Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi Guys.
I have the money for a retirment visa. I am over 50 and living here and would like to stay on a more permanent basis.  

I hear of a lot of alternative routes to a visa. Anyone have good advise

Ps

I had a bit of trouble with the old bill for a few minor things, decades ago. Do i need to keep this in mind when choosing a route.

Posted

OK. First things first -- forget about starting with an O-A visa from your home country.

Instead choose a path that involves starting with a 90 day single entry O visa. Then after that your first extension based on retirement in Thailand.

The 90 day O visa can be obtained in different places --

Your home country sometimes based on exploring retirement in Thailand

A neighboring country consulate/embassy specifically Vientienne Laos or Penang Malaysia

As a "change of status" in Thailand from a 30 day stamp or tourist visa

 

That's a start. The rest is details you can start to learn about.

Posted

is the money (800,000thb) on deposit with a bank in thailand ?  if not, you need to get a bank account and transfer the cash.

 

here is a list of items needed to convert your entry to a non imm O at the immigration office in bangkok (chaeng wattana).  not sure where you might apply, requirements can be different depending on the office.

 

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION (NON-O): FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES.

    The application must be submitted at least 15 days before visa expiration and, in case of overstaying in Thailand, application could not be submitted.
    1.1 Form TM.86 for the foreigner, who has Tourist and Transit Visa and applies for Visa Status Alteration and applies for non-immigrant visa; or
    1.2 Form TM.87 for the foreigner, who enters into Thailand without visa, but is allowed to stay in Thailand with a permit of stay for a period of 15 day, 30 days, 90 days and applies for non-immigrant visa.
    A copy of passport pages (for example, personal information page, last entries stamp, visa sticker and extension stamp (if any) and departure card (Form TM.6))
    Either one 4x6 cm photograph or one 2 inch size photograph
    Application fee of Baht 2,000
    5.1 A guarantee letter from the bank in Thailand in Thai language (Attention: Immigration Commissioner)*
    5.2 A copy  of all entries of the applicant’s passbook showing that the applicant has a savings or fixed deposit account  of not less than Baht 800,000* (all documents must be in the Applicant’s name).
    5.3 Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand*
    *(Documents under 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 must be issued and updated to be the same date of the Application and all documents must be in the Applicant’s name.)or
    A guarantee letter from the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate, proving the monthly pension of the Applicant not less than Baht 65,000 per month (together with reference documents showing the source of said monthly pension); or
    Evidence of deposited money under Clause 5 and evidence of income under Clause 6  (for one year) showing the total amount not less than Baht 800,000

 

Posted
1 hour ago, Johndo said:

Thank you kindly a Sir.

For what it is worth. I just picked up my passport from visa service, with my O Visa stamp and retirement extension stamp. They processed it completely in 2 weeks. I just signed the forms turned over my passport and Bank book. I didn't have to show proof of income. They took care of it also. I was 10 days from my 30 day tourist extension on the 28th July got the passport back today..

Posted
56 minutes ago, JRUSA said:

For what it is worth. I just picked up my passport from visa service, with my O Visa stamp and retirement extension stamp. They processed it completely in 2 weeks. I just signed the forms turned over my passport and Bank book. I didn't have to show proof of income. They took care of it also. I was 10 days from my 30 day tourist extension on the 28th July got the passport back today..

So did you use the 800K in a Thai bank account seasoned for three months legal method (that was actually YOUR money and actually seasoned for three months) or did you pay for a service that skirts the actual immigration law of Thailand? 

That makes a difference on this forum as this forum isn't about advice to qualify for visas and extensions without actually being qualified. That's more for bar stools. 

 

Another detail to add for those pursuing doing this LEGALLY, for "change of status" to an O visa in Thailand and using a bank account method, the money does need to be imported from abroad. That is not an issue for regular annual extensions.

Posted
6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Another detail to add for those pursuing doing this LEGALLY, for "change of status" to an O visa in Thailand and using a bank account method, the money does need to be imported from abroad. That is not an issue for regular annual extensions.

Thanks for the tips.

 

When you say that the money must come from abroad in the account,  you mean it must be only a bank transfer from abroad and not cash bought in and dully declared to customs?

Posted
2 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Thanks for the tips.

 

When you say that the money must come from abroad in the account,  you mean it must be only a bank transfer from abroad and not cash bought in and dully declared to customs?

Typically it's transferred in and there's a CODE in the bank passport indicating international transfer.

I can't answer about cash brought in but it's a good question.

 

Another important and confusing detail. If using a bank account method needing seasoning and starting with a change of status to O in Thailand, the funds do not need to be seasoned for the application for the change of status, but DO need to be seasoned for three months for the second step, the application for annual retirement extension.

 

As  the O visa gives a 90 day stay, that shouldn't be a problem. 

  • Thanks 1
Posted
1 hour ago, JRUSA said:

For what it is worth. I just picked up my passport from visa service, with my O Visa stamp and retirement extension stamp. They processed it completely in 2 weeks. I just signed the forms turned over my passport and Bank book. I didn't have to show proof of income. They took care of it also. I was 10 days from my 30 day tourist extension on the 28th July got the passport back today..

Hello, did you leave your passport and original bank book at the visa service in a foreign embassy or at immigration in Thailand?

Posted
6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Typically it's transferred in and there's a CODE in the bank passport indicating international transfer.

I can't answer about cash brought in but it's a good question.

 

Another important and confusing detail. If using a bank account method needing seasoning and starting with a change of status to O in Thailand, the funds do not need to be seasoned for the application for the change of status, but DO need to be seasoned for three months for the second step, the application for annual retirement extension.

 

As  the O visa gives a 90 day stay, that shouldn't be a problem. 

It's only 2 months seasoning for the first annual-extension, but  3 months for subsequent extensions.  Generally, showing the funds came from abroad is only needed for the conversion step (may vary by immi-office).  If you enter the country on a single-entry Non-O (recommended when possible), you can go straight to the extension (with 2 months seasoning) from there.

  • Like 1
Posted
4 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

It's only 2 months seasoning for the first annual-extension, but  3 months for subsequent extensions.  Generally, showing the funds came from abroad is only needed for the conversion step (may vary by immi-office).  If you enter the country on a single-entry Non-O (recommended when possible), you can go straight to the extension (with 2 months seasoning) from there.

Oops! Sorry. You're totally correct!

Of course the seasoning needed for the FIRST extension is two months, and all subsequent extensions require THREE MONTHS. 

Posted
8 hours ago, JackThompson said:

It's only 2 months seasoning for the first annual-extension,

The rule states 60 days and it can make a difference.

  • Thanks 1
Posted
21 hours ago, Johndo said:

Thank you kindly a Sir.

If you are in receipt of the UK State Pension you are eligible for a multi-entry non-O visa from the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.


  • Topics

  • Popular Contributors

  • Latest posts...

    1. 0

      Illegal Cosmetic Factory Busted in Nonthaburi Supplying Spa Products Nationwide

    2. 13

      Thailand Live Saturday 14 June 2025

    3. 0

      Lightning Strike Kills Former Village Headman in Nakhon Phanom Rice Field

    4. 13

      Thailand Live Saturday 14 June 2025

    5. 0

      Toddler Rescued After 30 Minutes Locked in SUV at Gas Station

    6. 6

      The Death of Shame: Social Media Has Turned Humanity into Bouncing Donkeys Just for Likes

  • Popular in The Pub

×
×
  • Create New...