Multi-Entry Non-Immigrant O-A Retirement Visa

[kingoak]

I live in Auckland, New Zealand and I want to obtain a Retirement Visa.I meet all the criteria for this Visa but my problem is that I do not have a bank account in Thailand and I cannot open one as I tried to open one when Inwas there in June this year and they told me that they could not open one for me without a Thai Visa in my NZ Passport. One of the requirements for the Retirement Visa is to have 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank Account. If I cannot open a Bank Account in Thailand without a Thai Visa then how can I I satisfy the requirements for getting a Retirement Visa (ie have a Thai Bank Account with 800,000 baht in it) ??????I have contacted the Thai embassy here to clarify the matter for me but they have not replied to my emails or do not answer the question. I am not sure what to do as I have to apply for it in New Zealand but I cannot get the Thai Embassy here to give me any advice.I understand the Retirement Visa gives me a 90 day permission to stay. Do I arrange the Thai Bank Account in this period or does it have to be arranged before I apply for the Retirement Visa???I would be very grateful if someone could advise me of the steps I need tontake as the Thai Embassy here are very unhelpful and do not appear tonwant to assist in any way.Can someone help me please to clarify things for me

[melvinmelvin]

I gather you would need the bank account before applying.

You could apply, and presumably get, a tourist visa or a 90 day O visa from the Thai embassy in NZ then go to

Thailand, open the account, transfer money and then apply for the retirement extension of stay after you have had the 800 000

in the account for the required time, I think 3 months.

In order to open an account some banks require a visa, some banks require a work permit.

However, just go around the corner and try another bank or another branch for that matter.

You'll soon find a branch that will be more relaxed than the one you tried before.

[zziffle]

I have recently obtained a multi O-A in Canada. This is not NZ, but I'm sure the requirements and process are similar. For the visa, sufficient funds need to be shown but those funds do not need to be in a Thai bank account. I provided a signed "Balance of Account" letter from my Canadian bank along with a recent account statement. These documents were accepted as demonstrating the sufficient funds requirement.

It is for the permission to stay based on retirement that you will apply for in Thailand just before the O-A visa expires that you will need a Thai bank account with sufficient funds. For the O-A visa application itself, a Thai bank account is not required.

[Colabamumbai]

You can also show the equivalent of 65,000 Baht a month coming into an account, does not have to be in Thailand. I did this here in Thailand when I changed from Non B to retirement. This is monthly income requirement. Provided a photocopy of funds going into an account and signed a statement at the Canadian Embassy here to the effect that I had that monthly income, they provided a letter to that effect for immigration.

[CharlieH]

The funds are required in a Thai account if applying for an extension of stay based on Retirement within Thailand using the Capital sum method.

NOT for an O-A Retirement Visa in your home country.

Also remember an O-A visa in your home country requires Police and medical checks, done as an extension within Thailand it does not require these.

Suggest you get an O visa and then Retirement extension once here, much simpler and easier.

(AFAIK)

[lopburi3]

1. Retirement visa allows one year stay on entry and money does not have to be in Thailand to qualify but you need police and medical checks.

2. Non immigrant O visa should only require you be over age 50 and intending to check on retirement. 90 day stay and account only needs money for 60 days to plenty of time.

3. If you try another bank you would likely be able to open an account - just keep trying - there is no requirement you have any special visa to open an account - that is the local office(er) speaking.

4. You can arrive on a tourist or even visa exempt entry and convert to non immigrant entry within Thailand for extra 2,000 baht step once money is in account here.

[KhunBENQ]

Suggest you get an O visa and then Retirement extension once here, much simpler and easier.

Some food for thought.

I did the Non O-A in Germany. Yes it requires some extra effort (medical, criminal), BUT it could all be done without translations, no legalization of documents, all in my language. And as already said: proof of savings/income in my home country without transfering money to Thailand. Then come to Thailand, a visa run just before one year is over and stay another year without need for extension.

[Sateev]

Suggest you get an O visa and then Retirement extension once here, much simpler and easier.

Some food for thought.

I did the Non O-A in Germany. Yes it requires some extra effort (medical, criminal), BUT it could all be done without translations, no legalization of documents, all in my language. And as already said: proof of savings/income in my home country without transfering money to Thailand. Then come to Thailand, a visa run just before one year is over and stay another year without need for extension.

Seems to be a lot of bias against the O-A, often citing the medical (1 sheet of paper) and police check (simple, at least in the US). I would guess that those expressing a preference for the non-O, followed by yearly extensions have the process down pat, and /or think of 800K as trivial, and are fairly secure in their status in Thailand.

However, not having to deposit money in a Thai account for two years, and not having to see an immigration officer (except for 90-day reports, which in many cases can be done by mail) for nearly the same amount of time has it's benefits, particularly at this time in the economy, and at this time in the political spectrum of Thailand.

For someone moving here for the first time, I think the O-A route is far better, giving you time to really decide if it's for you, and obviating the need to keep a fairly large chunk of cash in a zero-to-non interest-bearing account in a Thai bank. Your 401(k) or IRA (or whatever equivalent in your own country) can continue to earn interest/dividends, and you will not be subject to any early-withdrawal or other negative tax implications which could occur if you have to withdraw from a deferred-tax plan. Getting nearly two years, pre-approved, is, to me, worth a lot.

I think there's a bit of "let them eat cake" going on here, so I feel it might be helpful to get a look at the other side.

I will say, however, that the process, as depicted on the WEBSITES of the various Thai Embassies and Consulates is confusing at best. A quick visit to the nearest legation, or a phone call, at least in my case, brought it all into focus. The websites are often outdated and misleading. Call them, and ask what they need. It won't be as hard as it is made to look.

Good luck.

[lopburi3]

Most people have pensions so there is no need for 800k in bank account and when there is it is only 2 or 3 months a year and can be used after that. The medical can be very expensive if your doctor is pandemic of lawsuits (as most in US are). But it is a valid option and for many fits the bill.

[Jingthing]

I think saying the O-A option is "far better" is as silly as saying starting with an O and extensions is "far better". Each retiree has their own individual situation and there are advantages and disadvantages to either option which may or may not be important to specific applicants. Within the O option, there are also the options of getting the first O in your home country, a third country, or IN Thailand.

[TerryLH]

Several posts talking about getting two years from an O-A Visa.

What wasn't said is that you need a 'multiple entry' O-A visa, not a single entry.

That might be important for an applicant not real familiar with the process.

[Langsuan Man]

Several posts talking about getting two years from an O-A Visa.

What wasn't said is that you need a 'multiple entry' O-A visa, not a single entry.

That might be important for an applicant not real familiar with the process.

Probably because the title of the thread is:

Multi-Entry Non-Immigrant O-A Retirement Visa

[TerryLH]

Oops!

Thanks. Guess I need to work on comprehension more than speed reading.

Maybe still worth the mention for those new to the process.

[kingoak]

The funds are required in a Thai account if applying for an extension of stay based on Retirement within Thailand using the Capital sum method.

NOT for an O-A Retirement Visa in your home country.

Also remember an O-A visa in your home country requires Police and medical checks, done as an extension within Thailand it does not require these.

Suggest you get an O visa and then Retirement extension once here, much simpler and easier.

(AFAIK)