Retirement Visa Questions

[will2003]

this is my first post from australia - i want to apply for a retirement visa - to start with you need a 90 day visa from the local thai consulate - but how do you transfer the required 800000 baht into a thai bank from australia - and if you leave thailand for any length of time during your retirement - does one have to go through the process again when you want to return?

[paulfr]

90 Day Visa not important.

What you need is a Non Immigrant O or B Visa.

Before you leave, set up a SWIFT transfer capability with your home bank.

Come to LOS. Open an account at Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn or Siam. Many banks will not open an acct for a farang without seeing a Work Permit.

Now just do a SWIFT transfer which will take a day or so.

Without SWIFT, depositing a foreign check into your acct will take almost a month or more to clear. Dont ask me why, This is Thailand.

[will2003]

90 Day Visa not important.

What you need is a Non Immigrant O or B Visa.

Before you leave, set up a SWIFT transfer capability with your home bank.

Come to LOS. Open an account at Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn or Siam. Many banks will not open an acct for a farang without seeing a Work Permit.

Now just do a SWIFT transfer which will take a day or so.

Without SWIFT, depositing a foreign check into your acct will take almost a month or more to clear. Dont ask me why, This is Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks for that - in other words do I set up SWIFT (whatever that is) in australia - get all required docs here in aus before I leave - open an account in thailand -transfer money across and then apply for retirement visa in thailand ?- sounds easy but i'm sure its not - if one generally needs a work permit to open an account how do you actually open one in los?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Most banks will open an account for a retiree. Obviously a retiree won't have a work permit.

[redtape]

Hi will2003,

For retirement visa you need O-A visa type. Not O or B and you don't need a work permit. There're a little bit of process and docs required from you. The O-A (retirement) visa is issues for specific purpose. i.e. the applicant must over 50 years ect.

Sorry for not remember all of the requirement. May be a call to Thai embassy in canberra or consulate in sydney could help ?

[wrestler7902002]

Hello Will2003 -

When sending money electronically from one bank (in your case, Australia) to another bank in another country (in this case, Thailand), your home bank needs the SWIFT address of the bank in Thailand.

For instance, the SWIFT address of Kasikorn bank is KASITHBK. When sending money by telex, your home bank will ask you for the SWIFT address of the receiving bank in Thailand as well as your account number at that bank in Thailand.

When you are on a Retirement visa OA, you will be able to leave when you like; however, you must ask for and pay for a re-entry permit (multiple re-entry is best) before you leave Thailand. If you do not get a re-entry permit, I believe your retirement visa will expire and you will have to start all over and get another retirement OA visa.

[Nomad97]

When you are on a Retirement visa OA, you will be able to leave when you like; however, you must ask for and pay for a re-entry permit (multiple re-entry is best) before you leave Thailand. If you do not get a re-entry permit, I believe your retirement visa will expire and you will have to start all over and get another retirement OA visa.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is my understanding too. I believe the cost of an exit/entry visa is 1900 baht.

[lopburi3]

There are two ways to obtain a long stay (for retirement visa):

1. You obtain O-A type in Oz with a police report, medical and proof of money equal to 800k baht in a bank account in Oz. When you enter Thailand you receive a full year stay; at the end of which you will have to have the 800k in a Thai bank account for extension (pension proof can also be used).

2. You obtain an O single entry visa in Oz and extend that inside Thailand at an immigration office with medical, local bank account/letter.

2.1 You can also arrive with a tourist visa, convert to O visa here and continue step 2. But extra step and 2,000 baht involved.

You must renew each year at about the same time so you should plan to be here - although immigration may give you some leeway if you show reason.

Travel requires a re entry permit be obtained prior to trip (at 1,000 baht each or 3,800 baht for up to a year). These are only valid until your current end of stay date.

Banks should open normal passbook savings accounts but fixed/checking and credit cards may not be available here so you will probably want to continue a banking relationship in your home country.

