those Thai visas/extensions...and that is.... the provider of income verification letters. So given that there is a nexus between the two, the info on the U.S. web site ought to reliably mirror the real Thai regulations...

This isn't 1980 anymore. The web has been around a long time now, relatively speaking. Government agencies by now ought to be competent to properly maintain their own web sites.

Yes, I understand. However, as information consumers we must always make value judgments about the SOURCES of our info. Obviously a Thai government source speaking about Thai government policies would normally be considered more reliable and timely than a report from a foreign government. I wouldn't be checking the Thai embassy Washington DC website for information about my USA income tax filings, now would I? So I am saying basically, wise people should know better about where they are looking for credible info.

[SurfRider]

With regard to Retirement Visas, My suggestion would be to precisely follow the information at the links below -- The first two links will provide any retiree with 99% of what you need to know.

This information is updated regularly by veterans of interpreting and reporting on the vagaries of Thai Immigration Law-- which as many know, sometimes seems to change with the wind. In addition, the data is regularly updated based on input from many Expats who have to deal daily with Thai Immigration.

As a minor caveat, here is a quote from their website:

"As with all things with Immigration, the rules can change, and the individual Immigration Officer has full discretion to request anything. A willing attitude, a smile, and cooperative manner will get you through the process with the least trouble."

[astral]

Clearly the US Embassy site is wrong and needs urgent updating.

Please read ThaiVisa for the latest details.

[jfchandler]

Sorry for the delay...I had some personal business to attend to this week... So... below is the draft email I've prepared to send to the U.S. Embassy here, along with my revisions to Lopburi's original post containing the various corrections, mostly for clarity and style.

If anyone sees anything in the draft below that should be corrected, please post the correction here. Then I'll compile the final version, and send it onward... Thanks... JFC.

Dear Web Master,

As an American citizen and former government public affairs director living in Bangkok, I recently was reviewing the U.S. Embassy-Bangkok web page titled "Thai Visas for American Citizens." In looking at the current version of this web page, and being familiar with the Thai visa regulations being described, it became apparent that the current Embassy web page has numerous and substantial factual errors relating to the current Thai visa regulations, particularly relating to the criteria for retirement visas and extensions of stay.

I consulted with other Americans living here in Thailand who likewise are very familiar with the pertinent Thai regulations, and we together drafted a suggested revision to the current Embassy web page that corrects the inaccurate information, and notes the changes in RED. I'm sure the pertinent staff at the Embassy likewise would be aware of these inaccuracies, if they were to carefully review the web page in question.

It certainly would be a service to Americans both living in Thailand and those considering visiting here for the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to have accurate information on Thai visa regulations for American citizens, since Americans are likely to look first to our own Embassy's web site for information, before they likely would seek out the unfamiliar and sometimes difficult to access Thai government sites.

I hope the suggested revisions below are helpful to you in identifying the problems with the current Embassy web page and hopefully correcting them soon. If you have any questions or need any additional contact, please feel free to contact me at this email address.

Sincerely, xxxxxxxxx.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revisions to Embassy Thai Visa Information

Services

Thai Visas for American Citizens

Visa-Exempt Entry

U.S. Citizens carrying a diplomatic, official or tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand. Upon entry by airline, Thai immigration officials will place an immigration stamp in the passport permitting a 30-day stay in Thailand (or 15 days if arriving by land). This "visa-exempt" permit may be subsequently extended for an additional 7 days by paying a 1,900 baht fee to the Thai Immigration Bureau.

Tourist Visas

If an individual wishes to remain in Thailand for more than 30 days, he/she may wish to obtain a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. or a Thai Consulate in the United States, prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa must be used within 90 days from the date of issue and allows an initial stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa may be extended for an additional 30 days with the payment of a 1,900 baht fee. Interested Americans should contact the Thai Immigration Bureau headquarters located at 507 Soi Suan Plu, South Sathon Road in Bangkok. The phone number is 1111. Other Thai immigration offices are also located in most major tourist cities around the country.

The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens in the U.S. who wish to obtain a Thai visa to contact the Royal Thai Embassy or their nearest Thai Consulate for exact visa requirements and regulations. Persons who do not comply with visa regulations risk being denied reentry to Thailand at the border.

