jacaranda Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 i am confused about the retirement visa, why its just for one year ? doesn't retirement mean u which to stay off work for good and stay in a place to live for the rest of your life if u wish in most countries ,,, then how come in Thailand U get just one year visa to stay as a foreigner ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Like most countries, the government wants a periodic check if you still qualify to stay in Thailand and have the means to support yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 remember you extend it every year, so it is valid indefinitely if you keep within the rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstouristpattaya Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Yeah but when to old to walk by yourself or when peeing in bed, do you still qualify? sent from tapatalk :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJCM Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Yeah but when to old to walk by yourself or when peeing in bed, do you still qualify? sent from tapatalk :-) If you have the money (800k THB in Bank account, or 65k THB a month) to support yourself and you are over 50, you still qualify, it has nothing to do with how "fit" you are. Edit : // Added Some words Edited December 3, 2011 by MJCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooters Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 quick question. with the qualifying amount being 65k my pension will be 50k so can it just be topped up by me ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJCM Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 quick question. with the qualifying amount being 65k my pension will be 50k so can it just be topped up by me ? You can use a combination of money in the bank and your pension. 12 x 50 k = 600.000 THB Pension, so you have to put something like 200.000 Baht in to a Bank Account Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooters Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 quick question. with the qualifying amount being 65k my pension will be 50k so can it just be topped up by me ? You can use a combination of money in the bank and your pension. 12 x 50 k = 600.000 THB Pension, so you have to put something like 200.000 Baht in to a Bank Account cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Yeah but when to old to walk by yourself or when peeing in bed, do you still qualify? sent from tapatalk :-) Yes, provided you meet the financial requirements. The local immigration officials can be quite helpful to someone who has been in the country a long time on annual extensions to retirement visas. I've heard stories of them even visiting elderly housebound expats. Also, if you're so old that you require medical care, the medical facility can do the "legwork" involved in 90 day reports and annual extensions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) It is for one year because those are the rules. There are a number of retirement visa programs in other countries that offer a clear, doable path for more permanent, lifetime residency for those who start with a kind of retirement visa. OPINION -- Those policies are obviously more humane and reasonable to people who actually HAVE become permanent residents. Don't expect Thailand to ever offer such a program for retirees. Here, retirees are treated status-wise more like long term tourists. The message is -- don't get too comfortable. If you can't handle that, don't retire in Thailand. Edited December 3, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginkas Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 And many countries do not allow foreigners to retire in their country at all! "doesn't retirement mean u which to stay off work for good and stay in a place to live for the rest of your life if u wish in most countries" No, it doesn't! I know a lot of people, myself included, who have retired and then, after a time (years in some cases) Go back to work; and/or Move to a new place or even a new country - more than once in some cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 And many countries do not allow foreigners to retire in their country at all! Most countries actually. But that isn't the point. For the countries that do, if retirement residence STABILITY and a chance to improve residency STATUS over time is an important goal, look away from Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgent Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 say if you are independant and live in your own and sadly you die.what happens to the 800,000 bht ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) say if you are independant and live in your own and sadly you die.what happens to the 800,000 bht ?? You can detail that account in a Thai will. If not, relatives can make a play at it in the Thai courts. I recall a report here of a close relative getting it directly from the bank without a court action or will, but I wouldn't count on it being that easy. With a will, my understanding is that still needs to be enforced via a Thai court. Edited December 3, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samran Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 well, if you can invest $750,000 and live in Australia for 4 years as a foreign retiree. No access to PR or citizenship though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuian Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 After 3 years of "retirement visa", one can try to qualify for "permanent residence permit" if this is worth 200.000 baht to you! All else has been answered.