[jayenram]

You must renew each year at about the same time so you should plan to be here - although immigration may give you some leeway if you show reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just a quick question on this one Lop.

If you happen to be out of the country when your extension expires (as I nearly was this last year) would it be possible to visit the Thai embassy/consulate in the country you are in and somehow get a few days/weeks leaway until you return to Thailand?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You must renew each year at about the same time so you should plan to be here - although immigration may give you some leeway if you show reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just a quick question on this one Lop.

If you happen to be out of the country when your extension expires (as I nearly was this last year) would it be possible to visit the Thai embassy/consulate in the country you are in and somehow get a few days/weeks leaway until you return to Thailand?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope Yorky. The extension can only be done in Thailand. Thai Embassies and Consulates are not empowered to do that.

[will2003]

thanks everybody - i guess once you are in thailand one would arrange transfer of necessary funds to thai bank via internet - that is once you have opened thai account and have necessary SWIFT info -

also another question

If I decided to come back to oz and work some more and let the retirement visa expire would I have I have to go through the process again - and could one do that indefinetely - say for example stay in thailand for couple of years then come back to oz for a year make swag of money then "retire" once again in thailand

[lopburi3]

Yes you would have to do it again and no there is no three strike rule (that US slang) but am sure you get the idea - you can apply again.

For Jayenram: as Pat says they are different organizations so you would have to do it before travel by showing tickets and best attitude. As the retirement is done in one visit it is easier to cover travel than the support Thai wife type.

[Hurricane51]

I have a question regarding the re-entry visa. The requirements that are listed on the Thai Embassy's site in Los Angeles state:

Fee: $ 50 for a single-entry ONLY, no multiple-entry.

Am I correct in assuming that this fee is only for the retirement visa entry, and that a re-entry visa once I'm residing in Thailand would be much cheaper?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

In Thailand a single entry re-entry permit is 1000 baht. Only available from Immigration IN Thailand.

[ProThaiExpat]

Pay no attention to any post that conflicts with Lopburi3's post as it is exactly correct. He is the authority in my view and I would ask him any further questions, if I were you.

[harpman88]

I have a question regarding the re-entry visa. The requirements that are listed on the Thai Embassy's site in Los Angeles state:

Fee:  $ 50 for a single-entry ONLY, no multiple-entry.

Am I correct in assuming that this fee is only for the retirement visa entry, and that a re-entry visa once I'm residing in Thailand would be much cheaper?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just for the record,the re-entry permit is not a VISA,it is a permit to re-enter the country protecting the last "admitted until date" stamped in your passport with one's existing visa. Also,H51,

multiple re-entry permits are indeed available for the OA based on retirement in Thailand ,currently 3800 Baht. Hope this helps,the Harpman

[Maestro]

paulf

in other words do I set up SWIFT (whatever that is) in australia

SWIFT can stand for a lot of different things but in the context of paulfr's message it means "Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication". What paulfr really suggests is that you should arrange with your bank in Australia to arrange that you can get access to your account via the Internet. Call your bank and they will send you a form to sign and return, and then give you the username, password and anything else you may need.

Once in Thailand and your Thai bank account opened, ask your Thai bank for its SWIFT code, as already mentioned by wrestler7902002. When logging into your Australian bank account to give your payment order for the remittance to your Thai bank account, one of the fields to fill in online will be the SWIFT code. With the use of this code, your remittance will usually be credited to your Thai account within 48 hours, often already within 24 hours. Without this code, it may take a day or two longer. Some banks don’t even accept international payment orders without the SWIFT code. All the SWIFT code does is identify the recipient bank clearly within your Australian bank's computer system and enable your bank to effect the transfer faster, electronically, without much – perhaps without any – human input on the part of your bank.

Internet banking is very safe if you use the usual precautions. One of the standard recommendations is to change your password frequently. When logging on from Thailand, I change my password after every logon done from a public computer, e.g. Internet Cafè (although this may seem exaggerated). If you use your own computer and log on through your own Internet account, I suggest you make sure you have a firewall up and running before logging on to your bank account.

