Do you have to be retired to get Non-O retirement visa?

[kidizen]

I'm planning to apply for the Non-O retirement visa in a few months. I will be going for the 65k baht monthly income route to qualify. Just want to be sure that I do qualify and the application will be successful since I don't fit the usual square peg in square hole retirement scenario. I'm leisurely but not "retired" as such and the income is not from a pension.

I have the following questions relating to the Non-O retirement application and would appreciate some clarification:

1. Does it matter that I'm not "retired" or that my income is not from a pension? I've assumed so but want to be doubly sure.

2. When filling in the visa application form, should I put down "retired" as Occupation for consistency? Does it matter? I have previously put down something else.

3. When applying for the income certification letter from the UK Embassy, would it be sufficient to simply show bank statements with the money coming into my bank account every month? If so, how many months of bank statements? 3, 6?

From the UK Embassy instructions, it would appear that the income does not have to be from a pension as they refer to "pension/income". Any other tips and insights relating to the income certification application with the UK Embassy for non-pension income would be greatly appreciated as well.

Many thanks in advance!

[Jingthing]

Good questions and to me it sounds like you're getting into a more edgy area of GREY with your plan.

You don't need to be "retired" but you can't legally work in Thailand on retirement status.

Yes of course many people do as you do, off the Thailand grid, but you're seeking retirement status doing that.

Others will address your questions, but my view is that you would save yourself a lot of worry by using the 800K in a Thai bank method, if you can afford that of course.

[moe666]

Over fifty and enough money you can retire in Thailand. Do not spread the news about where your income comes from. You will have to go to your local Embassy or consulate and get a letter stateing your income. If you are an american the Embassy or Consulate doesn't require proof but you have to swear to the amount you put down. A few other countries have the same situation others require a letter from who are what ever is supplying your income.

[Jingthing]

Indeed, if you try this, you should be careful to not broadcast that you are working in Thailand. I get the distinction you make, that your work is off the Thailand grid, but don't assume all Thai authorities, even even local Thais who may want to grass you out, get that distinction.

[kidizen]

Indeed, if you try this, you should be careful to not broadcast that you are working in Thailand. I get the distinction you make, that your work is off the Thailand grid, but don't assume all Thai authorities, even even local Thais who may want to grass you out, get that distinction.

Thanks for the tip JingThing and Moe. I've edited the OP to leave the income source out. I was under the impression that my case is fairly common for non-pensioners wanting to go the income route for the Non-O retirement visa.

[sotsira]

For better advice, it would be helpful to state at which Imm office you will applying

for the Non-O Visa as i recently discovered that some request additional documentation

to others.

Also, what is your current visa status that you hold in Thailand, as that also plays in to

whether you can apply for a change of visa using ™ 86 or ™ 87 form.

[roobaa01]

gdaya foks,

is it not in the uk to qualify for non-o-a level retirement visa the applicant needs to be 65 years old ???

wbr

roobaa01

[ubonjoe]

Indeed, if you try this, you should be careful to not broadcast that you are working in Thailand. I get the distinction you make, that your work is off the Thailand grid, but don't assume all Thai authorities, even even local Thais who may want to grass you out, get that distinction.

Thanks for the tip JingThing and Moe. I've edited the OP to leave the income source out. I was under the impression that my case is fairly common for non-pensioners wanting to go the income route for the Non-O retirement visa.

The income can be from any source.

Put retirement or retired on all applications.

[ubonjoe]

gdaya foks,

is it not in the uk to qualify for non-o-a level retirement visa the applicant needs to be 65 years old ???

wbr

roobaa01

Not correct. To apply for non-a visa it is 50 or over.

To apply for a multiple entry non-o visa in the UK it is 65 or over and getting a old age pension.

[ubonjoe]

For better advice, it would be helpful to state at which Imm office you will applying

for the Non-O Visa as i recently discovered that some request additional documentation

to others.

Also, what is your current visa status that you hold in Thailand, as that also plays in to

whether you can apply for a change of visa using ™ 86 or ™ 87 form.

I think the OP will be getting his non-o at a embassy or consulate.

Not all offices can do a conversion to a non immigrant visa (class O) and some that do them are making it difficult.

[OJAS]

Indeed, if you try this, you should be careful to not broadcast that you are working in Thailand. I get the distinction you make, that your work is off the Thailand grid, but don't assume all Thai authorities, even even local Thais who may want to grass you out, get that distinction.

Thanks for the tip JingThing and Moe. I've edited the OP to leave the income source out. I was under the impression that my case is fairly common for non-pensioners wanting to go the income route for the Non-O retirement visa.

If you are using the 65,000 THB monthly income method of proving finances, I imagine that the Embassy would want to see supporting bank statements dating back 12 months rather than 3 or 6. But why not send them an email to their consular enquiries email address mentioned in the PDF at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/527101/Pension_06_06_16.pdf to check (they usually respond pretty promptly to emails in my experience)?

You should also be aware that there is a chance - albeit a very small one - that your local immigration office will ask to see the evidence you have provided to the Embassy for their income confirmation letter. If they have any reason to suspect from your bank statements that the income might have been generated in Thailand (even if it was not), then at best you could be in line for some extremely tough questioning when you eventually submit an extension of stay application.

[kidizen]

For better advice, it would be helpful to state at which Imm office you will applying

for the Non-O Visa as i recently discovered that some request additional documentation

to others.

