Retirement Visa O-a

[Rex7777]

I've tried to read the various forums first, but there doesn't seem to be any necessary consistency to the process. Maybe I should just ask you guys for some advice.

This time next year I plan to retire and move to Thailand. I'll be 55 and can prove a pension of $2500+ US a month, plus investment income and money in the bank, so I have the $$$ angle covered.

I'm not planning on bringing anything with me other than what fits in one suitcase.

So, what's the easiest way to go? Apply for a standard tourist visa here in the US and then "upgrade" it to a retirement visa once in Thailand? Or apply for the O-A visa here in the states before I go?

From what I've read, the paperework is supposed to be somewhat easier when applying in Thailand, in that once you're there they don't expect you to come up with a criminal record check, only a doctor's certificate and proof of income. Or is that not the case? I suppose it would be easier for me to get such a document while still here in the US, but I'm not so sure how long it would take or what's involved or how long the document would be valid.

So, what's the best way to approach it?

Rex

[lopburi3]

Probably the easiest would be a single entry non immigrant visa from one of the honorary consulates and then after you are here 60 days, and have either the money in place in a Thai bank or certification of income from Embassy go to immigration and request yearly extension of stay for retirement. Medical certificate and bank latter/or embassy letter of income are only requirements and not hard to obtain.

It is also not that hard to go the non immigrant O-A process in the US. And as presently run you obtain a multi entry type visa and in effect get two years for the price of one if you exit near the end of your visa validity period and return under it as they are stamping a year each time you enter. That, however, could end at any time. Believe you just have to go to local police where you live to obtain the required report but some consulates seem to require more in the way of certifications than others so it would be best to talk with them directly. In some cases it may only be you signing the copies (which is what is required in Thailand).

You could just get a tourist visa and come - that one suitcase should not take up much room. Then, meeting the requirements, you could probably obtain a conversion to non immigrant status visa (believe at a small extra cost) and then the normal extension of stay for retirement. If, for any reason, you could not convert you would most likely be told to go to Penang to obtain a new visa and return and that is not much of a problem either.

Do make arrangements with your US bank that will allow you to transfer funds; such as setting up a wire transfer agreement for bank files.

[pianoman]

Rex,

I just did the US Consulate thing for my NIOA Multiple Entry Retirement Visa in March of this year, and it was very easy... I went to the local police dept., and requested the criminal background statement, they checked their records and handed me a form letter stating that they had no record of any kind of criminal behavior... Had my own Doctor sign the form pulled from the Thai Embassy Website, provided letter from my bank stating the length and level of my banking history with them, took it all to the Consulate and had my Visa within about 20 minutes... Now I have until I file for an extention of that Visa a year from now to figure out and deposit whatever funds are needed in Thailand...

I would recommend doing as much as possible in the States were you are all using the same lanuage, rather than depending on the Thai Immagration where there can be some confussion regarding anything at all...

Oh, I also came with a Big Suitcase,,, O.K., really 3 Big Suitcases and then had a friend bring more stuff a few weeks later...

Good Luck,

Pianoman

Edited April 24, 2005 by pianoman

[Rex7777]

Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like it won't be much of a problem however I do it. I'll have to figure out the banking situation once the time comes. It's too bad they don't make international banking a bit easier. I was figuring I'd just maintain USA banking and brokerage accounts with all funds available for withdrawal via the ATM with statements emailed. I suppose I could set up a Thai bank account, but unless the cost to transfer funds is minimal, I probably won't be making regular transfers to the Thai bank.

I thought about shipping furniture and so on, but for what it would cost me I could probably by it there.

Rex

[lopburi3]

Thanks for the info, guys.  It sounds like it won't be much of a problem however I do it.  I'll have to figure out the banking situation once the time comes.  It's too bad they don't make international banking a bit easier.  I was figuring I'd just maintain USA banking and brokerage accounts with all funds available for withdrawal via the ATM with statements emailed.  I suppose I could set up a Thai bank account, but unless the cost to transfer funds is minimal, I probably won't be making regular transfers to the Thai bank.

