We're still living in UK, but one day looking to move to Thailand in about 20 yrs. My Thai wife and I both work and so will have pensions from the UK, joint savings and we currently own our house in UK, plus we're looking to pay off Thai house.

We some way off from the planned retirement and gather the Thai retirement criteria is 50 years, 800k savings or monthly 65k Baht. Possible options I guess is to either sell up in UK and invest the money (savings option) or rent out the UK house and have some savings (income plus savings option).

So my queries;

1. Income; In terms of income is it possible to include both husband and wife pensions or is only the husband's which can only be used? I'd like to top up wife's pension, but if retirement visa is only based on husbands income, then this may be a low priority.

2. Savings; Is it only savings in a bank which can be used to prove the £800k or can other investments be used? Would we need a thai bank account?

3. I was hoping to work a bit in Thailand - either Teaching English, or start new engineering business. Is this possible with a retirement visa - or should I be looking into another more appropriate visa?

I would be sincerely grateful for any advice

Your wife shouldn't need a visa if she has a Thai I.D. and passport , you can apply for a an "O-A" Visa in your home country, or apply for an "O" Visa based on your marriage, and then apply for a one year "Extension of Stay" based on retirement. Money would need to be in your name, can be 800K, 65K per month income, or a combination of the two.

Employment isn't permitted on a retirement extension, but you could try under an extension based on marriage, or apply for a "B" Visa, obtain a work permit for either situation.

Edited April 14, 201313 yr by beechguy

"...but one day looking to move to Thailand in about 20 yrs..."

OP, is that a typo?

If it's not, just start saving as much as you can, and ask again in about 19 years.

Things might have changed by then.

Terry

Indeed if you really mean 20 years there is no way we can answer you. As of today:

1. Your income only - but if you do for Thai wife rather than retirement it is only 40k per month.

2. If using savings it is a cash account (full amount available at any time in cash - no bonds or stocks) in Thai bank for 2/3 months each year at 800k for retirement or 400k for Thai wife.

3. You need to extend for Thai wife to obtain a work permit - or for the employment itself.

In addition to the financial requirements for retirement visas almost certainly being raised over the next 20 years, another important point to bear in mind is that the GBP may well have achieved parity with the satang by then if its present rate of decline against the THB continues unabated...

We're still living in UK, but one day looking to move to Thailand in about 20 yrs.

Now thats Planning Ahead.!!!!!

Don't consider teaching unless you have appropriate qualifications.

I'm terms of the Thai visa, I'm just trying to get an idea of possible options available, as I'm confused and not familiar about the process and terminology in use (O, A or B visas).

I accept its a while off and exchange rate is an important factor, and I also was aware of teaching qualifications.

Thanks again

"...as I'm confused and not familiar about the process and terminology in use (O, A or B visas)."

Read about it in the pinned topics at the top of this forum.

In addition to the financial requirements for retirement visas almost certainly being raised over the next 20 years, another important point to bear in mind is that the GBP may well have achieved parity with the satang by then if its present rate of decline against the THB continues unabated...

...by which time I would hope that a gaggle of Thai wives had secured parity with their counterparts (Thai males are exempt from financial thresholds if married to foreigners) when ASEAN comes into force.

Edited April 16, 201313 yr by evadgib