I have seen advertised where all you need is to be over 50 and have a valid passport with at least 6 months before expiry date. I know of 4 people who take advantage of this were the cost is about ฿15000/application,

I know of offices in Pattaya and in Udon Thani,

Apparently the office arranges the required ฿ 800000 to be deposited in a bank account they open for you and all is taken care of and next day you get your passport with a 12 month retirement visa renewable each year.

I have a long term marriage visa but I would like to have the flexibility of a retirement visa in case of unforeseen circumstances, but this seems a bit dodgy to me,as I know the rules

I answered an ad and was contacted by a man with a north country English accent who assured me this was all quite legal,

I would welcome your thoughts on this.

regards Dave

How can it be legal when it is not your money-the 800,000 baht-plus its supposed to have been "seasoned" in your account for 2/3 months before?

p.s. if you really want to go this way the going rate is 12,000 baht-your being ripped off at 15,000

One of my friend get it done in Pattaya with the same rate. Same deal.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The general consensus here over the years is that these schemes are NOT legal. However, they are widespread. So there is implied risk for people who go that route. In case of any kind of "crackdown" logic says the foreigners who used the services could be targets as well. Good luck.

It is not legal if they provide 800,000 baht with the accompany paperwork showing that the money has been seasoned. That would be a serious criminal offence.

It can be legal if you provide an embassy letter stating a yearly income which is lower than 800,000 per year and they provide the rest. After all you can apply based on yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 baht. And in that case money does not need to be seasoned.

"You maybe questioned why do you change from spouse visa to retirement as it seems to be nonsense for them."

On the contrary.

Immigration will applaud the change. Less work for them, and it can be approved right away.

Some offices have been known to actively encourage people to change.

It wouldn't surprise me if in the near future the Army started looking into the practice the OP described.

It may be possible, but it is illegal.

it can only be done with the help of someone corrupt in immigration who provides the correct paperwork.

Now, you may get away with it, but you then have some serious problems.

For one, thing, you are then open to blackmail. The company you used, the person who provided the illegal paperwork, and everyone else in on the scam can blackmail you because the extension is illegal and they know it.

If they turn you in the Thai company that helped you get the illegal extension will not be charged.

They can shake you down for money because it is YOU who have an illegal stamp in your passport.

YOU can lose your money and YOU will be expelled from Thailand.

it is YOU who needed that visa, the Thais don't.

Once they have your money, it is YOU who are responsible for the illegal visa/stamp that is in YOUR passport.

YOU are the one that, if they need to, they can blackmail and /or throw out of the country if they need to.

Once you have committed that illegal activity they can shake you down as long as they want to or you will be out of the country.

If push comes to shove it is YOU not them who will be regarded as the criminal.

The whole thing is what is known as a "suckers bet" ...... because by doing it you gain little, but you can lose a lot.

It's a stupid thing to do.

Removed some off-topic posts and the replies to them.

I briefly considered this option then decided to do it by the letter of the law - I just dont want any issues with Immigration down the line

...

The whole thing is what is known as a "suckers bet" ...... because by doing it you gain little, but you can lose a lot.

It's a stupid thing to do.

Not sure you lose a lot. More like you RISK a lot.

There is no such thing as a 'retirement visa'.

A visa cannot be issued inside Thailand.

Anything that does not adhere to the financial stipulations in the relevant Police Order is illegal.

There is no such thing as a 'retirement visa'.

A visa cannot be issued inside Thailand.

Anything that does not adhere to the financial stipulations in the relevant Police Order is illegal.

Correct except a 90 day O visa (used as a base for retirement extensions NOT entry) can indeed be issued in Thailand at some immigration offices.

Also it is somewhat customary to refer to O-A visas as retirement visas (issued home countries).

There is no such thing as a 'retirement visa'.

A visa cannot be issued inside Thailand.

Anything that does not adhere to the financial stipulations in the relevant Police Order is illegal.

Correct except a 90 day O visa (used as a base for retirement extensions NOT entry) can indeed be issued in Thailand at some immigration offices.

Also it is somewhat customary to refer to O-A visas as retirement visas (issued home countries).

Guys, after my trip to Jomtien last Thursday, I have two stamps:

1, A 'Non-Immigrant Visa' dated 3 July 2014 and overlaid with the square 'USED' stamp per the stamp on our Tourist visas when we re-enter Thailand. Most of it is in Thai and it also features the Thai year notation ie 2557 as well as 2014

2. A 'Retirement' stamp with the written notation 'Non-O' above the first 90-day section entitling me to remain in the kingdom until 30 Sep 2014. My bank deposit will be seasoned by early Sept so that gives me plenty of time.

My stamps are slightly different to this but its the same arrangement:

http://www.phuketvisa.com/images/1200833054/1%20y%20b%20p30256.jpg

When I fly out in a couple of months, I'm hoping to get a 'proper' multi-entry Non-O like this:

http://retiringinthailand.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Alan-Non-O-Multiple-Entry-Visa-July-2013-450.png

Better yet, if I return to Oz I can get the fabled O-A visa:

http://www.wpcoe.com/images/visa1.jpg

On balance, I'm considering biting the bullet and flying all the way back to Oz, as tedious - and relatively expensive - as that may be, but I'll see how the August 12 changes pan out first. Right now I'm just happy to be over the first couple of hurdles.

