O Visa 50 And Over

[newarrior]

Hey All

I turn 50 in 2013 :-(

I understand that once you turn 50 you can stay in Thailand until you die. The only other requirement other than age is that you have 800,000 baht in an Thai or foreign bank...Am I correct ?

Thanks Dave

[TommoPhysicist]

Pretty much.

[Jingthing]

Well, sort of.

You are eligible for O-A visas in your home country. One option to start. Not a required way to start.

You are eligible for annual extensions based on retirement done in Thailand.

Qualification is needed to be done annually. Except in the case of a multiple entry O-A visa, in which you can use the last entry for an additional year's stay without qualification (one time).

The financial requirements for retirement extensions in Thailand are:

800K in a THAI bank only, seasoned for two months the first extension, and three months for later ones

OR

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

OR

Combination of income plus THAI bank account totaling at least 800K annually. Using the combo method, the banked portion needs no seasoning.

For an O-A visa from your home country, if using banked money to qualify the money doesn't need to be in Thailand. But later on, when going for annual extensions in Thailand, it does need to be in Thailand.

[Jingthing]

Pretty much.

Pretty much not. The part of the money not needing to be in Thailand in the long term is really wrong.

[crazykopite]

The answer is yes you have to have 800,000 bht in the bank 3 months before applying if you are married to a thai then it is only 400,000 do not ask me why

Or if you have a pension you can lets say for argument sake of 400,000 baht per year then you would have to make sure you had 400,000nin the bank 3 months before application

I am from the UK married to am English girl so I have to show a pension of 65,000 per month or have 800,000 in the bank 3 months before to prove I have the pension I get a letter of confirmation via the British Embassy of which I have to show proof which can sometimes be a hassle ( all the paper work ) so if you have the money I suggest the 800,000 baht is a better route to use

When you do move over make sure you come in with at least a 90 day visa which must be obtained outside of Thailand with this 90 day visa you can transfer over to an O visa

Hope this helps I am sure you will get plenty of other advice however stay away from the bar girls they will cost you a fortune I am sure there are some very nice thai ladies looking for a good relationship without stealing all your money !!

[Jingthing]

Again, for retirement extensions, NO money seasoning is required if using the combination method. Bank method only, yes, seasoning needed. The topic is about retirement extensions, not marriage extensions.

A 90 day single entry visa IS an O visa. It is not an O-A visa though.

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

It sounds like the OP is interested in retirement here using the 800K money method. So he needs to decide between starting with an O-A visa or starting with a retirement extension. There are pros and cons to both. There are thousands of posts here about that choice.

If the choice is start with retirement extensions instead of an O-A, then the next issue is what to come with Thailand with.

Three basic choices:

30 day stamp

tourist visa (both 30 day stamp and tourist visa can be converted to a single O in Thailand needed as a "base" for the extensions)

Single entry O visa (if you can get it, not always easy with retirement as the reason)

If entering on a 30 day stamp, a throwaway ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days will be helpful to be allowed to board the airplane to Thailand.

Also, a single entry O to be used as a base for the extension is easily available in Malaysia or Laos just by being over age 50.

[JusMe]

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

I've found that it doesn't even really need to be a bank account with that 800K. I've got an investment account with a portfolio of holdings that exceed that limit, and all I've needed to do is show the Consulate-General that I do have that investment. I've also used an income tax return to show my annual income, again from the investments, but not from a pension.

As for seasoning, I have sent off a copy of several monthly statements showing that investment portfolio, but not sure if more than a single month would be required.

[Jingthing]

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

I've found that it doesn't even really need to be a bank account with that 800K. I've got an investment account with a portfolio of holdings that exceed that limit, and all I've needed to do is show the Consulate-General that I do have that investment. I've also used an income tax return to show my annual income, again from the investments, but not from a pension.

As for seasoning, I have sent off a copy of several monthly statements showing that investment portfolio, but not sure if more than a single month would be required.

That is correct. Monies for O-A do not need to be in a bank account and I don't think ANY seasoning is required.

[bkkmick]

I've just turned 50 <groan>. I don't have a pension, but, I have income into a bank account in the UK from property and some "work" (legit) income that totals more than 65k. If it's not from a pension, does it still contribute towards a retirement visa?

[Jingthing]

I've just turned 50 <groan>. I don't have a pension, but, I have income into a bank account in the UK from property and some "work" (legit) income that totals more than 65k. If it's not from a pension, does it still contribute towards a retirement visa?

Regarding retirement extensions in Thailand:

The rental income. Definitely yes. I believe you'll need to "prove" that to the UK embassy/consulate in Thailand so they can included that sum in your income letter for immigration. You may also need to be prepared to prove that yet again to immigration upon extension applications, IF they choose to ask.

