moving from a work permit based visa to a retirement visa

[Negita43]

Anyone have any experience of this and any tips

Thanks

[elviajero]

• Firstly, check that your local immigration office will allow the change from an extension of stay based on work to retirement. Not all will do it and may want you to get a new non 'O' visa based on retirement (over 50) before applying for a new extension of stay.

If your office will do it you'll need confirmation that your work has finished and be able to meet the criteria for an extension based on retirement.

The change needs to coincide with the ending of your work.

[nausea]

I did this, What I needed - the letter from my employer cancelling the work permit, forms signed by my landlady confirming my residence (with a copy of her ID card), a letter from the bank confirming balance, copies of my bank book showing a 800 balance over 3 months. Some kind of form stating I understood the consequences of overstaying. And something else, I forget what it is. Basically, if you fufil the requirements, you shouldn't have any problem changing.it's good to go in beforehand and feel out the ground. I had some slight problem cos my work permit and my residence came under different areas, but the IO sorted it out over the phone. I would highly recommend going to the IO beforehand, explaining your situation, and finding out exactly what they want. PS In my case I gained a couple of months.

[Negita43]

Sorry for the delayed thanks to both of you who replied, for some reason the email notification went to my spam file and I have only just seen your replies.