Retirement Visa

[coker]

I hope someone can help me with my problem,

I am a British Citizen & currently hold a 12 month Non Immigrant "B" Visa

However when this Visa expires in September I want to change to a Retirement Visa

I have the funds required in my Thai bank

What I really need to know is

1) What steps do I need to take ?

2) Do I have to leave Thailand to apply for this ?

3) Do I have to inform the Thai Immigration Authorities of my intentions ?

[lopburi3]

You need to have the money in account for 2 months and during the last 30 days of any 90 day visa entry apply to the local immigration office with current letter from bank of account balance/passbook/passport/copies/TM.7/4x6cm photos and 1,900 baht. You may also be asked for proof of address so rent contract/lease or such should be available with you. Any travel outside Thailand after obtaining will require a re-entry permit so you might want to get that during the same visit at 1,000 baht single or 3,800 baht multi.

[coker]

Thanks for your reply it was most helpful

So I am correct in thinking that I don't have to leave the country at all despite changing from a "B" Visa to an "O' ?

[Mario2008]

Correct. No need to leave the country. Just make sure you meet the requrements and apply for an extension of stay based on retirement.

[vistana]

Does the money have to be in a Thai bank account? or can you use funds you have in accounts overseas, in the UK for example, I have a UK savings bond which would cover the 800,000 baht requirement but would I need to bring it to Thailand and put it in a Thai bank account for the two months prior to application?

[Lite Beer]

Money has to be in a Thai Bank account when applying for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

[vistana]

Thanks Lite Beer for the clarification

Regards

Vistana

[coker]

Correct. No need to leave the country. Just make sure you meet the requrements and apply for an extension of stay based on retirement.

Thank you for confirming that Mario

[10years]

Coker says he has a "12 month Non Immigrant "B" Visa", which I assume is a work visa or extension, so doesn't he have to cancel his old visa with a letter from his employer? According to another post, he can't just walk in and apply for a retirement extension while his work extension is still valid.

[Mario2008]

Good point, but he applies at the end of his current permisison to stay (and job) for retirement. That means his employment came to a natural end and doesn't need to be canceled.