Totally confused on Retirement visa!

[chezborg]

Have decided Chiang Mai is where I want to be and have been looking at retirement visa. Apologies if my questions have been answered elsewhere. Do I apply for retirement visa in the UK or wait to get to Thailand? Either way I don't understand how I can apply without a Thai bank account opened. I am 59 and have no issue with 800,000baht deposit and I intend to buy a condo. Visa process however seems a nightmare and even the Thai embassy web page in London makes little sense. I read that I need to get a long term visa first and then convert it to a retirement visa after arrival. Looking at long term visas it seems like I don't qualify for any as I don't want to work, study or volunteer. Then I read totally different information concerning health check and police certificates being required and not being required. I have no idea where to even begin now!!! Should I try here or wait to get to Chiang Mai? And if I wait to Chiang Mai what visa Do I enter on?? What documents are definitely needed and do they have to be notarized? Can they be notarized in Thailand at the UK embassy? Just spent two days online looking for definitive information without success! Hope somebody can help or point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[sunnyjim5]

There is no "retirement" visa --------------however--------

Being 59 you can apply for an O/A (long stay) visa from the London Thai Embassy.

You will need evidence of finance (money in a UK bank equal to 800,000 Bht) , a police clearance cert. and a focused medical report.

The visa a a one year multiple entry visa which provides an initial one year stay.

If Thailand is exited/re-entered immediately prior to the visas expiry date a second one year permission to stay will be provided.

If travel is undertaken during the second year of stay a re-entry permit must be obtained.

During the final 30 days of the second year of stay a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) based on retirement can be applied for. However, prior to applying for the extension you must ensure 800,000 Bht has been in a Thai bank for at least two months (60 days) .

Extensions of stay are renewable each year if requirements (principally financial) are met.

[twwy123]

Basically:

(1) Get a Non-Immigrant O-A visa from the embassy. This is valid either for 3 months or for 1 year (usually the former).

(2) Once in Thailand, open the bank account and make the requisite deposit in the given timeframe, and apply for a visa extension based on retirement at the Immgiration office close to where you live. This will be valid for a year, but if you need to travel outside of Thailand and go back, you need to obtain a re-entry permit (some people like to do this at the same time as the extension). You can get a new retirement extension every year, as long as you qualify.

Edited March 2, 2016 by twwy123

[sunnyjim5]

Basically:

(1) Get a Non-Immigrant O-A visa from the embassy. This is valid either for 3 months or for 1 year (usually the former).

(2) Once in Thailand, open the bank account and make the requisite deposit in the given timeframe, and apply for a visa extension based on retirement at the Immgiration office close to where you live. This will be valid for a year, but if you need to travel outside of Thailand and go back, you need to obtain a re-entry permit (some people like to do this at the same time as the extension). You can get the new retirement extensions every year, as long as you qualify.

O/A visas are always valid for one year and visas are never extended.

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

Edited March 2, 2016 by sunnyjim5

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Generally agree with the advice/answers given above.

In terms of trying to alleviate some of the OP's understandable confusion

The O-A visas are something you apply for and obtain from the Thai consulate or embassy in your home country.

The retirement extensions of stay are something you apply for and obtain from Thai Immigration inside Thailand.

The financial requirements are basically the same for the two, except, the O-A visa requires the bank balance to be in your home country, while the retirement extensions require the bank balance to be in Thai bank accounts.

Generally, for someone relocating to Thailand, it's easier to start off with some kind of non-immigrant visa like an O-A or a B (business) visa, and then transition once that has expired to the annual retirement extension of stay.

Though, it is possible to arrive on a tourist visa and then convert that ultimately into a retirement extension inside Thailand. That's a two step process done at Thai Immigration, and involves some added fees.

One other noteworthy difference between the O-A visa and the retirement extensions is the O-A visa typically requires both the medical and police clearances in your home country, whereas the retirement extension inside Thailand requires neither of those.

