I'm thinking of applying for a retirement visa at the Thai consulate in HK.

Can I do this with a US passport? On consulate site, under eligibiity, it says you must have "the nationality or permanent residence of the country where applicant's application is submitted." That seems to mean you can only apply in your home country?

Actually I also hold a HK passport, but I thought a US passport would afford better consular protection and services in Thailand, if needed.

And for statement of no criminal record, how do you get that if you are not in US?

And is it correct that you need the 800,000 baht balance in a bank in the country where you apply (in this case, HK), not in Thailand, and then when you want to extend the visa after the one year, that amount must then be in a bank in Thailand?

If anyone has done this in HK, pls let me know.

Thank you for advice.

Why not just get a single entry non immigrant O visa and then during last 45 days of your 90 day entry in Thailand extend your stay for a year at cost of 1,900 baht and proof of financials here in Thailand for previous 60 days? No police report or medical and even if Consulate will not provide that O visa you can enter visa exempt or with a tourist visa and covert at Bangkok Immigration to O visa 90 day entry for 2,000 baht fee and proof of money in Thailand (not amount of time required).

If you want you can do as you plan using HK passport but not sure they would want to provide using your US passport. Money will need to be in Thailand for later extensions of stay.

You apparently are writing about getting a OA visa for retirement. You will have to use your HK nationality/passport to get it there.

The visa will be a multiple entry that gives one year entries for a year. You can get almost two years of stay by doing an entry just before the visa expires and then getting a re-entry permit at immigration if you wish to travel.

You should check with the consulate about showing funds from outside of HK. You can also use an income 65k baht.

I don't know about getting a criminal background check for Hong Kong.

You could for an extension of stay at immigration here by putting money in the bank or proving income by way an income letter from the embassy.

I originally received my OA visa from HK Consulate.

HK is a bit strange and the requirement is as follows:

1. Nothing to do with what passport you are holding but you must have a Permanent HK ID Card, i.e. have the right of abode clearly stated on your ID card.

2. Providing you meet that criteria you can go to the consulate and get the application forms, plus a form to take to your local doctor to sign, stating you do not have various unpleasant diseases or addictions.

3. When you return with the medical form duly signed and stamped, plus your bank statements etc proving at least THB800,00 and any property ownerships is also useful. They take the view the more you have the more they like you.

4. They will then give you a letter a few days later to take to the HK Police HQ in Wanchai, where you will pay for a criminal record check to be sent to embassy.

Process takes about 2 months minimum as HK Police are a bit slow.

The HK Thai consulate is not the most friendly of places, so dress a bit smart, smile a lot and everything should work out.

I originally received my OA visa from HK Consulate.

HK is a bit strange and the requirement is as follows:

1. Nothing to do with what passport you are holding but you must have a Permanent HK ID Card, i.e. have the right of abode clearly stated on your ID card.

2. Providing you meet that criteria you can go to the consulate and get the application forms, plus a form to take to your local doctor to sign, stating you do not have various unpleasant diseases or addictions.

3. When you return with the medical form duly signed and stamped, plus your bank statements etc proving at least THB800,00 and any property ownerships is also useful. They take the view the more you have the more they like you.

4. They will then give you a letter a few days later to take to the HK Police HQ in Wanchai, where you will pay for a criminal record check to be sent to embassy.

Process takes about 2 months minimum as HK Police are a bit slow.

The HK Thai consulate is not the most friendly of places, so dress a bit smart, smile a lot and everything should work out.

Thank you for replying. Are those steps written down somewhere or you learned by doing? How recently was this? I have a HK permanent ID card, so may do this with my US passport.

Did consulate provide a form for the bank declaration? If not, could you tell me precisely what form I should request from the bank (mine's HSBC)?

I appreciate your help.

I originally received my OA visa from HK Consulate.

HK is a bit strange and the requirement is as follows:

1. Nothing to do with what passport you are holding but you must have a Permanent HK ID Card, i.e. have the right of abode clearly stated on your ID card.

2. Providing you meet that criteria you can go to the consulate and get the application forms, plus a form to take to your local doctor to sign, stating you do not have various unpleasant diseases or addictions.

