Retirement Visa Process

[barney2805]

I am sure this has been covered many times, but I am now ready to apply for my retirement visa in CM, can someone tell me where the process is written or a link for the documents I need and can I still apply for a multiple entry visa.

Another question when I leave Thialand on re entry does the 3 months start again for reporting purposes.

Is there a good time to go to the immigration office?

Many thanks

[Jingthing]

I will start this.

At immigration offices in Thailand you will be applying for an annual extension based on retirement, not a retirement visa.

To be qualified for a retirement extension, you first need an O visa. This may be obtained outside Thailand at an embassy or consulate (Laos and Malaysia best local bets) OR you may do a change of visa status at many Thai immigration offices (including Chiang Mai office) from a 30 day stamp or tourist visa to an O visa.

As your plan is to do this in Thailand, you needn't concern yourself with anything you might read about O-A visas, which are obtained only in your home country, and you do NOT need that to retire in Thailand, only an option.

If approved you get permission to stay one year.

If you wish to travel outside Thailand, you must separately apply for reentry permits (either single for each trip or a multiple entry one).

Reporting required every 90 days in country. Leaving Thailand and reentering resets the 90 day clock.

Cheers.

[barney2805]

Many thanks for your quick response I failed to mention i have a one year O visa from UK due to finish Jan 2013, are the application forms for the Visa online to download?

[Lite Beer]

As said, you will not be applying for a Visa.

Apply within the final 30 days of your current permission to stay.

The form for applying for an Extension of Stay is here.

http://www.thaivisa....plication-form/

(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

[barney2805]

Many thanks for the good info, so when I want go back to UK I need apply for a re entry visa can this be a multiple so I can come and go many times during the visa period?

Do I apply for this at the immigration office a few days before I travel?

[onthedarkside]

Many thanks for the good info, so when I want go back to UK I need apply for a re entry visa can this be a multiple so I can come and go many times during the visa period?

Do I apply for this at the immigration office a few days before I travel?

Yes, you need to apply at Immigration for a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand. It's 1,000 baht for single entry and 3,800 baht for a multiple.

[moe666]

Go to the visa section you need to change your vocabulary. It doesn't seem that important but it is you are applying for a extension of stay and a re-entry permit. Visas are only issued out side of the country.

[Jingthing]

You may apply for your reentry permits (at Chiang Mai Thai immigration) at any time as long as your current extension is valid. Many people apply for permit(s) right after getting the extension for convenience. For single entry permits they will ask for travel dates. Put down anything you like within the extension period; you will not be held to the stated dates.

[barney2805]

Thank you all for your input

[mcgriffith]

Moved to Visa/Immigration forum, with live link remaining on CM.

[NancyL]

Chiang Mai Immigration has an on-line appointment system for visa extensions:

http://chiangmaiimm.com/th/queue-online.html

The OP should ACT NOW! the first open appointments are on Monday, January 28, 2013.

Otherwise, the OP should plan to arrive at the Immigration office at 6 am on the day he plans to apply for his retirement extension. They have a small number of queue tickets for extensions -- I don't know the exact number, but it's something like 40 per day for 12-month extensions -- like for retirement.

You can purchase a re-entry permit at Immigration after you get your 12-month extension. Probably a good idea to keep a re-entry permit in your passport "just in case" you have to leave the country and don't have time to wait at Immigration for a re-entry permit.

Don't worry -- the 90 day reporting process isn't nearly as taxing. The wait is usually less than an hour. Best time of day to go for a 90 day report is after 10 am and after 2 pm. Oh, to answer another question, the "90 day clock" restarts upon each entry into Thailand or on the day of each 90 day report.

[hellodolly]

As said, you will not be applying for a Visa.

Apply within the final 30 days of your current permission to stay.

The form for applying for an Extension of Stay is here.

http://www.thaivisa....plication-form/

(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

There is all kinds of forms on that particular thread I stumbled on it by accident and book marked it. Completely at a loss how to get to it. No need to get new forms for the next time you go in they are all there.

[barney2805]

Hello one last question now I have the funds in Bangkok bank can I put in high interest account they are offering 2.75% for 4 months or must I leave it in a no interest account?

[lopburi3]

It is best not to change account during the seasoning process but you can use fixed deposit cash accounts (just make sure it is a cash account and not "funds") which is sometimes not that easy to see.

[barney2805]

Hello I now have an online appointment for Monday the 28th Jan I have the forms completed can you just help me as its my first time, I have the Bangkok bank book with the 800,000 in for the last 2 months, so I go to immigration copy all the documents and my passport.

Then do I sit and wait for them to call my name, how after they give me the extension can I sort the multiple entry or can this be done ar the same time, thanks for all you help. regards

[lopburi3]

Can not say specific to CM but you should have copies of passbook and bank letter of account balance as well as the other documents (letter is always required for using bank account). As soon as extension stamp is in place you can apply for re-entry permit so I would do the same day.

[barney2805]

Many thanks my appointment is next Monday

Do I need ask Bangkok Bank for a letter confirming the funds was sent from the UK and the funds have stayed in the account since?

On the TM7 form it is asking reason for extension do I say Retirment and one year?

Thanks for all you help first time I am trying not to get ther paperwork wrong.

Do i just wait for a call at 10am when I have my appointment or do I need tell them I have arrived.

Thanks

[Lite Beer]

The bank will know what to give you. A letter stating the balance.

You also need your bankbook updated and showing the same balance.

Reason for application Retirement.

365 days.

[Jingthing]

Many thanks my appointment is next Monday

Do I need ask Bangkok Bank for a letter confirming the funds was sent from the UK and the funds have stayed in the account since?

On the TM7 form it is asking reason for extension do I say Retirment and one year?

Thanks for all you help first time I am trying not to get ther paperwork wrong.

