Retirement Visa

[Chiller]

Hi everyone, I'm new on here so please forgive me if I'm asking the obvious, or if I really should have looked elsewhere for the info I'm looking for. I'm from the UK and now wish to apply for the so called retirement visa. I have had a good look on here but am still unsure about the following, so any advice really would be much appreciated.

1) When I book my flight from the UK will I still have to book a return flight within either 30 days, or 60 days (if have one entry visa), even though I may not want to return to the UK for several months assuming I do obtain a 'retirement visa?' Also what do you put on the departure section of the arrival card and do you still have to cling onto this departure card?

2) I know I have to prove a place of residence, what is usually required for this, or is it dependent upon where you make your application?

3) Is the process fairly straightforward in practice as it appears quite difficult in theory from some of the stories I have read about in the sense that different centres require different things? I know I first have to apply for a 90 day visa and then a 12 month extension after so many days have passed, and have copies of everything including a handful of passport size photo's?

4) If I use the income route I know I have to obtain a letter from the UK Embassy in BKK. I'm thinking I would not therefore have to open a Thai bank account even though someone has told me I would still have to do this?

5) Any other advice or useful tips really would be much appreciated, as like a previous poster I'm not sure whether to do this myself or seek some help from one of the many agencies. I should add I would be based in NongKhai and probably spend some time in Pattaya/Bang Saray.

Many thanks.

[Phuket Man]

You do not need a return flight if you have a Visa.

 

If possible obtain a Non Imm O Visa in U.K

It will save you a lot of time if you do.

 

Keep the departure card as you will need it at Immigration.

 

A rent/lease agreement from the landlord will be proof of address.

You will be applying at Nong Kai Immigration.

 

If you do not start with a Non Imm O Visa you might have to go to Bangkok to  change to Non Imm Visa.

It would probably be easier to travel to Laos and apply for a Non Imm O Visa there.

 

If applying for retirement you need a letter from British Embassy.

Apply by post or I believe can do by E Mail.

 

It is best to have a bank account to receive your money from U.K.

 

Don't waste money on an agent. It is very easy to do yourself.

 

[ubonjoe]

You will eventually be applying for an extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon retirement.

1. If you get a single entry tourist visa you will not need a return or onward ticket for your trip to here. You will get a 60 day entry from the tourist visa.

2. You will need proof of residence when you apply for a change of visa status to get a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry and for the extension of stay application during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry.

It does not have to be permanent address and what is required for proof depends upon where you apply.

3. It is not that difficult. You will only need a total of two 4 X 6 cm photos for the visa and extension application forms.

4. You will get the income letter from UK embassy by mail. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-obtain-a-pensionincome-letter-for-thai-immigration  You don't  have to have a bank account if using the 65k baht income option but a bank account makes it much easier and less costly to bringr you funds into the country.

5. Not sure you will find any agents to do your visa and extension applications in the Nong Khai area and you really don't need one anywhere to do the visa and extension applications.

 

[steve187]

if over 65 and in receipt of a government pension you can get a non imm 'O' visa single entry from UK, by post from London, from consulates you need to get pre approval by email and collect in person

 

you do need to retain departure card

 

 

[JackThompson]

2 hours ago, Phuket Man said:

If you do not start with a Non Imm O Visa you might have to go to Bangkok to  change to Non Imm Visa.

Not anymore.  They are forcing the local offices to do the conversions now and Bangkok (Chang Wattana) won't even let you do it there, unless you provide a local address. 

How "helpful" the local offices are with this process varies by office.  Someone who has done this at Nong Khai could advise about that office.  Pattaya/Jomtien do not like doing conversions, but it is possible.  I would try Nong Khai first.

[OJAS]

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

if over 65 and in receipt of a government pension you can get a non imm 'O' visa single entry from UK, by post from London, from consulates you need to get pre approval by email and collect in person

 

you do need to retain departure card

 

 

But if you are not (yet) in receipt of the State Pension the only other non-immigrant (as distinct from tourist) visa option open to you in the UK is the OA visa which is only obtainable from the Royal Thai Embassy in London. If used judiciously you can get almost 2 years out of it before you need to start applying for annual extensions of stay in Thailand.

 

Click on  http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/types-of-visa#section8 and scroll down to the "Non-Immigrant Type O- A Long Stay" section for further info.

[Chiller]

Thanks everyone for all the advice, it's much appreciated.