Non-immigrant visa with work permit to extension of stay based on retirement

[BangkokHank]

I have been working in Thailand for the past two years, staying in the country on a non-immigrant visa and a work permit.  I just quit my job last Thursday and would like to remain in Thailand on the basis of retirement.  Is it possible to convert my stay from the non-immigrant visa on a work permit to a stay based on retirement without leaving the country?  Or will I have to leave the country and return on a new visa - which I will then need to convert to a stay based on retirement?  If the latter, will I be able to enter on a tourist visa?  (My nationality does not grant me the 30 days stay on arrival, nor do I qualify for a visa on arrival.  So I would need to get a visa in Ho Chi Minh City, which I will visit before returning to Thailand.)  Since I will need to go to the Thai consulate in HCMC for a visa anyway, which visa should I get given my intention to remain in Thailand on the basis of retirement?   In order to procure the proper visa, what would I need to bring with me?  Should I bring my bank book to show them that I have the necessary funds in my account to qualify for a retirement visa?  Is there anything else I should do to ensure that this all goes off without a hitch?

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

[ubonjoe]

Do you have a visa from an embassy or consulate or have you gotten an extension of stay from immigration based up working.

You can get an extension of stay based upon retirement with either one and there will be no need to go out for a new visa.

If on a extension of stay you wold need a letter from your employer stating you are no longer working to give to immigration. Immigration will cancel your extension and you would then apply for the extension based upon retirement. You will need to meet the financial requirements to get the extension. They are 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or proof of income of 65k baht or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

If you have a multiple entry visa you can apply for the extension based upon retirement during the last 30 days of any of your 90 day entries.

 

[BangkokHank]

Do you have a visa from an embassy or consulate or have you gotten an extension of stay from immigration based up working.

 

 

Well, both:  I got my original non-immigrant B visa from the Thai consulate in Vientiane, then last year my stay was extended based on my work permit.

 

So if I understand you correctly, I'll need to get a letter from my former employer stating that I am no longer employed with them.  Then I should go to the Immigration office with that letter and all of the documents that one needs for the extension of stay based on retirement, including the proof of having 800,000 baht in a bank account.  Is that correct?

[ubonjoe]

Correct

The letter from your employer will needs to state your last day of employment is on or shortly after the date you go to immigration. Your extension ends on the date your job ends.

The letter from the bank will confirm your balance and copies of your bank book will confirm it has been in the bank for at least 60 days.

[BangkokHank]

Thanks very very much, Joe.  I'll try it.

[BangkokHank]

A question regarding the bank letter:  Does it have to be issued on the day that I will go to Immigration (which is kind of hard to do), or can it be from the day before?  Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You can get it the day before. But you will need an update of your bank book on the date you go to immigration. Some people just make a small deposit in order to get the update.

[SLW]

Correct

The letter from your employer will needs to state your last day of employment is on or shortly after the date you go to immigration. Your extension ends on the date your job ends.

The letter from the bank will confirm your balance and copies of your bank book will confirm it has been in the bank for at least 60 days.

 

 

I have a friend who's last day of work is today,  He has a Non-B visa with a work permit and extension of stay base on working.  He has a letter from his employer already, can he then go to immigration and convert an extension of stay based on retirement?  He meets all of the requirements. 

 

Can this be done at the immigration center on Suksuwat Rd in Major Hollywood?

 

 I think that immigration is closed on May 1st for Labor day and the 5th for Coronation Day, but are they open Friday the 2nd.  Also, is there any type of "grace period" after the termination of work, or will he be in the country on an overstay?  Would that mean he has to leave the country and apply for a Non-O visa?

[ubonjoe]

 

Correct

The letter from your employer will needs to state your last day of employment is on or shortly after the date you go to immigration. Your extension ends on the date your job ends.

The letter from the bank will confirm your balance and copies of your bank book will confirm it has been in the bank for at least 60 days.

 

 

I have a friend who's last day of work will be this Friday, May 2nd.  He has a Non-B visa with a work permit and extension of stay base on working.  If he can get the letter from his employer today, can he then go to immigration tomorrow to convert an extension of stay based on retirement?  He meets all of the requirements.

 

Can this be done at the immigration center on Suksuwat Rd in Major Hollywood?

 

He could do it. He would need to meet the financial proof.

It can be done at Suksawat. 

[cassde]

A question for UbonJoe - I am currently on a one year extension based on retirement, but a UK company have asked me if I could represent them at meetings with Thai companies and sometimes attend Trade shows and exhibitions, and will be paid for the work using my UK account and paying tax in the UK. I know I will need a Work Permit to do this. Before agreeing I need to know if it is possible and what paperwork will I need and where do I apply - I reside in Bangna, Bangkok.