Working in Thailand

All foreigners interested in working in Thailand must obtain a Thai work permit. In order to receive a work permit, a company, foreign government, or other organization in Thailand must file an application on the behalf of the applicant. A non-immigrant visa allowing work will be required for the issue of the work permit. This may be obtained before the work permit (with company paperwork) or after the application for work permit.

Retirement Visas

Retirement visas for Thailand are available to foreigners 50 years of age or older. These visas are valid for one year and must be obtained in your home country. For additional information, please consult the web site of the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.

Inside Thailand, renewable retirement extensions of stay, each valid for one year, may be obtained at Thai Immigration offices by those 50 years of age or older who already hold a Thai non-immigrant visa, or by converting from other types of visas to such a visa.

According to Thai Immigration, applicants must meet the following qualifications for extension of stay:

* Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand;

* Applicant must not be working in Thailand;

* Applicant must be able to provide proof of a pension or other regular income from a source outside of Thailand;

* Applicant’s pension or other regular income must be no less than the equivalent of 65,000 baht per month;

* Alternatively, applicant may meet the financial requirement by maintaining an amount of at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for two months prior to applying, or by showing a combination of income and Thai bank deposits equal to at least 800,000 baht per year. (For second and subsequent extensions, applicants relying on the 800,000 baht method must have those funds on deposit in a Thai bank for three months prior).

* Any applicant married to a Thai citizen has the option to apply for an extension of stay on that basis (rather than retirement) with saving of at least 400,000 baht in Thai bank or income of at least 40,000 baht per month.

Visa Overstays

If an individual does not depart Thailand prior to expiration of his/her permit or visa, the individual is in the country illegally. In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. The fine is payable to the Immigration Bureau, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration office, or other departure point.

Thai police have been known to sweep areas frequented by low-budget travelers and arrest those who have overstayed their visas. Those arrested may be held in the Immigration Detention Center until they can pay their fines and pay for tickets out of Thailand. Those who overstay their visas for more than 200 days may be required to serve time in the Immigration Detention Center before they are deported. It is highly advisable to avoid visa overstays.

Expired short-term visas can be extended after paying a fine, but the number of days elapsed since expiration is subtracted from the extension period. Application for extension must be made by the next working day after visa expiration to avoid a fine.

Please note: applications for extension cannot be made on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thai holidays.

(end)

[lopburi3]

U.S. Citizens carrying a diplomatic, official or tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand.

U.S. Citizens carrying a diplomatic, official or tourist passport with an onward or return air ticket within 30 days do not require a visa to enter Thailand.

((believe we should cover them with the 30 day notice as some airlines are sticky about that))

[longball53098]

I just happened to see this thread. In review of the US embassy site and the content I would say the OP is correct that the info is inaccurate. On another area of their site they point to a state department link that has more correct info and very limited. At the end of that site is a statement pointing to the Thai Embassy site for further and more complete info related to visas and stays in Thailand.

Its nice to try to get the webmaster to update the info but in time this info will again be inaccurate. I think what the State Dept. site does is more effective. They have an accurate paragraph and then say if you want more visit the Thai Embassy/Consulate site. This method requires no work on the US side except to be sure the link works.

Link

[Mario2008]

1 post under mod review

[jfchandler]

Thanks again for everyone's input and assistance on this. After waiting a bit to make sure all the available comment and feedback filtered in... and was reflected...I sent the email along today... I'll certainly share any response(s) I get back. Final text of the email follows:

Dear Web Master,

As an American citizen and former government public affairs director living in Bangkok, I recently was reviewing the U.S. Embassy-Bangkok web page titled "Thai Visas for American Citizens." [http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/thai-visas-for-americans.html] In looking at the current version of this web page, and being very familiar with the Thai visa regulations being described, it became apparent that the current Embassy web page has numerous and substantial factual errors relating to the current Thai visa regulations, particularly relating to the criteria for retirement visas and extensions of stay.

