Retirement Visa

[karTER]

Although a long way off yet (we're both mid-forties), we hope to retire to Thailand at 50 and nearer the time, we will sort out our affairs properly to ensure we qualify as needed to live here permanently.

My wife and I are married UK citizens, but we chose not to change names, wear rings or do any of the other expected traditions that go in hand when getting spliced. We have a legit marriage certificate (now ten years old, even though we've been together 24 years)) and that's about it.

The question I have is that we will have to show proof of income and have some figure in the bank for three months (around THB 800 000)- is that per person or is that per couple? We are already retired from work and have private income, but no official pension. We live of our financial investments and are quite comfortably off. Again, will this lack of pension, Government or private, cause us a concern in the long run? If it's any use, we also have a Thai bank account with the Bangkok Bank.

Hope that someone can shed light on this and also, would anyone know if the 60 day, single entry tourist visa will be free of charge again this year? The current offer expires tomorrow (31st), so will it go back to £20 or whatever, come the new month?

Cheers.

[Lite Beer]

As things stand the 800,000 Baht has to be in the bank for 2 months prior to application.

OR a monthly income of 65,000 Baht. OR a combination of both.

You apply for the Retirement Extension and your Wife applies as your dependent.

Only you will have to meet the financial requirements.

This could all change by the time you are 50.

[lopburi3]

There is no word of any extension for free tourist visas. So price would return to normal.

Retirement requires one of married couple apply for that extension and spouse can then obtain matching extension of stay as dependent without financial proof. Some couples, however, both apply for retirement and that is allowed but financial proof would be required for both.

[Sateev]

As Lite Beer points out, things may change by the time you are ready to apply.

Currently: Since you indicate that you are quite well-off in the UK, I would presume that you more than meet the THB65,000/month income requirement, in which case you just need a letter notarized by your Embassy, stating your income. No need to have money in a Thai bank. You and your wife would need to apply for a type-O visa in your home country (for purposes of retirement), and you would both receive extensions of stay after you report to Immigration in Thailand.

I hope, for your sake, and for others', that a more sensible, and straightforward, and more uniformly enforced, set of rules will be in place when you finally make your move...

[karTER]

Thanks for the advice. Only four more years to wait, then.