Do i just wait for a call at 10am when I have my appointment or do I need tell them I have arrived.

Thanks

1. No. Just ask for an immigration letter and hand them your bank book.

2. Retirement. One year.

3. Don't know.

[barney2805]

I turned up on Monday at 10am and was called at 10.15 with all the correct paperwork, the lady looked at my original Non Imm O and looked at her calender and she told me I am on overstay.

I got the visa on 9th Nov 2011 I arrived Bangkok on the 15 Dec 2011 I have been coming and going all year in 2012 and last time I arrived was 20 Dec and told had to leave by 19 March 2013.

She tells me that in Bangkok they did not check my visa correctly and it had lapsed and now I am over stay and I can not get an extension she said I can pay a fine or wait until i go back to the UK on the 7th March and see what inmmigration at Bangkok say.

Any ideas does that mean when I go home for 2 weeks on 7th March I need get a new Non Imm O for one year and start again?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

It means your entry on December 20 should have been 30 day visa exempt (if air arrival) so you are indeed overstay for a bit more than a week at 500 baht per day fine. If you remain until March you will then be overstay for a longer period but as said they might not notice if you want to take the chance. Yes indeed you will need a new visa for return and/or extend but only a single entry non immigrant O visa is required and after 60 days here you extend.

[ubonjoe]

It looks like she is correct since you visa expired in November.

Did they change your entry to 30 days.

You could go back to immigration, pay the overstay and apply for a 7 day extension (1900 baht) or

you could just leave on the 7th and pay the overstay fine at the airport. The extension would be the least costly way.

You don't need a one year multiple entry visa. Just get a single entry and then get your extension during the last 30 days of that entry.

[haybilly]

If anyone has been lately--which passport pages are they asking for with regard to Retirement Extension at the moment--I am desperate not to have to use the darned copy facility next door--but somehow I never quite get the exact photocopies ready.

Help, please??

[ubonjoe]

Passport copies including photo page and then to be safe all visas, entries/departures and extension pages. These may be more than you need. But if not sure of what your office requires it can save a trip to copy shop.

Plus TM6 departure card and proof of address.

Bank book and copies of all pages if using money in bank option. Plus bank letter.

[mmail2you]

I have a question regarding gaining the starting point of getting the O visa is it possible to apply while in Thailand for this or do I need to leave an apply in another country ? As I am leaving Aus on the 12th and don't have enough time while I am here but will have time while I am in Thailand

[ubonjoe]

It is possible to get a non immigrant visa at some immigration offices. You would have to have the money in the bank or proof of income to get it done. And then apply for the extension at immigration after 60 days of getting the visa showing a new bank letter or income letter.

You probably have enough time to get it before you leave by doing a mail in to one of the honorary consulates. They normally do same day turnaround of visa applications mailed in. If you use overnight mail service both ways you can get it done in 3 days.

Contact info for honorary consulates here: http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/consulate.html

[mmail2you]

I am leaving on Tueday and currently I am still waiting on the police report, and another Bank letter so based on that I don't have enough time. This is why I am looking at what are my options once I arrive in Thailand

[lopburi3]

Once you have proof of financials in Thailand you can apply for conversion to non immigrant O visa and then 60 days later extend for retirement again using financial proof (and if required meeting time in bank requirements). But conversion is normally only done with 15 days or more reaming on current stay you have to act quickly or obtain a tourist visa prior to travel (if non immigrate is not an option). If you can not meet the time you can obtain a visa from a local consulate or make a new entry to convert so not a big problem. But remember boarding aircraft may require an outbound ticket without a visa within the 30 days a visa exempt entry will allow so allow time to buy if you do not have now. You will not need that police report for extension done in Thailand but your money will have to be in Thailand or a letter of income from your Embassy.

[Jingthing]

I am leaving on Tueday and currently I am still waiting on the police report, and another Bank letter so based on that I don't have enough time. This is why I am looking at what are my options once I arrive in Thailand

Where will your residence be in Thailand?

That determines the immigration office that you MUST use.

Some immigration offices offer change of visa status from 30 day stamp or tourist visa to single O visa (for retirement eligibles) and some do not.

So the office matters.

If yours doesn't you can do the O in Bangkok IF you can show financial qualification for the later annual retirement extension.

Do you have a Thai bank account?

What method will you use for your retirement extension application?

800K in THAI bank, combo method, or income method?

If you are not able to get the initial O in Thailand because you can not yet show qualification, you CAN get a single entry O in Malaysia or Laos and then later apply for the retirement extension in Thailand assuming by then you can show financial qualification.

No police report and medical report needed in Thailand for the O visa or the retirement extension.

[mmail2you]

I am leaving on Tueday and currently I am still waiting on the police report, and another Bank letter so based on that I don't have enough time. This is why I am looking at what are my options once I arrive in Thailand

Where will your residence be in Thailand?

That determines the immigration office that you MUST use.

Some immigration offices offer change of visa status from 30 day stamp or tourist visa to single O visa (for retirement eligibles) and some do not.

So the office matters.

If yours doesn't you can do the O in Bangkok IF you can show financial qualification for the later annual retirement extension.

Do you have a Thai bank account?

What method will you use for your retirement extension application?

800K in THAI bank, combo method, or income method?

If you are not able to get the initial O in Thailand because you can not yet show qualification, you CAN get a single entry O in Malaysia or Laos and then later apply for the retirement extension in Thailand assuming by then you can show financial qualification.

No police report and medical report needed in Thailand for the O visa or the retirement extension.

As for my residence it can either be Bangkok or Pattaya as I will be staying in both locations and my wife has a house in Bangkok, so is Bangers easier to go from a 30 Visa to an O visa ? or is Pattaya better this is based on having 800kthb in the bank.