Local O Visa Based On Retirement

[jpinx]

When I come back to Thailand in November I would like to apply locally (Laos) for a O visa based on retirement. Will they accept a letter from my embassy in Bangkok saying that I have enough money per month - and who gets to do the currency conversions? My income comes from different countries. For clarity - I am 64 and hold an Irish passport. I would like a multi-entry visa - what else will they want to make this happen and what's the fee? I did ask in Laos last time I was there getting another 60 days, but the officials I spoke to were a bit vague about the requirements.

[lopburi3]

Although they may issue such a visa with financial proof the normal policy is to issue a single entry O visa with expectation you will then extend your stay at Immigration inside Thailand. Multi entry is more common to be issued in home country.

[jpinx]

Difficulty is that I will not be going to my home country -- haven't been there for over 30 years -- that's why I want to apply for the multi entry in Laos (Savanakhet from choice). They suggested I got a retirement visa, but could not tell me the requirements in detail

I can probably get a letter of proof of income from the Irish consulate in Bangkok, and it should be more than 65,000B/month unless someone uses some obscure conversions.

Reading the various police regulations isn't helping me much with the detail and I was hoping someone would have tried this before or someone would know the intricacies of how this might work. :jap: Getting multi-entry is fairly important.

[moe666]

No they donot use an obscure conversion they use the conversion rate for the day. When I did my extension of stay the immigration officer asked me what it was for the day.

[Guest]

If you get a single entry O, you can then get a multiple reentry permit at the Chaengwattana immigration office in Bangkok, or the local office where ever you are resident in Thailand. It might cost a bit more but it's likely to be easier.

[lopburi3]

A single entry visa only allows a 90 day stay regardless of any re-entry permit. If he extends his stay as I mentioned inside Thailand and then obtains a multi re-entry permit each new entry will be for the one year date of the extension of stay. He can not obtain a retirement O-A visa there if not his country of residence. And as said a multi entry non immigrant O visa would be unusual from a Consulate in this area of the world as they expect you to apply for extension of stay from immigration.

[IMA_FARANG]

As lopburi3 correctly pointed out all you are likely to get is a 90 day (three month) single entry Non O visa for that purpose, which you will have to extend in Thailand at your local area immigration. I don't believe anywhere in Asia will give you a multi entry Non O for the purpose of retirement locally.

So, if you can, and you can get a multi entry Non O in your home country, Non O multi entry visa these days are becoming as rare as hen's teeth.

There are agents in Vientiane who do visas for a living. I would seriously advice you to contact one BEFORE you go there, and that way get the latest information on requirements before you go to Laos from the agent. Otherwise you may be disapointed when you arrive. If the agent says it isn't possible to get a Non O, believe him.

Be aware, that although I don't know about Vientiane or Laos specifically, getting a Non O visa,even for a 90 day visa, may mean you need to prove your Thai residence address. If you have a condo, or a long term rental lease that nay be enough. Anyhow, you will probably need a signed letter from the landlord, or from your Thai GF if you live in her house and she will have to provide you such a letter in Thai usually with a photocopy of the Thai I.D. card of that person. Both sides of their I.D. card.

As I said it's getting harder to get a Non O for retirement anywhere in Asia. So for that reason alone, in this case, I would recommend going through an agent who would know the current requirements and if you could actually get that visa there at the time.

For that same reason, unless you are set on Laos,I would suggest that you go through Cambodia instead of Laos for this visa. Phenom Penh seems to be marginally friendlier at this time than Laos ... but that can change. Right now the agents in PP seem to be able to deliver the visas that other places can't.

But the FIRST thing to do is go to the website of the Thai embessy/consulate you want; look up their requirements for a Non O visa based on retirement, and make absolutely sure you have ALL of those requirements BEFORE you even think of making a trip there.

Frankly, although it's only my opinion, the days of being able to apply for a Thai Non O visa based on retirement anywhere in Asia are coming to an end. Thai consulates around the world, and especially in Asia, are not interested in a visa for farangs wanting to retire in Thailnad unless:

1. You are and can prove narriage to a Thai. or

2. Own a condo in Thailand. or

3. Apply for a O-A visa in your home country and

4. Can show you meet the financial requirements and ALREADY have the required funds in a bank in Thailand AT THE TIME you apply for that visa (such as the Thai consulate in Chicago requires just to apply for a Non O visa for the purposes of retirement in Thailand).

But That's another story.

[Lite Beer]

I can probably get a letter of proof of income from the Irish consulate in Bangkok, and it should be more than 65,000B/month

Get a Single Entry Non Imm O Visa locally and apply for a 12 month extension at Immigration.

800,000 Baht in the bank.

Or 65,000 Baht monthly income.

Or a combination of the two for the extension.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

[jpinx]

Now I am totally confused. Reading the response there seems to be options regarding how I get this. I will be in Thailand with a 30day permit to enter and I need to sort out the steps to be taken thereafter. I am trying to asses the process and costs before I start doing it.

The Consulate in Savanakhet said they will accept a proof of income from my embassy. They said the visa is for a year. Are they talking rubbish?

I can not put funds in a Thai bank - but I am reasonably certain I can get my consulate to write a letter showing proof of income. The reason I have that income is because it is *not* in a thai bank

Given that I intend to travel 3 or 4 times a year it might be easier to stick with 30days on arrival and 60day double entry visas.

[steve187]

Would it not be easier to convert your 30 day stamp to a non 'o' locally see here -

and then apply using the normal method for a 1 year extension of stay based on your income if, it is 35,000 baht per month,

and then obtain a multi entry re-enty permit

[lopburi3]

Required income for retirement extension of stay is 65k per month (suspect the 35k was a typo?).