3. When you return with the medical form duly signed and stamped, plus your bank statements etc proving at least THB800,00 and any property ownerships is also useful. They take the view the more you have the more they like you.

4. They will then give you a letter a few days later to take to the HK Police HQ in Wanchai, where you will pay for a criminal record check to be sent to embassy.

Process takes about 2 months minimum as HK Police are a bit slow.

The HK Thai consulate is not the most friendly of places, so dress a bit smart, smile a lot and everything should work out.

Also wondering, re the criminal background check. Though I have HK permanent ID, I have spent much more time in the US and in Southeast Asia than I have in HK. I guess you may be in similar situation since it seems you also have HK ID but foreign passport. Does the HK Police HQ record check apply only to local record, or is it all linked and encompasses worldwide record? I don't have any criminal record anywhere. I only wonder, if I apply for retirement visa with US passport, would I need to provide US record check as well. Thank you.

The steps I learned by doing. It was four years ago, as far as I know it has not changed.

Yes you can use your US passport, as I stated the key factor is you have a HK Permanent ID card.

They didn't request any form from bank, just show original and photo copies of bank statements, and I gave them a letter or reference from my bank manager, stating how long I have had the a/c and I execute my banking in a proper way. But they didn't specifically request this.

As I said previously try to show more than the minimum requirement if you can, plus if you have any condo ownership in Bangkok you can show them this also.

They take the view you are a HK Permanent resident therefore they only check with HK Police. They cannot check anywhere else.

When you get the letter for the HK Police, you can make appointment online to attend Wanchai Police HQ. They accept Octopus or EPS for payment, which was about HKD200, but you can check the fee online also.

There is info on consulate website here: http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/web/3015.php?s=4264

Link at top of page will give application form, medical certificate and the personal data form needed.

Info about the length of stay is incorrect. It gives info for a single entry visa but you will get a multiple entry visa. Price of 1500 HKD shown is for a multiple entry visa.

Here is the link to the HK Police website giving the information for criminal record check, and you can download the form also here, to accompany the letter from the Thai consulate:

http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/cert_no_crime.html

There is info on consulate website here: http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/web/3015.php?s=4264

Link at top of page will give application form, medical certificate and the personal data form needed.

Info about the length of stay is incorrect. It gives info for a single entry visa but you will get a multiple entry visa. Price of 1500 HKD shown is for a multiple entry visa.

The incorrect part -- do you mean where they say that after arriving in Thailand, if you wish to travel abroad, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit?

If I am getting a multiple re-entry visa for the HK $1,500, I can already travel in and out as many times as I want during the one-year period without any extra permits, correct?

During the year, would there be any additional costs beyond the $1,500? There is no cost involved in the every-90-days report, correct?

Thanks very much.

Why not just get a single entry non immigrant O visa and then during last 45 days of your 90 day entry in Thailand extend your stay for a year at cost of 1,900 baht and proof of financials here in Thailand for previous 60 days? No police report or medical and even if Consulate will not provide that O visa you can enter visa exempt or with a tourist visa and covert at Bangkok Immigration to O visa 90 day entry for 2,000 baht fee and proof of money in Thailand (not amount of time required).

If you want you can do as you plan using HK passport but not sure they would want to provide using your US passport. Money will need to be in Thailand for later extensions of stay.

That would be simpler and cheaper -- but the Thai consulate website does not show a non-immigrant "O" visa, only a "O-A," which is the retirement visa one would apply for before arriving in Thailand. Am I missing something?

Also, in case of applying for retirement visa abroad, the 800,000 baht would only need to be in a bank abroad, whereas in case of applying in Thailand, I'd have to transfer the amount to a Thai bank, correct? And in latter case, would I have to maintain the 800,000 balance for the entire visa period or could I use it?

Thanks very much.

If using 800k for extension within Thailand it needs to be in account 2 months prior to first application and 3 months for subsequent yearly extensions. You can use the money at other times. You can obtain O visa from some Consulates for retirement entry but not at others ("O" means other reasons). But as said that visa entry can actually be obtained inside Thailand if required. Was not clear you did not have funds in Thailand as you asked if you would require in HK (guess you mean can keep in HK) for the O-A visa.

There is info on consulate website here: http://www.thai-consulate.org.hk/web/3015.php?s=4264

Link at top of page will give application form, medical certificate and the personal data form needed.

