Retirement visa

[armycw4ret]

I am an american living in germany and want to come to thailand on a retirement visa. I will search the hua hin area for a place to live on 20 jul until 30 jul and then return on Aug for an extended period to lock in whatever place I find to live. Question is: Can I do all the retirement VISA processes in Thailand during my 30 day tourist visa visit? I am sure there is a agency to assist as long as I pay but my situation is prettty straigtforward in that the money ability is not a question as a retired army officer and DOD US civilian. I would hope I can do it all here or should I do some things prior at the embassy in Germany before I come? Easy thing would be for me to do it all here while on the first 30 days in Thailand and get the one year visa and not have to go back and do a visa run or whatever.

[dtaai-maai]

Hi army, and welcome to the forum!

As far as I'm aware you can't transfer from a 30-day entry stamp to retirement status without leaving the country and getting the non-imm visa.

The visa is the pre-entry clearance you get from an embassy abroad, as opposed to the stamp in your passport on arrival, which is your permission to stay.

Are you planning to leave Thailand after your visit to HH in July?

Lomuamart is our resident expert, and I'm sure he'll clarify this for you at some point.

[pitsch]

Hi army, and welcome to the forum!

As far as I'm aware you can't transfer from a 30-day entry stamp to retirement status without leaving the country and getting the non-imm visa.

Yes, you can convert a 30-day entry stamp to retirement status, thats what I did.
BUT...
The application of visa conversion has to be made 21 days before the expiration of the 30-day stamp, so in the first 9 days you are in Thailand
AND...
you have to have 800 000 Baht at a Thai bank for at least 2 month at the time of application (this I did not have, but it was not necessary in Chiang Mai, I had a letter from the bank, saying that the money came from foreign sources).
If you have a letter from your embassy, that you earn more than 65 000 Baht/month it might be easier.

[chopsticks]

Came across this article in the Pattaya Times which may be of interest........

Retirement “OA” visas are now much easier to qualify for to receive a one-year stay in the Kingdom. For those foreigners 50-years-old or older who want to live in Thailand all year long, or at least have the option to come and go for a year without any visa hassles, the new reduced requirements have eliminated the need for a Thai bank account if the person has sufficient proof of income of 800,000 baht or more outside of Thailand.



This proof must be certified by the Embassy in Bangkok of the foreign national. As an example, an American can go to the US Embassy on Wireless Road in Bangkok and in the Citizen Services Section ask for a “Proof of Income” form on which he will write the amount of income and from what source he receives it per month.
At the US Embassy it is an oath and no proof of income is required at the US Embassy. Not all embassies are the same so call your embassy to find out if they need proof of income before they will provide you with the form necessary to submit to Immigration.
As long as the monthly income is 65,000 baht or more per month for a total of 800,000 baht per year then there is no need for a Thai bank account. Only the Embassy certified statement, the visa application and now two photos are required.
Formerly, every visa applicant was required to update his Thai bank book and get a letter from the Branch Manager stating the amount in the account and provide the information along with his application to the Immigration Bureau.
Now, if the Embassy provides a statement of income of 800,000 baht per year or 65,000 baht per month for a year then there is no need to provide Thai bank information.
However, if the applicant does not have 65,000 baht per month or 800,000 baht per year in income from pension, rents or other sources paid to him from outside of Thailand, but he does have some such income then he can still use an Embassy letter to reduce the amount of money he must prove he has in a Thai bank to make up the difference of the 800,000 baht minimum.
For example, if one has a monthly pension totaling 40,000 baht per month then that is equal to 480,000 baht per year then he would be required to update his Thai bank book and get a letter from the Branch Manager stating that the amount in the account was at least 320,000 baht which with the Embassy letter would show 800,000 baht per year

[Nereus]

Came across this article in the Pattaya Times which may be of interest........

Not sure what they are saying with this, as a couple of conflicting statements with it.
An OA visa is a long stay that you must get in your own country, and has never needed to show money in a Thai Bank, but does have other requirements only applicable to AO visa`s.

Anyway, let Lumo comment on it.

