Retirement Visa Qualifications

[DavidARoss]

I have over 1,500,000 in Investments in Canada plus 60,000 Baht per month. For retirement visa would Immigration accept proof of monies in Canada and retitement pension per month in order to qualify for the Visa???

[theoldgit]

I wouldn't have thought so, what is the 1.5m, Canadian Dollars or Baht?

I think you have to have 800,000 Baht, readily available, in a Thai bank, remember investment can go down as well as up, or provide proof that you have an income of 65,000 Baht per month. If your investment is in Canadian Dollars, couldn't you cash say 30,000 transfer to a Thai bank and then you will have well over the required 800k?

You might want to ask the mods to move this to the Thai Visa section, where you will probably get better advice.

[DavidARoss]

name='theoldgit' timestamp='1300601285' post='4296784']

I wouldn't have thought so, what is the 1.5m, Canadian Dollars or Baht?

I think you have to have 800,000 Baht, readily available, in a Thai bank, remember investment can go down as well as up, or provide proof that you have an income of 65,000 Baht per month. If your investment is in Canadian Dollars, couldn't you cash say 30,000 transfer to a Thai bank and then you will have well over the required 800k?

You might want to ask the mods to move this to the Thai Visa section, where you will probably get better advice.

[/quote

1,5000,000 Baht Investments but if I take out I pay 35% Tax and I get 20,000 Baht a month from it.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

No you can get a letter from your embassy confirming you have income.

• Thai bank account
• 800,000 Baht
• Or a letter confirming you have funds from your embassy
• O-Visa status

We do these daily if you require help contact my office.

[lopburi3]

The requirement for extension of stay in Thailand is a non immigrant entry and letter of income at a level of 65k per month or 800k in Thai bank account for two months or a combination of both to amount to 800k per year.

To use foreign source pension/income you obtain a letter of such from your Embassy.

To use Thai bank account you obtain a letter from bank manager of account balance and provide passbook or statements showing at the required level for a period of 2 months prior to first application and 3 months prior to continued applications.

The requirement for long stay (retirement) visa which is only issued in home country would be same financials in home country plus medical certificate and police certificate.

[paddypower]

I have an extra ''wrinkle''.

800,000 in the Thai bank.

Canadian pension 30,000/month

Thai rental income 50,000/month.

As I understand it, if I get a letter from the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, certifying my Canadian source income, that will allow me to reduce my restricted bank balance by 360,000 baht.

Is that correct?

If my Visa renewal is December 20, 2011, which year's pension income do I get a certificate for? 2011 or 2012 ?

I have been unable to find anyone posting with a retirement visa and Thai income....any know of any published guidelines about paperwork needed?

The requirement for extension of stay in Thailand is a non immigrant entry and letter of income at a level of 65k per month or 800k in Thai bank account for two months or a combination of both to amount to 800k per year.

To use foreign source pension/income you obtain a letter of such from your Embassy.

To use Thai bank account you obtain a letter from bank manager of account balance and provide passbook or statements showing at the required level for a period of 2 months prior to first application and 3 months prior to continued applications.

The requirement for long stay (retirement) visa which is only issued in home country would be same financials in home country plus medical certificate and police certificate.

[Lite Beer]

I would have thought that the Thai income would not be accepted as you are supposed to be retired and not working and receiving income.

I could be wrong though

[Jingthing]

Passive rental income isn't exactly working. If the Canadian embassy will give you the income letter based on the Thai rental income, then you can present that to immigration. They always have the right to ask you about the source of the income you used to obtain the income letter and/or provide documentation about it. That doesn't mean they will. In any case, personally I think presenting that letter to immigration is defensible but it carries some risk if you are questioned about it. What's the worse that could happen? Good question. Obviously they could deny to honor the income letter but might you get in trouble for illegally working in Thailand because you have rental income? I don't have a clue, does anyone?

[Mario2008]

Believe Thai income is accepted, as income isn't necesarrlily from work. Cna also be a pension for instance, or as in this case from an investment. But one needs to show Thai tax papers to show the income and that you pay your taxes over it.

[Lite Beer]

You are probably correct but I would have thought that being a Landlord in Thailand might need Work Permits and such. Running a business.

Not sure.

Where's Lopburi when you need him?