[Hurricane51]

In Thailand a single entry re-entry permit is 1000 baht. Only available from Immigration IN Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where do I purchase the re-entry permit?

[Hurricane51]

paulf

in other words do I set up SWIFT (whatever that is) in australia

SWIFT can stand for a lot of different things but in the context of paulfr's message it means "Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication". What paulfr really suggests is that you should arrange with your bank in Australia to arrange that you can get access to your account via the Internet. Call your bank and they will send you a form to sign and return, and then give you the username, password and anything else you may need.

Once in Thailand and your Thai bank account opened, ask your Thai bank for its SWIFT code, as already mentioned by wrestler7902002. When logging into your Australian bank account to give your payment order for the remittance to your Thai bank account, one of the fields to fill in online will be the SWIFT code. With the use of this code, your remittance will usually be credited to your Thai account within 48 hours, often already within 24 hours. Without this code, it may take a day or two longer. Some banks don’t even accept international payment orders without the SWIFT code. All the SWIFT code does is identify the recipient bank clearly within your Australian bank's computer system and enable your bank to effect the transfer faster, electronically, without much – perhaps without any – human input on the part of your bank.

Internet banking is very safe if you use the usual precautions. One of the standard recommendations is to change your password frequently. When logging on from Thailand, I change my password after every logon done from a public computer, e.g. Internet Cafè (although this may seem exaggerated). If you use your own computer and log on through your own Internet account, I suggest you make sure you have a firewall up and running before logging on to your bank account.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I second the recommendation to be very careful when using public computers. You really never know if someone has installed a keystroke logger or other capture program or device on it. Since there is no defense against this on a computer you don't control, caution is the word of the day. If you MUST use a public computer to access sensitive information, change your password as soon as you get to a more secure computer.

[will2003]

paulf

in other words do I set up SWIFT (whatever that is) in australia

SWIFT can stand for a lot of different things but in the context of paulfr's message it means "Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication". What paulfr really suggests is that you should arrange with your bank in Australia to arrange that you can get access to your account via the Internet. Call your bank and they will send you a form to sign and return, and then give you the username, password and anything else you may need.

Once in Thailand and your Thai bank account opened, ask your Thai bank for its SWIFT code, as already mentioned by wrestler7902002. When logging into your Australian bank account to give your payment order for the remittance to your Thai bank account, one of the fields to fill in online will be the SWIFT code. With the use of this code, your remittance will usually be credited to your Thai account within 48 hours, often already within 24 hours. Without this code, it may take a day or two longer. Some banks don’t even accept international payment orders without the SWIFT code. All the SWIFT code does is identify the recipient bank clearly within your Australian bank's computer system and enable your bank to effect the transfer faster, electronically, without much – perhaps without any – human input on the part of your bank.

Internet banking is very safe if you use the usual precautions. One of the standard recommendations is to change your password frequently. When logging on from Thailand, I change my password after every logon done from a public computer, e.g. Internet Cafè (although this may seem exaggerated). If you use your own computer and log on through your own Internet account, I suggest you make sure you have a firewall up and running before logging on to your bank account.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I second the recommendation to be very careful when using public computers. You really never know if someone has installed a keystroke logger or other capture program or device on it. Since there is no defense against this on a computer you don't control, caution is the word of the day. If you MUST use a public computer to access sensitive information, change your password as soon as you get to a more secure computer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Maestro]

Where do I purchase the re-entry permit?

Basically, at the Immigration Bureau (same place where you get your extensions of stay, but different counter if at Suanplu), but for quite some time now there is also a counter for this at the airport terminal 1. Now, that’s what I call good service!

I’ve searched this forum and found this thread that gives you details about getting your re-entry permit at the airport.

[phibunmike]

90 Day Visa not important.

What you need is a Non Immigrant O or B Visa.

Before you leave, set up a SWIFT transfer capability with your home bank.