[lomuamart]

Reckon all the above is good advice.
Yes, you can change visa status here in Thailand from a 30 day visa exempt stamp to a Non Immigrant O visa but as pitsch points out you need 21 days left on that original entry stamp to do so. You'll have to prove income or savings in a Thai bank account or combination at that stage. You'll then be given another 90 days on a Non Imm O visa and then have to prove it all again to get your annual extension (correct me if I'm wrong on that, pitsch).
The best option for you would be to get a Non Immigrant O visa from wherever you are. I doubt that'll be too much trouble from what you've said. Then just apply for the annual retirement extension here within the last 30 days of the 90 day entry stamp.
That way, you cut out the middle bit - converting your status - and I bet you'll feel a lot happier that you don't have to so much running around and waiting.
An OA visa is a separate issue, as Nereus has explained, and it dosn't seem like you're asking about that but it's a possibility to get.
Get get a single entry Non Immigrant O visa before you come here.

[pitsch]

You'll then be given another 90 days on a Non Imm O visa and then have to prove it all again to get your annual extension (correct me if I'm wrong on that, pitsch).

Yes, I first got another 90 days and then the annual extension. But I remember some post, who said he got a one year extension in Hua Hin immediately without the 90 days extension.
So it would really be easier if you get a Non Imm O in Germany.

[georgy]

To get the extension here in thailand the best option will be to arrive with non-immigrant visa. Fullfilling the retirement conditions you can get the extension right after arrival and totally you can stay 15 months.
The procedure also works with a tourist visa, however its a little more expensive as 1 more step (change tourist to non-i) is necessary.
Can be easily done by yourself, dont waste time and money asking for somebody for support.
Getting the letter from bank took me longer than the procedure at immigration.

I guess (means I have no personal experience) that even a visa except stamp might be enough, but will make 1 additional step necessary.

Applying for a Non-I A abroad has advantages, I would consider this possibility as well.

[armycw4ret]

From what I understand the best process would be for me to go to the US embassy here in Germany prior to my arrival in Thailand and get the income statement verification? What is the next step here in Germany to get the visa? The visa application gets submitted to whom: Thai embassy in Germany or do I send to via mail to Thailand? How do I get the visa stamped on my passport prior to arrival in Thailand or am I missing something? I am a little confused on what can be done outside of thailand prior to arriving for an extended stay. I have plenty of time before I am planning on moving permanently here in germany. Plan is to come for ten days on 22 Jul to look for a condo and then return in the next 60 days. Also can the medical statement requirement be done prior or should I get that in Thailand.

[lomuamart]

Re-looking at your OP, you're only here for 10 days later this month and then go back to Germany for a while. I hope that's correct. If it is, I'd do the following:
Come over here on the 20th July without a visa. you'll be stamped in for 30 days at the airport for no fee. Then return to Germany.
Before you make the big move, apply for a Non Immigrant "O" visa at the Thai Embassy in Germany. Your reason for wanting it is retirement. As long as you're over 50 you won't have a problem getting the visa. The visa can either be single entry, good for 90 days when you arrive or multiple entry in which case the visa will be valid for a year. Again, you'll be given 90 days on entry and before that time arrives you exit Thailand and return - on the same day if you wish - and get another 90 days. You can do this as many times as you want as long as the visa itself remains valid.
The visa application will be made to the Thai Embassy in Germany, or a Thai consulate.
If later you're going to be relying on the income route to get your annual extension (which is applied for here in Thailand at Imm), then I shouldn't think you'll need a multiple entry visa as you can apply for the extension during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry stamp. Requirement is a minimum of 65K Baht a month. If you're going to apply for the extension using the savings route, then the money needs to have been in a Thai bank account for 3 months before you apply so it might be better to get a multi-entry visa to tide you over whilst your money is seasoning, unless you've done that already.
Ther is no need for a medical certificate for the retirement extension - or police report for that matter. The process is painless and should be completed within a matter of minutes as long as you've got all the correct paperwork.
One last matter. I don't know what the Thai Embassy in Germany will require from you to get the "O" visa. It changes from place to place so you're best off calling them. There shouldn't be any need for anything from the US Embassy - IN GERMANY - but you never know. The Thai Embassy may want to see evidence of your income or savings and in that case I would have thought bank statements, a pension certificate or such like would suffice. But do call The Thai Embassy first.
It's only when you're applying for the annual extension here in Thailand and you're doing so on the basis of income that you'll need a notarised latter from the US Embassy and you get that in BKK.
So, in a nutshell, come over here for the 10 days without a visa and don't do any more here at that stage. When you're coming over full time, get the Non Imm O visa and extend it for a year here in Thailand. The extensions can carry on ad infinitum as long as you get them before the current one expires.
It may sound complicated, but I assure you it isn't and I'm certain it'll be plain sailing for you. Fire away with any more questions if you need more clarification.