There is no such thing as a 'retirement visa'.

A visa cannot be issued inside Thailand.

Anything that does not adhere to the financial stipulations in the relevant Police Order is illegal.

Correct except a 90 day O visa (used as a base for retirement extensions NOT entry) can indeed be issued in Thailand at some immigration offices.

Also it is somewhat customary to refer to O-A visas as retirement visas (issued home countries).

Guys, after my trip to Jomtien last Thursday, I have two stamps:

1, A 'Non-Immigrant Visa' dated 3 July 2014 and overlaid with the square 'USED' stamp per the stamp on our Tourist visas when we re-enter Thailand. Most of it is in Thai and it also features the Thai year notation ie 2557 as well as 2014

2. A 'Retirement' stamp with the written notation 'Non-O' above the first 90-day section entitling me to remain in the kingdom until 30 Sep 2014. My bank deposit will be seasoned by early Sept so that gives me plenty of time.

My stamps are slightly different to this but its the same arrangement:

http://www.phuketvisa.com/images/1200833054/1%20y%20b%20p30256.jpg

When I fly out in a couple of months, I'm hoping to get a 'proper' multi-entry Non-O like this:

http://retiringinthailand.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Alan-Non-O-Multiple-Entry-Visa-July-2013-450.png

Better yet, if I return to Oz I can get the fabled O-A visa:

http://www.wpcoe.com/images/visa1.jpg

On balance, I'm considering biting the bullet and flying all the way back to Oz, as tedious - and relatively expensive - as that may be, but I'll see how the August 12 changes pan out first. Right now I'm just happy to be over the first couple of hurdles.

No need for a trip back to Oz for an OA visa in your case. All you need do is trot along to Jomtien again in early Sept with completed TM7 + balance confirmation letter from your bank. All being well, your stay will then be extended until 30 Sept 2015.

There is no such thing as a 'retirement visa'.

A visa cannot be issued inside Thailand.

Anything that does not adhere to the financial stipulations in the relevant Police Order is illegal.

Correct except a 90 day O visa (used as a base for retirement extensions NOT entry) can indeed be issued in Thailand at some immigration offices.

Also it is somewhat customary to refer to O-A visas as retirement visas (issued home countries).

Guys, after my trip to Jomtien last Thursday, I have two stamps:

1, A 'Non-Immigrant Visa' dated 3 July 2014 and overlaid with the square 'USED' stamp per the stamp on our Tourist visas when we re-enter Thailand. Most of it is in Thai and it also features the Thai year notation ie 2557 as well as 2014

2. A 'Retirement' stamp with the written notation 'Non-O' above the first 90-day section entitling me to remain in the kingdom until 30 Sep 2014. My bank deposit will be seasoned by early Sept so that gives me plenty of time.

My stamps are slightly different to this but its the same arrangement:

http://www.phuketvisa.com/images/1200833054/1%20y%20b%20p30256.jpg

When I fly out in a couple of months, I'm hoping to get a 'proper' multi-entry Non-O like this:

http://retiringinthailand.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Alan-Non-O-Multiple-Entry-Visa-July-2013-450.png

Better yet, if I return to Oz I can get the fabled O-A visa:

http://www.wpcoe.com/images/visa1.jpg

On balance, I'm considering biting the bullet and flying all the way back to Oz, as tedious - and relatively expensive - as that may be, but I'll see how the August 12 changes pan out first. Right now I'm just happy to be over the first couple of hurdles.

I think you need to look at your stamps again. Since you paid 3900 baht I think you also have a extension of stay stamp valid until September 2015.

How long has your money been tn the bank. I think it was 60 days or more.

I agree. It certainly sounds like he did the two step process:

1. Conversion to O visa

2. Annual extension of stay based on retirement (this the "Retirement" on the second obtained stamp)

For entry permit or permits for the year's stay, apply for them separately at the same immigration office.

It would be massively unusual to go for an O-A now. This sounds already sorted.

To be 100 percent certain, post pictures of YOUR stamps.

@ubonjoe, sorry for the confusion but my money has really only been in the bank (the full balance) since July 2 - have a couple of months left before I meet the seasoning requirement. I did start making transfers a couple of weeks back but I've been very cautious - still don't entirely trust the SWIFT process and I had plenty of time up my sleeve.

@jingthing I don't have a scanner but I'm considering dashing down to Big C Extra this afternoon and getting one. Photos are a pain in the butt - much easier to scan the stamps and I can keep timestamped copies for myself. I guess we've strayed somewhat off-topic but I do need to sort this if it will allow me to avoid a plane flight to Oz - apologies to the OP.

I guess we've strayed somewhat off-topic but I do need to sort this if it will allow me to avoid a plane flight to Oz - apologies to the OP.