Another noteworthy difference is once you're on retirement extensions, and assuming you continue to qualify, you can re-apply for those each year at Thai Immigration without ever having to leave the country.

On the other hand, a person could also apply for recurring 0-A visas from the Thai embassy or consulate in their home country, but that's going to require trips back to the home country every 1-2 years to handle the new application, and having to repeat all the paperwork and police/medical clearances each time.

Some people, once retired in Thailand, make semi-regular trips back home and are not much inconvenienced by doing the new 0-As periodically. But some people, once retired in Thailand, have no particular reason or need to go back to their home country every 1-2 years and would just as soon avoid the travel and related expenses for those international trips.

Edited March 2, 2016 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[twwy123]

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

Sure, it's an extension of stay, not a visa extension, but in practice it amounts to the same thing. As for the correction on the duration, thank you -- it applies to Non-Immigrant visas in general, but I guess O-A type is one year only.

If some people cut out that insulting <deleted> attitude, this forum would be a much better place.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

As for the duration of O-A visas, I believe it works like this:

The visa itself is valid for one year. But each time you enter Thailand with that visa, you're stamped in with a permission to stay of 1 full year. So, if a person with an O-A made their final entry into Thailand just before the 1-year term of their visa expired, they'd then be stamped in for another full 12 months permission to stay -- effectively providing almost 2 years of permitted stay.

Once the initial 1 year of the visa has run and the visa itself has expired, any additional trips in-out of Thailand during the remaining permitted to stay period would require a re-entry permit from Thai Immigration in order to keep alive that remaining permission to stay period.

[sunnyjim5]

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

Sure, it's an extension of stay, not a visa extension, but in practice it amounts to the same thing. As for the correction on the duration, thank you -- it applies to Non-Immigrant visas in general, but I guess O-A type is one year only.

If some people cut out that insulting <deleted> attitude, this forum would be a much better place.

I suggest you attempt to depart and return to the country with a "an extension of stay" if it is, in practice, "the same thing" as a visa. You would see your "visa" rapidly disappear, to be replaced with a 30 day visa exempt entry.

Like it or not using accurate terminology is important and it prevents those with extensions of stay believing they have visas !

[Maestro]

chezborg, I can understand how it was possible for you to get confused. There are basically three options to achieve your aim and some information you heard and read was about one option, other information about other options, and some wrongly used the term "retirement visa"

Option 1 is what another member has explained in post #2 (but the money can be in a bank or banks anywhere in the world)

Option 2 is to get a single-entry non-O visa from a Thai consulate, open a bank account in Thailland promptly after your arrival, and during the last 30 days of your 90-day permission to stay, with the 800k Baht having been in the account at least two months, go to you local immigration office to submit your application for a one-year extension of stay for the reason of retirement ("retirement extension", for short)

Option 3 is to travel to Thailand with a single-entry tourist visa and open your Thai bank account. During the last three weeks of your 60-day permission to stay apply at your local immigration office for a change of visa status to non-O as the preparatory step for an application for the retirement extension. This gives you a new permission to stay for 90 days, during the last 30 days of which you apply for the retirement extension.

Many people chose option 2, as it is the least cumbersome of the three options. Some wish to wait about two years until they deposit 800k in a Thai bank account and for this reason start the process with Option 1. Option 3 is the last resort for somebody who cannot get a single entry non-O visa for the purpose of travelling to Thailand to apply for the retirement extension there. This problem is not currently being encountered in the UK.

[AYJAYDEE]

chezborg, I can understand how it was possible for you to get confused. There are basically three options to achieve your aim and some information you heard and read was about one option, other information about other options, and some wrongly used the term "retirement visa"

Option 1 is what another member has explained in post #2 (but the money can be in a bank or banks anywhere in the world)

Option 2 is to get a single-entry non-O visa from a Thai consulate, open a bank account in Thailland promptly after your arrival, and during the last 30 days of your 90-day permission to stay, with the 800k Baht having been in the account at least two months, go to you local immigration office to submit your application for a one-year extension of stay for the reason of retirement ("retirement extension", for short)

Option 3 is to travel to Thailand with a single-entry tourist visa and open your Thai bank account. During the last three weeks of your 60-day permission to stay apply at your local immigration office for a change of visa status to non-O as the preparatory step for an application for the retirement extension. This gives you a new permission to stay for 90 days, during the last 30 days of which you apply for the retirement extension.

