Non-Imm O - Reason Retirement (From Hull)

[dsfbrit]

A friend of mine who is British and 68 years old, has applied and received a non-o visa based on retirement from Hull. He had to show he had 20K pounds in the bank.

Fair enough, but I read the requirements for the visa from the Hull website (see below items 5 and 6) and as he is over 64 and in receipt of a UK pension, did he need the 20K pounds or could he just have shown his State Pension income - which is only about 6000 pounds per year???

Thanks for your help.

From Hull Website:-

Category “O”

----------------

1) Married to a Thai national.

Evidence required:

a) If married in Thailand:

Copies of Original Thai Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

If married in UK:

Copies of Original UK Marriage Certificate and Thai ID Card or Thai Passport.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2) Visiting Thai child living in Thailand.

Evidence required

a) Birth Certificate of child showing relationship.

Proof of having legal custody of the child

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

3) Visiting non Thai family working and/or living in Thailand.

Evidence required:

a) Birth/Marriage Certificate to show relationship and date of birth – applicant must not be older than 20 years.

Letter from relative in Thailand confirming they are in Thailand together with copy of

page in their passport showing valid entry visa or a copy of their valid work permit..

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted to applicant aged up to 20 years in these circumstances. If applicant is aged 21 or over then they can be granted only a Tourist Visa with 1, 2 or 3 entries.

or

4) Volunteer Work.

Evidence required:

a) Sponsor Letter from volunteer/charity organisation which must be registered in Thailand.

Only a single entry visa can be granted in these circumstances. Applicant will need to arrange Extension of Stay as necessary. Please check with volunteer/charity organisation

for what extra documentation may be required by Thai Immigration to extend stay.

or

5) Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over.

Evidence required:

a) Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

6) 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

of minimum £20,000

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

Abb 31.08.12

[Jingthing]

Did he get an O-A visa or an O visa? (Does Hull offer O-A visas?)

[Lite Beer]

Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

That's what the rule is so that would have been enough.

Maybe he did not tell them his age.

Hull do not issue Non Imm O-A Visas.

[Sophon]

Did he get an O-A visa or an O visa? (Does Hull offer O-A visas?)

No, Hull doesn't issue O-A visas.

Sophon

[Jingthing]

Later, if actually retiring in Thailand, he will need to apply for annual extensions based on retirement IN Thailand.

For that, applicants need 800K baht in a Thai bank seasoned two months for first extension (three for later ones) OR income proven by an embassy letter of 65K baht per month OR a combination of income and non-seasoned money in a Thai bank account meeting the 800K level.

[dsfbrit]

Sophon. Litebeer and Jingthing - thanks for the quick replies. SO even though he can only prove he has income of 6000 pounds a year, they are happy with that as he a 'pensioner'. Thanks for the help, I will pas that onto him and the feedback about the extension based on retirement in LOS.

[Lite Beer]

That's what their rules say.

[inquisitive]

One of the possible requirements is a certification of funds resting in a Thai bank. How old can this certification be at the time of application? I thought it couldn't be more than three days old at the time it was presented to immigration, but I've recently heard that it could be a month old or even six weeks. Anyone know?

[sysardman]

That's what their rules say.

Have the rules changed again since last year, I'm sure when I last applied it was a 1000 pounds a month income and nothing mentioned about 20,000 in a bank?

[lopburi3]

Hull revised there rules about mid-year.

[sysardman]

Hull revised there rules about mid-year.

Many thanks for that, it's very useful to know.

[cardholder]

Could I just ask if anyone has PERSONAL experience of getting an "over 65's" visa from Hull ?

The criteria for 50 - 64 and the 65+ does seem incongruous:-

1)

Visiting Thailand as Pensioner aged 65 and over.

Evidence required:

a)

Bank Statement or Pension Statement showing receipt of State and/or Private Pension.

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

or

2)

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

of minimum £20,000

Either a single or multiple entry visa can be granted in these circumstances.

[IMA_FARANG]

i recieved my first non O immigrant bisa in October 2010,

Hull was one of the "easiest": places to get that visa then.

The honorary counsol who was there for many years has resigned since then .... and Hull has tightened up it's requirements quite a bit with the new honorary counsol that has taken over since then.

Don't get me wrong, they are still friendly .... it's just that their requiremrnts ae now stricter.

And there's always that right to "require other additional proof as determined"

[terak]

I got multi Non O from Hull based on retirement with only showing my income last September

[overherebc]

Possible he has been issued a single entry O for the reason that he will have to apply for the extension for a year when he arrives in Thailand. ?

[cardholder]

I got multi Non O from Hull based on retirement with only showing my income last September

Presumably, the stipulated income of 65,000 Baht p.a. ?

I am talking about the 65+ option where you only appear to need to show evidence of receipt of state pension - no minimum amount stipulated.

[cardholder]

Possible he has been issued a single entry O for the reason that he will have to apply for the extension for a year when he arrives in Thailand. ?

No - multiple entry is available for the 65+ option. It would appear that my friend can just show confirmation of pension (circa 20,000 Baht) and he can stay in the kingdom for the next 15 months. Doesn't seem quite fair/right when compared to 50-64. retirement or even marriage requirements.

[lopburi3]

A multi entry visa does not allow more than a 90 day stay - but he can then return for a new 90 day stay. As it is unlikely he will be taking employment from anyone at there 65 and above age a bit more leeway is being allowed.

[cardholder]

A multi entry visa does not allow more than a 90 day stay - but he can then return for a new 90 day stay. As it is unlikely he will be taking employment from anyone at there 65 and above age a bit more leeway is being allowed.

My friend will do 4 visa runs (or trips into Cambodia) giving him 15 months stay overall.