Also, what is your current visa status that you hold in Thailand, as that also plays in to

whether you can apply for a change of visa using ™ 86 or ™ 87 form.

Thanks Sotsira. Will be getting single entry Non-O from either Vientiane or Penang, current visa is METV - the only visa. Will apply for extension of stay based on retirement in Bangkok Imm after getting Non-O visa abroad. My first 2 questions have been answered. Just need some insights from other people's experience regarding UK Embassy income certification procedure/evidence particularly for non-pension income and using bank statements as evidence.

[IMA_FARANG]

Ifyou are over 50 you can retire as the Thais are concerned.

You can't work in Thailand, but as long as your source of income is not from in Thailand the Thais should be happy enough.

You can even work outside of Thailand.....but be sure all your "work efforts" are done outside of Thailand.

We don't need to go over that much discussed topic about working on-line from Thailand again.

Let's just say it is an open question.....but a wise man would do his best to keep his "work", even if on-line, completely outside of Thailand.

No need to go searching for possible trouble, is there.

If the U.K. is happy to certify the source of your income as from inside the U.K. I don't think the Thais will be unhappy to have you spend it here as a "retiree".

[Evilbaz]

"Retirement" is a state of mind.

As long as you don't earn income in Thailand you can proceed to satisfy the Thailand "Long stay for over 50 year old" requirements.

Just be ready to prove your income - more Immi offices are asking for proof.

I expect this will be the next national procedural change.

[kidizen]

If you are using the 65,000 THB monthly income method of proving finances, I imagine that the Embassy would want to see supporting bank statements dating back 12 months rather than 3 or 6. But why not send them an email to their consular enquiries email address mentioned in the PDF at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/527101/Pension_06_06_16.pdf to check (they usually respond pretty promptly to emails in my experience)?

Thanks OJAS, I would naturally prefer not to have to send in 12 months of bank statements if I can help it, therefore am asking for other people's experience. The fact that the UK Embassy did not spell out in their instructions how many months' of bank statements to send also suggests that there may well not be a strict policy on this. They don't want to have to look at 12 month's of statements either, I'm sure they just want to do their job with the least amount of effort and hassle.

[ubonjoe]

If you are using the 65,000 THB monthly income method of proving finances, I imagine that the Embassy would want to see supporting bank statements dating back 12 months rather than 3 or 6. But why not send them an email to their consular enquiries email address mentioned in the PDF at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/527101/Pension_06_06_16.pdf to check (they usually respond pretty promptly to emails in my experience)?

Thanks OJAS, I would naturally prefer not to have to send in 12 months of bank statements if I can help it, therefore am asking for other people's experience. The fact that the UK Embassy did not spell out in their instructions how many months' of bank statements to send also suggests that there may well not be a strict policy on this. They don't want to have to look at 12 month's of statements either, I'm sure they just want to do their job with the least amount of effort and hassle.

Normally it appears to be 3 months from posts I can recall.

A year certainly would not be required.

[sotsira]

For better advice, it would be helpful to state at which Imm office you will applying

for the Non-O Visa as i recently discovered that some request additional documentation

to others.

Also, what is your current visa status that you hold in Thailand, as that also plays in to

whether you can apply for a change of visa using ™ 86 or ™ 87 form.

Thanks Sotsira. Will be getting single entry Non-O from either Vientiane or Penang, current visa is METV - the only visa. Will apply for extension of stay based on retirement in Bangkok Imm after getting Non-O visa abroad. My first 2 questions have been answered. Just need some insights from other people's experience regarding UK Embassy income certification procedure/evidence particularly for non-pension income and using bank statements as evidence.

I recently acquired an income verification letter from the UK Embassy, but i used an agent to

acquire one.

The reasons were that i reside in Pattaya and didn't wish to travel to Bangkok.

The fee to the agent was 3500bt for the service as apposed to approx 2800bt by the Embassy.

The agent requested copies of the last 3 months bank statements and a copy of my passport.

I'm not sure, but i also think you need to make an appointment with the Embassy if your to do this

yourself, but i also understand that you can apply by post as an alternative.

[Eclipse]

For better advice, it would be helpful to state at which Imm office you will applying

for the Non-O Visa as i recently discovered that some request additional documentation

to others.

Also, what is your current visa status that you hold in Thailand, as that also plays in to

whether you can apply for a change of visa using ™ 86 or ™ 87 form.

Thanks Sotsira. Will be getting single entry Non-O from either Vientiane or Penang, current visa is METV - the only visa. Will apply for extension of stay based on retirement in Bangkok Imm after getting Non-O visa abroad. My first 2 questions have been answered. Just need some insights from other people's experience regarding UK Embassy income certification procedure/evidence particularly for non-pension income and using bank statements as evidence.

I recently acquired an income verification letter from the UK Embassy, but i used an agent to

acquire one.

The reasons were that i reside in Pattaya and didn't wish to travel to Bangkok.

The fee to the agent was 3500bt for the service as apposed to approx 2800bt by the Embassy.

The agent requested copies of the last 3 months bank statements and a copy of my passport.

I'm not sure, but i also think you need to make an appointment with the Embassy if your to do this

yourself, but i also understand that you can apply by post as an alternative.

You cannot apply in person.

You can only apply by mail.

[kidizen]

Normally it appears to be 3 months from posts I can recall.

A year certainly would not be required.

Thanks Ubonjoe and Sotsira. "3 months" is the sensible answer I wanted to hear . My 3 questions have been answered.