Is The Retirement Visa Extendable?

[Canadiantriker]

After my one year stay - then what? Go through the process agiain? Leave the country & re-apply? Thanks for your replies.

[Lite Beer]

Re apply at Immigration every year using the same financial reasons and proof. (New documents)

Apply within the final 30 days of stay.

[lopburi3]

flame removed.

[NancyL]

The process for extending the permission to stay due to retirement is the same for either an O-A visa or an O visa. The OP didn't say which visa he's considering. He may be wondering if he has to return to his home country and jump thru all the hoops to obtain an O-A visa every year. Nope -- once here, it's easy to extend the permission to stay (note: it's not the visa that's extended but the permission to stay).

The biggest requirement is the proof of financial worth -- either an income letter from one's embassy/consulate or a bank account of at least 800,000 baht in Thailand. Some holders of O-A visas don't like the idea of investing 800,000 baht into a Thai bank, preferring to keep their money offshore. Movement of funds into Thailand can be avoided for nearly two years if the holder of a multi-entry O-A visa departs the country just prior to expiration of the visa and immediately returns, obtaining another 12 month permission to stay. That trip doesn't have to be back to the home country, just some place outside Thailand, even a neighboring country.

Also, no need for police or medical check to obtain an extension of permission to stay due to retirement once in Thailand.

[Lite Beer]

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(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

[Canadiantriker]

Thank you for the fast replies. With so many variables in paperwork retiring in Thailand I am surprised anyone actually stays with it. While I found the Thais wonderful & friendly I cannot imagine myself going through this B.S. when I am 80 years old. I barely have the patience now. Maybe thats the Thai Governments intention - to keep O.A.P. out so they dont have to provide any services. Looks like another country more welcoming to my Golden years & investment will get the nod.

[Mario2008]

??????????????

It is one of the easiest extensions to do. They even give you 3 options to qualify for it regarding your finances.

[terryq]

Thank you for the fast replies. With so many variables in paperwork retiring in Thailand I am surprised anyone actually stays with it. While I found the Thais wonderful & friendly I cannot imagine myself going through this B.S. when I am 80 years old. I barely have the patience now. Maybe thats the Thai Governments intention - to keep O.A.P. out so they dont have to provide any services. Looks like another country more welcoming to my Golden years & investment will get the nod.

Sorry, completely disagree, getting an non-o extension based on retirement takes, for me 15 mins to get bank letter, 5 mins to fill in paperwork, trip to immigration, approx 15-30 mins to receive 1 year extension. Then 5 mins every 90 day for reporting.

Of course would be happy with no reporting and multi year visa but the current arrangements are hardly onerous. So it might be easier in other countries, but I want to live here.

Of course you know where the place to retire with no paperwork is .....

[Lite Beer]

Yes. A very simple process.

[Canadiantriker]

My pont is there are other countries where you are not treated like a parolee for the priviledge of living & investing there & as I don't intend to sit around idle I dont want to spend 10 or more years building up a little Business only to have a Thai Government Official tell me the rules have changed & we are not re-newing your visa or extension.

[terryq]

My pont is there are other countries where you are not treated like a parolee for the priviledge of living & investing there & as I don't intend to sit around idle I dont want to spend 10 or more years building up a little Business only to have a Thai Government Official tell me the rules have changed & we are not re-newing your visa or extension.

Nobody knows what will happen in a few years time in any country, However you headed the Thread " Is the Retirement Visa Extendable". Now you talk about "building up a little business" which by inference would mean working and require a work permit which is not usually available on a retirement visa. If I was in the same position I would also be worried about not having my permission to stay extended or worse.

But anyway.... up to you.

[Lite Beer]

As said a Work Permit will not be issued if you are on a Retirement Extension of stay.

[Gone]

I left Canada 11 years ago when it was -56 in Northern Alberta.

Just turned 50 last year here. Sat in my buddies bar 100 meters from Immigration in Pattaya, ordered a beer, had a few sips, asked to put it in the fridge, walked down the road to the bank then over to immigration, gave them all the documents, went back and finished my beer and had some lunch etc then went back to get my 1 year retirement visa.

In Canada I would still be waiting for my engine to warm up, de-frost while I'm shoveling the drive-way.

No big deal here. I guess if that is a hassle, could always go back home and join "seal beaters anonymous"