Retirement visa

[Looker]

So, in simple words, which are the requirements as of now?
Still a couple of years and I'll be 50 and so an option where to put my tired limbs in some comfortable resting mode. Hopefully not (yet) within some wooden planks

[stogie bear]

I'm with you, Looker... 50 in a couple of years...

I'll get the visa because it's easy to get, fast to obtain (same day) and you can stay in the country for the whole year! (Although a trip to 'immy' is required every 90 days.)

It's worth hashing out the requirements once again, though and here they are...

The Criteria for retirement visa...

Requirements:

1. Application form T.M.7
2. Copy of passport or substitute document.
3. One 4 x 6 cm photo.
4. 500 baht fee.
5. Proof of financial status or pension.

6. Letter from your embassy saying you wish to retire in Thailand For an applicant who is over 50 years old, proof of a sum of 800,000 baht in a Thai bank OR an income of not less than 65,000 baht per month must be presented - OR a combination of balance in the bank and a monthly income. Example: 400,000 Baht in the bank and 32,500 Baht coming in every month.

7. If the alien is ill, or has weak health and is sensitive to colder climates or has resided in Thailand for a long period, and is 50-59 years old, special circumstances may be given. The applicant must also submit medical certificates and proof that he/she lived in Thailand for a long time.

Pensioners arriving before Oct 1998 with unbroken records while living here only need 200,000 baht in a Thai Bank when they apply for an extension.

A foreigner must show evidence that he/she has income amounting to at least 65,000 baht per month or a bank account amounting to at least of 800,000 baht in cash when initially applying for a one-year visa;

Ready the same day...

With all the required documents in hand, and the bank certification dated the same date the applicant goes to the Immigration office, the one year Retirement Visa is usually ready in an hour or so, the same day.

When I first came to Thailand this used to take 3 or 4 months - now, many of the Immigration offices have authority to issue the one year Retirement Visa without sending the applications, etc. to Bangkok.

By the way...

The bank certification of deposit (of 800,000 baht) must show that the money came into the bank from another country.

Retirees who are married to a foreigner e.g. An Englishman married to say a Filipino can apply for his "O" status non immigrant visa under the normal criteria of 800,000 baht or 65,000 baht coming in each month. However if he /she wants to include spouse on this Visa he/she must show evidence of marriage, e g marriage certificate.

You can actually be under 50 to get the retirement visa but ONLY if your spouse is 50 or older.

Hope this clears up any confusion...

[stogie bear]

For a list of all Thailand's Embassies worldwide - visit: http://www.thaiembassy.org/

For a list of Thailand's Consulates in UK, visit:
http://www.thailand-uk.com/thaiemb.html

The Office of the Immigration Bureau Bangkok: Address: Section 1, Sub-division1, Immigration 1, Office of the Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120. Telephone: 0-2287-4948(direct line) or 0-2287-3101-10 ext.2236

The Royal Thai Consulate in Hull has a new address: Royal Thai Consulate, Priory Court, Saxon Way, Priory Park West, Hessle, HULL HU13 9PB. Tel: 01482 581668, email: ([email protected]), website: (http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com)

The UK Consulate in Birmingham has a new address: Royal Thai Consulate. One Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BD. Tel: 0121 643 9481, Fax: 0121 643 9481, Out of office hours: 07870 673079 (emergencies only). Their website is: (www.thailand-visa.com)

List of Thailand's Embassies World-wide
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/10.php

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa information (in English)
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - All visa types
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2489

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - 'O-A' Long-Stay Visa
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - 'B' Business Visa
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2498

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs - 30-day Visa Waiver
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490

Immigration (Royal Thai Police) Visa Rules (in English - pdf download)
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004...e/rtp606EN.pdf

Work Permit information -
http://www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html

Thai Customs website in English:
http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/indexEng.jsp

Pattaya Immigration website:-
http://www.pattaya-immigration.org/index.php?lang=EN

90 day address confirmation:-
http://www.pattaya-immigration.org/dform/form_tm47.php

Application for extension of temporary visa:-
http://www.pattaya-immigration.org/dform/form_tm7.php

Phuket Provincial Employment Office - for Work-Permit advice:-
http://www.phuketwork.org/english/index.html

Thai Consulate (UK) website with good visa information:
http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com

Immigration Bureau Headquarters, Soi Suan Plu, South Sathorn Road, Sathorn District, Bangkok 10120 Tel. 02.287.3117

An excellent place for Visa - descriptions, laws, answers, addresses, downloadable forms - Thaivisa:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3139

[PigDogg]

(stogie bear @ Feb. 14 2008,02:18) The bank certification of deposit (of 800,000 baht) must show that the money came into the bank from another country.

Thanks for all the info Stogie!

