Retirement

[alyx]

Hey

My friends' parents are here on a tourist visa

Although they had planned to apply for a retirement visa (I think there is not such visa but only extension to the non O -correct me if I am wrong), they had been advised, by a lawyer from what I understood, to apply for a tourist visa and start from there

Now they are being told they need to go out of the country and apply again fo the correct visa this time . They are 75+ so a useless trip would be to avoid

my questions are

1) Can't they convert the toutist visa to a non O based on the fact that they are (well) over 50 even though the money required has not been transfered yet (a couple of weeks or so from now)?

2) If not the option is to leave(to KL ?) and ask for a non-O which will allow them to stay a full 90 days in Thailand allowing them to have all the paperwork ready in time?

2) They have also been told that they could not apply for extension (I guess that is the correct wording) prior to 90 days from the date the money has been credite: I was under the impression that had been reduced to 60 days; which figure is correct?

I know that has been covered quite a number of times but I only get hints and no direct and complete answers to my questions

Thank you

Alyx

[lopburi3]

1. They should find a new lawyer.

2. There is a long stay visa called retirement and it is non immigrant OA. You obtain in home country only. But it does require medical and police check paperwork.

3. Money must be in account in Thailand to make conversion of visa.

4. Once money here major Immigration offices will convert to non immigrant stay of 90 days. This must be applied for with at least 21 days remaining on permitted to stay stamp.

5. This is normally only one person unless they both will have the 800k in Thai bank accounts.

6. When money in account here 2 months application for extension of stay can be made.

7. Once application for extension of stay is approved dependent (if not both using retirement) can take copy or that passport/marriage proof to obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa and return to apply for matching extension of stay.

8. As both up in age it is probably best if they can both qualify for retirement and avoid the one visa runs that would otherwise probably be required.

[monty]

my questions are

1) Can't they convert the tourist visa to a non O based on the fact that they are (well) over 50 even though the money required has not been transfered yet (a couple of weeks or so from now)?

In this case they cannot. Immigration will only convert into non immigrant status, if all requirements for a 1 year extension are met. As the funds need to be 60 days in the bank when applying for your first retirement extension, and they have not yet transferred the funds over, they do not qualify. As well as needing at least 21 days of allowed stay remaining.

2) If not the option is to leave(to KL ?) and ask for a non-O which will allow them to stay a full 90 days in Thailand allowing them to have all the paperwork ready in time?

Should be no problem, especially if the funds are already in a Thai bank and they bring proof along.

2) They have also been told that they could not apply for extension (I guess that is the correct wording) prior to 90 days from the date the money has been credite: I was under the impression that had been reduced to 60 days; which figure is correct?

60 days before your initial (first) application. For each subsequent extension the funds have to be in the bank 90 days before application.

[Lite Beer]

As said, if they can both meet the financial requirements it would be easier.

If only one does, the other could then apply as being a dependant and would then have to leave the country and obtain a Non Imm O Visa to start the process.

[alyx]

Clear answers (I agree about the lawyer as I felt I knew more about it than he does but.....no wonder I follow Thai Visa Forum )

Thank you to both of you

It is appreciated

[alyx]

Hey Lopburi3

Are you saying that they cannot go to a neighbour country and apply for a visa non O (or a visa which will allow them to appply for the long stay visa)?

From Monty's point of view that seems feasible

[lopburi3]

No I am not saying that at all - I am saying only one would have to do that and if both can come up with 800k neither of them need to do so as they can change status from tourist to non immigrant at Immigration for 2,000 each. You specifically asked to avoid travel so gave you the best method(s) to do that.

If they only have one 800k account leaving together to get non immigrant O visas would probably be the best option for them. But that would depend on there health and if they always want to travel as a couple.

[alyx]

Got it

Thanks for the clarification

[xylophone]

Hi lopburi,

I am not meaning to sound disrespectful as I read your most informative comments and applaud your knowledge, however wasn't the need to have a medical and have police records checked dropped a short while ago?? (But it does require medical and police check paperwork....your post).

No problems if I need to update my knowledge!!!!

[lopburi3]

Obtaining OA visa in your home country requires the checks. The checks are not required to extend your stay in Thailand. My comment was on OA visa in home country.

- A letter of verification issued from the country of his or her nationality or residence stating that the applicant has no criminal record (verification shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

- A medical certificate issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No.14 (B.E. 2535) (certificate shall be valid for not more than three months and should be notarised by notary organs or the applicant’s diplomatic or consular mission).

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493

[xylophone]

Many thanks lopburi.

[RickBlaine]

Alyx,

Without in any way wanting to contradict some very knowledgeable members here, be careful of the 60 day/90 day wait period for the money in the bank.

I have mentioned this recently in another post - I would advise you talk to the immigration staff where you will be applying. My local office are adamant that they require a 90 day period, even when I pointed out that this was my first application, not an extension.

I think the different interpretaions of the rules, by different offices, is causing a confusion.

Good luck.

[lopburi3]

The rule is 2 months for first application and that is the law everywhere.

You I believe asked for future reference and were told 3 months - if you had actually been doing an application expect they would have checked further and changed there minds. No office can change that rule without higher authority approval. And that does not appear to be the case here.

I do agree there is often confusion on our parts and officers as there are many provisions and exceptions and rules involved - but if everyone is cool and explains it is most likely the question will be referred to a higher level and/or rules read more closely and result in a positive outcome.

[RickBlaine]

The rule is 2 months for first application and that is the law everywhere.

You I believe asked for future reference and were told 3 months - if you had actually been doing an application expect they would have checked further and changed there minds. No office can change that rule without higher authority approval. And that does not appear to be the case here.

I do agree there is often confusion on our parts and officers as there are many provisions and exceptions and rules involved - but if everyone is cool and explains it is most likely the question will be referred to a higher level and/or rules read more closely and result in a positive outcome.

I agree, the law is the law, and I was not criticising anyone on T.V. But, I read often in other threads something along the lines of 'well, in this office it was like this... and they wanted to see this...' I still think a trip to the office, if possible, is worth it.

Inicidentally, the last thing the officer said to me, with a smile, was 'of course, it could be different next year.'

[alyx]

Thanks for the input and the warning (although Lopburi3 seems to be correct quite often)

I have given all the relevant information to their daughter

I am watching this carefully as I might be next in line and I will keep you posted