30 Day Visa Conversion To Retirement Visa

[mikekim1219]

I would like to convert 30 day visa to retirement visa. Anyone know how long it will take for the process? I am shipping my things to Thailand same time I am leaving for Thailand. I want to avoid paying tax on my moving items. They are mostly clothe, 47inc TV, Audio w/speakers and three guitars. I also don't want them sitting at the warehouse and collecting storage fee while I wait for my Non-OA.

In case someone is wondering, it is too much trouble to apply for Non-O or Non-OA from where I am now. Another topic.

I would like to obtain visa service agency to avoid hassle. I would prefer local agency to avoid god fore-shaken fee International firms charge

[Mario2008]

You can easily do the conversion yourself, it won't take long. (Or they tell you to come back in two weeks or so).

But you cannot import your goods duty free, that you can only do if you work in Thailand or are a Thai national returning to Thailand after having lived abroad for more then 1 year.

Get a good import agent that can negotiate a good deal with you with Thai customs.

[Lite Beer]

Assuming you are not in Thailand at the moment you need a Visa before leaving if you do not have a ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days.

A Non Imm O Visa would be preferable but a Tourist Visa will do.

With a Non Imm O Visa you pop along to Immigration and get your 12 month extension within a few hours providing you qualify.

With a Tourist Visa you need to convert to a Non imm O Visa first then apply for the 12 month extension.

They might do it all in one day or you may have to go back after 60 days to apply for the extension.

The conversion might mean a visit to Bangkok.

[mikekim1219]

You can easily do the conversion yourself, it won't take long. (Or they tell you to come back in two weeks or so).

But you cannot import your goods duty free, that you can only do if you work in Thailand or are a Thai national returning to Thailand after having lived abroad for more then 1 year.

Get a good import agent that can negotiate a good deal with you with Thai customs.

Thanks for the info.

Regarding the duty on moving items, I read thai embassy and thai legal agency there is no tax if the retirement visa is for 6 month or more. If under 6 month, there will be 20% tax. If the items are received 6 month after obtaining visa, they have to notified 2 month prior. Having said, I know policies can be very "fllexible" on the whims of the officials.

[Mario2008]

Policy is set by Thai customs: http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

REQUIREMENTS FOR DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE

Both Thai and non-Thai residents changing residence into Thailand are eligible to bring used/secondhand household effects into Thailand, in reasonable quantities, free of taxes and duties. It is also required that the imported used/ secondhand household effects have been owned, possessed, and used in the country where the importers resided before returning to Thailand to resume residence.

In case where the household effects are electrical appliances e.g. radios, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, air conditioners, etc., only ONE unit each of such items is eligible for tax and duty free allowance. However, if it is the family change of residence, TWO units each of the items will be allowed to bring in tax and duty free. Any excess unit shall be subject to regular taxes and duties, and Customs will place the items that have the lowest rate of duty under tax and duty exemption.

It is important that the used/secondhand household effects must be imported not earlier than one month before or not later than six months after the arrival of the importers. Under exceptional circumstances, Customs may extend the time limits for the importers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGING OF RESIDENCE

• Nonresidents: Nonresidents may import the used/secondhand household effects acquired abroad tax and duty free if such household effects accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the criteria listed below:
  
• Nonresidents resuming residents in Thailand must be granted a non-immigrant quota as shown in a passport or a Nonresident Identification Card; or
  
• Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand are regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:
  
  • The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or
    
  • The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.
    

  [*]Nonresidents entering Thailand as an expert, specialist, or under a contract of government agencies are required to present the letter from relevant agencies certifying that such nonresidents are granted a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department and shall work in Thailand not less than one year.

[mikekim1219]

Assuming you are not in Thailand at the moment you need a Visa before leaving if you do not have a ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days.

A Non Imm O Visa would be preferable but a Tourist Visa will do.

With a Non Imm O Visa you pop along to Immigration and get your 12 month extension within a few hours providing you qualify.

With a Tourist Visa you need to convert to a Non imm O Visa first then apply for the 12 month extension.

They might do it all in one day or you may have to go back after 60 days to apply for the extension.

The conversion might mean a visit to Bangkok.

The problem is nearest Thai consulate is 5 hours from where I am. I have been trying to contact them without any success. I hate to go there and get turned around for reasons not foreseen. This led me to conclude converting visa at the arrival to Non-O then to retirement visa. I know it can be done. The issue is timing because of my moving items.

[Mario2008]

Where are you located, as many consulates allow applying by mail?

Traveling to Thailand without a visa requires you to show a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of arrival or the airline can refuse you. Some airlines check very strict! While others hardly check at all.

[lopburi3]

Most Thai Consulates do not require your presence to issue a visa - it can be done by mail or visa service. Do you plan to use income or bank deposit for extension of stay? Have never seen any report of duty free import for retirement and more than one of an item will almost always attract duty (although you can often minimize import duties with an experienced forwarding agent) - duty fee is for those working in Thailand or returning residents.

[mikekim1219]

Where are you located, as many consulates allow applying by mail?

Traveling to Thailand without a visa requires you to show a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of arrival or the airline can refuse you. Some airlines check very strict! While others hardly check at all.

I am in Chongqing China. They have website with email address. When I emailed them I got a reply from USA consulate !. I have checked and doubled checked the address. They listed US email address on their Thai consulate contact info!!!. Unbelievable. US consulate have no idea how this happened. I tried calling them many times only to have answering machine telling me to punch in extension. No listing of extension. I tried many different combination of extensions hoping to get lucky. No luck. I have given up hope of getting in touch with them. My other option is to fly to Beijing or Shanghai on 2 and half hour flight. Book a hotel, apply and wait a week and fly back.

[Mario2008]

You can find the Thai consulates and their websites here: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2712.php

Contact a few to see which one can be of service to you.

[wayned]

As stated you can convert a visa exempt entry to a Non-O and extend it for retirement purposes once you enter Thailand. If you are unable to get a proper visa, you can purchase and onward ticket out of Thailand during the 30 day visa exempt period to insure that the airline will let you board the flight. It does not have to be a return ticket to your point of origin. Currently Air Asia has flights from Hat Yai to KL for around $50 USD depending on time of day and date.

[mikekim1219]

As stated you can convert a visa exempt entry to a Non-O and extend it for retirement purposes once you enter Thailand. If you are unable to get a proper visa, you can purchase and onward ticket out of Thailand during the 30 day visa exempt period to insure that the airline will let you board the flight. It does not have to be a return ticket to your point of origin. Currently Air Asia has flights from Hat Yai to KL for around $50 USD depending on time of day and date.

Can you clarify that? You mean during the conversion process if my 30 day is up, I can go out and come back? How long does it take for conversion process? After application for conversion is submitted, do they keep my passport?

[mikekim1219]

I inquired some visa service agencies. They claim they can convert 30 day to retirement in few days if sufficient fund is in the bank along with other basic documents. If so, couldn't anybody do this or is this exclusive only to those agencies? The fee is between 30,000 to 45,000 baht depending on the agency.

[lopburi3]

There is no need or reason to use any such agency - if you meet the financial requirements the cost is 2,000 baht for the conversion but you will need about 2 week remaining or more on current entry. My comment on using a service was if in US and wanting the non immigrant O visa. As you now say you are in China understand that conversion inside Thailand is your best option. You will then get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry and during the last 30 days be able to extend. This is not want you believe you need for duty free but as I have said there is no duty free AFAIK. There is no hassle for retirement extensions of stay inside Thailand.

[Mario2008]

Per above, do it yourself for 2,000 baht. They can't make the process any simpler than it is.