No need to leave the country, unless you want to for other reasons. Just sit tight and as mentioned above, some time in early September (the final 30 days of your current 90-day period) return to Immigrations with a letter from the bank, a new TM.7 application and B1900 to get the final one-year extension valid until 30-September-2015.

(If you do decide to leave the country before 30-September-2014, be sure to get a re-entry permit and return by mid-September if you want to continue with the current attempt for a retirement extension.)

OK - thanks.

It is not legal if they provide 800,000 baht with the accompany paperwork showing that the money has been seasoned. That would be a serious criminal offence.

It can be legal if you provide an embassy letter stating a yearly income which is lower than 800,000 per year and they provide the rest. After all you can apply based on yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 baht. And in that case money does not need to be seasoned.

Is this correct? So if you have an annual income of say 32,500 a month and 400,000 in the bank the 400,000 does not need to be seasoned? Or any combination thereof.

It is not legal if they provide 800,000 baht with the accompany paperwork showing that the money has been seasoned. That would be a serious criminal offence.

It can be legal if you provide an embassy letter stating a yearly income which is lower than 800,000 per year and they provide the rest. After all you can apply based on yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 baht. And in that case money does not need to be seasoned.

Is this correct? So if you have an annual income of say 32,500 a month and 400,000 in the bank the 400,000 does not need to be seasoned? Or any combination thereof.

That is correct according to the rules.

But there are some offices that do not go by the rules and require the seasoning.

It is not legal if they provide 800,000 baht with the accompany paperwork showing that the money has been seasoned. That would be a serious criminal offence.

It can be legal if you provide an embassy letter stating a yearly income which is lower than 800,000 per year and they provide the rest. After all you can apply based on yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 baht. And in that case money does not need to be seasoned.

Is this correct? So if you have an annual income of say 32,500 a month and 400,000 in the bank the 400,000 does not need to be seasoned? Or any combination thereof.

That is correct according to the rules.

But there are some offices that do not go by the rules and require the seasoning.

I've got this information by hand when I took my husband to change fromTourist visa to retirement after we married.

It mentioned, 5 or 6 or the combination of 5&6.

Hope this may help.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It is not legal if they provide 800,000 baht with the accompany paperwork showing that the money has been seasoned. That would be a serious criminal offence.

It can be legal if you provide an embassy letter stating a yearly income which is lower than 800,000 per year and they provide the rest. After all you can apply based on yearly income plus money in the bank totaling 800,000 baht. And in that case money does not need to be seasoned.

Is this correct? So if you have an annual income of say 32,500 a month and 400,000 in the bank the 400,000 does not need to be seasoned? Or any combination thereof.

32,500 Baht income and 400,000 Baht in the bank won't qualify you for an extension, as stated you need a total of 800,000 Baht.

I very much doubt that using the combination option makes it legal for the visa company to provide the bank deposit, after all it has to be your money. That's why a joint account with your wife is (generally) not accepted. But I agree that falsifying documents to show proper seasoning is a more serious offence than someone else providing the funds.

Sophon

I guess we've strayed somewhat off-topic but I do need to sort this if it will allow me to avoid a plane flight to Oz - apologies to the OP.

No need to leave the country, unless you want to for other reasons. Just sit tight and as mentioned above, some time in early September (the final 30 days of your current 90-day period) return to Immigrations with a letter from the bank, a new TM.7 application and B1900 to get the final one-year extension valid until 30-September-2015.

(If you do decide to leave the country before 30-September-2014, be sure to get a re-entry permit and return by mid-September if you want to continue with the current attempt for a retirement extension.)

Hopefully it will all be clearer after August 12 - its good to have some breathing room.

I guess we've strayed somewhat off-topic but I do need to sort this if it will allow me to avoid a plane flight to Oz - apologies to the OP.

No need to leave the country, unless you want to for other reasons. Just sit tight and as mentioned above, some time in early September (the final 30 days of your current 90-day period) return to Immigrations with a letter from the bank, a new TM.7 application and B1900 to get the final one-year extension valid until 30-September-2015.

(If you do decide to leave the country before 30-September-2014, be sure to get a re-entry permit and return by mid-September if you want to continue with the current attempt for a retirement extension.)

Hopefully it will all be clearer after August 12 - its good to have some breathing room.

You have lots of breathing room Looking at the stamps on the left page of your passport you have an extension of stay until 30 September 2015 which I suspected from your other posts about the fee and forms you supplied when you got your visa entry.

The only thing you have to do now for over a year now is get a re-entry permit if you want to travel and do a 90 day report on the the 30th of September.

Thanks ubonjoe but frankly I'm too scared to leave the country before August 12

Thanks ubonjoe but frankly I'm too scared to leave the country before August 12

Why would you be scared to leave the country if you have a re-entry permit valid until Sept. 30 2015. They certainly are not going to be any changes for those on an extension of stay based upon retirement.

You missed the point I was making. You got an extension of stay not just a 90 day visa entry.

No problem - its all good.