[lberk]

<br />I would have thought that the Thai income would not be accepted as you are supposed to be retired and not working and receiving income.<br />I could be wrong though <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

Here is link to tilleke and gibbons translation of police order

http://www.tillekeandgibbins.com/Publications/Articles/immigration_employment/immigration_new_policy.pdf

Remembering that it is a translation, and not the Thai version, section 2.22 (3) states that if one is using the income rule that one must show 65,000B per month of "income", quotes are mine. Don't know about Thailand, but in other countries, rental income is passive, and considered of an investment nature, not business income per se, and would not invalidate the retirement visa process. Having said that, this is Thailand - so might want to verify just in case it comes up.

[Jingthing]

We already know that different kinds of income are accepted. Not only pensions but also things like interest, dividends, payouts from investments (whatever that means exactly), and I had thought rental income streams as well would be fine and could easily be categorized as investment payout. The part about the rental income being Thai based and the implied work around that is a grey area for me though.

[paddypower]

We already know that different kinds of income are accepted. Not only pensions but also things like interest, dividends, payouts from investments (whatever that means exactly), and I had thought rental income streams as well would be fine and could easily be categorized as investment payout. The part about the rental income being Thai based and the implied work around that is a grey area for me though.

Thanks to all of you - for those thoughts.

I would imagine a retiree who has the sense of humour to invest in Thailand bonds or some such domestic interest/dividend earning investments must have the same question.

I do file a Thai tax return.

I suspect it is a question of figuring out what papers they will ask for, before I get to the renewal date.

I renew my retirement visa in Nahohn Si Tammarat.

Maybe next time I am on Phuket I can try to visit the Phuket Immigration office and ask for guidance.

My guess is, I will have to produce a Thai tax return. Probably certified by some Department or other.

I would like to see my question and the responses re-categorized under a new Topic - say " Retiree with Thai passive income''.

Moderator, can you do that, please. ?

I am surprised this has not come up before. Or does everyone with income from a rental property in excess of the personal exemptions just not file a Thai tax return?

[paddypower]

Just to wrap up the discussion:

thanks to fellow members over at the thread titled "Policy On Thai Residency Should Not Be Secret".

here is the original Thai language wording from National Police Order 777/2551 on criteria for retirement extensions:

(๑) คนต่างด้าวต้องได้รับการตรวจลงตรา

ประเภทคนอยู่ชั่วคราว

(๒) มีอายุตั้งแต่ ๕๐ ปีบริบูรณ์ขึ้นไป

(๓) มีหลักฐานการมีเงินได้ไม่น้อยกว่า

เดือนละ ๖๕,๐๐๐ บาท หรือ

(๔) ณ วันยื่นคำขอมีเงินฝากในธนาคารใน

ประเทศไทยคงอยู่ในบัญชีตลอดระยะ

เวลาย้อนหลัง ๓ เดือน ไม่น้อยกว่า ๘๐๐,

๐๐๐ บาท เฉพาะในปีแรกให้แสดงบัญชีเงิน

ฝากโดยมีเงินจำนวนดังกล่าวฝากอยู่ในบัญชี

มาแล้วไม่น้อยกว่า ๖๐ วัน หรือ

(๕) มีเงินได้ในรอบปี และมีเงินฝากธนาคาร

คำนวณรวมกันได้ไม่น้อยกว่า ๘๐๐,๐๐๐ บาท

นับถึงวันยื่นคำขอ

and the Google translation into Angrid:

Thai to English translation

(1) the alien has obtained a temporary visa.

Types of people in temporary

(2) age of 50 years of age.

(3) Proof of income not less than

65,000 baht per month or

(4) As the applicant has deposited money in the bank.

Thailand remains in the account throughout the term.

At the previous 3 months no less than 800,.

000 baht in the first year of account, money

Deposit with the funds deposited in the account.

Not less than 60 days or

(5) The income in the year. And bank deposits.

Calculate the aggregate not less than 800,000 Baht

Since the date of submission of the request.ListenRead phonetically

We already know that different kinds of income are accepted. Not only pensions but also things like interest, dividends, payouts from investments (whatever that means exactly), and I had thought rental income streams as well would be fine and could easily be categorized as investment payout. The part about the rental income being Thai based and the implied work around that is a grey area for me though.

Thanks to all of you - for those thoughts.

I would imagine a retiree who has the sense of humour to invest in Thailand bonds or some such domestic interest/dividend earning investments must have the same question.

I do file a Thai tax return.

I suspect it is a question of figuring out what papers they will ask for, before I get to the renewal date.

I renew my retirement visa in Nahohn Si Tammarat.

