Uk Married Couple Retiring To Chiang Rai Visa Requirements

[flossiebear]

I am 51 and my husband is 54. Are there any uk couples in similar situation who have a retirement visa based on spouse's finances only where the other spouse piggyback's on. We have been informed by Thai consultate in Hull that we qualify for Non O single or multientry visa each, as we have 20,000 pounds in UK bank account. However they refused to give any information on how to get retirement visa when we arrive in Thailand, telling us we would have to ask in Thailand. We are aware of financial requirements for one person but not married couple.

[lopburi3]

They do not know as this is an immigration matter - the requirement is 800k/65k or combination to meet 800k per year in single name of applicant for retirement extension of stay. If using just bank deposit it needs to be in Thai account 2 months prior to application (three months in later years). Once this extension is approved spouse can obtain matching one year extension of stay with non immigrant O visa entry and marriage proof. Each year same process. The requirement is for one person - there is no financial requirement for dependent extension.

So obtain single entry non immigrant O visas from Hull and transfer funds if needed and during last 30 days of the 90 day stay do the extensions at local immigrant office using financial proof/some proof of where you live/marriage proof and submitting TM.7's with 4x6cm photos.

[flossiebear]

thank you so much for your concise information. This is what I thought but wanted to check out first. Just one thought do you think the single entry visa would give us enough time to arrive in Thailand, set up accommodation and open bank account so can transfer monies? Don't really want to pay out for multi-entry if dont have to but guess worried may run out of time.

One other thought, it makes not difference to us personally which spouse has the retirement visa but would immigration think it odd if women applies and her husband was the dependent? And finally would it be easier to just transfer 800,000 baht into Thai Bank account rather than having mixture of income (as understand need letter from Embassy) and deposit. Sorry and one more question is the original marriage certificate enough, do we have to have it notorised and also would we both need police checks before we leave uk?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Should be enough time if you have authorization in place for wire transfers at your UK bank prior to leaving (suspect they will need a signed statement - in USA they do). And a new visa can be obtained from Vientiane if need be. But if using combination there should not be any time requirement for bank portion.

It is easier if just using bank or income method as only one set of documents - believe UK allows getting income letter upcountry so not as much of a problem as some.

It is best if husband gets the retirement extension as that conforms to traditional thinking.

Believe your UK marriage certificate should be fine but maybe others can confirm.

There is no police check requirement for extensions of stay.

[Lite Beer]

Agree with all the above.

lopburi3 is your man.

[flossiebear]

phew that makes things simpler. Shall do income only in husband's name to keep with tradition. Can now get on with sorting out our plans as we also have dogs to take and a house to rent but that is another story!! Thanks again.

[Torrens54]

phew that makes things simpler. Shall do income only in husband's name to keep with tradition. Can now get on with sorting out our plans as we also have dogs to take and a house to rent but that is another story!! Thanks again.

Couple of extra thoughts: You will probably need to have a full and authenticated translation into Thai of your Marriage and other documents. Would suggest you get these done in the UK as you don't want to be running around in Chiang Mai, let alone Chiang Rai getting all of this sorted out.

Would have thought the Thai Embassy in London would be able to provide the best advice....but depends who you get on the day. One other thing, don't forget your Private Medical Insurance to cover you here in Thailand. At your ages, shouldn't be too expensive but I can tell you that once you get past 65....maybe even 60, you'll find it is very costly. I have private coverage in Australia but they won't even consider covering me here despite Thailand having some of the BEST Medical Practitioners in the world with qualifications from top Swiss Hospitals and the Mayo Clinic in the US. Hope this helps and I'm sure that like many others from various parts of the world, you'll love living in Thailand.

[Brooking]

I'm looking to move to Thailand soon - spending maybe 9 months of the year there and 3 months in Australia.I have private health insurance here but I've been wondering what is the best way to get covered when in Thailand.Does anyone have any knowledge as to whether I would be better off cancelling my Australian policy and buying a policy which would give me a "world wide" cover or keep my present one and try to find one which would give me cover in Thailand.It seems like having to have two policies would be an expensive option.

[sappersrest]

Hi my wife and I, both English plan to retire to Chiang Mai early in the new year. We are both over 58 reading the original posters question has just reminded me to ask for clarification,on a couple of points.

I intend to get get a long stay O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy in London, and able meet all the criteria for getting one. So can my wife.

That would tie up 1.6million Can't be bothered with getting pensions confirmed etc.