[Nereus]

From what I understand the best process would be for me to go to the US embassy here in Germany prior to my arrival in Thailand and get the income statement verification? What is the next step here in Germany to get the visa? The visa application gets submitted to whom: Thai embassy in Germany or do I send to via mail to Thailand? How do I get the visa stamped on my passport prior to arrival in Thailand or am I missing something? I am a little confused on what can be done outside of thailand prior to arriving for an extended stay. I have plenty of time before I am planning on moving permanently here in germany. Plan is to come for ten days on 22 Jul to look for a condo and then return in the next 60 days. Also can the medical statement requirement be done prior or should I get that in Thailand.

armycw4ret

I believe that you are confusing yourself with the terminology you are using.

There is NO such document called “retirement visa”. To stay long term in Thailand you apply for an extension of a non-immigrant visa, usually some form of “O” visa.

You can apply for the extension based on a couple of reasons, but what you want to do is apply for it BASED on “retirement”. (it will still NOT be called a retirement visa)

To obtain the extension you have to prove your income, which you are saying is your Military pension, the proof of which you obtain from the US Embassy in Thailand, just before you apply for the “extension”.

As advised above apply for a non-immigrant “O” visa, either multiple entry, or single entry, before you make your move to Thailand. This visa is the only thing that you need to obtain in Germany; ALL the rest will then be done at the appropriate time once you are in Thailand.

[georgy]

There is NO such document called “retirement visa”. To stay long term in Thailand you apply for an extension of a non-immigrant visa, usually some form of “O” visa.

Thats not correct.
As mentioned earlier there are 2 ways:
- come to Thailand on any visa and get the extension of stay
- get a Non O-A (long stay) abroad, age > 50years
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2493

If plenty of time I would go for O-A issued abroad, as it can be used for nearly 2 years and income/savings can remain abroad.

I suggest that the threadstarter read above link and decide then.
Below the embassies in and around Germany, you might find one close to your location.
http://www.baanthai.com/adressen/index.asp?adart=6

[georgy]

in any case I would open a bank account during your next visit, so you will be free to fill it up in time

[lomuamart]

I think what what Nereus was saying is that it's important to get terminology right to avoid confusion and there is actually no such thing as a retirement visa. You either get an annual extension based on retirement or an OA visa which is "long stay", although commonly referred to as a retirement visa.
Also, the OP seems to be saying that he/she will rely on income to get the annual extension here in which case the OA won't benefit him/her from a financial point of view as there's no need to bring in any income into a Thai bank account. Proof that you live off the overseas income could be asked for in which case overseas bank statements or ATM receipts would suffice to show that. Also, very importantly, the OP is American so can't apply for an OA in Germany. He /she will have to go back to the States.
OP - you CAN get the O visa in Germany. An OA visa is a different kettle of fish.
Personally, I'd go for an O visa (single or multi-entry).
EDITED as my first attempt at this post was too confusing

[chaspul]

Lomuart
Not a true statement about returning to home country. Both I and my wife got a one year multi OA visa at the Thai Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I am Brit, she Canadian and there was no reason to return to our home countries to obtain these visas.
Fairly simple but lots of paper X2! Also all paperwork has to be fairly current, so when you start the paper trail don't stop.
In our Case;
2 copys of application with photo.
Police check, carried out in Saudi Arabia.
Letter from off shore bank, this will be non commital due to exchange rate, but copy of 3 months statements included.
Medical report, sample is on UK Thai consulate web site, company Doc to sign in our case or any local Doc.
Additional form, downloaded from Embassy web site to support OA application as you will be long stay, address, reasons, e.g. retirement to your own house and many other things.

This gives a one year permission to stay stamp on arrival and as long as the visa has not expired will give you an additional 12 months permission to stay stamp as long as you exit, re-enter, we spent a night at the Ademan Hotel 4 days before the visa expired. During this second 12 months, seperate entry exit stamps can be purchased from local Imm to keep the 12 month stamp current, should you wish to travel.

To the original poster, try it from Germany stating that you want a 12 month OA multi (multi means more money for Thailand), every time you re-enter while the visa is current you will get that 12 month stamp.
Remember to smile a lot.

Chas