Many people chose option 2, as it is the least cumbersome of the three options. Some wish to wait about two years until they deposit 800k in a Thai bank account and for this reason start the process with Option 1. Option 3 is the last resort for somebody who cannot get a single entry non-O visa for the purpose of travelling to Thailand to apply for the retirement extension there. This problem is not currently being encountered in the UK.

there should be a rule that only admin can answer these questions! lol

[tropo]

Basically:

(1) Get a Non-Immigrant O-A visa from the embassy. This is valid either for 3 months or for 1 year (usually the former).

(2) Once in Thailand, open the bank account and make the requisite deposit in the given timeframe, and apply for a visa extension based on retirement at the Immgiration office close to where you live. This will be valid for a year, but if you need to travel outside of Thailand and go back, you need to obtain a re-entry permit (some people like to do this at the same time as the extension). You can get the new retirement extensions every year, as long as you qualify.

O/A visas are always valid for one year and visas are never extended.

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

The terminology nazis are at it again... and very aggressive (and rude) about it too...

... are you saying that after the original non-O visa expires, and you're on yearly extension based on retirement, you no longer have a visa? So if someone, after the first year or so asks you what visa you have, what do you say? Sorry, I don't have a visa, it expired last year?

Yet, every entry stamp I have states clearly, on the stamp, that I have a: Visa Class: Non-RE... and I have dozens of stamps to prove that.

[berybert]

Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (Long Stay)

This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for an extended period without the intention of working

The above is the wording when you log onto the Thai embassy web page and look for the A-O visa the OP is looking for.

Not surprising people call it a visa when it clearly states on the embassy website that it is called a visa.

Anyhow the OP mentions on that form you need to give details of your work place. And as he said, he isn't working. I guess he would be far more pleased if someone was to reply to his query rather than let us know for the 3456543 time this year it isn't a visa.

I am in the same situation myself and was going to ask on here but couldn't be bothered with the 'is it, isn't it a visa' argument again

[Jingthing]

Of course an O-A visa is a visa.

Retirement EXTENSIONS obtained in Thailand are EXTENSIONS, not visas.

The OP didn't really know what he is looking for.

He wants to legalize retiring in Thailand.

Starting with an O-A is one way to start with that.

It is not a REQUIRED way to start with that.

Though an O visa of some kind is required to start.

Yes, it's confusing at first, but communicating with standard terminology is helpful here for clear communications.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Jingthing

[mngmn]

Of course an O-A visa is a visa.

Retirement EXTENSIONS obtained in Thailand are EXTENSIONS, not visas.

The OP didn't really know what he is looking for.

He wants to legalize retiring in Thailand.

Starting with an O-A is one way to start with that.

It is not a REQUIRED way to start with that.

Though an O visa of some kind is required to start.

Yes, it's confusing at first, but communicating with standard terminology is helpful here for clear communications.

Visas are only issued outside Thailand. Extensions of stay are only issued inside Thailand. In most people's minds the outcome is the same - they are allowed to stay in Thailand. Hence the confusion.

Visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Extension of stay are issued by the Immigration Bureau. Both have similar but different rules. In most people's minds this is just seen as random bureaucracy. Hence the confusion.

[Jingthing]

Nope. Many people get a 90 day O visa in Thailand called a conversion (from tourist visa or 30 day stamp) as the first step before the first retirement extension also in Thailand.