The question is can my wife get a non immigrant o visa and then convert it to a "dependants visa" and would she need to show any money for the annual extension? Would this save having two lots of 800k in the bank?

Many thanks in anticipation and my apologies for hijacking the thread ,

[sappersrest]

Sorry my question was answered earlier.

[meatboy]

phew that makes things simpler. Shall do income only in husband's name to keep with tradition. Can now get on with sorting out our plans as we also have dogs to take and a house to rent but that is another story!! Thanks again.

flossie please post about your dogs in the pet section so we can let you know what to do and what to expect,about keeping a dog in thailand.meatboy a concerned dog lover.

[Lite Beer]

Hi my wife and I, both English plan to retire to Chiang Mai early in the new year. We are both over 58 reading the original posters question has just reminded me to ask for clarification,on a couple of points.

I intend to get get a long stay O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy in London, and able meet all the criteria for getting one. So can my wife.

That would tie up 1.6million Can't be bothered with getting pensions confirmed etc.

The question is can my wife get a non immigrant o visa and then convert it to a "dependants visa" and would she need to show any money for the annual extension? Would this save having two lots of 800k in the bank?

Many thanks in anticipation and my apologies for hijacking the thread ,

It would be easier if you both arrived in Thailand with Non O Visas and applied for extensions in Chiang Mai.

They might not give your Wife a dependants extension if you have O-A Visa.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

phew that makes things simpler. Shall do income only in husband's name to keep with tradition. Can now get on with sorting out our plans as we also have dogs to take and a house to rent but that is another story!! Thanks again.

Couple of extra thoughts: You will probably need to have a full and authenticated translation into Thai of your Marriage and other documents. Would suggest you get these done in the UK as you don't want to be running around in Chiang Mai, let alone Chiang Rai getting all of this sorted out.

Would have thought the Thai Embassy in London would be able to provide the best advice....but depends who you get on the day. One other thing, don't forget your Private Medical Insurance to cover you here in Thailand. At your ages, shouldn't be too expensive but I can tell you that once you get past 65....maybe even 60, you'll find it is very costly. I have private coverage in Australia but they won't even consider covering me here despite Thailand having some of the BEST Medical Practitioners in the world with qualifications from top Swiss Hospitals and the Mayo Clinic in the US. Hope this helps and I'm sure that like many others from various parts of the world, you'll love living in Thailand.

Would suggest translations are done in Thailand unless you have limitless money.

UK translation price 50UKP/page

Thai translation price 150bht/page

[lopburi3]

There should not be a need for translation of an English language document for immigration - they deal in English. Only when dealing with other offices such as land and district are translations required often required.

[ubonjoe]

Hi my wife and I, both English plan to retire to Chiang Mai early in the new year. We are both over 58 reading the original posters question has just reminded me to ask for clarification,on a couple of points.

I intend to get get a long stay O-A Visa from the Thai Embassy in London, and able meet all the criteria for getting one. So can my wife.

That would tie up 1.6million Can't be bothered with getting pensions confirmed etc.

The question is can my wife get a non immigrant o visa and then convert it to a "dependants visa" and would she need to show any money for the annual extension? Would this save having two lots of 800k in the bank?

Many thanks in anticipation and my apologies for hijacking the thread ,

I would forget the OA visa route and just get single entry non-o visas for both of you from Hull or any other honorary consulate. Embassy will not issue non-o visas for retirement.

Your wife would only be able to get a multiple entry O visa and have to make border runs. Immigration has no authority to issue dependent extensions based upon a OA visa entry.

Once here you could then get your extension and your wife's in one trip to immigration.

[jambco984]

There should not be a need for translation of an English language document for immigration - they deal in English. Only when dealing with other offices such as land and district are translations required often required.

I know you are all knowing and awesome but is this 100% FACT.

I hope so as my folks are heading over from the UK at the end of this month and they are heading down the route of Extension and Dependent.

No translation is required??

If so thanks, I see you wrote should which isn't a 100% definite.

Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

An original document in the English language does not have to be Translated to Thai for immigration.

[jambco984]

An original document in the English language does not have to be Translated to Thai for immigration.

Sweet. Thanks for that.

[sappersrest]

Many thanks for the concise replies, very much appreciated.makes life easier.

[fcgprg]

As previously said forget the O/A visa in the UK, and no translations needed . I got a O/A visa in the UK before moving to Thailand it is easier to change the O visa here and less expensive.

[NancyL]

Good advice about getting health insurance started before turning age 61 - many companies won't write policies for people over age 60, but will allow current customers to continue to have health insurance, albeit at higher rates.