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hehehoho Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 i am confused about the retirement visa, why its just for one year ? doesn't retirement mean u which to stay off work for good and stay in a place to live for the rest of your life if u wish in most countries ,,, then how come in Thailand U get just one year visa to stay as a foreigner ? What gives you the right to simply choose to live in Thailand, and then be able to do so with an indefinite visa, made available immediately? Have you got some sort of birthright to live here, simply because you want to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Chaos Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) After 3 years of "retirement visa", one can try to qualify for "permanent residence permit" if this is worth 200.000 baht to you! All else has been answered.. Can you? My understanding was that Thai PR always required (amongst lots and lots of other things) at least 3 years extension of stay AND paying income tax on a salary of at least "x" thousand baht per month. You cant work on a retirement visa, so always though PR was likely to be out of reach. I don't live / work in the kingdom now so I am out of date. What did i miss? Edited December 3, 2011 by Captain Chaos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 After 3 years of "retirement visa", one can try to qualify for "permanent residence permit" if this is worth 200.000 baht to you! All else has been answered.. Generally, those on retirement extensions would not be qualified so I would consider what you just posted misinformation. There may be exceptions for foreigners who have worked and paid taxes to Thailand for previous years, but that would be based on their PAST, not their retirement visa/extension status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 After 3 years of "retirement visa", one can try to qualify for "permanent residence permit" if this is worth 200.000 baht to you! All else has been answered.. Actually you can not as those on retirement are not eligible for PR. say if you are independant and live in your own and sadly you die.what happens to the 800,000 bht ?? There is no 800k deposit for retirement - it would be a normal savings account and could be used at any time and would be treated as any other bank account. It is not a deposit with the government; as is the case in some countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) i am confused about the retirement visa, why its just for one year ? doesn't retirement mean u which to stay off work for good and stay in a place to live for the rest of your life if u wish in most countries ,,, then how come in Thailand U get just one year visa to stay as a foreigner ? What gives you the right to simply choose to live in Thailand, and then be able to do so with an indefinite visa, made available immediately? Have you got some sort of birthright to live here, simply because you want to? I don't think he said he has a right. It would be nice to have the privilege, but alas, it isn't so. I think the OP is wrong that most countries offer secure retirement residency to foreigners though. Some do with qualifications and going through a process. Not Thailand. Edited December 3, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Anyway, people using the 800K baht account method to qualify for retirement extensions often have that much in their savings account but yes of course can be spent down during each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgent Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Anyway, people using the 800K baht account method to qualify for retirement extensions often have that much in their savings account but yes of course can be spent down during each year. so do you still have to show the 800k thb in your bank every time you apply for retirement extension ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) Anyway, people using the 800K baht account method to qualify for retirement extensions often have that much in their savings account but yes of course can be spent down during each year. so do you still have to show the 800k thb in your bank every time you apply for retirement extension ? Yes, and not one baht below for three months before application date (two months the first time) IF using the 800K baht bank account qualification method. The other methods are income based (65K baht per month) or the combo method, income plus Thai bank account money totaling 800K. Edited December 3, 2011 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Yes. Every 12 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 i am confused about the retirement visa, why its just for one year ? doesn't retirement mean u which to stay off work for good and stay in a place to live for the rest of your life if u wish in most countries ,,, then how come in Thailand U get just one year visa to stay as a foreigner ? What gives you the right to simply choose to live in Thailand, and then be able to do so with an indefinite visa, made available immediately? Have you got some sort of birthright to live here, simply because you want to? Mr.Angry . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hehehoho Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I don't think him being angry will help his cause. Good to see you learned how to use the quote button though. Did it take much practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisstouristpattaya Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I don't think him being angry will help his cause.Good to see you learned how to use the quote button though. Did it take much practice? Tried quote as well:lol: sent from tapatalk :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binjalin Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 1322904065[/url]' post='4888501']Anyway, people using the 800K baht account method to qualify for retirement extensions often have that much in their savings account but yes of course can be spent down during each year. Careful! You didn't add but must be put back 3 months before the visa is due again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 1322904065[/url]' post='4888501']Anyway, people using the 800K baht account method to qualify for retirement extensions often have that much in their savings account but yes of course can be spent down during each year. Careful! You didn't add but must be put back 3 months before the visa is due again Post 24. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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