I consulted with other Americans living here in Thailand who likewise are very familiar with the pertinent Thai regulations, and we together drafted a suggested revision to the current Embassy web page that corrects the inaccurate information, and notes the changes in RED. I'm sure the pertinent staff at the Embassy likewise would be aware of these inaccuracies, if they were to carefully review the web page in question.

It certainly would be a service to Americans both living in Thailand and those considering visiting here for the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to have accurate information on Thai visa regulations for American citizens, since Americans are likely to look first to our own Embassy's web site for information, before they likely would seek out the unfamiliar and sometimes difficult to access Thai government sites.

I hope the suggested revisions below are helpful to you in identifying the problems with the current Embassy web page and hopefully correcting them soon. If you have any questions or need any additional contact, please feel free to contact me at this email address.

Sincerely, XXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Revisions to Embassy Thai Visa Information

Services

Thai Visas for American Citizens

Visa-Exempt Entry

U.S. Citizens carrying a diplomatic, official or tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket scheduled within 30 days do not require a visa to enter Thailand. Upon entry by airline, Thai immigration officials will place an immigration stamp in the passport permitting a 30-day stay in Thailand (or 15 days if arriving by land). This "visa-exempt" permit may be subsequently extended for an additional 7 days by paying a 1,900 baht fee to the Thai Immigration Bureau.

Tourist Visas

If an individual wishes to remain in Thailand for more than 30 days, he/she may wish to obtain a tourist visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC or a Thai Consulate in the United States, prior to arriving in Thailand. The tourist visa must be used within 90 days from the date of issue and allows an initial stay of 60 days. After arrival in Thailand, a tourist visa may be extended for an additional 30 days with the payment of a 1,900 baht fee. Interested Americans should contact the Thai Immigration Bureau headquarters located at 507 Soi Suan Plu, South Sathon Road in Bangkok. The phone number is (66) (2) 287-3111 or 1111 inside Thailand. Other Thai immigration offices are also located in most major tourist cities around the country.

Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens in the U.S. who wish to obtain a Thai visa to contact the Royal Thai Embassy (1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20007, telephone (202) 944-3600) or their nearest Thai Consulate for exact visa requirements and regulations. Visit the Embassy of Thailand web site at http://www.thaiembdc.org for the most current visa information.

Working in Thailand

All foreigners interested in working in Thailand must obtain a Thai work permit. In order to receive a work permit, a company, foreign government, or other organization in Thailand must file an application on the behalf of the applicant. A non-immigrant visa allowing work will be required for the issue of the work permit. This may be obtained before the work permit (with company paperwork) or after the application for work permit.

Retirement Visas

Retirement visas for Thailand are available to foreigners 50 years of age or older. These visas are valid for one year and must be obtained in your home country. For additional information, please consult the web site of the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC.

Inside Thailand, renewable retirement extensions of stay, each valid for one year, may be obtained at Thai Immigration offices by those 50 years of age or older who already hold a Thai non-immigrant visa, or by converting from other types of visas to such a visa.

According to Thai Immigration, applicants must meet the following qualifications for extension of stay:

* Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand;

* Applicant must not be working in Thailand;

* Applicant must be able to provide proof of a pension or other regular income from a source outside of Thailand;

* Applicant’s pension or other regular income must be no less than the equivalent of 65,000 baht per month;

* Alternatively, applicant may meet the financial requirement by maintaining an amount of at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for two months prior to applying, or by showing a combination of income and Thai bank deposits equal to at least 800,000 baht per year. (For second and subsequent extensions, applicants relying on the 800,000 baht method must have those funds on deposit in a Thai bank for three months prior).

* Any applicant married to a Thai citizen has the option to apply for an extension of stay on that basis (rather than retirement) with savings of at least 400,000 baht in Thai bank or income of at least 40,000 baht per month.

Visa Overstays

If an individual does not depart Thailand prior to expiration of his/her permit or visa, the individual is in the country illegally. In order to depart Thailand, it will be necessary to pay an overstay fine. The fine for overstaying a visa is 500 baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. The fine is payable to the Immigration Bureau, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration office, or other departure point.

