Ret. Visa For The Umpteenth Time.

[mr.buffalo]

So I land in Bangkok, get my 30 day visa on arrival, go down town, have a few days recovery from the jet lag sustained coming from the UK. Now I want to start the process of getting a retirement visa..........can some people fill in the gap please as to how it goes from here? ( I am 57, but will I need to have the money in the bank already or will I get that 1 year extension to apply thingy, not sure hence my request and I will do the monthly paid into the UK account topped up by the cash in a Thai bank account which I have. So, 550quid a month coming in from pension in UK I estimate I will need 470,000 baht in my Thai account.)

Thanks.

[moe666]

Try to get a tourist visa or a non-o visa before leaving the UK. The 30 day as well as the tourist visa has to be converted to a Non-o at immigration you will need all of the proof for retirement for this process as you will need for the retirement extension of stay from the non-o visa. By arriving with a non-o you eliminate one step in the process and you have 90 days upon arrival to get all of your requirements in order.

[attrayant]

I'm not sure if the OP is hypothetical or real. If the former, don't do the visa-on-arrival. Apply for a 60 day non-immigrant O visa before you leave. State your purpose for visiting as "exploring retirement options" or similar wording.

[mr.buffalo]

Yes, I am real. 'I think, so I am.'

[RKASA]

Yes, I am real. 'I think, so I am.'

therefore you are. 'I think'

[Jingthing]

I'm not sure if the OP is hypothetical or real. If the former, don't do the visa-on-arrival. Apply for a 60 day non-immigrant O visa before you leave. State your purpose for visiting as "exploring retirement options" or similar wording.

A single entry O is good for a 90 day stay.

In Thailand, the OP will be seeking an annual extension based on retirement, not a retirement visa.

Yes, he can enter with a 30 day stamp, tourist visa, or single entry O visa and get this done, but entering on a single entry O would be the most efficient.

[lopburi3]

entering on a single entry O would be the most efficient.

And insure he can actually get on the flight.

There is no one year to apply thingy. If converting from visa exempt you would get a 90 day entry to meet requirements - if arriving on a non immigrant O visa you will have 90 days to get the required funds in bank for 60 days before you make application for extension of stay. Remember to have both Embassy letter of income and bank letter of account balance and bank passbook/copies when making application for extension.

[ubonjoe]

Money does not have to be in the bank for 60 days for the combination of income and savings.

[lopburi3]

Correct - made the mistake of talking general on that 'have the time for funds to mature on the 90 day entry' - if using combination that should not be required for poster.

[Jingthing]

entering on a single entry O would be the most efficient.

And insure he can actually get on the flight.

...

Yes, good point. However, purchasing a throwaway air ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days of arrival should allow being boarded in the UK without any visa.