That way no O-A ever needed nor is any O visa obtained outside Thailand. Very popular way to start.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Jingthing

[mngmn]

Nope. Many people get a 90 day O visa in Thailand called a conversion (from tourist visa or 30 day stamp) as the first step before the first retirement extension also in Thailand.

That way no O-A ever needed nor is any O visa obtained outside Thailand. Very popular way to start.

Why not try and provide clarity rather than add to the confusion? If members focused on this rather than scoring points off each other this forum world be more useful.

It is fact that visas are only ISSUED outside Thailand.

You are saying that A CONVERSION of visa can be obtained inside Thailand. I am assuming this service is provided by the Bureau of Immigration?

Edited March 2, 2016 by mngmn

[jacksam]

One small thing the op may not be aware of. If the non o based on retirement is obtained in los by transferring from say a setv, you need to show (prove) the money in Thai bank came from outside of Thailand. If the non o is obtained at somewhere like Vientiane then that requirement is not necessary.

[thailand49]

Not sure if I missed the suggestions?

I think somewhere you stated you were only 59?, you not plan to work etc.. in Thailand therefore I assume you are retired and getting a pension?

If your pension receive is over 800,000 baht per year, you do not need a bank account. You can provide a notorized document from the U.K. Embassy (at cost) each year when you apply. You can also do a combination to meet the requirement, for example, 400,000 in Bank and 400,000 in income.

I do not know about C.M. but here in Pattaya when I first applied 10 years ago at the Immigration and last year help a friend through the process, if you apply in Pattaya, you do not need a physical nor a police report. It is much easier doing it here than home, but you will need the extended tourist Visa from the Thai Embassy before applying.

You might also think about attending a Expat Club meeting, I believe there are a number of one's in C.M.

Good luck.

Edited March 3, 2016 by thailand49

[craigt3365]

There is no "retirement" visa --------------however--------

<snip>

Had a huge argument with a friend about this one. It's even stamped in his passport "Retirement Visa". LOL

I tried to explain the O-A visa, but it didn't work...

[BritTim]

The terminology nazis are at it again... and very aggressive (and rude) about it too...

... are you saying that after the original non-O visa expires, and you're on yearly extension based on retirement, you no longer have a visa? So if someone, after the first year or so asks you what visa you have, what do you say? Sorry, I don't have a visa, it expired last year?

Yet, every entry stamp I have states clearly, on the stamp, that I have a: Visa Class: Non-RE... and I have dozens of stamps to prove that.

Posters are not always diplomatic when attempting to achieve clarity on terms like "visa" (right to enter Thailand), "extension of stay" (right to remain longer when already in the country), "reentry permit" (keep a permission to stay from being canceled when you exit and reenter Thailand), "long stay" (allowing more than a 3-month stay), "retirement" (confusing term: in Thai immigration terms it usually only means more than 50 years old and not working in Thailand; the Thai embassy in London can use it to mean you are receiving a state retirement pension; It is better to avoid the term unless using it to describe an extension of stay based on retirement). Yes, I know until people run into problems the distinctions seem academic, but knowing exactly what you are talking about aids communication.

The annotation on extensions of stay of Non-RE confirms that you entered on a Non Imm visa (or converted to one) and were granted an extension of stay based on retirement. You do not have a visa (right to enter Thailand) only a right to remain, but you can make it similar to a visa by purchasing a reentry permit.

For the OP, since you are planning to live in Chiang Mai, I suggest getting a Non-OA visa in England before coming. There are many reports that the local immigration in Chiang Mai is totally buried with applicants for extensions of stay. The Non-OA visa will allow you to avoid dealing with 6:00 am waits in line at the immigration office. You can reevaluate your options in a couple of years time.

[jacko45k]

Basically:

(1) Get a Non-Immigrant O-A visa from the embassy. This is valid either for 3 months or for 1 year (usually the former).