Another point -- if it's not a financial hardship, I think it's always good for each person in a couple to have their own retirement extensions and not be considered a dependent on the other's visa extension. If the holder of the extension dies or the marriage otherwise ends, then the dependent has seven days before she goes on overstay.

In my experience with of knowing several new widows, the last thing they want to think about within seven days of losing their husband is dealing with Chiang Mai immigration -- the place is a hell-hole of teaming humanity. Fortunately, there are visa agents who can step in to help -- but it's just unfair for a husband to leave his wife with this task upon his passing.

Also, there's nothing wrong with a wife being the primary visa/extension and the husband being considered as the dependent, if a couple must use this method. In fact, in makes sense, especially if the wife is much younger than her husband and thus more likely to outlive her husband. Also makes sense if the wife is the one who does the "running around" taking care of errands, paying bills and keeping paperwork in order.

[ubonjoe]

In reality you do not have 7 days unless you apply for a 7 day extension.

But immigration would not know about the death until you notified them yourself and immigration is not so heartless as to fine you for an overstay after a death.

[NancyL]

In reality you do not have 7 days unless you apply for a 7 day extension.

But immigration would not know about the death until you notified them yourself and immigration is not so heartless as to fine you for an overstay after a death.

I wouldn't be so sure about this. I know of one widow who has told to go do a border run, pay her overstay fine, either get a visa in a neighboring country or come in visa exempt and then start the two-step process. It didn't help that she waited a L-O-N-G time to tell Immigration -- she thought she was good until her late husband's extension expired. She may have copped an attitude, too. Don't know for sure, I wasn't there, I just know how the person can be sometimes in dealing with people who don't speak "proper" English and who don't understand that the earth stopped spinning around the sun when her husband died. It would have made much sense for her to employ a visa agent in this sitatuion.

[ubonjoe]

Waiting until the next extension is due was probably the problem and/or attitude.

Going in a couple a weeks after the death would probably be acceptable.

I suspect that a majority of women would be leaving anyway to be with family at home and/or making a trip home for the funeral.

[NancyL]

Again, it's not a good assumption that the "majority" of foreign women living here with their foreign husbands who want to return to their home country. I know many retired women here on their own. I know of one couple where the wife was too ill herself to travel when her husband died. As for me, I'll probably have Hubby burned here, save the ashes and return to the U.S. for a burial ceremony during a good time of year. This what my stepmom did with my Dad's passing -- it was a very pleasant family gathering during a lovely time of year and we all had time to save money with travel costs because she set the date for several months after Dad's passing.

I stand by my original recommendation that each person maintain their own visa extensions unless it is a financial burden to do so.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Again, it's not a good assumption that the "majority" of foreign women living here with their foreign husbands who want to return to their home country. I know many retired women here on their own. I know of one couple where the wife was too ill herself to travel when her husband died. As for me, I'll probably have Hubby burned here, save the ashes and return to the U.S. for a burial ceremony during a good time of year. This what my stepmom did with my Dad's passing -- it was a very pleasant family gathering during a lovely time of year and we all had time to save money with travel costs because she set the date for several months after Dad's passing.

I stand by my original recommendation that each person maintain their own visa extensions unless it is a financial burden to do so.

Two very good posts from Nancy there.

@ Ubonjoe

I've noticed that CM is a bit of a Mecca for the single foreign female (young and old).

If they enjoyed it here with their husband, I can't see any reason why they can't enjoy it here on their own.

[euphony]

"Also, there's nothing wrong with a wife being the primary visa/extension and the husband being considered as the dependent, if a couple must use this method. In fact, in makes sense, especially if the wife is much younger than her husband and thus more likely to outlive her husband. Also makes sense if the wife is the one who does the "running around" taking care of errands, paying bills and keeping paperwork in order."

I'm glad I stumbled across this forum and read this as I wasn't 100% sure about it.

The situation for me and my wife is slightly different in that she is 50 and I am 39. We are going to be moving to Hau Hin very soon, so were just looking at all the ins and outs of it as my wife desperately wants to move over (I do too, but my wife can't wait another 11 years!).

I guess it might look odd that she is the primary visa/extension and is older, but I assume there's actually nothing wrong with that they can argue with?

Chris

[ubonjoe]

No problem.

Both of you should get single entry non-o visas. Your wife then gets extension for retirement and you as her dependent.

[euphony]

Thank you very much for the confirmation

All the best

Chris