Info about the length of stay is incorrect. It gives info for a single entry visa but you will get a multiple entry visa. Price of 1500 HKD shown is for a multiple entry visa.

The incorrect part -- do you mean where they say that after arriving in Thailand, if you wish to travel abroad, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit?

If I am getting a multiple re-entry visa for the HK $1,500, I can already travel in and out as many times as I want during the one-year period without any extra permits, correct?

During the year, would there be any additional costs beyond the $1,500? There is no cost involved in the every-90-days report, correct?

Thanks very much.

Correct you will be able leave and re-enter the country for a year without needing a re-entry permit since it will be a multiple entry visa. After your visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the permit to stay you get from you last entry valid.

There no fees for reports of staying in the country longer than 90 days in the country.

I originally received my OA visa from HK Consulate.

HK is a bit strange and the requirement is as follows:

1. Nothing to do with what passport you are holding but you must have a Permanent HK ID Card, i.e. have the right of abode clearly stated on your ID card.

2. Providing you meet that criteria you can go to the consulate and get the application forms, plus a form to take to your local doctor to sign, stating you do not have various unpleasant diseases or addictions.

3. When you return with the medical form duly signed and stamped, plus your bank statements etc proving at least THB800,00 and any property ownerships is also useful. They take the view the more you have the more they like you.

4. They will then give you a letter a few days later to take to the HK Police HQ in Wanchai, where you will pay for a criminal record check to be sent to embassy.

Process takes about 2 months minimum as HK Police are a bit slow.

The HK Thai consulate is not the most friendly of places, so dress a bit smart, smile a lot and everything should work out.

Also wondering, re the criminal background check. Though I have HK permanent ID, I have spent much more time in the US and in Southeast Asia than I have in HK. I guess you may be in similar situation since it seems you also have HK ID but foreign passport. Does the HK Police HQ record check apply only to local record, or is it all linked and encompasses worldwide record? I don't have any criminal record anywhere. I only wonder, if I apply for retirement visa with US passport, would I need to provide US record check as well. Thank you.

"Does the HK Police HQ record check apply only to local record, or is it all linked and encompasses worldwide record?"

When I got my O-A in Dubai, the Thai Consulate was satisfied with the UAE police report, which only covered the time I had spent living in the UAE.

Why not just get a single entry non immigrant O visa and then during last 45 days of your 90 day entry in Thailand extend your stay for a year at cost of 1,900 baht and proof of financials here in Thailand for previous 60 days? No police report or medical and even if Consulate will not provide that O visa you can enter visa exempt or with a tourist visa and covert at Bangkok Immigration to O visa 90 day entry for 2,000 baht fee and proof of money in Thailand (not amount of time required).

If you want you can do as you plan using HK passport but not sure they would want to provide using your US passport. Money will need to be in Thailand for later extensions of stay.

Since the HK consulate does not provide "O" visa, may I ask where can I find documentation about arriving with tourist visa and converting to "O" in Bangkok? Is it a simple, reliable procedure? After getting the 90-day "O" visa this way, is there another conversion to the "O-A" one-year retirement visa? If so, does the total stay amount to one year, or one year and 90 days? Or do you keep extending the "O" visa every 90 days, 2,000 baht each time. And pay for re-entry permits on top of that?

And before or as soon as I arrive in Bangkok, I should put the 800,000 baht in a local bank account, since it has to be there 2 months before applying for "O" visa, correct?

I'd like to know the steps involved so I can weigh whether the cost, hassle, etc., against getting the "O-A" in HK first instead.

Thank you.

Since the HK consulate does not provide "O" visa, may I ask where can I find documentation about arriving with tourist visa and converting to "O" in Bangkok? Is it a simple, reliable procedure? After getting the 90-day "O" visa this way, is there another conversion to the "O-A" one-year retirement visa? If so, does the total stay amount to one year, or one year and 90 days? Or do you keep extending the "O" visa every 90 days, 2,000 baht each time. And pay for re-entry permits on top of that?

And before or as soon as I arrive in Bangkok, I should put the 800,000 baht in a local bank account, since it has to be there 2 months before applying for "O" visa, correct?