Thai police have been known to sweep areas frequented by low-budget travelers and arrest those who have overstayed their visas. Those arrested may be held in the Immigration Detention Center until they can pay their fines and pay for tickets out of Thailand. Those who overstay their visas for more than 200 days may be required to serve time in the Immigration Detention Center before they are deported. It is highly advisable to avoid visa overstays.

Expired short-term visas can be extended after paying a fine, but the number of days elapsed since expiration is subtracted from the extension period. Application for extension must be made by the next working day after visa expiration to avoid a fine.

Please note: applications for extension cannot be made on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thai holidays.

(end)

[jfchandler]

Someone above had suggested looking at the broader U.S. State Department site in terms of how it handled Thailand visa info...

I'm guessing this might be the site you were referring to....

I did pick up and use the summary pgh about referring to the Thailand Embassy and consulates for the latest info... But some of the content below looks out of date as well....

February 03, 2009

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizen tourists staying for fewer than 30 days do not require a visa, but must possess a passport and may be asked to show an onward/return ticket. Persons entering Thailand by air or via the Thailand-Malaysia border without a visa are allowed to stay in Thailand for 30 days per visit. Persons entering Thailand by land (except for the Thailand-Malaysia border) without a visa are allowed to stay in Thailand for 15 days per visit. The duration of stay in Thailand for persons who enter Thailand without a visa cannot exceed 90 days during any six-month period, counting from the date of first entry. After 90 days, travelers must apply for a new visa at a Thai embassy outside of the country. Travelers must pay a Passenger Service Charge in Thai baht when departing from any of Thailand’s international airports. This charge is now included in airline ticket prices at Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

When a traveler enters the country, Thai Immigration stamps in his or her passport the date on which the traveler’s authorized stay in Thailand will expire. Any traveler remaining in Thailand beyond this date without having received an official extension will be assessed an immediate cash fine when departing Thailand. Any foreigner found by police to be out of legal status prior to departure (during a Thai Immigration “sweep” through a guesthouse, for example) will be jailed, fined, and then deported at his or her own expense, and may be barred from re-entering Thailand.

In this regard, American citizens should be aware that private “visa extension services,” even those advertising in major periodicals or located close to Immigration offices or police stations, are illegal. A number of Americans are arrested at border crossings each year when the visas and entry stamps they have obtained through these illegal services are discovered to be counterfeit.

Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. For further information on Thailand’s entry/exit requirements, contact the Royal Thai Embassy, 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20007, telephone (20..., or contact the Thai consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City. Visit the Embassy of Thailand web site at http://www.thaiembdc.org for the most current visa information.

(end)

[ubonjoe]

There is no 90 day rule any more. Also it is only Malaysian passport holders that get 30 days at the Malaysian border. It is written wrong because it says by air at Malaysian border. It is 30 by air from all countries and 15 at the borders.

[SurfRider]

jfc,

Excellent job on your re-write of the Visa data for the U.S. Embassy.

I just wanted to point out a couple of very minor technical issues that may or may not be worth considering.

"Retirement visas for Thailand are available to foreigners 50 years of age or older. These visas are valid for one year and must be obtained in your home country."

The word in question here is "must" -- With regard to the USA, technically you CAN get a Thai Retirement Visa ( RV ) from *SOME* Honorary Consulates, but the availability varies due to the fact that there is a great deal of confusion among foreign Honorary Thai Consuls because the Thai Immigration regulations change on a regular basis and the Consuls are reluctant of over-stepping their authority because they might be advising with obsolete information.

When I attempted to get a Retirement Visa in my USA Honorary Consulate, they strongly advised against it and recommended that I buy a Thai non-immigrant "O" Visa with a two entry provision and then obtain my RV in Thailand-- according to whatever rules were in force at the moment.

Since then, SOME Honorary Consuls have been issuing both "O" and "OA" Visas, both of which can be extended as a Retirement Visa in Thailand, with the "OA" being the better option because it automatically renews itself if the bearer crosses a border into Thailand within 90 day prior to the 1st years expiration and it also carries multiple re-entry privileges.

An RV extended from a "O" Visa does NOT renew itself and carries NO re-entry privileges, so the bearer must buy either a one-entry permit for B1900, or a multi-re-entry for B3800 if they want to depart and re-enter Thailand during the one year validity period of the extension.