Maybe next time I am on Phuket I can try to visit the Phuket Immigration office and ask for guidance.

My guess is, I will have to produce a Thai tax return. Probably certified by some Department or other.

I would like to see my question and the responses re-categorized under a new Topic - say " Retiree with Thai passive income''.

Moderator, can you do that, please. ?

I am surprised this has not come up before. Or does everyone with income from a rental property in excess of the personal exemptions just not file a Thai tax return?

[Mamasun]

i am in schock...today I was in Nakhon si Thammarat for my 90 days....and I see a paper with new requirements for retirement visa !!

1 : need to have photo of you and your Thai family outside and inside your house !

2 : need to show that your farang pension is every month in a thai bank...

when i say i am a woman alone they have tell me I cannot stay in Thailand I need to have a Thai family !!!!!

wow It's mean that every farang on retirement visa if they don't have Thai family...go OUT

well I am so lost now , I don^t know what to thinck or how ..I am going to manage that situation...

I am on building my house here...I am so sad

[Jingthing]

i am in schock...today I was in Nakhon si Thammarat for my 90 days....and I see a paper with new requirements for retirement visa !!

1 : need to have photo of you and your Thai family outside and inside your house !

2 : need to show that your farang pension is every month in a thai bank...

when i say i am a woman alone they have tell me I cannot stay in Thailand I need to have a Thai family !!!!!

wow It's mean that every farang on retirement visa if they don't have Thai family...go OUT

well I am so lost now , I don^t know what to thinck or how ..I am going to manage that situation...

I am on building my house here...I am so sad

It doesn't help you, but if this is true, so far this shocking news seems to apply only to that one office. We will definitely have to watch this. I am very sorry for you if it turns out there isn't a solution for you to stay in that locality, or perhaps will have to leave Thailand entirely. I wonder if you can't try something like an ED visa for the short term and see how this shakes out, because at this point it is rather unbelievable even that one office will stick to all those somewhat absurd rules (the family part especially). Are you sure you didn't read the marriage extension requirements instead of the retirement ones?

[Mamasun]

No I read about retirement...sure will be more logical for marriage extension...maybe they make a mistake ..i don't know...they told me this is from Bangkok news rules...!

I 'v get already 3 visa extension (in Phuket) base on my OA visa obtain in Thai Ambassy in Switzerland

I don't know if only one office can change the rules make by gouvernement in Bangkok ???

[Jingthing]

Sometimes different offices interpret national orders in odd ways. Let's all hope this is a big mistake. From a logical point of view (as if that matters) the requirement of the pension money coming in makes some sense (but is certainly not welcome) but the Thai family needed for retirement makes no sense at all.

[Mamasun]

Yes pension can be something logic...but come ,how all people here with retirement visa can have a Thai family...?

[Jingthing]

Yes pension can be something logic...but come ,how all people here with retirement visa can have a Thai family...?

I don't know what kind of rush you are in, but it still sounds like some kind of communication problem, perhaps involving one misinformed staff there. I am not sure what to suggest to you now if this is for real. If it was me, I would consider seeing a lawyer with connections in immigration to at least verify this information. The family part if enforced nationally would mean the expulsion of thousands of retired expats nationally, including me.

[rizla]

We already know that different kinds of income are accepted. Not only pensions but also things like interest, dividends, payouts from investments (whatever that means exactly), and I had thought rental income streams as well would be fine and could easily be categorized as investment payout. The part about the rental income being Thai based and the implied work around that is a grey area for me though.

Regarding your point re various incomes, would they accept a notorised letter from say the uk consulate , (if they would notorise it?), a bank statement from an offshore account as proof of income, on the part and part method for a retirement extension.........would save the loss of intrest in thai bank.....

[Mamasun]

Well..it was writing in English on a piece of paper in front desk ! i wish I had a camera with me ..or ask for a copy ! but my brain was freeze..sorry

Then I ask, what that new rules? They explain to me what I write in my first post...

Will be good to have someone who can go right now in Nakhon si Thammarat to confirm what I say here...I am at 130 km and not have a car..!

[Jingthing]

We already know that different kinds of income are accepted. Not only pensions but also things like interest, dividends, payouts from investments (whatever that means exactly), and I had thought rental income streams as well would be fine and could easily be categorized as investment payout. The part about the rental income being Thai based and the implied work around that is a grey area for me though.

Regarding your point re various incomes, would they accept a notorised letter from say the uk consulate , (if they would notorise it?), a bank statement from an offshore account as proof of income, on the part and part method for a retirement extension.........would save the loss of intrest in thai bank.....