I'd like to know the steps involved so I can weigh whether the cost, hassle, etc., against getting the "O-A" in HK first instead.

Thank you.

If you arrive on a tourist visa you would do a change of visa status to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry (2000 baht). The 800k baht only has to be the bank when you apply for the change. You can do this at several immigration offices not just Bangkok.

Then after about 60 days after you get the visa entry and the 800k baht has been in the bank for 60 days you would apply for a one year extension of stay (1900 baht).

After you have the extension you could apply for a re-entry permit. A single costs 1000 baht and a multiple 3800 baht.

You would make reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country to immigration if you stay that long (same for OA visa).

Since the HK consulate does not provide "O" visa, may I ask where can I find documentation about arriving with tourist visa and converting to "O" in Bangkok? Is it a simple, reliable procedure? After getting the 90-day "O" visa this way, is there another conversion to the "O-A" one-year retirement visa? If so, does the total stay amount to one year, or one year and 90 days? Or do you keep extending the "O" visa every 90 days, 2,000 baht each time. And pay for re-entry permits on top of that?

And before or as soon as I arrive in Bangkok, I should put the 800,000 baht in a local bank account, since it has to be there 2 months before applying for "O" visa, correct?

I'd like to know the steps involved so I can weigh whether the cost, hassle, etc., against getting the "O-A" in HK first instead.

Thank you.

If you arrive on a tourist visa you would do a change of visa status to get a 90 day non immigrant visa entry (2000 baht). The 800k baht only has to be the bank when you apply for the change. You can do this at several immigration offices not just Bangkok.

Then after about 60 days after you get the visa entry and the 800k baht has been in the bank for 60 days you would apply for a one year extension of stay (1900 baht).

After you have the extension you could apply for a re-entry permit. A single costs 1000 baht and a multiple 3800 baht.

You would make reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country to immigration if you stay that long (same for OA visa).

If converting visa status in Bangkok, I would get total of 1 yr and 3 mos, whereas if get O-A beforehand in Hong Kong, I'd get 1 yr, correct?

If I need to go abroad after applying for change of visa status, I'd get a re-entry permit to maintain my tourist visa status?

With conversion in Bkk, I'd only need 800,000 in bank for those 2 mos -- no police or medical report or any other requirements, correct?

Typically how long between application for 1-yr ext and getting the ext?

Sounds like I pretty much have to go apply for visa conversion right after arriving in Bangkok.

Thank you again.

If converting visa status in Bangkok, I would get total of 1 yr and 3 mos, whereas if get O-A beforehand in Hong Kong, I'd get 1 yr, correct?

If I need to go abroad after applying for change of visa status, I'd get a re-entry permit to maintain my tourist visa status?

With conversion in Bkk, I'd only need 800,000 in bank for those 2 mos -- no police or medical report or any other requirements, correct?

Typically how long between application for 1-yr ext and getting the ext?

Sounds like I pretty much have to go apply for visa conversion right after arriving in Bangkok.

Thank you again.

You would get a total of 15 months from the date you apply for the change of visa status. You would also have the time from when you enter on the tourist visa until you apply. You can do it at any time during the 60 day entry up to the last 15 days which is the minimum amount needed to apply.

You can get a re-entry permit for the 90 day entry when you get it.

A OA visa will give you one year for each entry. By doing an entry just before the visa expires you can get almost 2 year from it.

If you apply for the change of visa status in Bangkok you probably will need to make 2 trips to get the visa/entry stamp. They have been telling people to come back in 2 weeks after they apply to get the visa/entry stamp.

You get the extension on the same day you apply.

The steps I learned by doing. It was four years ago, as far as I know it has not changed.

Yes you can use your US passport, as I stated the key factor is you have a HK Permanent ID card.

They didn't request any form from bank, just show original and photo copies of bank statements, and I gave them a letter or reference from my bank manager, stating how long I have had the a/c and I execute my banking in a proper way. But they didn't specifically request this.

As I said previously try to show more than the minimum requirement if you can, plus if you have any condo ownership in Bangkok you can show them this also.

I notice on their site that the bank guarantee statement and the medical certificate must be notarized. Did they require that from you? If so, where did you get them notarized?

Thanks for sharing your experience; it really helps.