If an "O" visa holder returns without a re-entry permit, the Visa is canceled at the entry point and they are issued the normal 30 day tourist Visa.

"Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand"

This may be technically true, I honestly don't know, but in practice, it is not correct. I have two friends, one living in Cambodia and the other in the USA, who have Thai retirement Visas. Their 90-day address reporting requirement is suspended when they're outside Thailand and re-starts on the day they return.

.

[JimGant]

Well, if we're gonna be picky...........

Applicant must be a foreigner residing in Thailand

True. In order to 'apply' (thus being an 'applicant') you must physically be in Thailand -- in order to physically approach the Immigration counter. And you must NOT be Thai, thus you must be a foreigner, otherwise you cannot be an applicant for a visa extension, because if you were a Thai............ . And once you're no longer an applicant, i.e., you've received your extension of stay, then, of course, you're free to leave the country for as long as you like (if this were not the case, then Thai law would not obviate the need for 90-day reporting when out of the country).

These visas are valid for one year and must be obtained in your home country."

Actually, the visas are either good for 3-months (a single-entry O-A) or for 1-year (multi-entry O-A). Both visas, while valid, provide for an authorized stay of 1-year upon entry.

recommended that I buy a Thai non-immigrant "O" Visa with a two entry provision and then obtain my RV in Thailand--

Unless this were ages ago, a Non Imm O visa only has two flavors: single entry or multiple entry. Specific number of entries is peculiar to a Tourist visa.

A retirement visa (RV) is a generally accepted euphemism for a Non Imm O-A visa. It cannot be obtained in Thailand.

But, I know you knew that. Just having fun with the terminology that we all seem to get wrapped around the axle on in this forum.

[SurfRider]

I was hoping this thread would not get too "picky" or arcane, but here we go . . .

"Actually, the visas are either good for 3-months (a single-entry O-A) or for 1-year (multi-entry O-A)"

When I got my Non-Imm "O" Visa, you could "legally" buy one, two, three, or four "entrys" -- each entry costing US$50 in addition to the basic cost of the "O" Visa.

The Consulate was restricting any "O" to only two entrys because they had received instructions from Bangkok that were confusing ( hard to believe that! ) and were afraid that they might lose their charter if they sold more than two entrys.

"A retirement visa (RV) is a generally accepted euphemism for a Non Imm O-A visa. It cannot be obtained in Thailand"

I received my RV in Thailand -- actually in Thai Immigration-speak, it's an extension of an "O" or "OA" Visa based on meeting RV qualifications.

Also, as of roughly a year ago, a "virgin" RV *CAN* be obtained in Thailand -- it's possible to arrive on a Tourist Visa, extend it at a local Immigration office if necessary, then apply for a RV at local Immigration.

They will convert the Tourist Visa to an "O" or "OA" ( not sure which ), then convert that to a RV in the same transaction. Cost is B1900 for EACH Visa, but you MUST arrive with ALL of the other RV requirements in place or they won't start the process.

People who attempt this MUST have their act together to be sure that they qualify for all the arcane details, such as the required bank deposit and/or an Embassy income verification letter, bank account, bank letter, phone number ( mobile qualifies ), address ( hotel qualifies ), etc.

This is available at Pattaya Immigration, which is allegedly Thailand's "showcase" Imm. office, and I would assume Bangkok also, but maybe not in Podunk-ville ( just guessing on that )

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[dr_Pat_Pong]

An O-A single entry also permits a 12 month stay in Thailand upon arrival.

[JimGant]

An O-A single entry also permits a 12 month stay in Thailand upon arrival.

Yes, as said above: the visas are either good for 3-months (a single-entry O-A) or for 1-year (multi-entry O-A). Both visas, while valid, provide for an authorized stay of 1-year upon entry.

[JimGant]

I received my RV in Thailand -- actually in Thai Immigration-speak, it's an extension of an "O" or "OA" Visa based on meeting RV qualifications.

Actually, it's an extension of a valid 'permission of stay.' Visas all have finite expiration dates, which cannot be extended.

But, then, this discussion can be regurgitated many times over using the search function.