That's a level of detail I can't answer, sorry. I understand the UK embassy verifies income so the UK embassy letter would usually work. The immigration definition of income is vague (though obviously pensions are always accepted) so who can say what a given officer will approve or not in cases where you they may ask to verify the income themselves?

[Jingthing]

Well..it was writing in English on a piece of paper in front desk ! i wish I had a camera with me ..or ask for a copy ! but my brain was freeze..sorry

Then I ask, what that new rules? They explain to me what I write in my first post...

Will be good to have someone who can go right now in Nakhon si Thammarat to confirm what I say here...I am at 130 km and not have a car..!

That sounds very inconvenient for you indeed, so I hope someone who uses the Nakhon si Thammarat office can indeed help you. In case it turns out you do want to try the ED visa for awhile, my understanding is that there are now qualifying Thai language schools eligible for the ED visa that do ONLINE courses. Not sure about this so you'd need to explore if interested. Best wishes, still hoping this is a big misunderstanding.

[Mamasun]

Well..it was writing in English on a piece of paper in front desk ! i wish I had a camera with me ..or ask for a copy ! but my brain was freeze..sorry

Then I ask, what that new rules? They explain to me what I write in my first post...

Will be good to have someone who can go right now in Nakhon si Thammarat to confirm what I say here...I am at 130 km and not have a car..!

That sounds very inconvenient for you indeed, so I hope someone who uses the Nakhon si Thammarat office can indeed help you. In case it turns out you do want to try the ED visa for awhile, my understanding is that there are now qualifying Thai language schools eligible for the ED visa that do ONLINE courses. Not sure about this so you'd need to explore if interested. Best wishes, still hoping this is a big misunderstanding.

I am sure to don't go for an ED visa in the small village where I live...I have a valuable visa fron ambassy who was alrady extend 2 times...and I will met again the requirements that was asking when I come live in Thailand !

I just want to know if only one immigration office can do what they want with the rules ???

or if I can inform somebody in Bangkok about this terrible thing ?

I thinck it will be better if a moderator can open a new thread whit my posts and answers...will be better for others and me...to see specific answer to that probléme ???

I forget to precise that 3 months before at the same office was no new rules for retirement extension !

[Jingthing]

I continue to think there is a good chance this a big understanding. However, that you are upset about this news is very understandable. I do hope you get the help you need, and YES, I do believe there is a procedure to elevate problems like this in some cases. You are correct to ask for expert help here beyond what I have said. You might want to start a new thread YOURSELF about this specific case.

I agree you shouldn't give up yet or easily in your effort to continue to get retirement extensions. Pursue this all you can. But if you run out of time without a solution, I did suggest the idea of an online ED visa (which would mean you wouldn't need to live near a school) to at least hold you over for some time, until this issue with your retirement extensions shakes out. It might be worth looking into as a backup plan just in case, if the online option is really available.

Remember you can always start over with the retirement process by getting a single entry O in Malysia just based on being over 50, and then beginning the retirement extension process again. There would be no need to return to your home country for a new O-A. However, your report if true (the family part) is such a HUGE variation, that yes, I do think the central Bangkok immigration would be interested about it.

As far as immigration offices making up their own rules, that isn't easy to answer. They can't make up their own national rules, but there have been many cases of variations on enforcement policies between offices.

[cuddleypete]

hi there sorry if iam wrong but i thought that if you are married to a thia the deposit in thai bank is around 40,000 a month

Please correct me if i heard wrong

[lopburi3]

Being married has no effect on retirement financial requirements. But there is a Thai Wife extension for 40k per month income or 400k in Thai bank account.

[Mamasun]

I agree you shouldn't give up yet or easily in your effort to continue to get ....

I do think the central Bangkok immigration would be interested about it.

As far as immigration offices making up their own rules, that isn't easy to answer. They can't make up their own national rules, but there have been many cases of variations on enforcement policies between offices.

make me crasy...just start to built my house here, with built permit on my name ! and on process to get my yellow tabien baan soon...

well they want to see pictures of "you" with your Thai family..but not paper who say its your family ? loll grrr

Thanck you for your answers and supporting my helplessness

I am waiting for someone in the same case than me around the province of Nakhon si Thammarat

[Mario2008]

Sounce like a mis communication. The rules have not changed.

If you want you cna get confirmation from the immigration hot line: 1178.