Visa Options For 6-9 Month Stay

[crickie]

We're a British couple in our fifties and we'd like to escape the worst of the British weather and make our home in Thailand for 6-9 months each year. We have the financial necessities for a retirement visa but wondered what the alternatives are. We don't want to be making monthly visa runs. If the retirement visa is our only option, is it better to apply at home or in Thailand?

[lopburi3]

You have several options.

1. Tourist visa up to 3 entry easily obtained and would cover up to almost 9 months stay with only exit required every 3 months (extend at immigration after 2 months).

2. Multi entry non immigrant O visa showing income of about 1200 pounds issued by Hull or other Honorary Consulate to those over age 50. Entry every 3 months but each entry for 90 days.

3. Single entry non immigrant O visa which you extend for retirement here in Thailand for one year during the last 30 days of 90 day entry. No exit required and you can continue to do each year. Requirement of 65k per month income (Embassy letter) or 800k in Thai bank account 2 (3 later) months prior to application. Spouse can do independently or as your dependent without financials.

4. Long stay (retirement) visa from Embassy in London with above financial proof in UK and police clearance and medical. Up to one year stay.

[Jingthing]

Indeed.

I would add if your intention is to stay in Thailand EVERY YEAR for that length of time that your most convenient option is probably getting into the retirement extension system in Thailand. These are extended annually (on the same date annually so you must be in Thailand before that date), don't require any visa runs, and the current extensions are easily kept valid with the use of reentry permits (purchased at Thai immigration).

[crickie]

Interesting ..... thanks.

2. Multi entry non immigrant O visa showing income of about 1200 pounds issued by Hull or other Honorary Consulate to those over age 50. Entry every 3 months but each entry for 90 days.

Can this visa run be over land or must it be by air? How much does this visa cost?

3. Single entry non immigrant O visa which you extend for retirement here in Thailand for one year during the last 30 days of 90 day entry. No exit required and you can continue to do each year. Requirement of 65k per month income (Embassy letter) or 800k in Thai bank account 2 (3 later) months prior to application.

I presume that you can use this 800k for living expenses after the regulated 2 (3) months? What is necessary to open a Thai bank account? What is the cost of this visa?

[Mario2008]

Multiple non-O is valid for 1 year from date of issueance. During that year it allows unlimited entries into Thailand, each time you enter you are allowed to stay for up to 90 days. By leaving and re-entering Thailand just bfore the visa expires you get another 90 days and so almost 15 months out of the visa.

You can leave and re-enter by land or air. Cost is 5,000 bht (in local currency).

Single non-O is 2,000 baht and the extension for 1 year costs 1,900 baht. (you can also extend on a multiple non-O).

Money must be in a bankaccount in your name in thailand. After recieving the extension you cna use the money, but for a next extension you must have the money again in the bnk for 3 months prior.

Not much is necesaary to open a Thai bankacocunt, besides your passport. But you might need to visit a few banks before you succeed.

[snairb]

following your last comment "can also extend on multiple" mine ends jan 15th 2013 but also has stamp saying

"no extension of stay"

is it still possible to extend?

p.s i only had to show £900 per month

[Mario2008]

it is still possible to extend, the stamp is somewhat misleading as it means there are no extensons availeble besdide the 1 year extension of stay.

You need to show an income of 65,000 a month

OR

800,000 in a bankaccount in thailand in your name for at least 2 month (3 months every other extesion!)

OR

a combination of yearly income and money in the bank in Thailand totaling 800,000.

Income from abroad is proven with a letter from your embassy, your embassy decides what they accept as proof.

[snairb]

thanks

[lopburi3]

If you meet conditions of police order 777/2551 (retirement/financials) it can be extended during last 30 days of entry. The stamp is to indicate it can not be extended for 30 days as a normal tourist visa can.

The financial requirement from Hull is currently as below (direct quote):

1) Visiting Thailand as Retired Person aged between 50 and 64 years

Evidence required:

a) Copy of Bank Statement showing income of minimum £1200 per month or lumpsum

amount of £20,000

Please note that either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.