The work income. I'll let someone else answer. However, an issue I see is if you plan to CONTINUE to do this work while living in Thailand on a retirement extension. It is illegal to work in Thailand on a retirement extension. If the work is something you will do on trips outside Thailand, that's another matter. If it IS income you expect to continue to generate by work in Thailand while living in Thailand, I would advise to not mention it!

If the rental sum is under 65K per month, you can always use the combo method and make up the balance of 800K in a Thai bank account.

[AlaskaDave]

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[CharlieH]

" If it's not from a pension, does it still contribute towards a retirement visa? "

Uk Embassy is only interested in "IN" and "Out" not the source, so it doesnt have to specifically state "pension" Show you have sufficient for monthly requirement and the letter will be issued.

Minimum of 3 months statements required.

[lopburi3]

There are two paths open - one is the non immigrant O-A visa from a Consulate in US which is multi entry and valid for one year of permitted to stay one year stamps on any entry. That requires both financial and medical and police paperwork (and is normally followed by below).

Second path is extension of stay within Thailand which only requires financials but bank account would have to be in Thailand or income in letter from Embassy.

[lopburi3]

Uk Embassy is only interested in "IN" and "Out" not the source. Show you have sufficient for monthly requirement and the letter will be issued.

Minimum of 3 months statements required.

US Embassy is not interested in any paperwork - they notarize your signature of income - they do not pretend to check or confirm. No statements are required by Embassy. Immigration however can request supporting evidence of letter income.

[Jingthing]

" If it's not from a pension, does it still contribute towards a retirement visa? "

Uk Embassy is only interested in "IN" and "Out" not the source, so it doesnt have to specifically state "pension" Show you have sufficient for monthly requirement and the letter will be issued.

Minimum of 3 months statements required.

I wouldn't be so certain of that.

Technical enforcement details can change over time and there is often variance between different Thailand immigration offices. To wit, very relevant new info about Pattaya immigration:

http://www.thaivisa....n/#entry5418449

News... Chonburi Immigration (Jomtien) has informed us that if someone wishes to use rental income, or private income/investment as part of their finances, to extend their long-term visa (e.g. Retirement extension), they will need to provide proof of the income shown coming into their bank account (either home-country, or Thailand).

They must show their lease/rental contracts and bank statements to UK Consul to obtain support letter - and later make them available to Immigration staff if requested during extension application. (Original documents are always required, either sent out to your home address or printed off from the bank's website). Both Immigration & UK Consulate MAY require a COPY of these documents.

[NancyL]

The OP's original statement about once you're over age fifty and have 800,000 baht/month in a Thai bank, you can stay in the country forever is a good summary, although with much simplification, of the truth. It helps to explain the concept to someone completely unfamiliar with the retirement visas and why they're such a good visa.

The rest is simply minutae of how to manage the financial requirement. There are other methods, some quite complex, but if someone wants to keep it simple, they're golden if they simply stash 800,000 baht into a Thai bank and forget about it until it's time to get a verification letter from the bank just prior to doing their 12-month extension.

I've wondered, though, does Immigration check Thai police records to see if the application for an extension has gotten into trouble during the past year? Or does the police report troublesome retirees to Immigration?

The large public hospital in Chiang Mai claims they've started to report people on retirement extensions who leave them with large unpaid bills. But, I haven't heard of any of these people being denied retirement extensions. This is a fairly new practice, so perhaps time will tell.

[Mario2008]

Not being able to pay your bill is not a criminal offence.

There is a procedure for foreigners who are convicted and sentenced to jail to be expelled after having done their time.

[Jingthing]

The OP's original statement about once you're over age fifty and have 800,000 baht/month in a Thai bank, you can stay in the country forever is a good summary, although with much simplification, of the truth. It helps to explain the concept to someone completely unfamiliar with the retirement visas and why they're such a good visa.

...

The original statement says in a Thai OR a foreign bank, for life. The part about the foreign bank qualifying you for life isn't an oversimplification of anything. It's completely false.

[somtampet]

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

I've found that it doesn't even really need to be a bank account with that 800K. I've got an investment account with a portfolio of holdings that exceed that limit, and all I've needed to do is show the Consulate-General that I do have that investment. I've also used an income tax return to show my annual income, again from the investments, but not from a pension.

As for seasoning, I have sent off a copy of several monthly statements showing that investment portfolio, but not sure if more than a single month would be required.

i checked that and was rtefused,the money has to be in a thai bank account,my portfolio is offshore

[Jingthing]

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

I've found that it doesn't even really need to be a bank account with that 800K. I've got an investment account with a portfolio of holdings that exceed that limit, and all I've needed to do is show the Consulate-General that I do have that investment. I've also used an income tax return to show my annual income, again from the investments, but not from a pension.

