Retirement Visa Considerations

[Robroona]

Hi everybody.

I am about to retire after living here for about 9 years and working offshore. Up now i have managed to get by with a few non immigrant visas and my schedule is 28 days on, same off so Iwas a " tourist" for much of the time.

My pensions do not kick in for a couple of years yet, but I have income from property rentals in UK. It probably amounts to around 120,000 baht per month. Is this income able to be shown as one of the criteria for retirement income? Are bank statements (UK) proof of income, or do I need a letter from the embassy?

I would prefer not to go the 800,000 baht in the bank route at this time.

What is the procedure for getting a retirement visa?

Thanks in advance

[Lite Beer]

It would be whatever the Uk Embassy accepted.

They probably will accept that.

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 1 year at a time.

(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

[moe666]

You will need the letter from your Embassy or could get a Non O-A visa in the Uk showing bank statements of money there of at least 800,000baht.

[GuyDow]

The UK consulate are fairly flexible on what they accept as income. If you have bank statements and, ideally, some supporting documentation from agents or tenants they are likely to give you an income letter. At least that has always been my experience.

If you want to be completely sure you can email them and ask. They usually reply to emails in 2 or 3 days and have always been clear in their replies to me.

Of course, the cost of the income letter is another issue but on this one you are entirely in their hands.

[ubonjoe]

If you are still working outside the country you can show proof of that income to get an income letter from the embassy.

[Billmont]

I obtain my annual extension this way each year. I get a letter from my solicitor giving breif details of the leases and the rental income. I present this letter to the British Embassy by post and they issue the required letter for immigration. works fine. I do carry hard copies of the leases just in case but have not been asked to show them by either the Embassy or the Immigration.

[OJAS]

If you are still working outside the country you can show proof of that income to get an income letter from the embassy.

Presumably the letter would need to be issued by the embassy of the offshore country from which his income is derived rather than the British Embassy, would it not?

If so, he would need a separate letter from the British Embassy in respect of his UK-generated rental income - for which, I can confirm on the basis of personal experience, copies of current tenancy agreements should prove adequate supporting evidence.

[ubonjoe]

If you are still working outside the country you can show proof of that income to get an income letter from the embassy.

Presumably the letter would need to be issued by the embassy of the offshore country from which his income is derived rather than the British Embassy, would it not?

If so, he would need a separate letter from the British Embassy in respect of his UK-generated rental income - for which, I can confirm on the basis of personal experience, copies of current tenancy agreements should prove adequate supporting evidence.

Why would it have to be done by the other embassy? Anyway I am sure they would not do it.

The UK embassy is merely confirming the income of one of their citizens it does not matter where the income originates.

[Artisi]

I found the easiest way was to stick Bht 800,000 in a term deposit with a Thai bank, makes getting and renewing your extension every year a piece of cake. Only requires a standard letter from the bank showing the amount deposited, together with a statement showing the amount has been there for at least 3 months.