(2) Once in Thailand, open the bank account and make the requisite deposit in the given timeframe, and apply for a visa extension based on retirement at the Immgiration office close to where you live. This will be valid for a year, but if you need to travel outside of Thailand and go back, you need to obtain a re-entry permit (some people like to do this at the same time as the extension). You can get the new retirement extensions every year, as long as you qualify.

O/A visas are always valid for one year and visas are never extended.

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

I will be a little more generous and say he meant to write 'Non-Imm O Visa'.

That would seem to be very apparent by what is stated in (2).

Other than that error the post is helpful to the OP.

Not so sunny today Jim?

Edited March 3, 2016 by jacko45k

[Eclipse]

Non Imm O-A Visa or Non Imm O Visa?

Whatever suits you.

Non Imm O-A Visa requires money in UK bank plus police report and medical report.

Arrive with a Non Imm O Visa and extend by 12 months at Immigration in Thailand for a fee of 1,900 Baht.

No police or medical needed.

I know what I think is the easiest.

[technologybytes]

For some people the O-A Visa is worth the hassle, but you don't actually need it at all.

You could arrive on a normal single entry O visa (much easier to obtain, no police clearance required) and then extend your stay for the purpose of retirement every year starting 2 months after you arrive.

You could even arrive with a tourist visa and effectively do the same thing, it costs about 5000 more though as you need a change of Visa class for the first retirement extension.

Also, you don't need any money in a Thai bank at all if you have sufficient income.

Edited March 3, 2016 by technologybytes

[Suradit69]

Basically:

(1) Get a Non-Immigrant O-A visa from the embassy. This is valid either for 3 months or for 1 year (usually the former).

(2) Once in Thailand, open the bank account and make the requisite deposit in the given timeframe, and apply for a visa extension based on retirement at the Immgiration office close to where you live. This will be valid for a year, but if you need to travel outside of Thailand and go back, you need to obtain a re-entry permit (some people like to do this at the same time as the extension). You can get the new retirement extensions every year, as long as you qualify.

O/A visas are always valid for one year and visas are never extended.

Please refrain from posting misleading nonsense.

If you do not know then do not post.

The terminology nazis are at it again... and very aggressive (and rude) about it too...

... are you saying that after the original non-O visa expires, and you're on yearly extension based on retirement, you no longer have a visa? So if someone, after the first year or so asks you what visa you have, what do you say? Sorry, I don't have a visa, it expired last year?

Yet, every entry stamp I have states clearly, on the stamp, that I have a: Visa Class: Non-RE... and I have dozens of stamps to prove that.

" ... are you saying that after the original non-O visa expires, and you're on yearly extension based on retirement, you no longer have a visa? So if someone, after the first year or so asks you what visa you have, what do you say? Sorry, I don't have a visa, it expired last year?"

A visa allows you to enter the country. A permission to stay or extension of stay allows you to remain in the country, even after the visa you used to enter has expired.

Yes, the visa expires. Once you've got the extension of stay, you cannot use it to re-enter Thailand because it is not a visa. If you attempt to return to Thailand with just an extension of stay, the extension will be terminated and, at best, you'll be given a 30 day visa exempt entry ... and you will still not have a visa. That's why people on extension of stay need to get a re-entry permit. The re-entry permit acts as a visa so that you can enter Thailand while preserving your extension of stay.

In casual conversation people tend to call everything in their passports a visa. If that makes you happy, fine. But if you plan to travel out of and into Thailand, you'll quickly discover that you do not have a visa.

Thai Visa is a great source of information, but in threads like this with everyone adding his two cents, it often adds to the confusion rather than resolving it.

Edited March 3, 2016 by Suradit69

[Nielsk]

Not sure if I missed the suggestions?

I think somewhere you stated you were only 59?, you not plan to work etc.. in Thailand therefore I assume you are retired and getting a pension?

If your pension receive is over 800,000 baht per year, you do not need a bank account. You can provide a notorized document from the U.K. Embassy (at cost) each year when you apply. You can also do a combination to meet the requirement, for example, 400,000 in Bank and 400,000 in income.