I wonder which exchange rate I get on this transfer? The official business rate or the more favorable tourist rate?

[Looker]

< The bank certification of deposit (of 800,000 baht) must show that the money came into the bank from another country.>>

Thanks for all very detailed info.
Are those 800,000 Baht being deposited in the bank in allowed to be utilized or have to be there untouched till someone leaves the country for good?

[stogie bear]

They have to be in your account at the time your application is processed, which means you can get the letter from the bank at 9am and pop down to 'immy' and be out again with your retirement visa by lunch!

Of course the next day you can do what you like with your money, but NEXT YEAR you'll have to show once again that you have the minimum financial requirements to get the visa extended.

[Looker]

Sounds good.
For once I can say - It's good to be an old man!

[Guest]

I think this is most probably a silly question, but:

When I was in Bangkok last year, I enquired about opening a local bank account. They said it was not possible for a foreigner??

Are you required to transfer the money into a Thai Bank account ......??

[titleist]

i have held a thai account with Kasikorn bank for three years now and i do not reside in thailand, just visit there for two months a year in total on holiday. i also have two non thai resident friends who bank with siam commercial so i think you were unlucky to be told it is not possible to hold an account there, maybe the bank employee simply could not be bothered with the ten minutes it takes to establish an account. I would try again on your next visit. hope this helps you out .

[Looker]

(video850 @ Feb. 16 2008,23:48) When I was in Bangkok last year, I enquired about opening a local bank account. They said it was not possible for a foreigner??

That's why I heard also. And that theoretically the government could forfeit all your money if breeching the law
But titleist's post seems saying otherwise. So, I'm a bit confused also.
Any of the long term resident have a clear view ion this point?

[stogie bear]

Any of the long term resident have a clear view ion this point?

There isn't a 'clear view!0

All banks are fdifferent, all branches interpret the law differently!

You will struggle to find a bank that will let you open a checking account, but a savings account is easy... but NOT if you have a tourist visa, (but I managed it!)

[Looker]

(stogie bear @ Feb. 17 2008,14:52) NOT if you have a tourist visa, (but I managed it!)

I think it's very confusing because I was offered to open an A/C straight away just with a photocopy of my passport only. But that was in a branch of bank, that I forgot the name, in Rama III Rd. which is not a very trafficated place. Maybe they were just hungry for business and would have opened an A/C to just anybody
I didn' t do it as didn't really need it, maybe would have been a good chance....

Back to video 850 question, how can they ask to have money in a local bank if can't open an account?
Well - Thailand

[Guest]

Jeepers - it seems complicated there!!

Sounds like u need to grease s-ones palm (no jokes please !!!), as we have to do in most "developing countries" !??!??!?

Anyhow, I'll try again next time !!!

Thanx for the information

[partington1]

Just to add a little contribution to this, as it's something I've also looked into recently. It is a classic catch 22 now-to get a retirement extension within Thailand you need B800000 in the bank for more than three months (or proof of more than B65000 per month -not the issue being discussed here) but banks tell you you can't open an account unless you are already a long term resident, and many of them not unless you have a work permit. (Of course you can't have a work permit if you're retiring  because you're not allowed to work).

The problem with the experts who airily tell you how easy it is to get a bank account is that they all got them easily more than two years ago. But now things have changed and this is what these guys don't quite get. For example  until approx two years ago, one of the law firms (either Siam Legal or Sunbelt, don't quite remember) would for a small fee "introduce" you to a bank, i.e. vouch for you, allowing you to open an account. I was, when my time came, going to use this method. But they don't do it any more because the banks won't accept it, because as they say "things have changed now".

So the people who say you now have to traipse from bank to bank, never sure whether its ever going to work for you, are correct. Only trust the advice of someone who's opened an account within the last six months, and you'll be better off. Always ask when even before you ask where.

I've been ruminating on this a long time , because I (like so many others I guess) get through my working day by imagining myself ensconced in LOS on a long term retirement visa in a year or two. But I am also anticipating being thwarted by running out of time desperately trying to open an account, failing and having to just go home...

Good luck to all trying to go this route, hope you succeed. Post encouragement to the rest of us!

cheers

[stogie bear]

If you have a Non Imm 'O' type visa (which is easy to obtain) and a valid passport you can open a savings account easily.

Not every bank will do it and not every branch of the ones that can, will!

It's a crap shoot, but it's NOT hard to find a branch of most banks that will help you.

Sit down with the agent and tell them that you are applying for a 'retirement' type visa and that you intend to deposit (wire) 800,000 baht from your home country.

As in the UK (as I have found to my benefit) the bank staff at any level can choose to interpret the rules anyway they please depending on their mood and/or whether they like you or not.