I thought about shipping furniture and so on, but for what it would cost me I could probably by it there. 

Rex

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Be aware that most rentals are furnished for tax reasons so there really no need for furniture.

You can use atm but each withdrawal will probably have a bank fee from the US end and at least 1 and maybe more percent loss on exchange rate. I would file a wire transfer agreement just in case as it could be handy at a later date and you usually have to do these in person. I find a local atm card very handy myself as can use in any atm and not have to worry about exceeding weekend or holiday limits that US banks may impose (using different time zones). US credit cards are becoming foolish to use as they have started to impose foreign usage fees so you lose on exchange rate and then again on a percent fee.

[Rex7777]

I've been looking at wire transfer fees at some of the US banks. You can initiate them online at some banks. The cost of the transfer can vary from bank to bank and depending on the type of account you have at the bank. It looks like they want to charge you in the neighborhood of $45 for each transfer. That seems high, but maybe that's just the way it is. Maybe I could just do it every other month or so. I hate to see money go to waste like that.

Rex

[harpman88]

Rex,

I just did the US Consulate thing for my NIOA Multiple Entry Retirement Visa in March of this year, and it was very easy...  I went to the local police dept., and requested the criminal background statement, they checked their records and handed me a form letter stating that they had no record of any kind of criminal behavior...  Had my own Doctor sign the form pulled from the Thai Embassy Website, provided letter from my bank stating the length and level of my banking history with them, took it all to the Consulate and had my Visa within about 20 minutes...    Now I have until I file for an extention of that Visa a year from now to figure out and deposit whatever funds are needed in Thailand...

I would recommend doing as much as possible in the States were you are all using the same lanuage, rather than depending on the Thai Immagration where there can be some confussion regarding anything at all...

Oh, I also came with a Big Suitcase,,,  O.K., really 3 Big Suitcases and then had a friend bring more stuff a few weeks later...

Good Luck,

Pianoman

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rex,I concur with Piano's post as I just did the same at the New Orleans

Consulate (OA multi entry) No notarizaion of any documents required...and Stephanie the Honorary Consul was wonderful.

The criminal background check is a standard form issued by your local

police as it is also used to "clear"

local job applicants seeking work.

It was also my experience that I did'nt qualify for the standard,single Non Imm O anyway..

Also,even though I easily qualified on just my cash position (at least 20K$, this can be either in a bank or money mkt. acct.with a brokerage firm) I still needed to provide proof of my monthly pension,as this was assurance that Im "officially retired",my annuity estimate given before my last day of work was all she needed.All in all.not much hassle at all, once all the documents were in her hands,I had the multi OA in my P.Port in less than 45 minutes.

I would use a M.Mkt acct. at a brokerage to do your eventual wire xfers,its my experience that they're

much cheaper than banks,and you'll get a slightly better interest rate as well.

If you do end up going the multi OA route(and if things dont change as Lop points out) you can leave/reenter Thailand anytime before your OA visa expiration date and be admitted for yet another 365 days,giving you,if timed right, close to 2 yrs. before you must extend in country.At that time is when I would have a Thai bank acct.

(even with a pension,wer'e in the same boat here) to show your'e bringing in money and using it to live on. Remember,at this point you'll begin dealing with Thai. Imm. in country for your future extensions. Then there also will be the 90 day address reporting requirement(which is dealt with extensively here on T.V)..

Once again, I totally concur with Pianoman,

and would go for the multi OA before entering Thailand ....All the best,the Harpman

police as job applicants need it

as well when seeking work.

[lopburi3]

I've been looking at wire transfer fees at some of the US banks.  You can initiate them online at some banks.  The cost of the transfer can vary from bank to bank and depending on the type of account you have at the bank.  It looks like they want to charge you in the neighborhood of $45 for each transfer.  That seems high, but maybe that's just the way it is.  Maybe I could just do it every other month or so.  I hate to see money go to waste like that.

Rex

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I only do when I need about $9,000 so the 45 charge is not all that much as a percentage of the transfer. My bank does not have online transfer but I can make a phone call to do it. I would not advise transfer every month (unless you are really spending a lot).