Come to LOS. Open an account at Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn or Siam. Many banks will not open an acct for a farang without seeing a Work Permit.

Now just do a SWIFT transfer which will take a day or so.

Without SWIFT, depositing a foreign check into your acct will take almost a month or more to clear. Dont ask me why, This is Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks for that - in other words do I set up SWIFT (whatever that is) in australia - get all required docs here in aus before I leave - open an account in thailand -transfer money across and then apply for retirement visa in thailand ?- sounds easy but i'm sure its not - if one generally needs a work permit to open an account how do you actually open one in los?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, I opened an account with Bank of Ayudhya (in Ubon) and it took 5 minutes, no visa / work permit etc. required. From what I have read on other threads it seems to be a locally made decision by the branch, but I am not sure about this. As far as transfers go, I use internet banking all the time and have never had to specifically set up SWIFT - you just log in and do a transfer, either selecting your destination bank from a drop-down list or typing in the bank name and location, depending on the individual bank's website.

By the way, the reason I chose Ayudhya over the other two banks in my local town (Kasikorn and another) was that they have an english website which makes my internet banking easier, as I am still very much a beginner in Thai language.

Edited September 1, 2005 by phibunmike

[lopburi3]

Hi, I opened an account with Bank of Ayudhya (in Ubon) and it took 5 minutes, no visa / work permit etc. required. From what I have read on other threads it seems to be a locally made decision by the branch, but I am not sure about this. As far as transfers go, I use internet banking all the time and have never had to specifically set up SWIFT - you just log in and do a transfer, either selecting your destination bank from a drop-down list or typing in the bank name and location, depending on the individual bank's website.

By the way, the reason I chose Ayudhya over the other two banks in my local town (Kasikorn and another) was that they have an english website which makes my internet banking easier, as I am still very much a beginner in Thai language.

Are you saying you never set up permissions for wire transfer service at your foreign bank and are able to transfer by Internet into your Thai bank with no restrictions? Most banks require special paperwork to allow wire transfer service for security reasons and then make the rules on how you can transfer (and most still do not allow Internet transfer in my experience).

The SWIFT is not the wire transfer agreement but only the method bank X in country Y uses to get the money into your account here. Your bank may ask you the SWIFT or just look it up themselves. So SWIFT is not something you have to set up in any way - it is in place.

Couple of questions: Are you single or married to a Thai? Joint account or your name only? You were able to obtain internet access to Ayudhya account with no special paperwork? What type of visa? Do you have work permit?

((not trying to be noisy but these help to explain what is required)).

[phibunmike]

[Are you saying you never set up permissions for wire transfer service at your foreign bank and are able to transfer by Internet into your Thai bank with no restrictions?  Most banks require special paperwork to allow wire transfer service for security reasons and then make the rules on how you can transfer (and most still do not allow Internet transfer in my experience).

The SWIFT is not the wire transfer agreement but only the method bank X in country Y uses to get the money into your account here.  Your bank may ask you the SWIFT or just look it up themselves.  So SWIFT is not something you have to set up in any way - it is in place.

Couple of questions:  Are you single or married to a Thai?  Joint account or your name only?  You were able to obtain internet access to Ayudhya account with no special paperwork?  What type of visa?  Do you have work permit?

((not trying to be noisy but these help to explain what is required)).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Lopburi,

No problem with the questions - we all benefit in this forum from people telling things. I will try to answer each point clearly. Sorry if the point by point approach looks defensive, just trying to lay out my thoughts.

1. I have several different bank accounts in different countries (not rich, just disorganised) and the only one that has required special paperwork to enable an outgoing wire transfer is the Thai one (Ayudhya). The others just have default maxmium daily amounts etc. which I can change if I want.

2. Sending money to Thailand has one extra step than most destinations - you have to say why. I have found that by adding "Reason: Travel and Expenses" to the comments section it goes through ok (this advice came from one bank I deal with).

3. I understand the SWIFT system (a little bit), I was just trying to explain to the OP that he doesn't have to understand it or "set it up".

