My Visa Options

[TJM55]

I am a 51-year-old single American, retired, & living in Khon Kaen year round. I am currently on my first OA Retirement Visa Extension, which is due to expire in March.

Rather than go for my second extension (based on 800,000 baht) in Thai bank, I would like to get some ideas on what my other visa options might be. The 800,000-baht option has become problematic for me due to reasons I will not bore you with other than to say going this route is now more trouble than it is worth. The new rule of having to have the funds in my Thai bank account three months before visa being issued only exacerbates the issue. I can still use this option, but would rather not if I do not have to. Using the combination of cash in Thai bank & proof of pension paid in home country might be a possibility I am not sure. I am not eligible for my pension until I am at least 55 & 59 1/2 for IRA’s.

The 65,000 per/month income is problematic as well due to my income being sporadic. This income comes from rental income property & no two months are ever the same due to variables such as move-outs (untenanted units), returning of security deposits, any non-recurring costs, maintenance, and the like. One month may be less than the required 65,000 baht & the next month may be three times that amount. I presume that Immigration requires 65,000 baht each & every month and not averaged over a twelve-month period. This income exceeds the 65,000 baht per/month over a 12 month period, just not each & every month. My property management company deposits funds into my U.S. HSBC bank account. I meet my day-to-day expenses by gaining access to my U.S. HSBC account by ATM and incur no ATM fees in USA or Thailand. I also funnel money from this account into my Thai bank account as needed.

From what I have been reading, it appears that the visa run option is not as good an option as it once was due to recent changes in the rules. I have never made a visa run and admittedly, I would not know the first thing to do or where to go.

My questions are this; would the visa run still be a viable option for me? What type of visa would I need & where would I have to go to make my visa run? How long would visa be good for? Could I continue to do this indefinitely, or is the answer for this question now in uncharted waters? Suggestions welcome. PM is OK.

[lopburi3]

Visa runs are not viable. Few Consulates will provide a multi entry non immigrant O visa without family reasons.

I would use your last years gross income, from tax return, divide by 12 and claim that as your monthly income at your Embassy. If it meets the 65k per month it will not matter how much you keep in the bank account and if it is less you can make sure account makes up for the difference. If Immigration asks for further paperwork (they don't normally) have a copy of your tax return and explain.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Visa runs are not viable. Few Consulates will provide a multi entry non immigrant O visa without family reasons.

I would use your last years gross income, from tax return, divide by 12 and claim that as your monthly income at your Embassy. If it meets the 65k per month it will not matter how much you keep in the bank account and if it is less you can make sure account makes up for the difference. If Immigration asks for further paperwork (they don't normally) have a copy of your tax return and explain.

They now are looking for proof ( started about a month ago)along with the declaration from the Embassy. My understanding it came about after Thai Immigration read Thaivisa.com that some Embassies were not checking the income declaration before issuing it. They are now checking the proof that was shown to the Embassy. ( at least at the Immigration in BKk)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[naka]

If you can possibly remain on the 800K option then you would be strongly advised to do so.

All other options are a pain in the A... And will cost you a LOT more at the end of the year !

Naka.

Edited November 13, 2006 by naka

[TJM55]

Visa runs are not viable. Few Consulates will provide a multi entry non immigrant O visa without family reasons.

I would use your last years gross income, from tax return, divide by 12 and claim that as your monthly income at your Embassy. If it meets the 65k per month it will not matter how much you keep in the bank account and if it is less you can make sure account makes up for the difference. If Immigration asks for further paperwork (they don't normally) have a copy of your tax return and explain.

This sounds like a good option, & one that I think I will use.

If I did need to make-up for any difference with bank account, would money need to be in my account 3 months prior to visa being issued? Would I need a letter from my bank stating that funds are in my account?

Is there a special department at the Embassy that takes care of these types of requests? Would I need more than my tax return to show them, or would that be enough?

[TJM55]

Visa runs are not viable. Few Consulates will provide a multi entry non immigrant O visa without family reasons.

I would use your last years gross income, from tax return, divide by 12 and claim that as your monthly income at your Embassy. If it meets the 65k per month it will not matter how much you keep in the bank account and if it is less you can make sure account makes up for the difference. If Immigration asks for further paperwork (they don't normally) have a copy of your tax return and explain.

They now are looking for proof ( started about a month ago)along with the declaration from the Embassy. My understanding it came about after Thai Immigration read Thaivisa.com that some Embassies were not checking the income declaration before issuing it. They are now checking the proof that was shown to the Embassy. ( at least at the Immigration in BKk)

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Would Immigration in BKK be asking for more than my US tax return other than the declaration from the Embassy? If so, what documents would they need?

[TJM55]

If you can possibly remain on the 800K option then you would be strongly advised to do so.

All other options are a pain in the A... And will cost you a LOT more at the end of the year !

Naka.

Thanks for the reply ... I know you are correct.

[lopburi3]

I believe the tax return along with the Embassy paper to match would be acceptable.

[TJM55]

I believe the tax return along with the Embassy paper to match would be acceptable.

Thanks.