As for seasoning, I have sent off a copy of several monthly statements showing that investment portfolio, but not sure if more than a single month would be required.

i checked that and was rtefused,the money has to be in a thai bank account,my portfolio is offshore

Are you talking about an application for an O-A visa in your home country OR a retirement extension application IN Thailand?

[lopburi3]

If using as a bank account yes but poster is saying they used foreign account as proof of investment income and used letter of income to obtain extension.

[mikekim1219]

Also, a single entry O to be used as a base for the extension is easily available in Malaysia or Laos just by being over age 50.

How about Myanmar?

[mikekim1219]

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

I've found that it doesn't even really need to be a bank account with that 800K. I've got an investment account with a portfolio of holdings that exceed that limit, and all I've needed to do is show the Consulate-General that I do have that investment. I've also used an income tax return to show my annual income, again from the investments, but not from a pension.

As for seasoning, I have sent off a copy of several monthly statements showing that investment portfolio, but not sure if more than a single month would be required.

Does this mean 800k doesn't need to be in the regular savings account? I read many post contrary to this. If this is so, can I use mutual fund account ?

[lopburi3]

The 800k in Thailand must be in a cash savings account. Passbook or fixed deposit is normally allowed. It can not be in funds or other non-cash or at risk investments.

What the above poster was talking about seems to be home country investments giving him a yearly income that his embassy is willing to sign off on as such.

[mikekim1219]

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

I tried to apply for OA from China which I am qualified to do. The problem was too many required documents as you mentioned. I decided to go for retirement extension. Arrive on 30 day visa, apply for O , have money in the bank (60 days or more) and apply for extension. No medical, no criminal record statement. Just need a bank statement and letter from the bank.

[willyumcr]

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

For 4 years now I have been using an non-immigrant "O" visa multiple (currently $200) entry issued in Portland, OR. Every April I return to Portland and get a new one (I travel there to visit family). I am in and out of consulate in 15 minutes with the visa. I only show my Social Security letter showing my monthly amount (above the 65,000 baht). Very easy and works for me. No need to have money in Thai bank (a big plus).

[willyumcr]

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Embassy letter showing minimum of 65K baht per month INCOME

RE: Eligibility. I will be applying for a retirement visa (a long-stay visa) this summer before I return to Thailand. I have retirement income in excess of 65K baht per month and can prove it with statements from the U.S. Social Security Administration, but you mentioned an "embassy letter". Is that different?

Also I understood from a conversation I had with the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last year that there are several additional requirements: a statement from your doctor, a statement from the police officials in your town stating that you are not a criminal or fugitive from justice. Is that the general case as far asyou know ?

Can one apply for a multiple entry retirement visa in the states?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

BTW. No doctor or police reports.

[lopburi3]

But if you have SS of 65k per month you could visit Embassy one time to obtain letter and stay for a year without need to leave at all and cost would be less ($50 for letter and 1,900 baht for extension). There is no need for doctor or police reports on an extension of stay in Thailand. You make them during last 30 days of any 90 day entry with only Embassy letter and passport copies. So unless you have to travel often it makes little sense.

[willyumcr]

Like I mentioned in my response I travel to States anyway to visit family, actually twice a year. If I ever planed to stay here without ever leaving than extension of stay would be the option but I do leave so for me I prefer "O".

[funlovinkid]

Again, for retirement extensions, NO money seasoning is required if using the combination method. Bank method only, yes, seasoning needed. The topic is about retirement extensions, not marriage extensions.

A 90 day single entry visa IS an O visa. It is not an O-A visa though.

If using the O-A visa obtained in the home country to start (an option, not required) the money shown if using the 800K bank method is typically in the home country, which is OK for O-A applications, and as far as I know, seasoning is not required.

It sounds like the OP is interested in retirement here using the 800K money method. So he needs to decide between starting with an O-A visa or starting with a retirement extension. There are pros and cons to both. There are thousands of posts here about that choice.

If the choice is start with retirement extensions instead of an O-A, then the next issue is what to come with Thailand with.

Three basic choices:

30 day stamp

tourist visa (both 30 day stamp and tourist visa can be converted to a single O in Thailand needed as a "base" for the extensions)

Single entry O visa (if you can get it, not always easy with retirement as the reason)

If entering on a 30 day stamp, a throwaway ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days will be helpful to be allowed to board the airplane to Thailand.

Also, a single entry O to be used as a base for the extension is easily available in Malaysia or Laos just by being over age 50.

My Siam Commercial Bank passbook reflects the fact that I have had more than 800K in that account for more than 3 months already. For the purpose of getting a retirement visa annual extension, can I just take this passbook to Immigration (along with a copy of it), and not bother with getting a letter from SCB stating the same thing? Seems to me if the passbook proves the existence of the funds for the required length of time, any letter from the bank would be redundant.