US Citizen applying for Retirement Visa for the First Time

[Nolster]

Nolster, the problem with trying to come to Thailand without a visa isn't that Thai Immigration is going to stop you, but the airline may refuse to board you in the U.S. if they see you don't have a visa in your passport or evidence of onward travel. Doesn't have to be a return ticket -- just evidence that you're leaving Thailand within 30 days. Some people get around this by booking a cheapie ticket they have no intention of using. Some just allow a lot of time for flight check-in and hope their airline doesn't care. If they do, then they have time to buy a cheap ticket to somewhere at the airport. Frankly, it's a stupid "rule", because many people exit Thailand overland, using tickets they buy in Thailand.

If it were me, knowing what I know today, I wouldn't obsess as much as Hubby and I did when we retired here in 2008. We'd just book the airline tickets and make an appointment at the U.S. Consulate and go the route previously described to convert visa-exempt entry into an O visa and then a retirement extension. We had way to much drama trying to get an O-A visa at a time when we were selling our home and business and getting rid of our stuff in the U.S. (In the end, the Chicago Consulate gave Hubby an O-A and me a multi-entry 12-month O as his wife, even though I fully qualified for my own O-A, grrr!)

NancyL,

Thanks for your advice. Booking a separate onward ticket makes sense. I am actually visiting CM again next month (June 2014) to get to know Chiang Mai better. I actually plan to move long term at the end of the year.

Thanks!!!

[Nolster]

The info on the website would be correct if you had a single entry OA visa. But all OA visas are now issued as multiple entry visas. You would not need to get a re-entry permit until the visa experiences which will be one year from the date of issue.

If you read my post at #2 on this topic you will see the difference between the OA and the extension of stay.

The biggest difference that if you are using the money in the bank option you can leave it a Thai bank which is not a concern for you since you can use the income method. Plus there is no need for the medical and police certificate.

I suggest you get a single entry non-o visa from the honorary Thai consulate in Houston for your next trip.. It is downtown in the Chase tower (was Texas commerce bank building). See the link I posted earlier for honorary consulates for contact info. A single entry non-o would give you a 90 day entry and no need for a return ticket. Cost is $80.

I live in New Orleans but I end up entering the US through different airports since there aren't any direct flights from abroad, except to/from Mexico, Central America etc. Luckily there is an Honorary Consulate in New Orleans for Thailand. They do give tourist visas but they were not too familiar with the 'Retirement Visa' process, which as I understand now would be to get a 'retirement extension' in Thailand.

I really appreciate everyone's interest and input. May be someone should write and update all the issues and procedures for this topic as I am sure that many US citizens are looking into retiring in Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

You ask for a non immigrant O visa for being over 50. It is not a retirement visa. In reality a retirement visa dose not exist.

[KonaRain]

As UbonJoe said earlier.. 800,000 baht total..

I was trying to remember...

from Siam legal..

"Qualifications

Applicant must be 50 years of age or over

Must meet the financial requirements

Security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account for 2 months prior to the visa application.

Monthly income or pension of at least THB 65,000. An affidavit from the foreign embassy or consulate has to be obtained as proof of the income.

Combination of the Thai bank account and yearly income with the total of 800,000 THB.

Supporting documents as proof of the security deposit in a Thai bank are as follows:

Updated bank book or passbook

Bank letter stating that the money had been deposited to the account from an oversea source for not less than 2 months.

Other documents that may be required to be presented:*

Police Clearance

Medical Certificate

* These are not usually required if the visa application is submitted inside Thailand, though there are rare cases, however, when an official from the Thai embassy or consulate may ask for them before issuance of the visa."

I had to click on retirement visa.. Joe's gotta be right though..

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

Info posted is wrong which normal for info found on a commercial website.

Money does not have to come from abroad for an extension of stay.

The 60 day is for the first extension only, After that it is 3 months.

No police certificate or medical certificate is required ever.

[ovenman]

Info posted is wrong which normal for info found on a commercial website.

Money does not have to come from abroad for an extension of stay.

The 60 day is for the first extension only, After that it is 3 months.

No police certificate or medical certificate is required ever.

What about the need to show a lease, rental agreement or such. I've read some reports of needing that from time to time. Is that an unpublished general requirement or just a localized thing?

[ubonjoe]

At many offices a rental/lease agreement is needed for proof of residence. But some offices such as Bangkok do not ask for it.

[ovenman]

At many offices a rental/lease agreement is needed for proof of residence. But some offices such as Bangkok do not ask for it.

Noted, thanks. Will check this with Chiang Mai immigrations.

[Nolster]

At many offices a rental/lease agreement is needed for proof of residence. But some offices such as Bangkok do not ask for it.

Noted, thanks. Will check this with Chiang Mai immigrations.

I sure would like to know too.

[sumtingwong]

I traveled to Bangkok getting a 30 day tourist visa at the airport. Then got the income form notarized at the IS embassy in Bangkok. And then went out to the Thai government offices and filled out the retirement visa form. Paid the fee and had my visa. Very simple, no need for a lawyer, a bank account, medical report or police report. The major problem right now would be the protesters out at the Thai government buildings.

[KonaRain]

Thanks guys..and uber Joe..I have a friend that could go permanent (visa). I know You have to report like my friend, Dr.Kandis, but what else?

Aloha always!

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

I traveled to Bangkok getting a 30 day tourist visa at the airport. Then got the income form notarized at the IS embassy in Bangkok. And then went out to the Thai government offices and filled out the retirement visa form. Paid the fee and had my visa. Very simple, no need for a lawyer, a bank account, medical report or police report. The major problem right now would be the protesters out at the Thai government buildings.

You did not get a tourist visa at the airport you get a 30 day visa exempt entry.

You did not apply for retirement visa you filled out a TM87 form to apply for a non immigrant visa entry based upon being qualified to to obtain an extension of stay based upon retirement.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry you obtained you applied for an extension of stay based upon retirement.

[KonaRain]

I did the same 30, day..was the 60, days I received on a visa run a tourist visa?

It did say employment prohibited..

ThankYou..

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[JimboPNP]

Is it possible to obtain a retirement visa in one visit to Bangkok Immigration - assuming all my papers are in order?

[ubonjoe]

Is it possible to obtain a retirement visa in one visit to Bangkok Immigration - assuming all my papers are in order?

You do not get a retirement visa here.

If you already have a non-o visa you can apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement in one trip to immigration.

If you don't have a visa you can apply for a non immigrant visa entry based upon qualifying for a retirement extension. It will take two trips to get the visa done. Then after 60 days you can apply for the extension of stay.