I do not know about C.M. but here in Pattaya when I first applied 10 years ago at the Immigration and last year help a friend through the process, if you apply in Pattaya, you do not need a physical nor a police report. It is much easier doing it here than home, but you will need the extended tourist Visa from the Thai Embassy before applying.

You might also think about attending a Expat Club meeting, I believe there are a number of one's in C.M.

Good luck.

Alternative to 800.000 bath: Generally, the requirements for "retirement" from the Thai authorities:

Have income of at least 65,000 baht / month.

Monthly income must be confirmed by the British embassy or consulate to whom you are filing your documents.

[Suradit69]

Nope. Many people get a 90 day O visa in Thailand called a conversion (from tourist visa or 30 day stamp) as the first step before the first retirement extension also in Thailand.

That way no O-A ever needed nor is any O visa obtained outside Thailand. Very popular way to start.

Why not try and provide clarity rather than add to the confusion? If members focused on this rather than scoring points off each other this forum world be more useful.

It is fact that visas are only ISSUED outside Thailand.

You are saying that A CONVERSION of visa can be obtained inside Thailand. I am assuming this service is provided by the Bureau of Immigration?

The conversion simply changes your entry stamp or permission to stay to a non-imm O entry or permission so that you can later apply for the extension. It is not a usable visa that you can present to an immigrations officer at a border.

The so called 90 day visa you get upon conversion allows you 90 days in country, not 90 days to exit and enter the country.

The Thai Elite visa, as far as I know, is issued in Thailand and is usable for border crossings, but that's a whole different matter.

[longball53098]

Wow!

I think the OP on his first post as a member came here looking for clarity on his confusion and got blown away by all the confusing opinions of the many "experts" here.

After reading all the quibbling I would not be surprised if the OP never comes back to ask another question

[derator01]

A nonsense post has been removed from view.

[Nomad56]

I was in a similar state of befuddlement and actually in Phuket on an extended holiday when I decided I wanted to stay. I made loads of enquiries and read loads of stuff on this forum and ended up phoning the Thai Embassy in London so that I could speak to a fluent English speaking Thai about how to get a retirement visa. They made it sound so much simpler so I combined the trip with other tasks and flew back.

If you go into the Thai Embassy and ask about the retirement visa, they will give you a sheaf of paper which tells you exactly how to get the police report (about £85), provides a form for you to take to your doctor to get signed (cost me £20), tells you how much income you need to prove and how to do it (I just got a letter from my stockbroker saying that they managed my funds and provided me with an income that fitted with their monthly requirements. I also took a bank statement, showing my monthly incomings and highlighted them). They also provide you with the application forms you need to complete (I think there were two of them and one had to be in triplicate). You also need some photos of course and a cheque for £125.

The doctors certificate, police certificate and financial proofs had to be taken to a solicitor to be notarised (try to find a notary out of central London because prices vary massively - I paid £40)

When you've got all this together, plus valid passport of course, you take it back to the embassy, they look it over to make sure you haven't forgotten anything and then tell you to return the next day at 11am to collect your passport. It was all so easy and efficient!

Good luck with your application.

[Dustdevil]

There is no "retirement" visa --------------however--------

Being 59 you can apply for an O/A (long stay) visa from the London Thai Embassy.

You will need evidence of finance (money in a UK bank equal to 800,000 Bht) , a police clearance cert. and a focused medical report.

The visa a a one year multiple entry visa which provides an initial one year stay.

If Thailand is exited/re-entered immediately prior to the visas expiry date a second one year permission to stay will be provided.

If travel is undertaken during the second year of stay a re-entry permit must be obtained.

During the final 30 days of the second year of stay a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) based on retirement can be applied for. However, prior to applying for the extension you must ensure 800,000 Bht has been in a Thai bank for at least two months (60 days) .

Extensions of stay are renewable each year if requirements (principally financial) are met.

Very useful and informative. Thanks!