4. My fiancee is Thai, but the account in question is in my name only. I have no Thai visa of any sort, I work in Singapore and travel to Thailand monthly on a "whatever-they-give-you-at-the-airport" visa.

5. To get internet access on the Ayudhya account, all I had to do when I opened the account was tick the box marked "do you want internet access". Another ticked box got me my "Visa Electron" ATM card. One of these ticks cost me an extra 150 baht, but I am not sure which one.

Hope that helps !

[Maestro]

Couple of questions:  Are you single or married to a Thai?  Joint account or your name only? 

Lopburi, this prompts me to ask a question of my own.

When my time comes to apply for my first one-year extension of stay for “support Thai wife”, probably in December 2006 after entering on a single entry non-O in October 2006, will my funds have to be in a Thai bank account exclusively in my name, or can it be in a joint account with my wife?

I ask because I already have a joint account, but I shan’t mind opening an additional account in my name only, if considered advisable.

[lopburi3]

Couple of questions:  Are you single or married to a Thai?  Joint account or your name only? 

Lopburi, this prompts me to ask a question of my own.

When my time comes to apply for my first one-year extension of stay for “support Thai wife”, probably in December 2006 after entering on a single entry non-O in October 2006, will my funds have to be in a Thai bank account exclusively in my name, or can it be in a joint account with my wife?

I ask because I already have a joint account, but I shan’t mind opening an additional account in my name only, if considered advisable.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Joint account is fine.

But I believe you said you were not yet married earlier (although I may be dreaming that and too lazy to check) so you will probably want to have the name changed to match her id after marriage. They could, and have for retirement and two people not married, consider only half as yours. But that has never been a problem for an account with wife.

Edited September 1, 2005 by lopburi3

[Maestro]

Are you saying you never set up permissions for wire transfer service at your foreign bank and are able to transfer by Internet into your Thai bank with no restrictions?  Most banks require special paperwork to allow wire transfer service for security reasons and then make the rules on how you can transfer (and most still do not allow Internet transfer in my experience).

I didn’t realise that. It must be very much country- and bank-specific.

The two Swiss banks I use never required any special paperwork to enable online orders for transfers abroad, including Thailand, other than the basic form for Internet banking. Of course, the general conditions say that if anything – whatever – goes wrong the bank has no responsibility unless it can be proven that the bank fouled up, but this is pretty much standard.

[Maestro]

But I believe you said you were not yet married earlier (although I may be dreaming that and too lazy to check) so you will probably want to have the name changed to match her id after marriage. 

That was Sadako in another thread, whereas I’ve been married since 1975. Wife’s Thai ID and passport are already with my last name.

will my funds have to be in a Thai bank account exclusively in my name, or can it be in a joint account with my wife?

Joint account is fine.

That should earn me some extra brownie points with Immigration then, showing that I grant my wife unrestricted access to my money

[lopburi3]

Are you saying you never set up permissions for wire transfer service at your foreign bank and are able to transfer by Internet into your Thai bank with no restrictions?  Most banks require special paperwork to allow wire transfer service for security reasons and then make the rules on how you can transfer (and most still do not allow Internet transfer in my experience).

I didn’t realise that. It must be very much country- and bank-specific.

The two Swiss banks I use never required any special paperwork to enable online orders for transfers abroad, including Thailand, other than the basic form for Internet banking. Of course, the general conditions say that if anything – whatever – goes wrong the bank has no responsibility unless it can be proven that the bank fouled up, but this is pretty much standard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problem on the joint bank account - sorry got confused as knew I had read one post today about a later marriage.

The paperwork I had to fill out was to allow wire transfers - not specific but giving me a password to use and sign away blame if they follow orders and I later say it was not me type wording. They also had another form for recurring transfers that can be pre filled out and save time but not essential. Just always give people clue to check with there bank before they leave home to make sure as would not want them to get here and then find out they can not transfer funds without returning and filling out such a form.